Buffalo Sabres & NHL 2018-19: Sabres picking 7th overall (6/21/19). Ralph Krueger hire as new head coach!

[BillsFan4]

This makes a lot more sense now. I couldn’t figure out why Reinhart was calling out the goalies after the team’s defensive effort in front of them. But he wasn’t. 

 

 

Edit - clarification from housley as well -

 

 

Edited February 8, 2019 by BillsFan4

[JohnC]

3 hours ago, plenzmd1 said:

Okay, you have to be a Pegula daughter or something. In what parallel universe is finishing last two years in a row, and 4 of 6 years..a strategy that is working?

 

I know I cherry pick by taking the streak out..but i think we all agree winning ten in a row with 7 of them in OT or Shootout was just a fluke. 

You are mistakenly and unfairly merging the failure of the previous regimes with this one directed by Botterill. So please stop doing that. It makes no sense and doesn't add to the discussion. I don't want to be repetitious and bore the audience so review what I said to K-9 in a previous post. You and he have the same belief that Housley is the source of most of this team's problems. I strenuously say no because I believe the primary source of our team's problems relate to roster deficiencies. And I believe that steadily those issues are being address by the GM. Vengefully chasing the bogeyman coach may make you happy but it will not address the substantive issue relating to the talent level. 

[JohnC]

4 minutes ago, BillsFan4 said:

This makes a lot more sense now. I couldn’t figure out why Reinhart was calling out the goalies after the team’s defensive effort in front of them. But he wasn’t. 

This twitter mob mentality of gotcha is stupid. When a player is interviewed immediately after a hard fought game that ended in disappointment it's not surprising that all one's responses are not going to be smartly crafted. The general takeaway from the interview is that players didn't always play responsibly and smartly defensively. That's an accurate statement as it relates to this game and many recent games. 

[K-9]

8 minutes ago, JohnC said:

The probability that Housley is the coach next year is greater than he won't. We will see how that plays out.

 

This team should garner nearly 25 points more than last year's dreadful team. The Sabres are in nearly every game. That wasn't the case last year. As much as they can be exasperating, especially with their repeated crushing defensive lapses, they are a much more entertaining team compared to last year's team that had nothing redeeming as an entertainment product. 

 

Look at our roster makeup: Dahlin, Mitts, Pilut, Sage (I consider him a rookie though technically not so) and CJ Smith can be added to the list. Next year, Guhle and Nylander should be on the NHL roster. That's a lot of young players on a NHL team. In addition, I'm hoping that the GM can make a Skinner type deal in the offseason to bolster this roster. 

 

I said it before and I will say it again to you and the catatonic Plez that this team is moving in the right direction and is not far away from becoming a serious team. Your coaching bogeyman has little to do with our team's manifest problems. Our core problem revolves around our talent deficiencies. Steadily, those deficiencies are being addressed. 

 

You can scoff at may positive attitude and perspective but I am very encouraged from what I have seen. It's not about the now as much as it is about the near future. My recommendation is for the most part to stay the course.  

 

 

We will need to play at a .483 clip the rest of the way in order to finish at 87 points and realize the 25 point improvement over last year you predict. Outside of a fluky win streak, this team hasn’t come remotely close to that in the season and a half under Housley so I wish you luck. Especially given how we’ve trended after the streak ended. 

 

We can forget the playoffs as that would require playing at a .637 pace from here on out to finish at the 96 points I predict will be needed. I know the playoffs aren’t a goal for you this year, but I thought I’d point that out anyway. 

 

Is Housley a good coach and why? 

 

 

[BillsFan4]

 

[plenzmd1]

11 minutes ago, JohnC said:

You are mistakenly and unfairly merging the failure of the previous regimes with this one directed by Botterill. So please stop doing that. It makes no sense and doesn't add to the discussion. I don't want to be repetitious and bore the audience so review what I said to K-9 in a previous post. You and he have the same belief that Housley is the source of most of this team's problems. I strenuously say no because I believe the primary source of our team's problems relate to roster deficiencies. And I believe that steadily those issues are being address by the GM. Vengefully chasing the bogeyman coach may make you happy but it will not address the substantive issue relating to the talent level. 

John, they are earning points,  under this regime,  at a pace in 130 out of 140 games,  that puts them in last place two years in a row ...again under this regime. Now, i happen to agree with you that this group is not awful, as a matter of fact, I think they should be pressing for a playoff spot...and they are not.

