He's an outlier. With Pysyk. It happens. Also, it can be argued that those guys are still developing even though Girgensons is the only full season NHL vet. He chose to go even though he didn't have to. That camp was run for the prospects and he chose to join it.

There's absolutely no reason to have the NHL assistant coaches running the camp for one guy. That's ridiculous.
- TheSabresTaco

I never said he was done developing. I said that it doesn't make sense to have a guy "Developing" him when he won't be his coach at all this year.

And no, he didn't have a choice technically. He's still on his ELC. Those guys are all supposed to be at development camp. There are always exceptions (see Connor Hurley) but most are expected to be there unless there's an extenuating circumstance.

And I bet if you look around at every other NHL development camp, the Assistant coaches for the NHL squads were there. So it's not ridiculous.

Neither have I. I just know that Stafford has glowing things to say about him, but if I probably should have been unemployed by now, I would most likely be the same way.
- buffalofan19

Tony Twist credits Nolan for saving his life. Marchand says Nolan is the reason he has a career ( Or said that at one point)

I never said he was done developing. I said that it doesn't make sense to have a guy "Developing" him when he won't be his coach at all this year.

And no, he didn't have a choice technically. He's still on his ELC. Those guys are all supposed to be at development camp. There are always exceptions (see Connor Hurley) but most are expected to be there unless there's an extenuating circumstance.

And I bet if you look around at every other NHL development camp, the Assistant coaches for the NHL squads were there. So it's not ridiculous.
- HonkFortheGoose

You missed my point. The intentions were for the AHL coaches to run the camp. So, there's junior, college, euros, AHL. They wanted the development coaches to run those players. I don't understand why this is an issue. The organization will use the AHL coaches next year too, I'm willing to bet. Even with NHL assistants in place. What's the big deal here?

Also to the bolded comment, why does Girgensons deserve special treatment to be able to get developed by a NHL assistant than from an AHL assistant.

Especially when we all know that Nolan is not an X's and O's guy. How are you supposed to run development camp and have guys working on a system that doesn't currently exist?

I would think that you need these guys in place so that they can work with Cassidy on what they want so that he knows what the plan is going to be for Rochester next year.

The Traverse City tournament isn't that far off really, and we have no assistants yet. It's an issue.
- HonkFortheGoose

Agree

I didn't say it was a bad thing. He was one hell of a goalie when he was on his game.
- BINGO!

I like how you still respect him enough to make him your avatar.

You missed my point. The intentions were for the AHL coaches to run the camp. So, there's junior, college, euros, AHL. They wanted the development coaches to run those players. I don't understand why this is an issue. The organization will use the AHL coaches next year too, I'm willing to bet. Even with NHL assistants in place. What's the big deal here?

Also to the bolded comment, why does Girgensons deserve special treatment to be able to get developed by a NHL assistant than from an AHL assistant.
- TheSabresTaco

Did they "want" the AHL guys running the camp, or did they have no choice? We don't know because they don't have any assistant coaches on the roster.

Personally, I couldn't care less who ran that camp. They could have grabbed the coaching staffs from Canisius or Niagara and it still wouldn't have bothered me. Still, the fact that they have nobody is a little concerning. It could turn out to be much ado about nothing, but it sounds like the list that Ted Nolan either can or wants to work with is a lot shorter than most. For someone who's accomplished very little in the way of winning in the National Hockey League, it doesn't seem to make much sense, nor does it bode well for looking like a competent organization.

You missed my point. The intentions were for the AHL coaches to run the camp. So, there's junior, college, euros, AHL. They wanted the development coaches to run those players. I don't understand why this is an issue. The organization will use the AHL coaches next year too, I'm willing to bet. Even with NHL assistants in place. What's the big deal here?

Also to the bolded comment, why does Girgensons deserve special treatment to be able to get developed by a NHL assistant than from an AHL assistant.
- TheSabresTaco

You're missing my point. BOTH sets of coaches should have been there. They ALL need to be on the same page, and it's hard to do that if you don't have one set of them there, which is currently the issue because the NHL set doesn't even exist yet.

Did they "want" the AHL guys running the camp, or did they have no choice? We don't know because they don't have any assistant coaches on the roster.

Personally, I couldn't care less who ran that camp. They could have grabbed the coaching staffs from Canisius or Niagara and it still wouldn't have bothered me. Still, the fact that they have nobody is a little concerning. It could turn out to be much ado about nothing, but it sounds like the list that Ted Nolan either can or wants to work with is a lot shorter than most. For someone who's accomplished very little in the way of winning in the National Hockey League, it doesn't seem to make much sense, nor does it bode well for looking like a competent organization.
- buffalofan19

Fair point, as far as I know, there's no documentation saying that they explicitly wanted Cassidy running the camp for reasons X,Y and Z. Next year, we'll know what they're thinking by the coaches that they ice.


I feel like this same hype was made pre-Tim Murray. I feel like everyone was just getting nervous and speculating that no one wanted to work for the Sabres, so on and so forth. Honestly, I think if there's no hirings in the next 3 weeks, it may be time to become concerned. Traverse City is early September right? I figure those NHL assistants, who I don't think show up to the tournament, should be in place by then to view the talent and also get to know the system. I just feel people may be getting a little excited prematurely.

Fair point, as far as I know, there's no documentation saying that they explicitly wanted Cassidy running the camp for reasons X,Y and Z. Next year, we'll know what they're thinking by the coaches that they ice.
- TheSabresTaco

Goose is right, though. Most teams have both the AHL and the NHL staffs on the ice running things.

