FrenchConnection44

At the very least, the coach HAS to go. If he is behind the bench starting next season, fans in the Arena should have signs saying “Fire Pegula” game 1. If Adams doesn’t fire Granato, then he should go as well. And we have to get a better coach and overall player development system. I have lived in Birmingham, AL the past 18 years and watched the Alabama football program up close. They take 18 year-old kids and by the time they are 21 those kids have added 15 to 20 pounds of muscle, are faster and stronger. Almost 100%! RBs who come in at 195, are 210-215 by the time they are Jrs. WRs, with a couple of unique exceptions, will add 10-15 lbs. I’ve seen 210 lb LBs leave 3 yrs later at 235-240 and are fast beasts There is ZERO excuse for this coach and GM to not have these professional players adding 15 to 20 pounds of muscle from the time they drafted until they are 20 to 22 years old. Yet we see incremental changes there at best. Owen power should’ve come into camp at 225 and a beast. if he’s not between 225 and 230 and faster and more physical at the start of camp (similar for other players), that is on the GM and the coach and the whole player development system. Same with Benson he is listed at 170. He should come into camp at 180 min.

What is the point of that essay? Anyone in her could have written that! And the article did not have anything related to the title of the post. Which makes it no better than the standard click bait one sees all over the internet. 🤦‍♂️

It may be it just took him time to be able to recover and build strength up in his legs from those hip surgeries. One thing noted earlier this year was the workouts that UPL did with his legs in the off-season and that has really made a big difference in his agility and overall play. One never knows, but it may be that he took some time to be able to do a heavy off-season load or be comfortable doing so. Honestly, I really want Levi to do the same program. And even some of the skaters, like Power and Benson, could be helped by a big buildup in leg strength. It’s always amazing to me how a player can kill it in the off season and play much better the next year, yet so few others do the same.

I have always wondered about this as well. Thanks for asking the question. I was always pretty ambidextrous (or amphibious ;)). Could throw a ball left or right (used to mimic Ken Stabler and Mickey Lolich or Steve Carlton), dribble, etc. could hit a baseball lefty. I’ve tried both, but I’m right handed and always felt more comfortable shooting righty. I never felt any advantage for stick handling or even one handed play using my dominant hand on top. But perhaps that’s because my left is fairly strong. I felt my shot had more power from the right side. Wrist or slap. Especially with my right leg back. However, I am also a goofy footer on a surfboard and skateboarding and felt more balance with my right foot forward I see a similarity with the hockey stick 🤷🏼‍♂️ I am sure there are plenty of righty players who are right handed and they don’t have much trouble. Mackinnon, Panarin, Pastrnak, Nylander, Point, Makar, Hyman. All righties. I doubt all those are natural lefties. I suspect as someone said there was a philosophy that the dominant hand should be righty. But given the above I suspect there isn’t a significant advantage. There are a couple of athletes in other sports who play opposite dominant hand. Phil Mickelson is a lefty golfer but is right handed. He just mimicked his dad (who was righty) and that’s how he went. Tua, interestingly enough, is right handed but started out throwing lefty. But I think those are rare.

Lol on PlayStations.

While I agree about Power having a terrible year and lacking significant toughness (I’ve been discussing this issue with most of the team for over a year), no way do you get rid of him. You get in his face and challenge his weak ass. Tell him he needs to come to camp much stronger and not even think about putting skates on unless he’s at 225 to 230 with added muscle. And faster. I agree with most of the others but Krebs. You just can’t dump half a team without legit replacements. At least Krebs adds a modicum of toughness to an otherwise soft team. The softest team in hockey.

Do we have anyone on the team worthy of participating in this? Would be nice to have one or two.

When you’ve played awful most of the early season except for a snippet here and there; When there was very little development in most of the young players from one year to the next; When you come to the final stretch of the season, needing to win every game, and you go against a team with a losing record and lose 6-2, well, that says it all. They need a real coach. Not this one.

Some very good points and positive. Thanks. That said, I have some doubts about the improvement of the young players, given how other young players have not improved. We need a better off-season program and higher expectations from the GM and staff of young players going into their off-season. Power virtually regressed. He needs to be stronger, bigger, and faster. At 6'5-6'6, he should easily carry 225-230 and be a beast to play against. But he runs 215-218 and is not an exceptional skater with very much speed. The front office should lay out their expectations for these guys going into the off-season. I want a new coach but it doesn't appear that will happen. So, Granato should let them know that if they don't come into camp in a certain expected physical condition (weight, speed, strength, etc.) they are going to be in for hell. Something has to light a fire under these guys. Power, for example, could be SO much better a player. And Benson should not be 170 next year but about 180, and a lot faster due to expanded leg work. (Someone - I can't recall who - criticized my criticism of Power's numbers being so low on top-tier skating speed - arguing you don't want a defender floundering around trying to skate fast. However, Cale Makar, in the same category, is perennially at the top of the NHL in defensive speed metrics - I think it's around 24 MPH, as I recall. So either Maker is one of those floundering defensemen, or it does make a difference 😉 ). But these guys all need to hit the weight room hard. Legs and upper body. Maybe they should all train with UPL, whose extra focus on leg work in the off-season made a massive difference in his game. Get a good skating trainer as well. The one player I want to add is a quality two-way forward who is tough, physical, and an agitator. One who is not afraid to step up and get physical with the opponents. This team needs a physical, tough leader in the worst way.

