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In this edition of the hotstove, we share our thoughts on the drastic organizational changes the Buffalo Sabres made.
Todd Cordell
I was a little surprised to see Tim Murray go but it is hard to disagree with the Sabres wanting to change direction.
I thought Murray did a very good job in tearing the team down and accumulating assets but hasn't enjoyed close to that level of success building it back up. The defense, for example, is horrible and the Sabres haven't done enough to surround their top forwards (Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart, etc) with quality pieces.
As for Dan Bylsma, I feel like the writing was on the wall. There were rumors months ago that he'd be let go after the season and the Sam Reinhart incident towards the end of the year, followed by the Jack Eichel story earlier this week, surely didn't help his cause.
I like the Sabres so, hopefully, they find some people who can turn the ship around. There are some nice pieces in place but a lot of work still needs to be done.
Adam French
I like this move, though the timing in terms of firing Murray seems odd. I guess this gives them enough time to come up with a strategy for the Expansion and Entry Drafts, but it'll be tight.
Dan Bylsma clearly has lost the room and the writing was on the wall with the Reinhart situation. Whether you thought it was a good idea, whether you thought it was necessary, whether you thought it was the dumbest thing imaginable, it was the most emblematic moment of a failed season.
Under Bylsma, no players other than Ristolainen and Eichel have made any noticeable development.
That's not to say that the injury/illness bug didn't hurt Buffalo with Eichel, Okposo and Kulikov being hit hardest. But the team simply didn't perform to the perceived depth that they had.
This is where I think Murray bit the dust, alongside probably falling on his sword beside Bylsma. The Sabres made bold moves during their "rebuild" by acquiring players entering their primes to help compete now at the expense of the majority of their "prospects." They did this due to the perceived depth of talent coming through the system.
While the trades are by no means heavy losses, the fact is that the Buffalo prospects that were to make the ones leaving easily expendable are not performing to expectations. The Rochester Americans were one of the worst AHL squads this year failing to make the playoffs yet again. The most worrying bit about it is the lack of defensive depth on that squad, which is one of the major issues on the actual Sabres as well. One has to realize that Murray was the GM for both the Sabres and Americans, so he has the double whammy of never having any of the teams he has run make the playoffs since he came in. Including the Americans falling from a bubble team in the AHL to one of the consistently worst in the league.
Some want to blame this on Jack Eichel, I'd rather blame it on a miscalculated rush in a rebuild that backfired.
Peter Tessier
For a team that has had as many picks as the Sabres, has gone through as many coaches as Pegula has since buying it, when the lone bright spot speaks out it's time to take notice.
Murray has had more than enough time to do something with a wealthy owner a tanking effort and draft picks. Look at 2014- what's come from all those picks? Byslma while a capable coach had to go to because the new GM was going to bring in his coach for his vision. After the report about Eichel not signing after this contract came out hit the airwaves there was going to be fall out. I doubt anyone saw this earthquake coming.
James Tanner
Definitely a good decision. Both are not very good and I like Buffalo, and want to see them do good. Murray was awful and I have never been a fan of Blysma's style.
I didn't think they'd do this, so it's pretty surprising. I would think Buffalo fans are unanimous in their excitement, but who knows? I've been wrong before..
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