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Die Hard

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Posts posted by Die Hard

  2. Phil Housley should be fired.

    in The Aud Club

    Posted

    7 minutes ago, Kruppstahl said:

    Consider this:

    In 2015/2016 we finished the season with 81 points.

    The following year, 2016/2017, we had 78 points and GMTM and Bylsma were fired.

    Last year we finished dead last with 62 points.

    This year, we may well end up where we are now, at 72 points.  The best we can do is 78 points, the same we had when GMTM and Bylsma were fired.

    I am not convinced that Botterill is safe, and I now fully expect Housley to be fired at season's end.

    Does this franchise have the look and feel of one that is moving in the right direction? 

    78 point was bad enough to fire the last GM and it might just be good enough to fire the current one too.

    There hasn't been much talk about this b/c folks are mostly focused on Housley and the coaching situation.

    Hang in there, and let's see what goes down next week.

    Botterill has had some swings and misses, for sure. But he’s also had some successes too. 

    Turning around the Amerks, Skinner grade, you might even throw Montour in there.... but not giving credit for Dhalin.

    I know Terry respects the hell out of him (former Penguin) and likes the constant communication. So I think that’s enough to keep him safe.

    I could go either way... I’m inclined to keep him myself. 

    But Housley is unemployable. It’s disgusting how bad this team has been. Total points, goal differential, 5-on-5, Power play, secondary scoring, goaltending, lack of win streaks, regulation wins, line combos, last line changes, last-minute first-minute goals against.

    • Like (+1) 1

  4. Phil Housley should be fired.

    in The Aud Club

    Posted

    If Botterill doesn’t want a coaching change.... then Botterill has to go too.

    2 straight years of ‘unintentional’ tanks?

    The first season they did nothing.... under the guise of ‘assessment.’ We basically just threw another year away for ‘locker room’ culture!!! I guess a good culture means being a good soldier.... being willing to accept losing gracefully and not questioning leadership.

    First season, Housley insinuating the players didn’t show up in shape. This offseason, they build up relationships and showed up in good physical condition. And what’s that actually accomplished?

    If Housley is back next season.... I will have lost complete faith in the Sabres/Pegulas.

    • Like (+1) 2

  7. Phil Housley should be fired.

    in The Aud Club

    Posted · Edited by Die Hard

    28 minutes ago, Jacque Richard said:

    I can see terrance doing nothing.  Only way if the attendance drops and more booing continues 

    I don’t know that for certain. I know many people believe it though.

     

    As a Redskins fan, attendance this year was atrocious and embarrassing. The fans are beyond outraged, they’re apathetic. The Skins won their season opener this past year (dominated).... and returned home to play the Colts in their home opener. The stadium was half empty and half of the filled seats were Colts fans. Colts fans!!!! They don’t travel like Steelers/Packers. It never got any better through the year, it got worse. Even when they were 6-3 and going into divisional games. I’ve seen it bad before.... right before we hired Gibbs and also Jim Zorn. But this level is unprecedented.

    And yet, Snyder continues to tune out the fans and media. Believing that he knows better than anyone else. Trumpeting a message that they’re close... 

    At this point, fans are hoping Snyder just moves the team. And the city can start over as an expansion. That’s how bad it is.

    I didn’t think it could get as bad as last year. And now I know it’s going to get even worse this year.

    So I’m not sure what the breaking point is any more.

    • Thanks (+1) 1

  10. 2019 Off Season

    in The Aud Club

    Posted

    2 minutes ago, MakeSabresGrr8Again said:

    That's not how it would work if he kept ROR. It would be $7,5M/yr that ROR was on the team. 5 years at 7.5M = $37.5M.

    Right. But my thinking is that O’Reilly was worth a late 1st rounder plus a prospect... PLUS the salary cap dump of his contract. That’s typically what I see the standard when teams make moves for a big-name player.

    Either it’s a big name (and contract) for a similar player/contract on another team. Or it’s a pick and prospects for a big name/contract. Taking 2 assets like like Sobotka/Berglund makes no sense. Unless it was to save paying O’Reilly’s $7M bonus.... but then we took back even more money than that in the arrangement.

  11. 2019 Off Season

    in The Aud Club

    Posted

    1 hour ago, Drunkard said:

    He took on 2 cap dumps because he (or Pegula) wanted somebody else to be on the hook for O'Reilly's bonus payment and to help the numbers work. It doesn't change the fact that it was a ***** deal made even shittier by how poorly Sobotka has played and the fact that before Berglund left he was an almost $4 million guy playing on the 4th line with two other plugs in Girgensons and Larsson. At least Berglund quit and we aren't stucking with his cap hit for 4 seasons, but it doesn't change the fact that O'Reilly out produces all 3 of these supposedly "valueable depth players" single handedly. Apparently a bunch of nothing and a lottery ticket was worth it, but I still don't see how.

    Thompson at least has the chance of improving over the next few seasons, but even if his improves to the point of becoming a regular top 6 forward that's still a big drop from having one of the 5 or 10 best #2 centers in the league.