So you tell me..do they players stink that bad they are the worst team in the league? Or does the coach bear some responsibility.

 

And BTW, I think some folks forget this point.

 

Bylsma's first year, earning points at a 96 point clip 2nd half of the year.

Bylsma's second year..they were 3 points out of a playoff spot when they returned from their bye late February,with two games in hand, and  promptly lost to the two worst teams in the NHL that year in Colorado and Arizona...and spit it from there to not compete  the last month of the season

 

And somehow this  coach took that team, drove them to last place overall, is earning points at a last place clip now...and you are peeing on my leg telling me its raining  while telling me the process is working. 

 

I just dont see the progress you do..

[zow2]

3 hours ago, K-9 said:

I have a dismissive attitude towards Housley because since he’s arrived, I’ve seen NOTHING to suggest he’s got what it takes to succeed as a head coach. From use of personnel to in game management decisions and everything in between, nothing says he’s up to the task. He is simply not the right head coach at this time for this group. 

 

He will get the rest of the year to complete his audition, which will have included a last place finish 16 points worse than the previous coach and being at the helm of the second team in history to not make the playoffs after having a 10 game winning streak. A steak that, fair or not, changed the expectations for this team.

 

Expectations Housley has no clue how to manage. 

 

I agree with this.  I didn't want Phil back after last season but understood why they needed to give him more of an opportunity after getting Dahlin, Skinner and building up the roster.  But it just isn't working.   Last year was deplorable.  And I don't know of an unproven head coach (like Housley) that can go from that....to making the playoffs in the ultra-competitive East.   Maybe Phil will get another chance with another club, but i doubt he will be here a 3rd season assuming they miss the playoffs.

 

I don't know what it is about the Sabres.  They have good players...arguably a more talented roster than teams like Carolina, Montreal and the Islanders.. but they just don't employ a real proven system, and lacking a big time goaltender.   I feel bad for guys like Reinhart, Eichel, Risto, etc,,  They are missing the playoffs year after year in the prime of their careers.  I'm sure they will want outta here within a season or so 

[BillsFan4]

 

I wonder if this is true. 

[JohnC]

2 hours ago, plenzmd1 said:

John, they are earning points,  under this regime,  at a pace in 130 out of 140 games,  that puts them in last place two years in a row ...again under this regime. Now, i happen to agree with you that this group is not awful, as a matter of fact, I think they should be pressing for a playoff spot...and they are not.

So you tell me..do they players stink that bad they are the worst team in the league? Or does the coach bear some responsibility.

 

And BTW, I think some folks forget this point.

 

Bylsma's first year, earning points at a 96 point clip 2nd half of the year.

Bylsma's second year..they were 3 points out of a playoff spot when they returned from their bye late February,with two games in hand, and  promptly lost to the two worst teams in the NHL that year in Colorado and Arizona...and spit it from there to not compete  the last month of the season

 

And somehow this  coach took that team, drove them to last place overall, is earning points at a last place clip now...and you are peeing on my leg telling me its raining  while telling me the process is working. 

 

I just dont see the progress you do..

When Botterill took over he used the year to do a comprehensive review of the organization, top to bottom. While you and many of your cohorts are absorbed with how many points this team previously garnered the GM was doing his own analysis. The Sabres as they were previously constructed were one of the slowest teams in the league. Before this year Jack was playing with players who couldn't keep up with him. In general, this team was a slow and sluggish team. That is a recipe for failure when the game was emphasizing  speed and skill, not only from the forward lines but also from the blue line players. 

 

The Murray approach was a mishmash approach of acquiring players. The Botterill approach from a roster and organizational standpoint emphasized speed and skill. Systematically, that is being done throughout the organization.. ROR was traded for a variety of reasons. But one of the underpinning reasons why he was dealt (among many reasons) was that although he was skilled he was a slow player. The players that are steadily being added to the mix are players who are faster and quicker. Dahlin, Mitts, Sheary, Pilut, Tage (to a degree), CJ Smith, ERod etc. My point is that this roster is being overhauled because the current GM has philosophy that he is in the process of implementing. So your constant looking back to compare to what we now have is not so applicable because we are purposefully moving away from the old school model to the new era NHL model. 

 

If you want to compare O'Reilly to Mitts no one can argue that Mitts is better than the former Sabre. At least right now. But in the long run Mitts is going to be a better fit (my opinion) for how the GM envisions a roster should be built. The NHL has rapidly changed over the past few years. And Botterill is in tune with it. 