Probably a better place to see a total eclipse of a hockey franchise. I'm here all night. 😉

Depends. Lot of time. Who knows how well the young players will develop. Or whether Adams will be able to pull off a trade for a strong veteran or find one in free agency? Jury is out. But Adams better have an improved roster on paper or it will be a dumpster fire.

Although UPL is playing well, this is the same team from early in the season. Win a game look good or great. Lose a game look mediocre or awful. And, of course, in crucial games down the stretch they are sure to have more 3-2, 2-1 losses … just like last year. There is some talent. But the connectivity and team play and most of all player leadership is not there. Big part is on coaching. But the talented youth showed no progress over the last year. There is too much “go through the motions.” Two players clearly improved year over year (Peterka, UPL). Two! Arguably, the two who put in the most work in the offseason. That lack of offseason work ethic is one of the factors killing the development.

I think this is not an insignificant point. The NFL is different. Buffalo has a long tradition there and the NFL system is such that teams can get good players because the money can be massive and wherever you go you can get national notoriety. It’s the NFL. Major networks talk about every team nearly every day of the year. At least once a week. But the NHL has a problem of a) lack of widespread popularity and b) disparity between smaller markets and large markets - where players get better endorsements, that get a lot more TV time due to a major ratings increase, as well as c) an advantage of lifestyle/weather in southern markets like Nashville, Raleigh, Tampa, Miami, et al (part of this is the lack of popularity relative to other sports, part is the failed leadership of Bettman). Had Eichel turned out to be as good as McDavid and not be such a baby, we might be in better shape. If you don’t have a Stanley Cup tradition /major star player or two (like Edmonton & McDavid/Draisaitl), you are going to struggle to attract players. It is a catch 22. If you are a smaller market, you can’t attract good players unless you have talent and are winning. But you can’t win and have talent without good players. You are left with the vagaries of the NHL draft. The Sabres haven’t had good luck there (we get the #1 pick when Power is the top player but not when it’s a McDavid). But also, while Adams has drafted some good players, he hasn’t landed a star via the draft. Nor has he drafted talented but tough players who bring an edge to the game and intensity to lead a team. The Savoies, Bensons, Rosens, Powers, Dahlins, Etc. etc. are nice talents but they are not going to bring intensity or real grit (along with the talent) to the team. Adams drafts a lot of soft players, frankly. And I’m not referring to goons. But players who have talent and physicality combined. No one sees Buffalo on the schedule for the next game and thinks, “Oh, this is not going to be a pleasant game to play. We are going to have to be physically and mentally ready.”

In my view three things: 1. Still need a coaching change. 2. This team is one or two forwards from becoming very competitive. One of those needs to be a strong, gritty, 2 way vet forward who can skate and add a physical presence. What the Tkachuk kid brought to FL last year. But one that can fight if needed. Whatever it takes. Trade Savoie & the 1st round pick this year if needed. The other forward could come from the program (eg, Kulich) and when Quinn comes back that will help. (I wouldn’t be opposed to trading Samuelsson if it brought in that kind of player; then add a lower priced veteran RHD). 3. Players like Benson, Power, Johnson, even Tage and Peterka - most of the team - needs to get into a great weight training program in the off season. The lack of physical development hinders the overall development. You can see Power’s lack of speed & strong legs hurts him. He should spend the summer with UPL. His leg work program made all the difference. Benson needs to get bigger, stronger, faster. Upper and lower body and add min. 10 lbs of muscle - to be stronger in the corners, improve his speed, and develop his shot. If that happens with these players we will see a big difference. Imagine Power at 225-230, faster, better balanced skating, and a more physical presence when players attack the zone. And imagine Benson being the same player he is but 180 lbs, wins more corner battles, skates faster & quicker, more physical, & shoots harder? The need a legit, top of the line off season program and add 1-2 players and I think they will be a playoff team next year.

Same thing with Casey 2-3 years ago. Then same folks wringing hands over trading him! Same lamenting over UPL the past two seasons. Worthless. Will never be an NHL goalie. Everyone is so impatient. He does need to get way stronger and more physical.

So, I presume our purpose as a franchise is to trade away talented forwards to high caliber playoff contenders in the hopes they can win a Stanley Cup? O’Reilly, Eichel, Casey, Reinhart … Who will it be next year? #FarmFranchise

Buffalo would need to be aggressive. Can’t mess around. Any 2 of their top prospects and a player or the 2024 first. Get him here, tell him you want him to be the tone setter. And then trade for another vet in the off seasons or sign a free agent (but to do that we need a veteran coach in here who has clout). However, I have to wonder whether his family would tell him to push for a trade elsewhere - given that the Sabres aren’t that different from Ottawa. While he’s under contract, he can create issues if he doesn’t want to be here. Really, though, a veteran coach that NHL players respect is what’s needed - in addition to a player or two like him.

