SabresFanInRochester

I find this comical. We have an entire topic dedicated to the Tank. The tank is overtaking all of Buffalo's media formats. Yet, the mere mention of a forfeit, and everyone turns into a law-abiding choirboy. Oh, you cannot do that. That would be wrong.

Another instance where the league just makes stuff up as they go along? I don't know where forfeiting a game and losing a draft pick are connected and mentioned in the rules.

If Buffalo fans are desperate for a loss on Saturday, isn't there something that the fans could do to force the league to forfeit the game? Rule 66 – Forfeit of Game 66.1 Forfeit of Game - In the event of failure by a Club to comply with a provision of the League constitution, by-laws, resolutions, rules or regulations affecting the playing of a game, the Referee shall, if so directed by the Commissioner or his designee, refuse to permit the game to proceed until the offending Club comes into compliance with such provision. Should the offending club persist in its refusal to come into compliance, the Referee shall, with the prior approval of the Commissioner or his designee, declare the game forfeited and the non-offending Club the winner. Should the Referee declare the game forfeited because both Clubs have refused to comply with such a provision, the visiting Club shall be declared the winner. If the game is declared forfeited prior to its having commenced, the score shall be recorded as 1-0 and no player shall be credited with any personal statistics. If the game was in progress at the time it is declared forfeited, the score shall be recorded as zero for the loser and 1, or such greater number of goals that had been scored by it, for the winner; however, the players on both Clubs shall be credited with all personal statistics earned up to the time the forfeit was declared. I am certainly not advocating anything illegal or impactful on the safety of others, but if the game cannot be played, it seems like Pittsburgh would get a 1-0 win and with that, Buffalo would lose. I seem to recall snow balls being thrown on a field in the NFL and that resulted in penalties, but I thought the refs threatened forfeiture if the infraction was not stopped. Maybe I am incorrect in my recollection. At the very least, could the fans create unsportsmanlike penalties to be handed out, giving the Pens the power play? How many of those would it take for them to win? Who knows, if fans get arrested, you might have a judge that believes in the tank and looks the other way.

I am giving you quote of the day -- that's great info! Thank you! I was able to watch Ottawa tie it up against the Pens. I think the Pens are going to be in a must-win situation versus Buffalo on Saturday at this pace.

Pittsburgh has a tough week ahead of them, prior to the Buffalo game. They play Philly, but then Ottawa. If Pittsburgh loses that game, they could be on the outside looking in, needing a win in Buffalo. I would love to see Buffalo lock up 30th earlier in the week and play spoiler against the Penguins. Secure tank first though.

That's a great point. I used to think it was coaching and system. I was never impressed when Ruff had Kevin Adams in charge of the PP. But it never improved after that change, so I think it comes down to talent. Grinders can play 5v5 and PK. If you cannot quickly pass and find the holes, you are not going to create many chances on PP. A roster full of talent next year should help. Someone big in front, like Kane. A guy that can shoot, like Moulson. Players that can stick handle and create offense, like Ennis and McEichel or maybe Reinhart. And that leaves out Girgs and Grigs who just might fit in nicely.

I never said Nolan checked out. Nolan sees the writing on the wall and wants to do anything and everything to win. I think he is overly ambitious to obtain wins. Good for him for steering a sinking ship and motivating the crew to stay on board. I don't think he would be able to convince his team to play with this effort for a full season, and if they did, at the first sign of adversity, they could/would crumble like a house of cards.

If someone told you that your boss thinks you're worthless and do a lousy job, would it motivate you to prove otherwise. These guys are professional athletes with a ton of pride. The players are pissed that they are part of the worst team in the league and do not want that stigma. They are embarrassed that the fans are jeering them, not cheering them. Nolan is the messenger and if they don't have a pin-up of Kim Pegula in the locker room, I would be surprised. I think it's more player pride with a Win One for the Gipper speech from Nolan on a regular basis. I think he is a motivator and not a x's and o's coach, and what I would like to see going forward is an x's and o's coach. You cannot win long-term with motivational speeches. It gets old and out-maneuvered.

I was just preparing to stream the rest of the game. Damn. Is it asking too much for a little cushion???

I never thought of donkey punching the players to take them out of the game. Maybe that's where the general soreness for Weber originated.

5 minutes ago, I was ready to get on here and start ripping... First, to the ####ing fans who lit a spark under the arse of the players by booing Sabres goals against Arizona. Second, to the posters on SS who keep telling me, Buffalo is by far the statistically worst team and will certainly finish 30th. I don't know who was in my shotgun sights first, but man was I fuming. Now, happy times! My apologies to the good people on SS who have constantly talked me down from the ledge. Tank on!