 

With respect to Bylsma he had problems relating to players and how they adapted to his very rigid system. The primary player whom he didn't establish a good relationship with was Jack. It doesn't take long for the players of today to grow tired and resist the old school methods. If the old school coaches don't have the interpersonal skills to deal with new era  players they are going to go by the wayside. The world has changed not only in hockey but in every field of endeavor. If you can't look forward because your mentality is to look back you will not survive in this business or in many other businesses.  

Edited February 8, 2019 by JohnC

[4merper4mer]

3 hours ago, JohnC said:

The probability that Housley is the coach next year is greater than he won't. We will see how that plays out.

 

This team should garner nearly 25 points more than last year's dreadful team. The Sabres are in nearly every game. That wasn't the case last year. As much as they can be exasperating, especially with their repeated crushing defensive lapses, they are a much more entertaining team compared to last year's team that had nothing redeeming as an entertainment product. 

 

Look at our roster makeup: Dahlin, Mitts, Pilut, Sage (I consider him a rookie though technically not so) and CJ Smith can be added to the list. Next year, Guhle and Nylander should be on the NHL roster. That's a lot of young players on a NHL team. In addition, I'm hoping that the GM can make a Skinner type deal in the offseason to bolster this roster. 

 

I said it before and I will say it again to you and the catatonic Plez that this team is moving in the right direction and is not far away from becoming a serious team. Your coaching bogeyman has little to do with our team's manifest problems. Our core problem revolves around our talent deficiencies. Steadily, those deficiencies are being addressed. 

 

You can scoff at may positive attitude and perspective but I am very encouraged from what I have seen. It's not about the now as much as it is about the near future. My recommendation is for the most part to stay the course.  

 

 

I made it half way through and stopped reading when I saw the word Nylander.  I've been reading about him being close since 1994 or so.  I have zero expectation and I know he is a Murray special.  I have nothing against him personally but I hope they dump him so I can stop reading about him.

[JohnC]

4 minutes ago, 4merper4mer said:

I made it half way through and stopped reading when I saw the word Nylander.  I've been reading about him being close since 1994 or so.  I have zero expectation and I know he is a Murray special.  I have nothing against him personally but I hope they dump him so I can stop reading about him.

If you so desire it you can ignore him and Guhle when they are on the roster next year. That's your prerogative.  

[4merper4mer]

3 hours ago, JohnC said:

If you so desire it you can ignore him and Guhle when they are on the roster next year. That's your prerogative.  

Will I notice?

[BillsFan4]

The Amerks game was broadcast for free on Facebook tonight. 

 

I don’t know how to embed the video, but here’s a link  -

 

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=370653276820317&id=54162273113&refsrc=https%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com%2Ftheahl%2Fvideos%2F370653276820317%2F&_rdr

 

You don’t need a Facebook account or anything. Just click on the link. They have the entire game posted if anyone wants to watch/re-watch. 

 

I havent watched it yet and dont know the outcome so please don’t spoil it for me!

I’ll be watching it tomorrow morning. Thanks. 

[Formerly Allan in MD]

On 2/7/2019 at 10:16 PM, plenzmd1 said:

45 goals against last 10 games,, hmm Housley supposedly a defensive wiz hmmm 

Just another nail in the wall

Housley is not a defensive wiz.  When he played he was primarily an offensive, not all around, defenseman.

[K-9]

1 hour ago, Formerly Allan in MD said:

Housley is not a defensive wiz.  When he played he was primarily an offensive, not all around, defenseman.

Housley was given credit for coaching the Dmen in Nashville, but that’s a crock given the HOF talent they have on their blue line and the system implemented by Barry Trotz before he left for the Caps. And just look at what Trotz has done with the Islanders’ defense this year as further proof. 

[plenzmd1]

Sabre free day for me today...not even gunna watch later. They have broken me

[BillsFan4]

13 hours ago, K-9 said:

Housley was given credit for coaching the Dmen in Nashville, but that’s a crock given the HOF talent they have on their blue line and the system implemented by Barry Trotz before he left for the Caps. And just look at what Trotz has done with the Islanders’ defense this year as further proof. 

 

They play a completely different system than what Trotz ran. 

 

 

Housley was actually hired by Trotz in Nashville (and then kept on by Laviolette, where he was given free reign to run the defense while Lavy focused on the offense). 