I don’t expect either player to be back to contribute. And Brind’Amour is a pipe dream, imo. But otherwise I agree. Gotta get a real coach. Gotta get a system that brings out the best in the players. Gotta get a real leader in who does the dirty work. Actually 2. This team is soft. They don’t need to fight but agitate. And they need serious physical development- so they can be tougher and stronger in the corners.

For sure. Power could use it as well. Still needs seasoning but getting both those players stronger in their base and core will go a ways to make them that much tougher to play against. They are doing just enough to miss the playoffs, draft in the low teens, and retain Granato and Adams for another year. Which sucks, to be honest, as Granato is, imo, the heart of their problem on this team.

UPL is still only 24 and about to turn 25 in March which is still young for a goaltender- hasn’t even reached his peak potential. I hope the physical leg work he did in the off season will be shared with Levi. And that he continues with that work ethic. After that it was just a matter of confidence. Happy to see him performing so well. But great to see this after he had been trashed over and over as “never going to be a good goaltender.” But armchair experts. Just goes to show none of us know what potential is in a player when they are still young. In 17 starts since December 23, UPL has given up 4 goals once, 3 goals 3 times, and 2 or less the other 13. Impressive.

My goodness that was some lazy, weak ass BS from Clague and Cozens on that goal. That was a slow pass and the just let it go by with barely an attempt to stop it. WTH? I’d bench them for much of the next period if not all of it. Tell them “When you boys are ready to play like you are in the NHL, let me know and I’ll put you back on the ice.” Aside from the fact that Cozens was just drifting lazily. That’s horrible coaching. He should be fully trained by now.

I don’t expect a coach to yell and scream. But you get a chance with some clout and they will respect him or get a bad rep around the league. And he can also sit their butts on the bench. And ride them so hard they won’t like it. Bill Belichick was a total ***-**** but got players to respond. Don’t have to be that severe. But players need 1) a hard kick in the pants. If not a belt whipping. They are soft. 2) A confidence boost that they have talent but need to up their game starting in the offseason. 3) A winning system. That’s why I’d fire Granato and bring in a new coach ASAP. Before the offseason begins to set expectations; and before free agency so we can have some appeal. I’ve been saying this for the last three months.

Season for either team can hardly get screwed up more. They need a new coach. Maybe a new one in Rochester as the apparent great NHL talent is hardly setting things on fire. I’d go to March 1 or so, maybe a week later. That’s it. Fans need an assurance Adams will act. They need to be wooing a veteran coach to come in. I’d even hire a new coach now before all of them are off the market. And let him sit upstairs in an advisory role. Let him evaluate the team from a distance. Sabres FO also need to up their developmental game as a whole. Set offseason standards for the players that if not met will cost them playing time. They need to know they better come into camp stronger and in phenomenal shape and ready to compete. And might as well let the players know now that things will be different next year. And after he fires Granato, Adams needs to meet with the team. Express his belief in their talent but his disgust with their play and work ethic going back to last off season, through an uninspiring training camp into the season. Let them know that next season starts with work ethic now. And the next coach will not tolerate this kind of inconsistent play and weak effort. And tell them to quit whining about the fans. They have put trash on the ice that isn’t worth the price of admission most of the time. And that the fans make a lot less than they do. And that while the players haven’t been here for the past 13 seasons, the fans have and the players need to understand that. That if they right the ship the fans will see them as heroes.

Agreed. The one bad goal was his own turnover creating pass. Two were on bad turnovers in our own end. A 3rd was a failed slide/block attempt by Johnson. Which was ill advised to go to the ice and poorly timed. And that was combined with no back checking. Team seems to stand around watching the puck instead of picking up a man. Then it’s like, “Oh, wait, where did he come from?” That’s a failure in coaching, imo. Hard to tell if it would have been over turned, but that glove save on the Thompson shot looked like a goal on the third replay.

This is right and it’s on the GM and Coach to get their heads in place. The atmosphere is toxic. The players don’t have perspective. They are mostly millionaires dissing fans who, for the most part, are spending a significant percentage of monthly income to go to a game. And it can’t really be translated by a percentage of income because even if you took away 50% of Dahlin’s after tax income each year, he would still be set for life. This is why, imo, the Sabres need a strong coaching presence to take over. Maybe both GM and coach. Imo, they have 6 games (to the end of February) to see where they are, and if it’s still the same, they need to make a change and transition to focusing on next year. And Granato has to go. He’s only going to drive the team further into disaster. The earlier article by Harrington about how the players were not ready to go hard in camp and the lack of offseason effort evident, is a sign Granato is not the guy. They’re professionals. They can’t be babied like high school kids anymore. A strong coach who garners respect is needed to tell them what they need to hear.