FrenchConnection44

The enigma strikes again. Big time wins at the Rangers, Bruins, and Knights. One has to wonder if those teams are underestimating us in these games and expect to win? Although Vegas didn’t play poorly. Levi for the win for sure, but those goals were crucial. Levi can be great. I think UPL has shown he is capable of being good enough. It’s just whether he can be mentally strong enough to play consistently when we need him in order to rest Levi. Goalie psychology is such a big factor and it’s hard to know how that will play out.

Yep. And I think the only way is a new coach. But whole staff needs to go. It’s really an embarrassment. Here is the audio about “accountability on every play.” Lundquist is spot on. And every game. Just terrible hockey. As much as we want to blame the goalie - and there are problems there - it is a team game. The team starts playing better and the goaltender gets confidence. And vice versa. But it’s just not happening. An entire new coaching staff and major revision of the player development department is an absolute necessity, imo. I don’t know why they don’t talk to successful teams who develop players from other sports.

The "he" I'm referring to there is Kulich. I don't disagree with you on the observation. I see it as a fan frustration when they do that (even if it is a lack of shooting 'sniper' ability). But I can see some players determined to get a shot on goal and firing right at the center of the goalie (which is more an amateur move) rather than taking the chance of missing the net entirely. It's a catch-22. You hate it when a player is at point-blank range and misses the goal entirely, which gives him no shot at converting, but also hate it when it's right at the goalie. Either way, it's a lack of accuracy within the framework of getting off a quick trigger shot.

Yes of course. I will always root for the Sabres and love the team. But when a team loses, is non competitive, and plays poorly I don’t have much interest in watching or don’t have time to put in. Why should anyone? I’ve been a fan since 1970 and will watch on occasion but don’t have the time given my life circumstances. At the same time my interest in watching will increase when they are competitive. I will still represent and be a fan and root for them. But I can’t commit to watch unless they are really showing they are in the hunt and special. 80 games is too much time to put in for my world.

I don't think intentionality has much to do with it. It's the ability to quickly sense where the goalie is, what corner (or 5 hole) is open and accurately nail the shot. That's the difference between a great goal scorer and a player who gets chances but doesn't convert effectively. JJP has that sniper ability. If he is on a strong, consistent line he can be a big time scorer. I think Kulich has that (Tage did for stretches last year) but whether he can develop to become a strong overall player at the NHL level is still a question he has to answer.

He does need to make some strong additions. And his young draft choices need to step up.

This is a challenge for several players on the Sabres. Other than JJP and Skinner they are far from snipers. Tage can be if he gets hot. Dahlin is solid but doesn’t get the chances. They often shoot it at the goalie. Cozens. Casey (though he doesn’t have much of a strong shot period). Really most of them. I would like to see the line from last year re-united when/if everyone gets healthy again.

This is a good move. Could have made it a week or two ago. Rosen was not getting ice time here. He will in Rochester. Murray may not add a ton of talent but he’s a man. And he isn’t a developing prospect who needs time on the ice.

There have been many complaints levied at Adams for not bringing in vets last year and running back Okposo, et al. I get that. But it was a thin free agent year and not a lot of players available. This year we should be in better position to bring in new players and replacing a good bit of the chaff. Now, if Adams doesn’t procure 2-3-4 very solid players this off season then he should be in trouble. I would give him one more offseason and year. But we have to get a new staff that sees the value of the players on the team and can harness that. Look, for example, at what Mike McDaniel has done in Miami with the Dolphins. Yes I know they are the Bills rival. But he put faith in the talent that was there. They added veteran talent to complement that young talent. And added a strong coaching staff with McDaniel to improve those players. Amazing what a smart Xs and Os coach from a good system who fosters self belief in players can do for a team culture. Granato just doesn’t have that hockey IQ, imo. That’s what I want to see with the Sabres young group. A good coach and staff that knows how to play hockey and can develop the players and then add quality talent in the off season to blend in and lead by example.

Granato has to go. It’s just not good hockey. You hate to see anyone fired but he’s made a lot of money so far for not making the playoffs. And he will get paid $3.8 million the next two years. Nothing to complain about. Please. Fire me and pay me $3.8 million. I’ll get fired 20x for that. So can’t feel sorry for him. It’s a high profile and high paying job. I can’t see Adams getting fired. He’s created a very solid talent pipeline. They need a new coach and staff. That actually teach them how to play team hockey. On both ends of the rink. And, simultaneously, they need to up their developmental game - providing a stronger more definitive program for the development of each player. Physically. Mentally. Hockey skills.

