HumanSlinky39

So, Matty Ellis is on Tim Horton's runs?

Mike Babcock says ganking players phones to look for noodz of their GF/Wife isn't either...

McDavid with 5 helpers last night. 😮 Pretty sure I could rack 30 goals playing along side him...

Truthfully, if Lindy is a bridge to the next guy that gives you a Cup run, I'm pretty ok with it. My immediate issue is I do not see Lindy as a coach that can get this organization a Stanley Cup, but maybe I'm aiming too high. I still believe we have a good enough young core that that should be the expectation in the near future. But, after 13 years in the muck, if Lindy can get this team to 105 points and playing into late April/May...I should be fine with that. If he stalls out in the first/second round, you're in a much better position to attract a Stanley Cup calibre coach to get to the promised land I just see THIS as a high floor/low ceiling hire. But it should lead to an improved product on the ice, which is a start.

I think this hire will be a big hit for the casual fans and a few of the more die-hards that just like the nostalgia. For many of us, this was, at best, maybe the 3rd or 4th best choice. Maybe he proves those of us wrong. I'm sure he'll improve things, but his ceiling is the question. Seems like there were coaches with much higher out there.

Yeah.

Hasn't advanced past the second round since 2007. 😬

I love Lindy, but...Mehhhhhh This feels like a desperate attempt to move forward on a wave of nostalgia. Lindy was very good here, but that was a different time. His results since leaving the Sabres are a mixed bag. Very underwhelmed by this, but I'll give it a chance and hope for the best. I'd really like to know what other avenues, if any, were explored because if this was the plan all along (and it sure feels that way) that's criminally negligent.

They run a pretty tight ship over there.

Leafs get the Bruins, LOL. Sheldon Keefe is a dead man walking. Also, Red Wings?...

My take on the names out there... Lindy - Would be great for nostalgia, but I'm not sure he's the guy to take this team where we all want it to go. My biggest concerns are that in the last 8 seasons he's coached, his teams missed the playoffs 5 times. Then there's the Devils totally falling off a cliff this season after Brunette left. He also hasn't advanced past the 2nd round of the playoffs since 2007. Gallant - He's great at the quick turnaround. He took an awful Florida franchise to the brink of the playoffs in year one then made it year two (Florida was a black hole before him). He took VGK to the Cup Finals as an expansion team. Took the Rags to the Conference Finals in year one. Downside is he has never lasted long anywhere. I think for quick results, he's the guy. Just might want to have a good succession plan in place because chances are he isn't here more than 2-3 years. Berube - Stanley Cup pedigree and a strong reputation for structure and accountability, something we sorely lack right now. Their Cup run in 2019 was a thing of beauty and wasn't solely because of Binnington as some say. He flamed out there because the roster crumbled around him. I think he could spark a fast turnaround. Brind'Amour - Would love to have him, but he's literally not available right now and Adams' timeline desires seem to take him out of consideration even if he were to become available. Evason - Another guy who I think is a solid coach who could win here, but his playoff record is DREADFUL. Boudreau - If the goals is simply "Playoffs!", he's a good choice. If you want to actually win a round, nope. Age is a concern here, as well. McLellan - I don't see his defensive-minded system as a good fit here at all. Quenneville - For strictly hockey reasons, he's at the top of the list. All the baggage is a non-starter. Woodcroft - Not as experienced as some others, but he took over a broken Oilers team in 2022, totally turned them around then ran to the conference finals. Won three playoff rounds in two years in EDM, losing to the eventual champ both years. Prior to an ill-advised philosophical change in EDM this season, he ran a strong 200-ft system that I think would excel here. I consider EDM my second favorite team and follow them closely, Woodcroft is a good coach, just made an awful mistake early this season that cost him. Wouldn't be one of my top couple of choices, but honestly wouldn't hate this at all. Babcock - LOL Appert - Adams' comments yesterday seem to take him out of consideration.

For me, it's a bit more recent success. Gallant has had his teams in the playoffs each of the last 5 full seasons he coached. Had the Rags in the Conference Finals just 2 years ago and took Vegas to the Cup Finals in their first year. I think he's better at coming in and whipping rosters into shape. A concern is he tends to wear his welcome out pretty quickly, but cross that bridge when the time comes if necessary. Lindy has missed the playoffs in 4 of the last 6 full seasons he's coached (and the Devils missed this year after he coached 3/4 of the season. That would make 5/7. Hasn't got past the 2nd round since 2007. Plus his Devils team regressed badly this year after they blew up on the scene in 2022/23. All of those concern me.

It needs to be one of (in order of preference): Brind'Amour Berube Gallant If those guys all say no, then you maybe look at Lindy.

His failure to act on the fly is absolutely a strike against him and a major bone of contention. That will remain a concern moving forward. But, this is the first time I've heard him shed the GM-speak and actually call out the myriad issues we pointed out on this forum throughout the season. This hire will be undoubtedly be the most important move he will make as the Sabres GM. A coach that wins will cover up a lot of warts. I think he senses his ass is in the sling and another failed season will find him in the jackpot. I think he gets 2024-25 to make it right. He doesn't, I'd expect he's unemployed. Time to produce results. POSITIVE results...not potential.