JohnC

How he will play next year, I don’t know. No one does.What I will say is that there has to be a backup plan just in case he struggles or gets injured. There is too much at stake to make assumptions about him. And having just in case options is a GM responsibility.

The heart of the matter at this point is not how does handling him affect his play compared to how does his play affect the team. If asked, is he a #1 goalie, my answer would be "I just don't know". Players such as Quinn, Power, Samuelsson and other young players have been forced to the team suite to watch their teammates play while they observed. There comes a time (belatedly so) where players get judged based on their performance rather than potential or developmental need. Even in a playoff lost season, playing time should be earned and not automatically given. What's encouraging is that is what Ruff is doing regarding playing time, role and also sitting time. That's the right approach for the players and also the bruised and battered fans.

If he was an employee for the Pony Express he would be riding the same pony throughout his career, horse exhaustion be damned. 😀

Marty Bieron has pointed out that his struggles are much due to him reaching and lack of body control. When he plays a calm game with less motion and frantic reaction he has been effective. The goalie position is so tough to gage year to year. One year a goalie can play at a Vezina level and the next year it could be at a struggling AHL level. The position is mercurial and confounding to figure out.

An interesting question is what is the GM going to do on that issue next season? My sense is KA is a status quo guy. I'm just not sure about depending on UPL to be a #1 goalie. And as well as Reimer is playing is he capable of handling a #1 workload? A lot is at stake to get this critical issue right.

Even within that horrible stretch there were opportunities to turn some losses into loser points. That was a crushing stretch in our effort to break the non-playoff streak. The setback was too far for a fringe playoff team to overcome. Also, the two Colorado losses where we appeared to have the games in hand were tormenting losses for our playoff pursuit. I strongly believe that if this roster had a couple to few more veteran players that the team would have been able to better handle adversity.

If he becomes a solid/good third pairing player I would be more than happy. And if Norris returns to health next season and plays at a legitimate 2C level, then the Cozens trade will turn out to be an excellent trade for KA.

It's inarguable from a standings standpoint that these end of season games are meaningless. But that doesn't mean that there is no meaning to them. What I'm focusing on is the play of the young players. Are they getting better and playing a more responsible Lindy two-way game? Is our young core, composed of Power, Samuelsson, Quinn, Kulich, JJP, Benson steadily getting better. In general, I would say yes. Samuelsson has been the target of a lot of criticism throughout much of the season. Over the past few games, especially when paired with Dahlin, he has played a steady and efficient game. You don't seem to notice him, and for a defenseman that's a good thing. The one young player I have been disappointed in this season is Quinn. Yet, recently he has played better. And it shouldn't be a surprise watching Benson play that he has been the most consistent player in that young core. The effort and tenacity never waver. The next step for him is offensive production. As he gets more physically mature, I see him becoming a mainstay player for us. I never thought he could be a first line player but now I'm open to that increased roll. He seems to complement Tage really well. Over the last 12 home games the Sabres are 10-2. Over the last 17 home games the Sabres are 13-4. That's a positive sign. And what has become evident with Reimer's recent play is that when the Sabres have gotten quality goaltending, this team is so much better. Your record is your record and no "what ifs" can alter it. But "what if" the Sabres didn't have that ugly 13 no-win streak? How much better would our views be on this team?

That lineup is incomplete. It’s missing Quinn.

The story of the game for me is the good netminding. If we had this caliber of play in net it would be a different season. Kulich is emerging. Dynamite shot!

I thought the rich wives were in Williamsville?

As you and everyone has noted, KA has a record. To put it mildly, it is not stellar. And as you noted, in sports there is a very understandable metric to judge by: One's record. I guess the owner is comfortable working with the current GM. Maybe because the GM is very willing accommodate the owner's whims? Ownership allows ownership prerogatives. It's tough to accept as a fan but it is a fact of life. As I stated in a prior post, my hope is that with Ruff having a better grasp on building a roster, the GM and owner will be receptive to his contributing thoughts.

What's obvious to you, me and most of the audience apparently isn't obvious to the owner. What's perplexing is that with the football team he exhibited no reluctance to make changes when the results were unsatisfactory. Why is that so? Probably because the GM is fine with placating the owner's whims. On this forum, I can't recall anyone believing that KA has done a credible job. And whether we like it or not that the only voice that counts is the owner's. Just maybe Ruff might start to have more influence within the operation and ownership and guide it on a better path.

I have not criticized his record. My point about him is that his iron fist style of coaching goes back to an era of the past and is unsuitable for today. I also find his tough guy act behind the podium to be tiresome.

If you are enamored with him, that’s fine. His authoritarian coaching style represents the past. If he was being considered for a Buffalo HC job (which he is not) it would be foolishness taken to an insane level.

His tough guy act has a short lifespan. Anyone who thinks that he would be the type of coach that the Sabres need is way off the mark.

This clip was insightful as to how the decision making was somewhat communal. Although Lindy was not the focus of the clip it indicated that his input is meaningful. He made the point that there has to be a change in order to alter the mix and culture. And that issue was the primary reason for the deal. Was the Cozens/Norris + a good deal for Buffalo? If Norris gets healthy I believe it will be. I get the sense from this clip that there is a determination to change the mix. And that point was what Ruff was emphasizing. We shall see if talk translates into action. Is the owner involved? Yes, in the sense that he is kept informed of what is happening. I have no problem with that. I do have a problem if he is the one making the suggestions regarding player transactions. It seemed to me that he isn't although I'm sure others disagree with that judgment. Is KA going to remain on the job? It appears so. So be it. What's important is what is done to improve the team in the offseason. I thought KA did right by Joki. He tried to put him in a situation where he could play.

If the owner had a basic understanding of the market/fan base he would recognize that if he produced a competitive team the arena would be filled and the revenues would significantly increase. The Bills and Bandits are examples of the relationship between being competitive and rising revenue. I just don’t understand his lack of urgency in improving the product on the ice. It makes no sense to me.

Don't ever underestimate @Brawndo. He's cagey and humble. He knows more than he is letting on.

The topic that both of us responded to was about a particular game. I'm not over interpreting what this win meant within the confines of another disappointing season. In general, despite the injuries that affected the lineup, I was happy with the performance, especially the goaltending. There are plenty of opportunities to express one's dissatisfaction regarding a number of lingering issues. Intermittent smiling is better than having a permanent scowl. It's much better for your facial muscles.

The problem is that when my hope is belatedly fulfilled I won't be able to appreciate it because I'll be resting comfortably in my grave. 😀

You are the type of guy who has a hard shell covering a soft heart. I put your name on a "love sight" so very soon you should get a lot of overtures from a number of over the hill hipsters. I thought you would appreciate the company. No need to thank me. I'm just that type of generous guy. Good luck in making a selection or two. There are plenty of raunchy choices to go through before making a selection.

Most people have the same philosophy of life i.e. little desire to talk to you.

What you recommend makes a lot of sense. It's a basic recommendation that up to now the stubborn owner has not been receptive to. That's what so frustrating about this situation. What's obvious to most people is not obvious to the person who ultimately has the authority.

I'm trying to be kind. I have been pummeling him to the extent that I'm being malicious.