Housley with some really strong words postgame

[SwampD]

Ice time.

[darksabre]

I'll put it another way, then.  If I have a team of employees and they are constantly underperforming and I am not imposing consequences, am I doing my job as a manager?

 

If, for example, Eichel isn't preparing, benching him would send one hell of a message to all 23, wouldn't it?  Housley needs his Eruzione.

The only way this works is if the rest of the team wants it to work. If you bench Jack before you have the rest of the team's trust, you lose them too. Housley can't bench him. It wont work. 

Also, managers can fire people. Housley can't fire players. He doesn't have that luxury. 

[North Buffalo]

Elaborate?  If a student repeatedly doesn't do her homework, and there are no consequences, is the teacher doing her job?

Have you ever met a thirteen year old boy... that being said my leverage is his xbox... Bill Parcels was a master at getting into players heads... Babcock appears to be... So does the the hoodie who will remain nameless... Some of it maybe Phil finding the right players.

[SabresBillsFan]

This core group hasn't shown the "do whatever it takes" desire at all. I cant ever recall guys like Sidney Crosby get called out for lack of preparation.

 

Jack, you wanna be a F'in star in this league? Then you better commit to it fully, not in fits and spurts.

 

In high school that made sense. The only consequences there were for lack of preparation past high school was my own failure.

Both games I seen Jack play you can tell he could dominate if he turns it on. He leaves you expecting more. He’s a good player but could be something special if he turns it up a notch.

[Sabres Fan in NS]

Rob, is that you?

[Randall Flagg]

When Vegas bum-rushed our strong side, our players would panic and try to get the puck over to their weak side. Either the panic-passes were bad or the Sabres on that side were way out of position because mediocre defensemen were beating our players to that puck all night long. There's not a chance in hell that Housley doesn't coach that stuff, IMO, the players just weren't where they needed to be or doing what they needed to be, perhaps because they didn't expect it. I could see that being the players' fault if it's the case that they need to be watching film and stuff on their own. I could see it being the coach's fault if he hasn't taught them how to handle situations like that, which are quite basic in terms of hockey x's and o's - If three guys come screaming at you, you should know where your open player is going to be and he should be there. 

[LGR4GM]

I actually think communication isn't too much of an issue right now. I regularly see Jack and Evander talking before faceoffs. I don't think this is one of those teams where guys are just sitting on the bench staring into space. I've seen those teams. 

 

But I do like seeing Sam get into it more. 

Almost like when people are engaged it has a direct impact on how they actually play.

[Randall Flagg]

Another thing is, there's still a lot of cheating going on defensively. Not while playing defense, I think they're just mediocre at that in general. But when the puck gets recovered by a Sabre. 

Do you ever watch a game and when the other team recovers a puck, whether they're good or not, if they're well-coached it's almost an automatic that they get it out of the zone? And it's really frustrating because it kills our offensive chances and we can never do it as cleanly? It's not even necessarily a common trait of good teams - like, Vegas was better at it last night than Pittsburgh was in the two games of theirs I've watched this year. That's step one of 'puck support' - having players in 2 or 3 soft spots, where the player who recovers the puck is aware they have as options, and getting the puck there. Our passes look bad because our players are still not dutifully supporting, and so there's a lot of chuck-it-off-the-boards or passes like the Risto one that led to VGK's first goal (I think he had options so it was just a dumb play, but that type of play is an example of an 'ugh bad pass' when really it was 'ugh there should have been better options'). I'm almost positive Phil is trying to coach these players into these positions, but they're still cheating pretty badly. Eichel in the first few games was outright looking to be sprung at center ice when he should have been somewhere down low helping out. Eichel cleaned it up nicely, is still a little shaky on where to be though, and other players are still leaving too early. 

 

Maybe a team like Vegas is so structured about it because they know they don't have homerun threats, elite talents, that can burn guys 1v1, so they don't try and cheat, they know they have to be together every step of the way. 

Edited October 18, 2017 by Randall Flagg

[That Aud Smell]

It's for the fans. He's talking to us. And he's trying to tell us, "Hey, it's not me. Look at these bums." He sounds insecure. It'll play OK for awhile, because he's new and we've seen this act for years. We hate the players now more than a popular former player. But the tide will turn on the coach very quickly if this keeps up. A team not being ready will eventually perch right on his shoulder.

 

I think this is largely right.