    I forgot about the bonus payment. Something like $7M right? Isn’t that what both Sobotka/Berglund make in salary combined anyways? 

    However, their contracts had longer term. So in order to save $7M today.... he was willing to pay $21M+ over 3 years?? Does that make sense?

  13. 2019 Off Season

    in The Aud Club

    Posted · Edited by Die Hard

    1 hour ago, inkman said:

    False.  He was a salary dump that he took on to get the pick and prospect. 


    Are you sure? O’Reilly wasn’t worth a late 1st and a prospect (Tage) himself? I would hope so ? Instead, the Sabres devalued the asset by taking on 2 poor assets with bad contracts. I would think a team would give up a first or an asset to get rid of bad contract(s)...  let alone get a 2C in return.

    Isnt that what the Sabres gave up for Montour? A late first and prospect for a top 4 defenseman? Why the hell didn’t we throw in Okposo as a salary dump?!?! ?

    • Thanks (+1) 1

  14. Sabres Practice Report 2/28/2019

    in The Aud Club

    Posted

    5 minutes ago, woods-racer said:

    No matter what way you slice this loaf we are in need of a 2C.

     

    I think we have a great first line. There’s A LOT of parts there to make lines 3-4 really dangerous and deep. Great foundation.,

    But I think we’re missing an entire 2nd line..... not just a 2C. But can that be done this offseason?

    • Like (+1) 1

  17. Sabres trying to set NHL History by being first team to lead the NHL in points after Halloween and finish dead last in the NHL

    in The Aud Club

    Posted

    7 hours ago, Gatorman0519 said:

    Here is some perspective.  My oldest is going to graduate next year.  Unless one of our teams does something next year which is unlikely, he would of gone from 1st grade to Graduation never seeing either Buffalo major sports team with a playoff game/series, let alone a championship. I would imagine we have a lost generation.  That is astonishingly bad.  We must have the worst sports teams of all time.

     

    Didnt the Bills have a playoff game 2 years ago.... lost to the Jaguars?

  18. Trade Speculation and Rumors 2018-19

    in The Aud Club

    Posted · Edited by Die Hard

    12 minutes ago, Taro T said:

    What teams do you see him getting $9MM/year from?  He's not a 40GS when playing with middling linemates.  If he's not a 40+ goal scorer, he's not worth significantly more than Evander Kane IMHO and Kane now is pretty much $7x7.  And, again, without an Eichel, he's not a 40 GS.

    Andif he could be, say, Matthews LW, how do they work a $9MM contract into that already bloated F contract lineup?

    I don't disagree with you. Those are all logical points. And I'm not THAT much of an NHL nut to know which teams can currently afford that salary. But what I do know.... is that team's always find a way. How the Leafs cleared all those terrible contracts a few years ago was mind-numbing.

    But I've been a fan of professional sports for 10+ years. And the one constant I always see is bloated contracts... based on history (more than projection) for older players that produced in the past.... or maxing out every year based on that player's best statistical year. Let's be honest..... Jack didn't deserve $10/year up to this point. Giving it to him had a lot of nuance to it... but always in the player's favor.

    Especially when it comes to Free Agency. And 40-goal scorers... regardless of how... are a rare commodity in this league now. Somebody is going to over-pay.... there's hardly ever good value contracts any longer.

  19. Trade Speculation and Rumors 2018-19

    in The Aud Club

    Posted

    4 minutes ago, Taro T said:

    The only way Skinner isn't signed by the trade deadline is if the talking heads are wrong & he has to wait until after this trade deadline to get the 8th year.  (The CBA is quite specific that he can't get it until after the deadline but ALL the talking heads have said he's eligible for it now that we're in January.)

    And Skinner doesn't have all the leverage, even though the team would be alienating the fans should he leave.  Buffalo is NOT trading him prior to the trade deadline, so they are the ONLY team that can give him an 8th year on his next deal.

    Also, there are only a small handful of teams that can afford what he wants, have a need for a 1L, and have a 1C of Eichel's quality to boost him from being viewed as a 30 GS to a 40 GS (& dare we hope to say a 50 GS?), AND is one of the handful of teams he actually WANTS to play for.

    He's asked for $9-9.5MM/ yr for 8 years.  He's not getting that IMHO.  That's just the opening ask from his side.  He'll come in (hopefully) a smidge under $8MM/yr for 8 or up to $8.5MM/ yr for 8 years.  They can afford to keep the rest of the core when they're due with him coming in at that price.  And that contract can be structured to be unloadable to a 3rd party (should the next CBA function comparably to the current one) should they want / need to get rid of him on the backside of it.  (It's good to have Daddy Warbucks for an owner.)

    If you forego the extra year... and pick up the extra $1M/year in the contract (which is the difference between $8M and $9M)... then the total overall contract could be the same amount (minus a year). Would Skinner care?

    He played himself into this contract. He wanted to the audition going into this contract year... and his best bet was to go to a Buffalo team that was a cellar dweller and get guaranteed first-line play with a bonafide center. I think that was his motivation.... than caring for the actual franchise ?