Said this in the Montreal thread. But … We are surely one of the most poorly coached teams in the NHL in terms of having any defensive structure or offensive plan or consistency. And the victories we get are a product of other teams having an off night and we get fortunate in some wide open shots or the players themselves get frustrated over playing bad the prior couple of games so they come out and hustle for 50-60 minutes and the randomness of the games gives them a W. We have some weak spots in talent to be sure. And the goaltending is inconsistent and Levi should be at the AHL level. But if these players were well coached and bought into that coaching, and if the organization as a whole - at every level - had a well organized, cutting edge, and well structured player development system and large training staff that got the absolute best out of each player from a physical and mental development (particularly the off-season) perspective, I think the talent is there to be a much better team. And that is on Pegula. Look at organizations like the Braves or Dodgers in baseball (or even Rays or Astros). They have excellent organizational structure, generally large off field staffs even at the MLB level but all the way up and down (as opposed to 2-3 people in player development) (even though the Rays don’t have any money they keep putting out competitive teams), excellent analytic staffs and a great plan for development of each player. We need organizational improvement at most every level. Or look at the Bruins. In spite of generally drafting at the end of every round, they have been below .500 3 times since 1968. They have been .600 or better 14 times this century alone. The Sabres have been .600 or better 11 times in their history since 1970, and 7 of those were the decade between 1974 & 1984. Since 1984, they’ve been .600 plus 4 times. Between 1972 and 2000 we missed the playoffs only 4 times. Pegula has enough money that if he did it right, we could have a solid organization that tracked, assisted, and helped develop every individual drafted player at the AHL, and other minor levels and NHL level. He needs to find someone at the NHL level who knows how to run an organization to be the President of hockey operations and restructure the entire front office and developmental staff and give him the resources to do so. I am not saying fire Adams. He may fit in fine but Pegula needs to decide if he’s going to get things in place to be a consistent winner or not.

Many have been saying this for some time. It seems like we are one of the most poorly coached teams in the NHL in terms of having any defensive structure or offensive plan or consistency. And the victories we get are a product of other teams having an off night and we get fortunate in some wide open shots or the players themselves get frustrated over playing bad the prior couple of games so they come out and hustle for 50-60 minutes and the randomness of the games gives them a W. We have some weak spots in talent to be sure. And the goaltending is inconsistent and Levi should be at the AHL level. But if these players were well coached and bought into that coaching, and if the organization as a whole - at every level - had a well organized, cutting edge, and well structured player development system and large training staff that got the absolute best out of each player from a physical and mental development (particularly the off-season) perspective, I think the talent is there to be a much better team. And that is on Pegula. Look at organizations like the Braves or Dodgers in baseball (or even Rays or Astros). They have excellent organizational structure, generally large off field staffs even at the MLB level but all the way up and down (as opposed to 2-3 people in player development) (even though the Rays don’t have any money they keep putting out competitive teams), excellent analytic staffs and a great plan for development of each player. We need organizational improvement at most every level. Or look at the Bruins. In spite of generally drafting at the end of every round, they have been below .500 3 times since 1968. They have been .600 or better 14 times this century alone. The Sabres have been .600 or better 11 times in their history since 1970, and 7 of those were the decade between 1974 & 1984. Since 1984, they’ve been .600 plus 4 times. Between 1972 and 2000 we missed the playoffs only 4 times. Pegula has enough money that if he did it right, we could have a solid organization that tracked, assisted, and helped develop every individual drafted player at the AHL, and other minor levels and NHL level. He needs to find someone at the NHL level who knows how to run an organization to be the President of hockey operations and restructure the entire front office and developmental staff and give him the resources to do so. I am not saying fire Adams. He may fit in fine but Pegula needs to decide if he’s going to get things in place to be a consistent winner or not.

Krebs and Jost played together the other night for a short bit. I’d like to see more of that. With Robinson. Really liked what he brought vs Bruins. Lines are looking better. When Quinn and Tuch get back, a lot of goood options: Tuch-Tage-Skinner Quinn-Cozens-Peterka (if we want to run it back) then, Benson-Middlestadt- (take your pick) Jost/Olafsson/Robinson or Benson-Casey-Peterka Quinn-Cozens-Jost/Robinson/Olafsson I do like Casey on that top line with Skinner and Thompson, but the problem there is shortchanging Center with ostensibly two on the first line. Cozens becomes the only other center with offensive scoring potential. Tuch could combine on the wing with any of Benson/Peterka/Quinn/Robinson/Olofsson The challenge becomes who that 3rd center is. I like Jost but not a scoring center. I would be happier to see him with Krebs and Robinson or Okposo on line 4.

😂 What a friggin’ game, lol! That sequence over the last two minutes was insane! We could not get the puck! But we fought like hell to prevent a goal. What an intense two minutes plus of hockey! Loved it. That’s some great playing. Levi was phenomenal. Even the goal was a freak occurrence. A kind of unintended own goal by Johnson. Pastrnak. That dude is just so sick with the puck! I hate the Bruins but every time he gets the puck I get intrigued about seeing something special.