 

But I also tend to agree with d4rk: There's only so much a coach can do. Literally. He only gets his players for certain windows of time. Maybe Housley is referring to the fact that players are doing what's required of them, strictly speaking, but not the extra stuff that created a winner in NSH. I am starting to worry about whether the new core is charting to be a swing and a miss in terms of attitude.

 

The differences between teams are mostly so slight nowadays -- it really is that strong aversion to losing, and the behavior and habits it begets, that can make a team a winner.

 

Another thing is, there's still a lot of cheating going on defensively. Not while playing defense, I think they're just mediocre at that in general. But when the puck gets recovered by a Sabre. 

 

Do you ever watch a game and when the other team recovers a puck, whether they're good or not, if they're well-coached it's almost an automatic that they get it out of the zone? And it's really frustrating because it kills our offensive chances and we can never do it as cleanly? It's not even necessarily a common trait of good teams - like, Vegas was better at it last night than Pittsburgh was in the two games of theirs I've watched this year. That's step one of 'puck support' - having players in 2 or 3 soft spots, where the player who recovers the puck is aware they have as options, and getting the puck there. Our passes look bad because our players are still not dutifully supporting, and so there's a lot of chuck-it-off-the-boards or passes like the Risto one that led to VGK's first goal (I think he had options so it was just a dumb play, but that type of play is an example of an 'ugh bad pass' when really it was 'ugh there should have been better options'). I'm almost positive Phil is trying to coach these players into these positions, but they're still cheating pretty badly. Eichel in the first few games was outright looking to be sprung at center ice when he should have been somewhere down low helping out. Eichel cleaned it up nicely, is still a little shaky on where to be though, and other players are still leaving too early. 

 

Maybe a team like Vegas is so structured about it because they know they don't have homerun threats, elite talents, that can burn guys 1v1, so they don't try and cheat, they know they have to be together every step of the way. 

 

Good post.

[Samson's Flow]

Another thing is, there's still a lot of cheating going on defensively. Not while playing defense, I think they're just mediocre at that in general. But when the puck gets recovered by a Sabre. 

 

Do you ever watch a game and when the other team recovers a puck, whether they're good or not, if they're well-coached it's almost an automatic that they get it out of the zone? And it's really frustrating because it kills our offensive chances and we can never do it as cleanly? It's not even necessarily a common trait of good teams - like, Vegas was better at it last night than Pittsburgh was in the two games of theirs I've watched this year. That's step one of 'puck support' - having players in 2 or 3 soft spots, where the player who recovers the puck is aware they have as options, and getting the puck there. Our passes look bad because our players are still not dutifully supporting, and so there's a lot of chuck-it-off-the-boards or passes like the Risto one that led to VGK's first goal (I think he had options so it was just a dumb play, but that type of play is an example of an 'ugh bad pass' when really it was 'ugh there should have been better options'). I'm almost positive Phil is trying to coach these players into these positions, but they're still cheating pretty badly. Eichel in the first few games was outright looking to be sprung at center ice when he should have been somewhere down low helping out. Eichel cleaned it up nicely, is still a little shaky on where to be though, and other players are still leaving too early. 

 

Maybe a team like Vegas is so structured about it because they know they don't have homerun threats, elite talents, that can burn guys 1v1, so they don't try and cheat, they know they have to be together every step of the way. 

Good insight.

 

I think back to your posts last year on Carolina doing this really well. They didn't have good players, but they always had at least two options for short safe passes to move the puck up the ice. Sabres still aren't sure where those outlets will be (both the passer and the passee) which is why they range from horrible turnovers to pretty possession.

[That Aud Smell]

Shall we coddle them some more?

If a behavior is dysfunctional, it’s dysfunctional. You’re not being hard on your team — not in a productive way — if you're being dysfunctional.

 

I’m not sure that’s a fair characterization of what PH is doing in talking so bluntly to the media about his players’ failings and shortcomings. If he says precisely the same things to the players, then I guess maybe it’s okay.

 

I’m just not sure. And I’m concerned with whether this crew has it in them to be great, given that sort of criticism.

[spndnchz]

Another thing is, there's still a lot of cheating going on defensively. Not while playing defense, I think they're just mediocre at that in general. But when the puck gets recovered by a Sabre. 