    And I think at this point in his career.... once he gets the contract he wants (maxes out), I don't think he cares who's paying it - regardless of what team he wants to play for, who he'll be playing with. And I think as a 45-goal scorer.... teams would make room if they had to. Seems like we're the only team that can't seem to unload any contracts.

  20. Trade Speculation and Rumors 2018-19

    in The Aud Club

    Posted · Edited by Die Hard

    1 hour ago, Taro T said:

    A fan mutiny.

    I understand that. I would anticipate that.

    But the implications of that outcome would be to the detriment of the team. Because if that's truly the case.... then Skinner has ALL the leverage in contract negotiations. It handcuffs the team.... and that contract will inevitably be an albatross that we ALL resent in a few years, at our own doing. I remember hearing on WGR that a source said that Skinner wanted $9.5M/year to skip FA. If that's true... I don't recall any numbers I've read on this board higher than $8. Maybe $8.5.

    But if Skinner is hardlining... and it's $9.5 or nothing.... is that a firm no?!

     

     

  21. GDT - Boston Bruins v. Buffalo Sabres - January 5, 2019 - 7:00

    in The Aud Club

    Posted

    4 minutes ago, New Scotland (NS) said:

    Ask and ye shall receive ...

    LW C RW Forwards
    Jeff Skinner
    JEFF SKINNER

    Rating: 80.4#9 LW

    		Evan Rodrigues
    EVAN RODRIGUES

    Rating: 71.1#90 C

    		Sam Reinhart
    SAM REINHART

    Rating: 76.0#30 RW

    FL1 Rating
    Rating: 75.84#22 FL1
    Conor Sheary
    CONOR SHEARY

    Rating: 71.1#95 LW

    		Vladimir Sobotka
    VLADIMIR SOBOTKA

    Rating: 68.1#193 C

    		Tage Thompson
    TAGE THOMPSON

    Rating: 70.0#106 RW

    FL2 Rating
    Rating: 69.72#31 FL2
    Remi Elie
    REMI ELIE

    Rating: 68.8#130 LW

    		Casey Mittelstadt
    CASEY MITTELSTADT

    Rating: 70.1#165 C

    		Jason Pominville
    JASON POMINVILLE

    Rating: 73.1#58 RW

    FL3 Rating
    Rating: 70.65#26 FL3
    C.J. Smith
    C.J. SMITH

    Rating: 73.2#52 LW

    		Johan Larsson
    JOHAN LARSSON

    Rating: 68.9#129 C

    		Kyle Okposo
    KYLE OKPOSO

    Rating: 70.7#95 RW

    FL4 Rating
    Rating: 70.91#12 FL4
     
     
    DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS Defense
    Jake McCabe
    JAKE MCCABE

    Rating: 71.5#83 LD

    		Rasmus Ristolainen
    RASMUS RISTOLAINEN

    Rating: 76.7#20 RD

    DL1 Rating
    Rating: 74.11#19 DL1
    Marco Scandella
    MARCO SCANDELLA

    Rating: 71.5#80 LD

    		Rasmus Dahlin
    RASMUS DAHLIN

    Rating: 73.3#44 RD

    DL2 Rating
    Rating: 72.40#20 DL2
    Lawrence Pilut
    LAWRENCE PILUT

    Rating: 73.0#50 LD

    		Zach Bogosian
    ZACH BOGOSIAN

    Rating: 70.6#87 RD

    DL3 Rating
    Rating: 71.84#13 DL3

    That forward grouping is brutal. It really exposes this team’s depth outside of Jack.

    That defensive grouping is pretty damn solid though.

    Let’s hope the Sabres can sneak out a victory as underdogs.

  24. Around the NHL 2018-2019

    in The Aud Club

    Posted

    Barrasso was my first NHL idol — Jeremy Roenek my second. My first pro sports team jersey - kind of a big deal. I had a very hard time letting go - considered switching allegiance - when he got traded to the Penguins. I still followed Pittsburgh with my peripheral vision.... and when they won a few cups in was hard not to feel like I missed out.

     

    But I don’t recall the 5-hole stuff. That’s kinda funny though.

     

     

  25. Best Off-season moves around the NHL (Trades and UFA signings)

    in The Aud Club

    Posted

    5 hours ago, DarthEbriate said:

    Apparently, it wasn't STL.

    Sheesh. O'Reilly just cannot win. He leads STL in scoring, he's a positive +/- on another junk team, he probably is still dynamite in the faceoff dot, and logs 20 min/game. With us he put up 60 pts/season. With COL, he was solid, too. But his team is always a bottom-dweller (except one season with COL).

     

    The guy apparently has a dark cloud following him around. I wonder if he ever ponders if it’s just him.

    Its like Kevin Love. Good player (stats-wise) on crappy teams.... but missing the ingredient to raise the team performance. It took Lebron James to overcome his misfortune, and he was still widely criticized for being an anchor for those Cavs teams.

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