Well said.
- grand-magus

I tip my hat to you.

Like I said earlier, someone who is well known and a Sabres member for 30+ years (I'm sure people can figure out who) Thinks Murray is "a loser" because he wants to make changes to a franchise that has never won a thing and has no significant historical achievements.

Homer's comments sounded like they came from someone who was bitter.
(Not meant to be a shot at Homer)

"No one wants to work for him" Gimme a break. It's a job in the NHL, I will work for him, there that's one person.
- sbroads24

Wow. I've never heard RJ say anything bad about Murray.

I miss Scott Arniel.
- grand-magus

I miss the lock out

Cassidy is a good fit for Rochester and the youth. All this talk about Nolan - X & O's, can't coach young players is non sense!

Players that didn't like him most likely were lazy!

Players will go through the wall for him. It's called compete!

Respect factor.

Look at Scott Arniel - great assistant coach (PP specialist). Didn't work out as a head coach, but is a top Asst. Coach in the NHL.

Assistant coaches are there to run drills, stay after practice to work on individual skills. PP/PK

Head Coach gain's the respect of a team (ex - benching of a player, more ice time for a 4th liner, these guys are NHL players - they need to feel respected)

That's all for now!

No one has said he is perfect . But don't start ragging on him till he makes mistakes . It is almost like folks just can't wait for his first mistake so they can help him pack.
- Maximum Signal

Not before lots of "told you so"

Wow. I've never heard RJ say anything bad about Murray.
- buffalofan19

Isn't RJ. However this person is someone who works with the players on a daily basis and is a household name for Sabre fans

Isn't RJ. However this person is someone who works with the players on a daily basis and is a household name for Sabre fans
- sbroads24

Rip Simonick?

Good blog Mike. Have really enjoyed your blogs thus far.

I think some here are over reacting especially when most of what you hear is merely speculation coming from at the very best 3rd party mouths.
But you are entitled to your opinion of course.
Even Homer is a 3rd party mouth and I usually believe much of what he types out here.
But, I don't believe for one second that Ted Nolan is nothing more than an expensive cheerleader for this hockey club or any other hockey club he seems to always has had success with.
Does or did he always have the same assistants with him to ensure his success?
The answer is no.
There is an agenda or a pre formed opinion for this guy with a lot of fans that most will not hear or want to hear anything positive about the man.
That's my take anyway.
- BuffaloHardHat

Its a hard conversation because Nolan is a cult icon. The sabres may have been a playoff team with Hasek in net. I have no idea if he could coach. his skill is getting the most out of fringe players. don't think he is a film guy.

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

In modern sports you hire assistants to handle 1 specific task.

Cassidy is a good fit for Rochester and the youth. All this talk about Nolan - X & O's, can't coach young players is non sense!

Players that didn't like him most likely were lazy!

Players will go through the wall for him. It's called compete!

Respect factor.

Look at Scott Arniel - great assistant coach (PP specialist). Didn't work out as a head coach, but is a top Asst. Coach in the NHL.

Assistant coaches are there to run drills, stay after practice to work on individual skills. PP/PK

Head Coach gain's the respect of a team (ex - benching of a player, more ice time for a 4th liner, these guys are NHL players - they need to feel respected)

That's all for now!

- Irish 14

please give example where he has done it

Good blog Mike. Have really enjoyed your blogs thus far.

I think some here are over reacting especially when most of what you hear is merely speculation coming from at the very best 3rd party mouths.
But you are entitled to your opinion of course.
Even Homer is a 3rd party mouth and I usually believe much of what he types out here.
But, I don't believe for one second that Ted Nolan is nothing more than an expensive cheerleader for this hockey club or any other hockey club he seems to always has had success with.
Does or did he always have the same assistants with him to ensure his success?
The answer is no.
There is an agenda or a pre formed opinion for this guy with a lot of fans that most will not hear or want to hear anything positive about the man.
That's my take anyway.
- BuffaloHardHat

Honestly, I could care less if THAT IS all he is - if the team performs, I don't care.

Teams are built with large coaching staffs for a reason. What has our past coach of well over a decade brought to Buffalo in the way of success? Was he an Xs and Os guy?