So you're saying there's a chance!

I still think the fix is in and Toronto wins the lottery. :censored:

When you look at it statistically, sure, we have an 80% chance of not seeing McDavid in a Sabres jersey next year. But, I have always looked at it from the standpoint of the PGA betting pools I would participate in. In his prime, Tiger Woods would have a 20% chance of winning a major, versus the rest of the field having the remaining 80%. He was still the favorite, but shitte happens.

I get ya'. It was mentioned from a couple others about moving back from the ledge, and my sentiment existed because of how bad Arizona had become post-trade deadline and the "compete" that Buffalo was showing under Nolan. :flirt: The win yesterday helped me because, as your analysis points out, we are almost at that breaking point when you can consider it a done-deal.

I appreciate that analysis. I didn't run the numbers, but after the Yotes win yesterday, I felt like that Buffalo pretty much locked it up. Caution to the wind, you are comparing stats to show how bad Buffalo is, but I would remind you that Arizona has a very different roster following the trade deadline. I perceived Arizona as worse than their stats (because I felt the stats were skewed from the first half of the year) and that is why I thought they would be as likely as Buffalo to lose out the rest of the games. Until Buffalo finishing 30th is official, I will continue to have interrupted REM, but my need to get sloshed every night is diminishing.

It's a long shot, but wouldn't it be BEAUTIFUL if NYI choked over the final 9 games. Ottawa is flying, and just took over 8th. That means Boston is outside looking in. If NYI win more than 2-3 games, that pipe dream is over, but if they play like they have over the past 5, when they went 1-4, Buffalo just may have a .05% chance in the lottery. Boston would have to go on a run -- I hate rooting for those SOBs, but for a better draft pick... whatever.

Do you remember when Derek Roy rushed back from an injury during the playoffs and played before he was really ready because the team was desperate. How many players used to come back before they were really clear of a concussion and risked recurring symptoms. That's what happens when you allow a player to come back when they think they are ready. My point is, there is a window between when a player thinks there ready and when they are actually ready. Any player is going to want to be on the ice. Do you cut bait and tell Bogo he is done for the year so he doesn't come back early -- I think that play should be made by GMTM.

Who said he's healthy? He has a lower body injury? Does the team need him to make a playoff run? There is nothing to gain in "rushing" someone back from an injury to get them less than 3 weeks of games (10 total) in a meaningless season. Make the decision easy for Bogosian. Players want to get back on the ice ASAP. Why chance him rushing back too soon and harming himself, perhaps requiring surgery. Then he's unable to train in the off-season and he misses the start of next year because he is not properly conditioned or healed. I think a case can be made for it, but thank you for being condescending.

I cannot believe Bogosian might come back from injury to play again this year. Wouldn't Murray have the ability to place him on IR and shelf him for the rest of the season? Murray would be able to do that without outright telling Nolan who to play. That would be my first move as GMTM.

I am a season ticket holder but haven't been going to games because it's not worth it. The product on the ice sucks. And, I haven't really picked it up on television, but is there a vocal crowd at the Arena that is rooting for a tank? I would not expect a major involvement from the fans, but with only 10 games to go and 2 against Arizona, the difference maker between 29 and 30 is essentially down to those two games. The fans might be a little more vocal, particularly at home against Arizona. I wonder if there will be boos heard if the Sabres take a lead against Arizona. As much as I am pro-tank, I hope not because I think it would only agitate the team. Maybe there is some sort of reverse-psychology that could rile up the Coyotes?

Good points. Good debate. Just don't tell me you're against the tank. I need a break.

I agree that's Grigorenko is not ready, and I stated that above. But I don't think he is being put into a position to develop or succeed with the current lineup and coaching staff. I think he should be in Rochester until August 2015. You must be referring to Phil Kessel, and I am sure there are plenty of other examples of skill guys who lack fight for the puck. I say it in jest, because to your point, Grigorenko is not producing, so I cannot put him in that light. Right or wrong, it is a style of hockey that most Russians get blasted for. Shouldn't GM's and scouts see that before they draft a Russian?

Hasek did.

If Kaleta scores a goal and Moulson is left off the score sheet, it doesn't mean Kaleta earned the right to be on the top line. I just hate that every player has to be Hecht. Fight for the puck and win battles and we'll find a place for you as long as you keep trying. But, if you have talent and don't finish checks, you're in the doghouse. I think there is a place for a skilled player on the team who doesn't have to worry about doing the dirty work. Maybe I am a too much a fan of old-school hockey when you had goons who protected your stars because your stars were just supposed to go make plays. Do you think those goons felt envious that their gifted teammates got the ice team and attention when they scored the game winning goals? I like the different roles played by players.