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

[K-9]

18 minutes ago, JohnC said:

What's to complain about? They played a cup contending and loaded team as well as they could. They played hard and battled all the way through. What more can you ask for? Tampa has multiple potent scorers while we don't. This is a game where Housley and the GM should be pleased because as you described it checked all the boxes. It's understandable that when a team doesn't play well that it deserves criticism. But when it plays to its abilities then it should be acknowledged. 

 

Hutton was our best player and kept us in the game. The Sabres played a tight game all the way through with few breakdowns. I was more than pleased with how the Sabres played against a very superior team. . 

Yep, they are pleased as punch, because they’ve established two low bar criteria for success:  playing hard and staying in it to the end; the BARE Fing minimum for expectations. 

 

And losing.

 

Again.

 

Continuing to confuse effort with results. 

 

Not what a winning organization should espouse. 

[plenzmd1]

10 hours ago, K-9 said:

I’m sure Botterill and Housely are quite pleased with tonight’s game. It checked all their boxes for success: they gave effort, they were in it to the very end, and...well, that’s about it. 

 

Moral victories are for losers. 

I thought they played well last night , I somewhat enjoyed the game. ( better had I not bet them to win) 

 

That being said, I think this is another indictment of Housley va the talent. We see they can play and beat good teams, play a good structured game, hard on the puck etc. why they only do that every 4th game or so I think is on the coach. 

 

OTOH, the posts were quite friendly to the Sabres last night. Could have been 4-1 Bolts. 

[JohnC]

7 minutes ago, plenzmd1 said:

I thought they played well last night , I somewhat enjoyed the game. ( better had I not bet them to win) 

 

That being said, I think this is another indictment of Housley va the talent. We see they can play and beat good teams, play a good structured game, hard on the puck etc. why they only do that every 4th game or so I think is on the coach. 

 

OTOH, the posts were quite friendly to the Sabres last night. Could have been 4-1 Bolts. 

Are you also going to blame Housley for climate change and your fired- up hemorrhoids? 

[JohnC]

The below link is a WGR interview with Ryan Kennedy from Hockey News. He talks about the Sabres and where they are in their development. He also talks about the free agent market and the trade deadline. I'm very much in align with his assessment of the Sabres and the course they are on.  This is a 12 minute segment.  

 

 

 

https://wgr550.radio.com/media/audio-channel/02-22-ryan-kennedy-hockey-news-jeremy-and-sal

[YoloinOhio]

Alrighty ... what about bob and bread

 

 

[plenzmd1]

25 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

Alrighty ... what about bob and bread

 

 

hmm, interesting. Bread man moving out, but another rental no?

[BillsFan4]

1 hour ago, YoloinOhio said:

Alrighty ... what about bob and bread

 

 

Yeah I was wondering the same thing. It’ll definitely be interesting to see what happens. 

 

 

As of now, My guess is that they keeping both now and are all in on trying to make a deep playoff run. It makes sense. Jarmo has been slowly building thay team for a long time now and It’s likely their best shot at a deep playoff run for a while (if panarin and Bob are both gone). 

 

But man, if so they could be setting themselves up for a brutal offseason. If Panarin, Bob and now Duchene all walk for nothing in return, on top of giving up 2 pretty good prospects + not having a 1st in the draft this year... ouch. And imagine if they are eliminated in round 1, too. 

 

 

Edit - looks like they may be trying to load up, according to Dreger:

 

 

Edited February 22, 2019 by BillsFan4

[Nextmanup]

6 hours ago, plenzmd1 said:

I thought they played well last night , I somewhat enjoyed the game. ( better had I not bet them to win) 

 

That being said, I think this is another indictment of Housley va the talent. We see they can play and beat good teams, play a good structured game, hard on the puck etc. why they only do that every 4th game or so I think is on the coach. 

 

OTOH, the posts were quite friendly to the Sabres last night. Could have been 4-1 Bolts. 

I also enjoyed the game, but it was not nearly as close as the scoreboard showed.  We were outshot by 10, thoroughly beaten at the face-off dot, and as you said TB hit 4 posts.  On top of that, Hutton played extremely well, on a level he normally can't play at.  So there was a lot artificially keeping things close in that one.  

