In Max's defense, he's not the only one that's sick of the conspiracy theorists on here (revert back to last blog comments and some comments on here today).

To actually come out and say "no one wants to work under Nolan..." is just plain BS, I don't care who has sources.

Homer's source, for instance, may not like Nolan or is a Ruff guy, perhaps.
- grand-magus

Homer has heard it from multiple people. Not just 1. But, you could also be correct in that only certain people feel that way. I'm sure there are some guys out there that would like to work for him.

My issue is just that it's taking them an awful long time to figure out who they want. And the longer they wait, the shorter the list of available people becomes.

In Max's defense, he's not the only one that's sick of the conspiracy theorists on here (revert back to last blog comments and some comments on here today).

To actually come out and say "no one wants to work under Nolan..." is just plain BS, I don't care who has sources.

Homer's source, for instance, may not like Nolan or is a Ruff guy, perhaps.
- grand-magus

Or Homer's source may be ambivalent towards Nolan and just tells it like it is.

I don't think it's a huge deal that we don't have assistants yet, but I do think it matters that they get the right ones. From what I've heard Nolan isn't a teacher, he's a motivator. The youth is going to need a teacher. Maybe the Sabres are just taking their time making sure they get the right guys for the future.

Not going to be upset yet since we're still in July. Redo this discussion in a few weeks and we'll see.

Or Homer's source may be ambivalent towards Nolan and just tells it like it is.
- GilPerreault11

Or Homer's source, which I think he said as much, isn't with the team anymore, so how the hell would he/she know?

Homer has heard it from multiple people. Not just 1. But, you could also be correct in that only certain people feel that way. I'm sure there are some guys out there that would like to work for him.

My issue is just that it's taking them an awful long time to figure out who they want. And the longer they wait, the shorter the list of available people becomes.
- HonkFortheGoose

While I understand the concern (and it is a legitimate one getting this close to the tournament) I haven't vested much interest in it because like Gil just said, I can't imagine whoever is on this coaching staff for this upcoming year will be here when we're a contending team.

To me, the hirings that happen between now and preseason are nothing more than fillers. They had arguably one of the worst assistant coaches out there and it didn't seem to hurt the game of younger players too much.

Homer has heard it from multiple people. Not just 1. But, you could also be correct in that only certain people feel that way. I'm sure there are some guys out there that would like to work for him.

My issue is just that it's taking them an awful long time to figure out who they want. And the longer they wait, the shorter the list of available people becomes.
- HonkFortheGoose

That's a valid concern.

While I understand the concern (and it is a legitimate one getting this close to the tournament) I haven't vested much interest in it because like Gil just said, I can't imagine whoever is on this coaching staff for this upcoming year will be here when we're a contending team.

To me, the hirings that happen between now and preseason are nothing more than fillers. They had arguably one of the worst assistant coaches out there and it didn't seem to hurt the game of younger players too much.
- Sabresfan-365

Just out of curiousity, who are you referring to? I have an idea, just want to make sure I'm on the same page.

I don't think it's a huge deal that the Sabres don't have assisitants yet, but I wouldn't toss aside what Homer said either. They'll get warm bodies in there to take the jobs.

Or Homer's source, which I think he said as much, isn't with the team anymore, so how the hell would he/she know?
- grand-magus

Still in the "Sabres family" though

Still in the "Sabres family" though
- stashu

That is correct. He gets lots of info still.

I am convinced that some Sabres fans think they are "professors" on message boards and expect everyone to take in what they say as the only truth on them and utitilize the banking method of teaching. They deposit, we reiterate everything they say as the only truth. They facilitate the drama here if others do not walk lock step with everything they believe. I'm not a Nolan fan, I like a coach to be more than just a motivator. I do not think he'll be here during the future glory days. Too much drama for ya?
- GilPerreault11

Well we know you think Murray is an idiot as he did not take Bennett . I am not a huge Nolan fan . Please find where I have ever said that he is the long term answer. I think he is a place holder who will also serve a purpose in getting back a work ethic around here . When the time is right . Moves will be made . But for people to make a big deal out of how Ted Nolan does not belong here right now is down right stupid . And those folks are far too impressed with their own opinions.

The GM is ultimately who makes all the final decisions . And this GM has showed me nothing to date that he does not have the goods to steer the franchise into being a annual cup contender down the road . That will entail having all the right staff in the right positions . I Know many will say he has proven nothing . But he has done nothing to make me think he does not know what is doing , and does not have a plan in place.

I don't think it's a huge deal that the Sabres don't have assisitants yet, but I wouldn't toss aside what Homer said either. They'll get warm bodies in there to take the jobs.
- GilPerreault11

That screams success. Rolston was a warm body. We should re-hire him.? I think the concern that Goose, I and others are expressing is just that. Getting warm bodies does not do anything. Getting guys that fit what we are trying to do, and are actually good at what they do is what we want.

