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.

Maybe I'm a sucker, but I feel much better after hearing KA speak. He was contrite about his own failures and seems to be determined to make it right. Wants a coach with experience which is exactly what I wanted to hear. Doesn't want to hide behind the youth excuse, which was another concern of mind. He said all the right things, but it will come down to action and ultimately results. I feel good after hearing that, now make it so.

Yeah, agree. I wouldn't be overly upset if they brought Lindy back, I love Lindy. But, there are better options out there, IMO. Everyone seems to think a split between Carolina and Brind'Amour is imminent and I'd be all-in on him if he becomes available. Craig Berube, Gallant would be my first calls if he doesn't become available or isn't interested. If none of those guys want the job, then I'd go to Lindy.

Honestly, and I guess I'm probably biased, but this should be one of the more appealing job openings out there. Despite the regression this season, this is one of the more talented young rosters in the league. Most of the young core is locked up under reasonable long-term deals. They're not on the ground-floor of a rebuild. They barely missed the post season last year and were in the running (even if VERY remotely) until the last week of this season. Add in what is widely seen as the #1 pipeline in the NHL and all the indicators are there that with the right guy, the Sabres are set up for a strong multi-year run of sustained success. Adams seems to be very easy to work for/with and you have an owner that doesn't meddle and has shown a willingness to spend. It's objectively a pretty appealing job.

100% this. Appert may end up being an excellent NHL coach, but this team doesn't need another first timer. They need to go out and get somebody not just with NHL head coach experience, but somebody with playoff experience that can teach these guys what it takes to get to that level. Granato was an excellent developer of talent, but he lacked in many other key areas including experience. It seemed to me like he ran a bit of a country club, and that showed in the lack of accountability which manifested in wildly inconsistent play from game-to-game. They could look like absolute world-beaters one night, then would appear aloof and disinterested the next. That's a lack of discipline to me. A veteran that can get these guys focused and locked in needs to be the target. Hiring your AHL coach would be lazy, uninspired and signal a willingness to accept more of the same, IMO.

Thanks, Meatballs. While ultimately he came up short, it's hard to deny the team is in a better place than when he took over for Raaaaaalph. Not sure why Matty Ellis isn't on the hit list? Hopefully that doesn't have a hidden meaning of some kind. He presided over a horror-show of a power play. Time to root hard for an early Canes playoff exit and parting of ways between Carolina and Brind'Amour. He would be my clear-cut choice, but if not, Adams should go hard after Berube. Time to shutter up the country club and get a coach in here that can whip a talented roster into shape.

Always great to beat the Lightning. And so, the most disappointing Sabres season of my fandom mercifully comes to a close. I wish I could muster some optimism for next season, but I see little chance Meatballs (and Matty Power Play) aren't back next season. As such, I expect more of the same. Wildly inconsistent, frustrating play. Hopefully the leash is reasonably short. Another season in the books, boys. See ya in the fall, Sabres.

God willing, that's the last Sabres power play we have to watch until October.

GREENWAY Finish strong

COZZIE X2

WTF was that? LOL