[GDT Nashville at Buffalo 4/2/19 7 PM]

4 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Sounds good enough for Buffalo's 4th line. 

Yeah, he might give Girgensons a real run for his money.

[GDT Nashville at Buffalo 4/2/19 7 PM]

1 hour ago, ... said:

A +3 with 2 points since being with Nashville isn't "quite bad" for a fourth line role.

2 points over 14 games is a 12 point per 82 game pace.

Its not good, even for a 4th liner.

This season, he is a shell of the player he used to be.

[How has this team completely reverted back to the worst team in the NHL again???]

1 hour ago, Weave said:

 

Another angle to look at this;  One of the rationales for moving ROR was that he didn't fit into the time line of the building process.  At what point do we start considering the same with 4-6 season vets currently on the team?

It's not now.  Is it next season if we don't progress?  The season after?

It’s too far in the future to really be able to predict.  If the team is still terrible 3-4 seasons from now, I would say blowing it up could become a viable idea.

[GDT Nashville at Buffalo 4/2/19 7 PM]

5 minutes ago, ... said:

When you have Wayne Simmonds penciled in on your forth line - you're doing something right.

He has been quite bad.

[How has this team completely reverted back to the worst team in the NHL again???]

On 3/31/2019 at 9:35 PM, kas23 said:

Would you trade Jack for Jack (ie #1 pick in 2019 draft)? I just think Eichel needs a different environment. One where he isn’t relied on to carry a team. A team that’s already winning and he’s just a cog of the wheel. 

Any player, including Crosby, Ovechkin, McDavid, E Karlsson or whoever, if relied on to consistently carry a team, will fail.  I don’t believe that is possible in the NHL.

Hughes would be no better at “carrying” the Sabres than Eichel is.  It takes a whole team to play good hockey.

[Poll: When Does Phil Get the Ax]

9 hours ago, Pimlach said:

Concur.  Further, I doubt Q and AV come here.  Why would they?   Seattle job is out there promising a fresh start. 

In October and November the national hockey media praised Phil and liked seeing the Sabres ascend.  You don’t hear league wide questioning of PH (think Rolston) either.    The scuttlebut is the roster is young and they need a lot of help at center.  

Phil is a respected HOF guy.  TPegs will give him another year.  It’s up to Bots to improve the talent and bring in better leadership.  

 

This is is not what I would do.  It’s my prediction of Pegula/Botterill. 

Regarding the Seattle job, isn’t that going to Dave Tippett?  I believe he is already employed by the organization in an advisory role, with the inside track on being their first HC.

Q and AV may still not want to work for Buffalo though.  Who knows.

[Skinner Contract Watch]

1 hour ago, PerreaultForever said:

Hedging their bets. If he signs no guarantee he will even have the same number. A few others might open up like with Jack.  But at this point, I wouldn't buy one.............

He’s worn the same number his entire 9 year NHL career.  Probably not going to change now.

[Phil Housley should be fired.]

9 minutes ago, dudacek said:

How do we explain the first half of the season - not the streak, the first half?

Between Oct. 20 on Jan. 11 we played 37 games. We lost by more than 1 goal six times. We either won, or had a good chance of winning 31 out of 37 starts.

If Housley is that bad, if the players are that bad, how did that happen?

It boggles the mind.

In the first half of the season, the goaltending was much better.  That’s a major part of how.

[Poll: When Does Phil Get the Ax]

3 hours ago, Pimlach said:

In October and November the national hockey media praised Phil and liked seeing the Sabres ascend.  You don’t hear league wide questioning of PH (think Rolston) either.    The scuttlebut is the roster is young and they need a lot of help at center.  

Not League wide I suppose, but Bob McKenzie recently mentioned Buffalo as a team that could be making a coaching change.  He usually is pretty on top of things and plugged in to talk around the league.

For the record, I think they make a change after the season is over.

[Should the next head coach of the Sabres be Mike Velucci?]

42 minutes ago, Derrico said:

I LOVED DJ Smith when he was with oshawa.  His in game adjustments were so impressive.  There’s a reason Babcock wanted him on his staff.  I don’t think he’s the guy the sabres need right now but he’s an interesting name to watch down the road.

https://torontosun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/players-think-d-j-smith-destined-to-be-a-head-coach

Last season, Smith voted by NHL players as #1 NHL assistant coach who should be hired for next HC vacancy.

Why do you think he’s not the guy for Buffalo right now?

[Should the next head coach of the Sabres be Mike Velucci?]

24 minutes ago, PASabreFan said:

Welcome aboard.

Thanks.  I’ve been lurking for quite some time, decided that I might as well add my 2 cents every now and then.

[Should the next head coach of the Sabres be Mike Velucci?]

I would prefer an experienced HC.  I’m thinking Quennville or Boudreau (I think he gets fired) ideally.  I’m a maybe on Vigneault.

If going with a first time NHL HC, I’d like Sheldon Keefe, DJ Smith, or Kris Knoblauch.

I also think Todd Nelson may be worth a look.  He is going to get a second shot at some point.