sabresouth

I am kinda surprised at how fast this went down. But I believe ka had already talked to potential coaches before the season ended. So apparently he didn't want any playoff coaches that might come available. So the decision on ruff was pretty much made by the time dg was fired IMHO

I like this hire. He is what this team desperately needs. I think this team will take the next step next year.

For example, I like UPL. Since January he has been excellent. But we had to go through last year and half of this year to get it. With a top tier goalie last year and this, we would have been in the playoffs both years. Sometimes we don't have to wait to make a significant impact.

I agree, large steps aren't needed. But specific steps in certain areas are. And in times past KA has seemed slow on the draw to fix things. Just hoping he doesn't do that this off season

Yeah, to clarify, I should have said necessary steps

I am concerned that KA won't go far enough on the player acquisition side this off season. He seems to be a too little too late kinda gm. Always one step behind where he should be. On a side note, management has said in the past that they will do whatever it takes to win a cup. But in KA's press conference he specifically stated they didn't make some moves because they didn't like the money or contracts. I get it you don't want to be stupid but you know there could have been trades made in the past couple of years that would have fallen under the "whatever it takes" area to make this team a contender the last two seasons and they didn't happen. Hopefully KA thinks his job is in jeopardy and is willing to take large steps instead of baby steps.

Was not expecting this. With the lack of trades made over the past year and a half. I am surprised he pulled the trigger this quick. I'm leaning towards not hiring Lindy. He's the type of coach we need but I'm just not sure he can rekindle the magic of the past.

The Sabres need to go on a six game heater. Start tonight boys. Shake off last game and find a way to win tonight!

KA needs to go! He has done almost NOTHING. He's had last years trade deadline, last off season and this trade deadline to get this team into the playoffs. A miserable failure. Coaching is almost as bad. Matt Ellis running the power play, really....

Let's go BUFFALO!!!! Keep playing that "no fear" brand of hockey boys. Get it done.

Please call up Levi. Unless we expect to score five goals or more Comrie is a bad bet. We have scored ten goals in the last two games so there is that.

I said "part" of the problem. UPL finally figured out how to be a goalie is another part of their success lately. It's not any one singular thing.

Not likely to find anyone who can fill his shoes

I do believe KO was part of the problem. Not all but part. Also noticed the last couple of wins at home they have come to center ice. Not a long thing, just a skate around the circle and off the ice. So I'm assuming that it was KO's decision to stop. And it wasn't so much doing it or not as much as it was the reason for stopping it. So I'm glad he's gone personally.

We have a young "snowflake" team. We need a tough gritty coach to take some of that out of them. This isn't a "participation trophy" league.

The front office failed here this year as well. We got crap goaltending and defense the first half of the year and look where we are. Granted the goaltending and defense has greatly improved lately but it is way too late now. I'm not a Granato fan but much of this years failures should be laid at the feet of KA. I've always liked Ruff. Didn't want to see him go. This team needs a swift kick in the butt. And he could get it done.

After being one of UPL's strongest critics, he has definitely turned the corner and playing well in the crease. Now that he is making the saves, he needs to now work on his play behind the net. He gives the puck right to the opposing team an awful lot. Greenway is not a top line player IMHO. I don't get the logic of him being there. The Thompson line becomes less of a threat when he is on it. He doesn't have the play making prowess to match up with Thompson and Tuch. He's a third/fourth liner who can fill in on the second line.

Wide right To soon?..

Good game. UPL settled in and played well. It's sad that Bryson is back in the lineup. He was directly involved with both goals against.

You can't deny that good goaltending can change a games outcome. In the not too distant past our goaltending would have let in three goals on the odd man rushes and our team would be discouraged and we would have lost the game 5-2. Oh what could have been these past 3-4 seasons with good goaltending.

UPL has definitely looked better lately. Probably too late to save the season but hopefully he continues to get better.

Live in SW Arkansas. Flying out of Little Rock with a connection in Atlanta to Buffalo.

Thanks for all the input. It is helpful. Not sure what we are going to be able to do.

Flying into buffalo on Sunday? Supposed to go to the Monday afternoon game thru the Saturday game Wondering the likely hood of airport shutting down on Sunday. Anyone that lives in buffalo would definitely have a better feel for what's coming. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

What happened to Skinner?