Do you ever watch a game and when the other team recovers a puck, whether they're good or not, if they're well-coached it's almost an automatic that they get it out of the zone? And it's really frustrating because it kills our offensive chances and we can never do it as cleanly? It's not even necessarily a common trait of good teams - like, Vegas was better at it last night than Pittsburgh was in the two games of theirs I've watched this year. That's step one of 'puck support' - having players in 2 or 3 soft spots, where the player who recovers the puck is aware they have as options, and getting the puck there. Our passes look bad because our players are still not dutifully supporting, and so there's a lot of chuck-it-off-the-boards or passes like the Risto one that led to VGK's first goal (I think he had options so it was just a dumb play, but that type of play is an example of an 'ugh bad pass' when really it was 'ugh there should have been better options'). I'm almost positive Phil is trying to coach these players into these positions, but they're still cheating pretty badly. Eichel in the first few games was outright looking to be sprung at center ice when he should have been somewhere down low helping out. Eichel cleaned it up nicely, is still a little shaky on where to be though, and other players are still leaving too early. 

 

Maybe a team like Vegas is so structured about it because they know they don't have homerun threats, elite talents, that can burn guys 1v1, so they don't try and cheat, they know they have to be together every step of the way.

 

And maybe because they’re in Vegas so much they don’t blow 500k in the casino or get kicked out the night before.

[Brawndo]

And maybe because they’re in Vegas so much they don’t blow 500k in the casino or get kicked out the night before.

Care to provide examples?

[darksabre]

If a behavior is dysfunctional, it’s dysfunctional. You’re not being hard on your team — not in a productive way — if you're being dysfunctional.

 

I’m not sure that’s a fair characterization of what PH is doing in talking so bluntly to the media about his players’ failings and shortcomings. If he says precisely the same things to the players, then I guess maybe it’s okay.

 

I’m just not sure. And I’m concerned with whether this crew has it in them to be great, given that sort of criticism.

Again, I don't think he's saying that to the media unless the players have already heard it. And I suspect it was said to them during the second intermission given their response, which was positive. 

 

If Housley repeating himself in the post-game is a problem, then we've already had it. 

[LGR4GM]

And maybe because they’re in Vegas so much they don’t blow 500k in the casino or get kicked out the night before.

So which Sabres were they?

[MattPie]

Another thing is, there's still a lot of cheating going on defensively. Not while playing defense, I think they're just mediocre at that in general. But when the puck gets recovered by a Sabre. 

 

Do you ever watch a game and when the other team recovers a puck, whether they're good or not, if they're well-coached it's almost an automatic that they get it out of the zone? And it's really frustrating because it kills our offensive chances and we can never do it as cleanly? It's not even necessarily a common trait of good teams - like, Vegas was better at it last night than Pittsburgh was in the two games of theirs I've watched this year. That's step one of 'puck support' - having players in 2 or 3 soft spots, where the player who recovers the puck is aware they have as options, and getting the puck there. Our passes look bad because our players are still not dutifully supporting, and so there's a lot of chuck-it-off-the-boards or passes like the Risto one that led to VGK's first goal (I think he had options so it was just a dumb play, but that type of play is an example of an 'ugh bad pass' when really it was 'ugh there should have been better options'). I'm almost positive Phil is trying to coach these players into these positions, but they're still cheating pretty badly. Eichel in the first few games was outright looking to be sprung at center ice when he should have been somewhere down low helping out. Eichel cleaned it up nicely, is still a little shaky on where to be though, and other players are still leaving too early. 

 

Maybe a team like Vegas is so structured about it because they know they don't have homerun threats, elite talents, that can burn guys 1v1, so they don't try and cheat, they know they have to be together every step of the way. 

 

Vegas has the advantage (and disadvantage) that every person on the team is on a new team, so they're paying attention to the little things because they don't have familiar habits from the previous season. And the idea that they don't have players that are front and center means they're all interchangeable. Good insight, Randall!

 

It'll be interesting to see how the Debylsmaticification of this team proceeds; I saw flashes of it last night, where a Sabre would have the puck along the wall or in the D zone under pressure, and another Sabre would skate by with some speed and receive a 10ft pass to spring the rush.

[That Aud Smell]

Again, I don't think he's saying that to the media unless the players have already heard it. And I suspect it was said to them during the second intermission given their response, which was positive. 

 

If Housley repeating himself in the post-game is a problem, then we've already had it. 

 

Fair.

 

That should not be a problem, I reckon.

 

But, having said that, WTF? What's with this core?