 

If we were playing a 7 game series with them, we lose 4 straight easily.

 

I agree Housley should be accountable.  The team is highly inconsistent and the team that showed up last night shows up all too infrequently.  That is indeed on the HC.

 

It should be made clear to Phil that either he demonstrates that he can find a way to get the team playing on last night's TB level every game by year's end, or we will find someone else who can.

 

I think that's very fair.  Team is way, way too inconsistent and it loves to underachieve.

 

 

[K-9]

19 minutes ago, Nextmanup said:

I also enjoyed the game, but it was not nearly as close as the scoreboard showed.  We were outshot by 10, thoroughly beaten at the face-off dot, and as you said TB hit 4 posts.  On top of that, Hutton played extremely well, on a level he normally can't play at.  So there was a lot artificially keeping things close in that one.  

 

If we were playing a 7 game series with them, we lose 4 straight easily.

 

I agree Housley should be accountable.  The team is highly inconsistent and the team that showed up last night shows up all too infrequently.  That is indeed on the HC.

 

It should be made clear to Phil that either he demonstrates that he can find a way to get the team playing on last night's TB level every game by year's end, or we will find someone else who can.

 

I think that's very fair.  Team is way, way too inconsistent and it loves to underachieve.

 

 

Agree entirely. 

 

But Housley won’t be held accountable for anything by his boss. Because he “communicates with the players” and they “give effort” and they are “in games until the end.” But most of all it’s because they are “progressing.” Not sure how being the third worst team in the league since the streak adds up to “progress”, but that’s where we are. Seems to me that the players have bought into the front office idea that losing is ok as long as they try hard. 

 

I’ll just leave it at this: if anyone in that locker room, ANYONE, was happy with last night’s game, they should be cut immediately. Players like Drury wouldn’t tolerate that for a second. The losing culture is deeply ingrained in this team. Confusing effort with results is a disease. 

[JohnC]

The below link is a WGR interview with Matt Larkin of The Hockey News. It is 22 min. long. He talks about the Sabres and his view on them and where they are at. His thinking about the team where it is at and heading is the same as mine. Larkin has some interesting thoughts on Risto and what he can bring in a trade. He also discusses prospective trade deals coming up with the upcoming trade deadline. 

 

 

https://wgr550.radio.com/media/audio-channel/2-22-matt-larkin-hockey-news-schopp-bulldog

[plenzmd1]

9 hours ago, JohnC said:

The below link is a WGR interview with Matt Larkin of The Hockey News. It is 22 min. long. He talks about the Sabres and his view on them and where they are at. His thinking about the team where it is at and heading is the same as mine. Larkin has some interesting thoughts on Risto and what he can bring in a trade. He also discusses prospective trade deals coming up with the upcoming trade deadline. 

 

 

https://wgr550.radio.com/media/audio-channel/2-22-matt-larkin-hockey-news-schopp-bulldog

i am going to assume this guy said the Sabres are young, have to live mistakes, they are on the right path to make the playoffs..as all national guys do cause 

 

1) It's Buffalo, just be happy you have a team.

2) don't expect to compete with real teams for championships, your goal should be to compete with the mediocre teams for the last playoff spot

3) Don't look at the actual experience of the overall team and who is playing bad, just say they have youngsters and excuse the rest. 

4) Slurp the GM when he says any or all of these" we have a plan, its a process, build through the draft, not mortgage the future" cause they absolve current failures

5) don't question any of the coaches decsions not based on analytics..anlytics are just nerds who don't understand the game .

Oh whats that...several questioned ( including several on the site) the wisdom of punishing  and sitting your 2nd best young prospect on the team for making a few mistakes, despite  the analytics saying your team is much better with him on the ice, as not only a dumb move but could ruin the kid and make him play tentatively and tight moving forward. Oh whats that...he has been sent down? Yep, no could see that coming

 

But we are on pace to compete for 8th next year, maybe make the playoffs in 2021, add 1 of the 3 precious draft picks in 2022, and waste the ELCs of two #2 overall piucks and a one #1, #1!!!!! .