Fair point, as far as I know, there's no documentation saying that they explicitly wanted Cassidy running the camp for reasons X,Y and Z. Next year, we'll know what they're thinking by the coaches that they ice.
- TheSabresTaco

Traditionally, the coaches from both the NHL and AHL teams are there. The reasoning behind it is that you want both your AHL and NHL teams playing the same system so that when guys are called up/sent down it's not as hard of a transition.

Nolan is a head coach that essentially is just a figure head. I don't hate having him as the coach, but I'm legitimately worried that they still don't have assistants in place, as they are the ones that will be doing the heavy lifting.
- HonkFortheGoose

i'm not sure how you came to the conclusion that Nolan is just a figurehead

It probably is, but Nolan's reputation as being more "hands off" than just about any coach out there is nothing new.
- buffalofan19

not trying to be a jerk, but do you, or anyone else have sources for that?

You're missing my point. BOTH sets of coaches should have been there. They ALL need to be on the same page, and it's hard to do that if you don't have one set of them there, which is currently the issue because the NHL set doesn't even exist yet.
- HonkFortheGoose

Yeah, in that light, that makes sense. Personally, I'm with you in the fact that they should have Cassidy along with all the assistants there. I wonder what we'll do next year. Does anyone remember what they did last year regarding the staff that was available at the camp?

not trying to be a jerk, but do you, or anyone else have sources for that?
- Michael Pachla

I believe it's a sentiment based on the idea that the players claim they have more freedoms to play their game on the ice.

not trying to be a jerk, but do you, or anyone else have sources for that?
- Michael Pachla

Homer does. And his source is legit.

I never said he was done developing. I said that it doesn't make sense to have a guy "Developing" him when he won't be his coach at all this year.

And no, he didn't have a choice technically. He's still on his ELC. Those guys are all supposed to be at development camp. There are always exceptions (see Connor Hurley) but most are expected to be there unless there's an extenuating circumstance.

And I bet if you look around at every other NHL development camp, the Assistant coaches for the NHL squads were there. So it's not ridiculous.
- HonkFortheGoose

imo, development camp is an introduction to the nhl, the nhl game, and the expectations that will be placed upon the youngins going forward...

at training camp is where they'll get into the "x's and o's" that everyone seems so fond of all of a sudden...

that's the way I read (reed, reid, rheade) the off season

not trying to be a jerk, but do you, or anyone else have sources for that?
- Michael Pachla

Hamilton had said it multiple times throughout the season. Nolan himself has admitted to be not much of an X's and O's guy. And Homer came in here last night saying that the guy does absolutely nothing. Now, I think sbroads is most likely correct, and that it's probably exaggerated, but like I said, last night, he wouldn't be the first head coach in professional sports to primarily be a motivator, while the details are a distant second on his hierarchy of responsibilities. However, those tenures usually don't end very well. They end up getting out coached in just about every facet of the game (similar to the way he was with this team in 1997...that Ottawa series had no business being as close as it was, and Philadelphia just made them look plain stupid at times).

With the team in the shape it is, it may not mean that much, but I'd rather have a coach that can motivate players, and get them in the habit of paying attention to detail. There's no rule that says a team can't be skilled, tough, and really smart.

Homer does. And his source is legit.
- HonkFortheGoose

I would like to ask both, why "x's and o's" are so important...especially in light of ron "x's and o's" Rolston who's tenure was a complete disaster

I would like to ask both, why "x's and o's" are so important...especially in light of ron "x's and o's" Rolston who's tenure was a complete disaster
- Michael Pachla

A good coach is well versed in both. What the Sabres have in Nolan is the exact opposite of Rolston. And to me, neither extreme gets your team very far in the long run.

Hamilton had said it multiple times throughout the season. Nolan himself has admitted to be not much of an X's and O's guy. And Homer came in here last night saying that the guy does absolutely nothing. Now, I think sbroads is most likely correct, and that it's probably exaggerated, but like I said, last night, he wouldn't be the first head coach in professional sports to primarily be a motivator, while the details are a distant second on his hierarchy of responsibilities. However, those tenures usually don't end very well. They end up getting out coached in just about every facet of the game (similar to the way he was with this team in 1997...that Ottawa series had no business being as close as it was, and Philadelphia just made them look plain stupid at times).

With the team in the shape it is, it may not mean that much, but I'd rather have a coach that can motivate players, and get them in the habit of paying attention to detail. There's no rule that says a team can't be skilled, tough, and really smart.
- buffalofan19

agreed...mostly

you may like this piece

http://www.thehockeynews....-much-as-it-is-xs-and-os/

not trying to be a jerk, but do you, or anyone else have sources for that?
- Michael Pachla

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Y98ZxbwVps

So what if Kevyn Adams doesn't like Nolan. A new coach will be here when the team actually becomes good and Nolan will get a "special adivser" job.

Or I hope so, anyway.

Hamilton had said it multiple times .
- buffalofan19

I never saw him in the miracle tryouts


I have watched the movie 6 times now

So what if Kevyn Adams doesn't like Nolan. A new coach will be here when the team actually becomes good and Nolan will get a "special adivser" job.

Or I hope so, anyway.
- CaptainRivet

does craig rivet make the all time sabres over-rated team?

I never saw him in the miracle tryouts


I have watched the movie 6 times now


- homiedclown

The difference here, though, is that someone else is able to attest to his claim.