 

Remember when Reinhart was benched last year? Is our young wizard-vision-2nd-overall-pick little more than a gee-I'm-just-glad-to-be-here putz?

[North Buffalo]

Fair.

 

That should not be a problem, I reckon.

 

But, having said that, WTF? What's with this core?

 

Remember when Reinhart was benched last year? Is our young wizard-vision-2nd-overall-pick little more than a gee-I'm-just-glad-to-be-here putz?

I think he is often too affable, and so is Jack sometimes...that comes with maturity and those two need to do some growing up.

[LGR4GM]

Fair.

 

That should not be a problem, I reckon.

 

But, having said that, WTF? What's with this core?

 

Remember when Reinhart was benched last year? Is our young wizard-vision-2nd-overall-pick little more than a gee-I'm-just-glad-to-be-here putz?

Reinhart needs to grow up. Hes been better in recent games but needs to be better still. If he's just happy to be here, trade him... maybe to Vancouver... for a young RW.... 

[Eleven]

Care to provide examples?

 

 

So which Sabres were they?

 

She's got a point:  Vegas has a little bit of an extra home ice advantage because players on visiting teams will want to hit the bars / casinos / clubs / etc.  I realize that Montreal and NYC have some of the same stuff, but it can't be quite like Las Vegas, from what I've heard.

[darksabre]

Fair.

 

That should not be a problem, I reckon.

 

But, having said that, WTF? What's with this core?

 

Remember when Reinhart was benched last year? Is our young wizard-vision-2nd-overall-pick little more than a gee-I'm-just-glad-to-be-here putz?

I remember. And the problem was Bylsma. We lost two years of constructive development under that schmuck. They didn't trust him because he was sh*t, he let them develop bad habits, GMTM let it all happen because he was out to lunch, and the supposed "leaders" on the team like Gionta weren't really leaders anyway, just patsies of Dan. Dysfunction Junction. 

 

Now Phil and Bots have to fix all of it. And they have to fix things that some of the players may not have even known were broken. How could some of these kids, coming from Juniors and College, know what things are supposed to be like in the Pros if their only pro experience is a sh*tshow? 

[North Buffalo]

Reinhart needs to grow up. Hes been better in recent games but needs to be better still. If he's just happy to be here, trade him... maybe to Vancouver... for a young RW....

 

I hear you but I think a good coach figures out Sam’s buttons like Phil appeared to last night.

[Thorny]

Those are strong words. And they're specific as well.

 

Maybe a little weird (and counter-productive) that he's airing it through the media, though.

Nothing on ice embarrasses these guys. Maybe he feels they need to be embarrassed. Start having more pride out there. Things like getting walloped on national tv again in Canada by the Knights yesterday haven't seemed to do the trick.

[Brawndo]

She's got a point: Vegas has a little bit of an extra home ice advantage because players on visiting teams will want to hit the bars / casinos / clubs / etc. I realize that Montreal and NYC have some of the same stuff, but it can't be quite like Las Vegas, from what I've heard.

Absolutely and they had the day off before the game as well. A recipe for disaster

[LTS]

I remember. And the problem was Bylsma. We lost two years of constructive development under that schmuck. They didn't trust him because he was sh*t, he let them develop bad habits, GMTM let it all happen because he was out to lunch, and the supposed "leaders" on the team like Gionta weren't really leaders anyway, just patsies of Dan. Dysfunction Junction. 

 

Now Phil and Bots have to fix all of it. And they have to fix things that some of the players may not have even known were broken. How could some of these kids, coming from Juniors and College, know what things are supposed to be like in the Pros if their only pro experience is a sh*tshow? 

 

Who else is gone that was a supposed leader on the team?  It seems like all the leaders are still here so wouldn't they be patsies of Dan?

 

Secondarily, and perhaps I missed information somewhere, why is there this perception that Gionta was all on board the Bylsma and Murray train?

 

Finally, with Housley putting it into the media it does one thing.  It opens the avenue for the press to begin to dig away at the players asking them what he means.  Players don't want to answer those questions at all.  Housley just made sure that press interviews are going to be that much more annoying for the next week or so until every player has had to answer that question to the media.

 

It's not for the fans... not in the least.  Who feels better today about the team's lack of success based on Housley's comments?  Statements for the fans go more along the lines of, "We're still getting everyone on the same page and there are moments when it clicks and when it doesn't.  We have room to improve, everyone has room to improve, and the guys need to put in that extra effort to get on the same page."