 

 

 

And oh let's forget shame STHs who sell their seats to visiting fans, have paying fans endure a  building interior that is bordering on untenable, and an absolutely piss poor game experience in terms of concessions waits, restroom cleanliness, prices etc. 

 

Edited February 23, 2019 by plenzmd1

[JohnC]

45 minutes ago, plenzmd1 said:

i am going to assume this guy said the Sabres are young, have to live mistakes, they are on the right path to make the playoffs..as all national guys do cause 

 

1) It's Buffalo, just be happy you have a team.

2) don't expect to compete with real teams for championships, your goal should be to compete with the mediocre teams for the last playoff spot

3) Don't look at the actual experience of the overall team and who is playing bad, just say they have youngsters and excuse the rest. 

4) Slurp the GM when he says any or all of these" we have a plan, its a process, build through the draft, not mortgage the future" cause they absolve current failures

5) don't question any of the coaches decsions not based on analytics..anlytics are just nerds who don't understand the game .

Oh whats that...several questioned ( including several on the site) the wisdom of punishing  and sitting your 2nd best young prospect on the team for making a few mistakes, despite  the analytics saying your team is much better with him on the ice, as not only a dumb move but could ruin the kid and make him play tentatively and tight moving forward. Oh whats that...he has been sent down? Yep, no could see that coming

 

But we are on pace to compete for 8th next year, maybe make the playoffs in 2021, add 1 of the 3 precious draft picks in 2022, and waste the ELCs of two #2 overall piucks and a one #1, #1!!!!! .

 

 

 

And oh let's forget shame STHs who sell their seats to visiting fans, have paying fans endure a  building interior that is bordering on untenable, and an absolutely piss poor game experience in terms of concessions waits, restroom cleanliness, prices etc. 

 

The Sabres were the worst team in the league last year. Did you expect a Cup hoisting ceremony this year? When it gets to the point that you find both the team and the facility unpalatable it is time to take a break from the stressors in your life. I'm surprised you support the Bills because they are also in rebuilding mode. And not to be forgotten they play in an antiquated facility. Oh, I forgot, it's not about the game but about the pregame food and beverage at the raucous tailgates.  

[plenzmd1]

34 minutes ago, JohnC said:

The Sabres were the worst team in the league last year. Did you expect a Cup hoisting ceremony this year? When it gets to the point that you find both the team and the facility unpalatable it is time to take a break from the stressors in your life. I'm surprised you support the Bills because they are also in rebuilding mode. And not to be forgotten they play in an antiquated facility. Oh, I forgot, it's not about the game but about the pregame food and beverage at the raucous tailgates.  

they weren't in last when Housley and JBotts took over...as a matter of fact the previous regime was fired cause they UNDERACIEVED with that same group. ...Sabres of JBOTS and Housley will prolly not even equal the two-year point total of Murray and Bylsma...and that was taking over  a last-place team on purpose., not like last year where they where where they were trying to win., had a veteran team with proven players...but you and the apologists give them a pass cause Housley coached em a last place finish...and somehow that is now the standard!

 

I would love my boss to say.." hey look Paul, the year before you came in we hit 70% of plan and fired the VP, for underperformance...you came in and last year you hit 10% of plan  with the same team. No worries, you made changes, and this year you will 15%!!!! 50% improvement over last year!, We and the investors and board  think you are doing a great job of helping us reach our goals

 

 

 

The Bills stadium in mind mind is an actuality in better shape than the hockey arena. 

Edited February 23, 2019 by plenzmd1

[K-9]

12 minutes ago, plenzmd1 said:

they weren't in last when Housley and JBotts took over...as a matter of fact the previous regime was fired cause they UNDERACIEVED with that same group. ...Sabres of JBOTS and Housley will prolly not even equal the two-year point total of Murray and Bylsma...and that was taking over  a last-place team on purpose., not like last year where they where where they were trying to win., had a veteran team with proven players...but you and the apologists give them a pass cause Housley coached em a last place finish...and somehow that is now the standard!