 

He was there for Trotz’s last year (2013/14) and then worked 3 years with Laviolette. 

 

Trotz ran a much different, defense first system where the defenseman hardly ever joined the rush. He was actually considered too safe and too defensive in Nashville, which is part of the reason he brought housley in. He let housley start to implement parts of his system in 2013, and the change was noticeable on a Nashville team that had always played conservatively. 

 

Housley was then allowed to fully implement his 5 man attack when Lavy took over, where the defenseman began to consistently join the rush. 

 

Even the Nashville players talked about how different the new system housley put in place was, and how it was such a big change from a system that was very much the opposite of Laviolette and housley’s. 

 

 

And Nashville’s defense took a huge step forward under Housley.

 

Ryan Ellis didn’t start to come into his own until that first season under Housley (and only played 1 full season under Trotz).

Mattias Ekholm (a 4th round pick) only played 1 season under Trotz and didn’t blossom into the defenseman he is now until after Trotz left. 

Roman Josi (2nd round pick) made a huge leap in Housley’s first season. Went from 18pts to 40pts. 

All 3 really didn’t blossom into the defenseman they are today until after Trotz left. 

 

Ellis, Josi, even Subban have all had their best years, points wise, under Housley (and after Trotz left) 

 

Peter Laviolette and pretty much every Nashville defenseman all raved about the job housley did. 

 

He may be in over his head as a head coach, but you can’t knock what he did in Nashville. 

4 hours ago, plenzmd1 said:

Sabre free day for me today...not even gunna watch later. They have broken me

You’re missing a pretty good game so far! I didn’t see the 1st period (for some reason I thought the game wasn’t on tonight, even though I updated the thread title yesterday to show the game time....lol). But the 2nd has been pretty exciting, and mostly all buffalo. 

 

Lets hope it continues... 

Edited February 9, 2019 by BillsFan4

[plenzmd1]

1 hour ago, BillsFan4 said:

 

They play a completely different system than what Trotz ran. 

 

 

Housley was actually hired by Trotz in Nashville (and then kept on by Laviolette, where he was given free reign to run the defense while Lavy focused on the offense). 

 

He was there for Trotz’s last year (2013/14) and then worked 3 years with Laviolette. 

 

Trotz ran a much different, defense first system where the defenseman hardly ever joined the rush. He was actually considered too safe and too defensive in Nashville, which is part of the reason he brought housley in. He let housley start to implement parts of his system in 2013, and the change was noticeable on a Nashville team that had always played conservatively. 

 

Housley was then allowed to fully implement his 5 man attack when Lavy took over, where the defenseman began to consistently join the rush. 

 

Even the Nashville players talked about how different the new system housley put in place was, and how it was such a big change from a system that was very much the opposite of Laviolette and housley’s. 

 

 

And Nashville’s defense took a huge step forward under Housley.

 

Ryan Ellis didn’t start to come into his own until that first season under Housley (and only played 1 full season under Trotz).

Mattias Ekholm (a 4th round pick) only played 1 season under Trotz and didn’t blossom into the defenseman he is now until after Trotz left. 

Roman Josi (2nd round pick) made a huge leap in Housley’s first season. Went from 18pts to 40pts. 

All 3 really didn’t blossom into the defenseman they are today until after Trotz left. 

 

Ellis, Josi, even Subban have all had their best years, points wise, under Housley (and after Trotz left) 

 

Peter Laviolette and pretty much every Nashville defenseman all raved about the job housley did. 

 

He may be in over his head as a head coach, but you can’t knock what he did in Nashville. 

You’re missing a pretty good game so far! I didn’t see the 1st period (for some reason I thought the game wasn’t on tonight, even though I updated the thread title yesterday to show the game time....lol). But the 2nd has been pretty exciting, and mostly all buffalo. 

 

Lets hope it continues... 

Well,

instead of getting frustrated watching the Sabres, I am losing my ass betting ping pong against my brother in law at a ping pong social club in DC. 

 

MOST EXPENSIVE ping pong hour in the world!

Edited February 9, 2019 by plenzmd1

[BillsFan4]

Big win. Buffalo desperately needed those 2 points. 

 

I didnt see the 1st, but I thought buffalo played a heck of a 2nd and (most of the) 3rd. 

That was a good team win. 

[BillsPride12]

Good to see goals from Mitts, Sheary, and Okposo.  Hopefully gives them some confidence and they can keep it going.