The longer this goes, the harder those guys are to come by.

They are waitng for the Timmy Hoes to be built at the Harbor center and will have a special booth for interviewing vacant coaching staff positions.

That screams success. Rolston was a warm body. We should re-hire him.? I think the concern that Goose, I and others are expressing is just that. Getting warm bodies does not do anything. Getting guys that fit what we are trying to do, and are actually good at what they do is what we want.

The longer this goes, the harder those guys are to come by.
- ImThatGuy

What I'm looking for are guys that can fill in the holes that Nolan has as a coach. And that's not a knock against him, every single coach has areas they aren't good at.

This is what we seem to know/have heard:

He's not a schematics guy.
He's a good evaluator of talent.
He's good at motivating guys.
Players like him.

So that means we need:

Someone that can run the PP
Someone that can run the PK
Someone that can teach the youth

I'm sure these people exist somewhere. I just hope it happens soon.

Or Homer's source, which I think he said as much, isn't with the team anymore, so how the hell would he/she know?
- grand-magus

So then why are you projecting how you hope it would be? It's silly. I can back up the fact that Muckler was not happy with Nolan having his assistants running most of the practices on the road which supports what Homer said. I have more that I heard that allegedly went on on the road too but I'm not comfortable posting it.

Just out of curiousity, who are you referring to? I have an idea, just want to make sure I'm on the same page.
- HonkFortheGoose

Sacco is who I was referring too.

I don't think it's a huge deal that the Sabres don't have assisitants yet, but I wouldn't toss aside what Homer said either. They'll get warm bodies in there to take the jobs.
- GilPerreault11

I don't think they're dragging their feet, and I don't have any doubt that those spots will be filled eventually, but what makes it a little disconcerting is it casts a little doubt on the selection process. Just what are they looking for in an assistant coach? It would be one thing if the staff simply wasn't full yet, and they were just looking for one or even two guys to round things out, but the fact that there is absolutely nobody on the staff makes me wonder if there are issues at the top. That normally means that the person doing the hiring is way too selective, or nobody wants to work for the guy. I highly doubt it's the latter, but a guy that either can't make up his mind, or is stuck on searching for the perfect candidate that doesn't really exist is just as bad of a situation, not just in hockey, but just about any profession.

That screams success. Rolston was a warm body. We should re-hire him.? I think the concern that Goose, I and others are expressing is just that. Getting warm bodies does not do anything. Getting guys that fit what we are trying to do, and are actually good at what they do is what we want.

The longer this goes, the harder those guys are to come by.
- ImThatGuy

Possible they have them picked out and thats why Sacco left. We still have a month before I start to be concerned

They are waitng for the Timmy Hoes to be built at the Harbor center and will have a special booth for interviewing vacant coaching staff positions.
- cabin

They'd probably get more honest interviews once the 716 opens.

Sacco is who I was referring too.
- Sabresfan-365

Ok. That's what I thought. It's interesting that you say that though, since he just got hired by Boston. He must not be that bad. I don't know that he's all that good either, but Boston obviously likes him.

Well we know you think Murray is an idiot as he did not take Bennett . I am not a huge Nolan fan . Please find where I have ever said that he is the long term answer. I think he is a place holder who will also serve a purpose in getting back a work ethic around here . When the time is right . Moves will be made . But for people to make a big deal out of how Ted Nolan does not belong here right now is down right stupid . And those folks are far too impressed with their own opinions.

The GM is ultimately who makes all the final decisions . And this GM has showed me nothing to date that he does not have the goods to steer the franchise into being a annual cup contender down the road . That will entail having all the right staff in the right positions . I Know many will say he has proven nothing . But he has done nothing to make me think he does not know what is doing , and does not have a plan in place.
- Maximum Signal

I like Bennett more than Reinhart, get over it. You know, Murray is going to make a mistake, preacher

They'd probably get more honest interviews once the 716 opens.
- buffalofan19

Speaking of the HarborCenter, did you see they poured the concrete for one of the rinks?

Still in the "Sabres family" though
- stashu

Doesn't mean it's all impartial info.

Ok. That's what I thought. It's interesting that you say that though, since he just got hired by Boston. He must not be that bad. I don't know that he's all that good either, but Boston obviously likes him.
- HonkFortheGoose

The NHL, like the rest of the leagues, is a fraternity. Once you're in, there's always going to be a job for you somewhere unless you really do something to piss off the establishment.

Speaking of the HarborCenter, did you see they poured the concrete for one of the rinks?
- HonkFortheGoose

I thought I heard something about that. I am going to be volunteering at one of the concerts at Canalside coming up. I haven't seen the building up close in quite a while. It should be interesting.