pi2000

Hold on a minute... They're going to START evaluating this going forward starting NOW? What they hell have they been doing since September? Isn't that what they get paid to do? This goes back to a previous point I made earlier in the season... it was a massive mistake to not evaluate the players based on film from the past few seasons of play. They said going in that everyone was starting off on a clean slate, they weren't going to judge players based on past performance, only on what they showed going forward. Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it... and here we are.

I think Lindy would make a very good GM.

In this case, your intuition is misguided. Sure, conceptually you'd think they'd play with more urgency and determination under Housley. However, the reality is... they are not. I'm not too worried about the power play... last year was a fluke IMO... and teams have figured out how to take away Eichel's one timer, they're looking for it, and goalies know it's coming. The PP % was due for some regression anyway. It's been better as of late. I don't know if I buy this. They were a 78 point team last year, with a less talented group of defensemen, and missing Eichel for 1/3 of the season. I'd would've liked to see what Bylsma could've done in year 3 with an improved defense and healthy Eichel... maybe they get 7-8 more wins and that puts them in the playof discussion... with this roster... which is what the expectation was under Housley (because how could he be any worse than Bylsma?! well he is.. much much much worse when looking at the results). He needs to take most of the blame for this team playing without any sense urgency on a nightly basis. That has nothing to do with system. He could have the greatest system known to hockey, but if he can't sell it to this own players and get them to play with some sense of passion, then it's completely useless. "Really, coaching is simplicity. It's getting players to play better than they think that they can." - Tom Landry So he has regressed under Housley? OK. Also consider that last season he did that on a bad leg. He's fully healthy now, and a year older, he should be much better. I'm fine with Housley's system... the problem is he can't get the players to put forth a consistent effort. That won't change by bringing in new players.

A less talented team under Bylsma was 15 points better than the team under Housley at this same point last season... and Bylsma did that without Eichel for more than half those games. Imagine where this team would be without Eichel? Do you watch the games? Eichel had a much better ppg under Bylsma.

The Litening should represent the East on their own.

That's a nice convenient narrative to rationalize the firing of Bylsma. Fact is, this same group played with more effort and determination under Bylsma than they do under Housley. It has nothing to do with system, and everything to do with effort.

I hope they find a way to trade Larsson and Girgensons. That would leave them with only 4 forwards under contract for next season.... 5 counting Rodrigues, who I think belongs in Rochester.

Worstest ever

I like this. I like this a lot.

Lehner starting

Jack will be fine, he just wants to win... if help comes from Roch I'm sure he'll embrace it. It's part of being a pro.

You make a good point. Would be ideal if he was coming in to a better environment. He sounds like he's in good place mentally, I enjoying listening to him speak. Less emotional than Lehner, more thoughtful and reflective. Very good demeanor for a goalie I'm excited for his future.

The problem is goal support, not necessarily giving up tons of grade A scoring chances... I'm fine with giving Ullmark a game or two... he wants it and deserves it.

Housley's system (and 99%) of systems out there today are to get the puck deep, work the forecheck, win the puck back, get it back to the point, go D-to-D if available and fire at the net while the forwards are creating havoc at the top of the crease. It's a safe system that limits odd man rushes against if played correctly and pucks are eventually going to find the back of the net. It's not sexy, it's not fun to watch, but it's basic vanilla hockey that can lead to success if executed consistently. It's the consistency that's an issue... 3 or 4 point shots a period isn't good enough... you need to send 10-15 of those at the net every single period non-stop and you'll get some goals. Housley keeps talking about getting away from that and I agree... they do it for a while, generate some offensive chances, then go back to trying to beat guys one on one if they don't find immediate success. My take is that this style of hockey sucks, it handcuffs the talented players by not giving them scoring chances they would otherwise create with their skill and creativity. It's hockey for dummies IMO, and it doesn't work unless you have a bunch of meatheads willing to get into the dirty areas and pay the price.

IMO it's a system issue. Housley's system is predicated getting as many shots on net as possible and having a net front presence... so players are shooting the puck first chance they get, which is more often than not, from the perimeter. Eichel hinted at this during one of his interviews where he questioned the Sabres shot selection... mentioning he'd like to see them take more high quality shots. It was a from a few months ago, but it stands out to me because it gives some insight into what they're being asked to do... and he obviously didn't sound happy about it.

Exactly. They're all getting along really well, coaches and players, enjoying their Pegulacoin together as one. That's a true team, and we as fans, should appreciate that.... wake up sheeple!

though CJ Smith would get a look first... don't like the Ullmark recall, unless CJ or Lehner are ill and can't go this week.

Yes his offensive skills are superb. However, still a lot of immaturity in his game... he tries to dangle every single guy one on one... and at the junior level that might work one out of every 3 or 4 times and it looks sexy when he pulls it off. That stuff doesn't work on NHL players, and we saw against Sweden his turnovers led directly to scoring chances going the other way.... and there were a lot of them.

He's enjoying his Pegulacoin, and golf... probably. Him and Botterill are close friends. Just sayin'.

No way Mittlestadt turns pro next season. He's got at least one more year of college hockey to get ready for the rigors of a full pro season. He's just not there physically yet, you could tell by his play at the WJC... he has a ways to go IMO.

Completely disagree. The primary job of the head coach is to get the most out of his players. EVERYBODY on the team is underperforming... it's not just one guy, or a handful of guys. They're all having career worst years offensively... ALL of them. That speaks volumes about Housley. Kane is the lone exception because he largely does his own thing anyway. Whether it's system, or motivation, or leadership... whatever Housley is doing is not working. I hope Botterill realizes this and doesn't start shipping guys out because he's not going to get a very good return based on their recent play.

If your QB is there, then pick him, but don't reach. The more QBs that go in the top half of the draft the more grade A prospects at other positions will get pushed down. Sure, they could use a QB, but I think they have more needs at DT and LB.

Housley is a very good assistant coach. This team has no head coach.