Rip Simonick?
- mhp

Yes. Now this is coming from a family member so words can be twisted obviously but apparently he doesn't think too highly of Murray.

My guess is his relationship with Lafontaine and how everything went down

Head coach is the authority figure. You hire assistants to handle specific tasks.

Isn't RJ. However this person is someone who works with the players on a daily basis and is a household name for Sabre fans
- sbroads24

Not sure why everyone is being so coy... If this mystery man doesn't like Murray because he wants to change the losing mentality if this team, then he is the loser....

Doug Allen?

Sabre tooth?

Dancing popcorn vendor guy?

Just tell me!

Honestly, I could care less if THAT IS all he is - if the team performs, I don't care.

Teams are built with large coaching staffs for a reason. What has our past coach of well over a decade brought to Buffalo in the way of success? Was he an Xs and Os guy?
- stashu

Lindy did pretty good in Dallas last year

Honestly, I could care less if THAT IS all he is - if the team performs, I don't care.

Teams are built with large coaching staffs for a reason. What has our past coach of well over a decade brought to Buffalo in the way of success? Was he an Xs and Os guy?
- stashu

The team stunk last year

Lindy did pretty good in Dallas last year
- hafgod

That's bcz Lindt can draw a really good x on a chauk board

Lindy did pretty good in Dallas last year
- hafgod

And couldn't put away the Ducks when they had them by the balls. Typical Ruff. Same as when we had Philly by the balls, we folded and lost in 7.

Ruff IMO is an average coach. Sure he might be better and more highly regarded than Nolan, but he wasn't worth keeping around.

That's bcz Lindt can draw a really good x on a chauk board
- joshs

no he is a good coach. He does have systems and went from a high flying system to a def shell system in bflo. There is no sane argument with Teddy if u love him there is no negatives. Look even at last yaer. We stunk wholly hell last year. But everybody said teddy got them to work harder or was it they sent all the kids away let fringe nhlers play who teddy can motivate just saying..

Yes. Now this is coming from a family member so words can be twisted obviously but apparently he doesn't think too highly of Murray.

My guess is his relationship with Lafontaine and how everything went down
- sbroads24

First off, nice guess Swearengen.

Second, broads, that sucks. I love Rip. I wonder if it's more of Murray's "no nonsense" attitude rather than the way he's doing things. The LaFontaine thing is a legitimate thought, I agree there. Maybe Ripper blames Murray?

Either way, I hope everyone down there can just do their jobs and get this ball rolling in the right (frank)ing direction.

And couldn't put away the Ducks when they had them by the balls. Typical Ruff. Same as when we had Philly by the balls, we folded and lost in 7.

Ruff IMO is an average coach. Sure he might be better and more highly regarded than Nolan, but he wasn't worth keeping around.
- sbroads24

Not saying he was. All I was commenting on Nolan quote. No coach should last a decade with no cups

Not sure why everyone is being so coy... If this mystery man doesn't like Murray because he wants to change the losing mentality if this team, then he is the loser....

Doug Allen?

Sabre tooth?

Dancing popcorn vendor guy?

Just tell me!
- Da_Cashman

He said it was Simonick

First off, nice guess Swearengen.

Second, broads, that sucks. I love Rip. I wonder if it's more of Murray's "no nonsense" attitude rather than the way he's doing things. The LaFontaine thing is a legitimate thought, I agree there. Maybe Ripper blames Murray?

Either way, I hope everyone down there can just do their jobs and get this ball rolling in the right (frank)ing direction.
- grand-magus

Yea I shouldn't speculate and who knows, he could have been completely kidding and loves Murray.....

no he is a good coach. He does have systems and went from a high flying system to a def shell system in bflo. There is no sane argument with Teddy if u love him there is no negatives. Look even at last yaer. We stunk wholly hell last year. But everybody said teddy got them to work harder or was it they sent all the kids away let fringe nhlers play who teddy can motivate just saying..
- hafgod

I like lindy. How long did u want him to coach the sabres without winning a cup?

The only time the sabres came close to winning the cup under Lindy, were the seasons that the nhl made league wide rule changes.