 

I would love my boss to say.." hey look Paul, the year before you came in we hit 70% of plan and fired the VP, for underperformance...you came in and last year you hit 10% of plan  with the same team. No worries, you made changes, and this year you will 15%!!!! 50% improvement over last year!, We and the investors and board  think you are doing a great job of helping us reach our goals

 

 

 

The Bills stadium in mind mind is an actuality in better shape than the hockey arena. 

We need 33 out of the remaining 44 points to equal Bylsma’s two year point total of 159.

 

A .750 clip (stifled laughter).

 

I’m gonna go out on a limb and predict Phil and the boys can’t do that. 

 

 

[plenzmd1]

This is what scares the hell out of me..from ESPN article, asking what team "is the top sourse of anxiety as trade deadline approaches

 

Quote

Emily Kaplan, national NHL reporter: I have second-hand anxiety for Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen. Does any GM face greater pressure than him? The Blue Jackets' fan base has been patient, and Kekalainen has built this team the right way. But the truth is, Columbus has never been past the first round of the playoffs, and 2019 should be the year the Blue Jackets do it. And yet, two of the most talented players in franchise history are now looking for outs. He can't let them walk for nothing -- though the alternative might be gambling and holding onto them as the team's own "rentals." Kekalainen has had all season to prepare and has a reputation as a silent assassin. But there's a lot riding on the next three days for the future of his franchise. I'm rooting for things to fall into place for Columbus. His bold move to add Duchene is a great start.

 

I fear always playing for the future instead of expecting results today can get you in this position. The bolded I can see being the Sabres in 4 years

 

http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/26054658/the-biggest-nhl-trade-deadline-questions-answered

 

BTW, to get off off this enless circular argument..

 

Who would ya want ...Skinner or Breadman? 

Edited February 23, 2019 by plenzmd1

[K-9]

19 minutes ago, plenzmd1 said:

This is what scares the hell out of me..from ESPN article, asking what team "is the top sourse of anxiety as trade deadline approaches

 

I fear always playing for the future instead of expecting results today can get you in this position. The bolded I can see being the Sabres in 4 years

 

http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/26054658/the-biggest-nhl-trade-deadline-questions-answered

 

BTW, to get off off this enless circular argument..

 

Who would ya want ...Skinner or Breadman? 

Love Skinner, but I’d rather have Panarin for his better playmaking ability. 

[YoloinOhio]

22 hours ago, BillsFan4 said:

Yeah I was wondering the same thing. It’ll definitely be interesting to see what happens. 

 

 

As of now, My guess is that they keeping both now and are all in on trying to make a deep playoff run. It makes sense. Jarmo has been slowly building thay team for a long time now and It’s likely their best shot at a deep playoff run for a while (if panarin and Bob are both gone). 

 

But man, if so they could be setting themselves up for a brutal offseason. If Panarin, Bob and now Duchene all walk for nothing in return, on top of giving up 2 pretty good prospects + not having a 1st in the draft this year... ouch. And imagine if they are eliminated in round 1, too. 

 

 

Edit - looks like they may be trying to load up, according to Dreger:

 

 

Yup. Zero percent panarin signs and duchene is far from a sure thing. I assume they are planning to just pay duchene instead of Panarin now. But he has to be willing. I think they are simply just desperate for Center help and desperate to win a playoff series. They haven’t managed to in the almost 20 years of the franchise’s history. I’m still not convinced they will. Watch them get matched up with the lightning in the 1st rd. If they even make the playoffs that is. The prospects they gave up aren’t throwaways either. They are good prospects. Then there is a 1st rounder whether duchene signs or not, plus another 1st rounder if he does. 

[plenzmd1]

Skinny looks cooked for the season. No weight at all on that left leg. 

[billsfanmiami(oh)]

14 minutes ago, plenzmd1 said:

Skinny looks cooked for the season. No weight at all on that left leg. 

 

 

Yeah, he gone. ☹️

[EmotionallyUnstable]

Can’t help but wonder how the injury impacts Skinner’s future. 

 

Honestly surprised they didn’t go after the guy who tripped him. Maybe thy didn’t see it or find it to be dirty. Either way, I like a team that will throw down for their best player when he is in pain on the ice after an apparent trip.