I keep hearing that Adams has to make a move. This is a common refrain. I don’t entirely disagree. But what assets does he really have to get good value? The young talent can’t even get minutes on a team that totally sucks. And, further, who is going to trade a starting asset who has several years left on a good contract of that youth? Trading young assets for a half season loaner isn’t going to benefit this team. But, ultimately, imo, what does it matter with the coaching on this team? This team is not motivated. Their structure, systems, and on ice discipline is terrible. To me, that shouts coaching. The rest of December we play 8 games against teams currently in playoff position. That will be telling. If Pegula isn’t going to do anything this season, as it appears from what people are saying, then he’s the real issue. We need a coach who has some experience in a winning organization and can motivate and instill a good system. I am fine with relinquishing draft picks, unless we finish last, in the offseason.

I just can’t believe how bad Samuelsson has looked at times this year. He’s just not the same player he was. Half the team is that way. It’s insane. We have one star, this season. And the rest of this mess range from occasional decent/ barely middling NHL level to below average.

We gotta chow down on some wings tonight. Fiery red ones! Let’s go Sabres! Please win a game.

Just from hearing what the players themselves say about their off-season workouts (all look to be different). Kulich adds 15 lbs of muscle. Great job! Rosen says he needs to get stronger but stays about the same. Savoie very little (he’s at 172). On the big club, Power, Cozens, Tage. Particularly, Power. Not really proving to be stronger nor improved skating. Even guys like Krebs or Jost stayed about the same in size and physicality.

I don’t care what players we bring in - and we need to do that - but unless there is a coaching change nothing will change. The players need a guy with a good system who will hold them accountable. I just don’t see any real coaching or system with Granato. You never want to see a coach fired. But this is a business where you can make a lot of money in a short time as a head coach. And it comes with a ton of pressure.

It is crazy, imo. The reason is Brind’Amour is unlikely to be let go by Carolina and even if we make an offer he’s not going to leave there. That’s his home and his family loves the area. He’s been there for a while. The quality of life in that area of the country is a huge draw for players and coaches alike. I lived in NC for 13 years and that would probably be the top of the list for me in terms of location. While I agree that we need a coach like Brind’Amour, we also need a whole organizational structure to develop players, including a strong coach. But unless Carolina decides to go in a different direction, which I would doubt, he’s not going to move to Buffalo with his family entrenched in Raleigh.

To me the rule is just nonsense. 1) of the league is good at developing players it will draw young players. 2) Once the player is drafted by an NHL team he should be able to play college or if the team signs him they should have the rights to place him wherever. Simple as that. Savoie should be in the AHL. But he better work his *** off to get bigger, stronger, and faster to handle the NHL. However I have doubts that the Sabres organization is as focused on development. Looking at the young players on the team they seem to just let them decide for themselves what they do. If I’m the organization I’m telling these guys - you need to do X, Y, and Z to develop your body each off season and this is where we expect you each year and in 3 yrs you need to be reaching these marks in weight, speed, skills, etc. While it’s great to see him dominating in the WHL, it’s too easy. Too easy to score. I can see it hurt his development.

So now how are we feeling about Granato?

Fan since 1970 as well. Haven’t given up but I stopped getting pissed many years ago. I was really impressed with the team last season. Although not the talent, they reminded me of the early 80s Oilers. But the young talent has collectively regressed. Everything everywhere all at once. Many keep harping on goaltending and that’s a problem but it’s not the fix. This unit has become dysfunctional. They can’t score or play defense. All of that points to one central issue. Coaching. Yes, there are problems and though I think Adams has done well getting young talent, He doesn’t seem to know what to do with trades and luring vets here. Interestingly enough, the team that hammered us tonight, the Hurricanes, had a nine year playoff drought. They were really bad for a while. Then they hired Brind’Amour and he immediately turned things around. They traded away some who did not fit and they traded some draft choices and signed some players. But they still have a number of players from that group. The hide difference was Brind’Amour. They went from a .500 team out of the playoffs to the conference championship the following season. The point is, they need to hire a strong coach. Has to happen this off season. Granato has no sound defensive system or any system. We have to bring in someone who will instill toughness, sound teaching and on ice play, and garner respect from the players.

Horrendous coaching. Bad habits from so many players. Have to change the coaching situation. Find a veteran who will be respected. And who can institute a good system and get the players to toughen up.

My understanding is it’s his way of getting mentally focused. A gazillion athletes do something similar right before games or on the bench or field to get or keep their mind ready. Baseball players - pitchers and hitters - have all sorts of rituals. So do tennis players and golfers.