I feel like we aren't the only team looking at this option. It's better to appeal to the fans with an on-ice product that is competitive than to throw the towel in from the get go. I am not anticipating being better than 26th (that's a stretch) in the standings, but at least the games should be worth watching/listening to
- thatsapickle

That's what I believe they're going for. While I would be all for it, I think it would be a total nightmare for the organization if they repeated the disastrous point total from last year.

Then our GM made a horrible decision keeping him and the rebuild is doomed. The end.

I myself have more faith that Murray is not a moron and didn't keep a coach that will ruin the future of this team.
- sbroads24

Murray didn't have a choice. Plus, Nolan is the perfect coach if we want 30th, which we do.

All I'm trying to say is the stuff I know about him, its hard for me to like him as a person or a coach. If he finds a way to win or at least makes us entertaining then great.

And for the record, I used to like the guy before I heard all this stuff. He's just not for me.
- Homer

Got ya. So you do have an agenda.

Is there a more polarizing figure in Buffalo sports than Ted Nolan? I like Ted, he seems to inspire and motivate his players and if anyone has ever played this game, you would love to play for a guy like Ted. Nolan seems to be a positive influence and I could care less about the other stuff about him. We know he won't be here long term and he probably is a bridge but give him a full season, jeez!
- mhp

This!

If every team in every sport does it then it obviously is
- sbroads24

I said every league has them. I didn't say every team has them.

I want my team to not be in that category.

Why take what Homer or anyone else says about Nolan or anyone else on the Sabres on a message board so personally? They could care less about you or I. We all have opinions, we post them, discuss them and call it a day.
- GilPerreault11

Gil , I was not taking it "personally".

Murray didn't have a choice. Plus, Nolan is the perfect coach if we want 30th, which we do.
- Homer

No, keeping Ruff or Rolston would have been. 2 guys this team completely tuned out.

If you don't think this team will look better this year I think you are going to be surprised. (and not because of strictly Ted Nolan, I'm not the biggest fan either)

Trottier won't help in that area? Is is he a scrub, too?
- grand-magus

I have no idea, but I do know Trottier hasn't coached in 12 years.

Murray didn't have a choice. Plus, Nolan is the perfect coach if we want 30th, which we do.
- Homer

This seemed to be quite obvious, surprised more didn't see this when he was hired. He was a Pegula hire and I have no inside info.

This seemed to be quite obvious, surprised more didn't see this when he was hired. He was a Pegula hire and I have no inside info.
- GilPerreault11

So was Lafontaine who hired Murray.

So we are doomed and It's Pegula's fault. I feel like Jerry Sullivan

No, keeping Ruff or Rolston would have been. 2 guys this team completely tuned out.

If you don't think this team will look better this year I think you are going to be surprised. (and not because of strictly Ted Nolan, I'm not the biggest fan either)
- sbroads24

I expect them to be better and play harder, but I don't think they will be better than 30th again.

Made some additions but also lost Vanek and Miller....and Ott if you will. Kinda evens out IMO.

I have no idea, but I do know Trottier hasn't coached in 12 years.
- Homer

And the report is that he came back "because of Ted Nolan".

Lafontaine loved the man too.

And the report is that he came back "because of Ted Nolan".

Lafontaine loved the man too.
- grand-magus

I hope that we have an entertaining team to watch.

That's all I want.

So was Lafontaine who hired Murray.

So we are doomed and It's Pegula's fault. I feel like Jerry Sullivan
- sbroads24

Maybe, Terry is a fan first, owner second. Not a great idea. Love his dedication and finacial backing, but he may be part of the problem.

Is there a more polarizing figure in Buffalo sports than Ted Nolan? I like Ted, he seems to inspire and motivate his players and if anyone has ever played this game, you would love to play for a guy like Ted. Nolan seems to be a positive influence and I could care less about the other stuff about him. We know he won't be here long term and he probably is a bridge but give him a full season, jeez!
- mhp

Good post Sir.
Now I really need to get out of here.

I hope that we have an entertaining team to watch.

That's all I want.
- thatsapickle

Yes, lose 5-4 or 4-3 with a scrap or two instead of 2-1 and I'm fine with that. To me, this year is about getting McDavid or Eichel, then it gets real.

Maybe, Terry is a fan first, owner second. Not a great idea. Love his dedication and finacial backing, but he may be part of the problem.
- Homer

Wow.

So was Lafontaine who hired Murray.

So we are doomed and It's Pegula's fault. I feel like Jerry Sullivan
- sbroads24

I've resigned myself to the fact that Nolan's the head coach. The saving grace in all this, as Homer said, is that it all but ensures this team finishes at or very near the bottom.

The fact is the guy was brought in as Side 2 of a PR stunt to try to stop the fire that was the disaster of November 2013. The fact remains that there were better and more thought out ways to do this. It's not going to hurt them in the short run. That doesn't mean the Sabres couldn't have and shouldn't have strove for better.

So was Lafontaine who hired Murray.

So we are doomed and It's Pegula's fault. I feel like Jerry Sullivan
- sbroads24

I'm not tossing blame just saying I bet my lifetime avatar that Murray would have hired someone else if he had his choice. I'm not a card carrying Nolan fan like many Sabres fans are come to think of it never was.

Wow.
- grand-magus

I know, I know. You dont believe me.

I know, I know. You dont believe me.
- Homer

Nope.

I can't believe that we've segued from hating Nolan to bashing Terry now.

I know, I know. You dont believe me.
- Homer

I'll say this, not that I doubt your info, but I don't think you really need it to make that conclusion. He exhibited from the day he was introduced as the owner: the crying at the sight of Gil Perrault, the Buffalo News media session where he said that the columnists were being "too mean" to players like Tim Connolly, the constant ringing endorsements of Darcy Regier until finally he was essentially embarrassed in front of his peers. To top it off, he goes to a concussion seminar, listens to another fixture in the Sabres history give a talk on essentially while he'll never be quite right in the head ever again, takes him out to dinner, and says "here, run my hockey team". And it's a guy that didn't really last too long either. To me, that says he's either a bit starstruck, or he's dense. I doubt it's the latter.

I do think that Terry Pegula is too much of a fan. I also think that eventually he'll grow out of it, but it will take some time.

I've resigned myself to the fact that Nolan's the head coach. The saving grace in all this, as Homer said, is that it all but ensures this team finishes at or very near the bottom.
The fact is the guy was brought in as Side 2 of a PR stunt to try to stop the fire that was the disaster of November 2013. The fact remains that there were better and more thought out ways to do this. It's not going to hurt them in the short run. That doesn't mean the Sabres couldn't have and shouldn't have strove for better.
- buffalofan19

Wayne Gretzkey's DNA sprinkled on each Sabre wouldn't make this team a playoff team. The difference will be either we are the worst team to the 3rd worst team.

Nope.

I can't believe that we've segued from hating Nolan to bashing Terry now.
- grand-magus

Is critically analyzing a billionaire bashing or discussing his strengths and weaknesses? I love TP and I am glad he's the Sabres owner but he has made some mistakes. Hopefully he's learned from them.

Yes, lose 5-4 or 4-3 with a scrap or two instead of 2-1 and I'm fine with that. To me, this year is about getting McDavid or Eichel, then it gets real.
- Homer

I would be fully okay with this.