Yes I know. I am not sure what you are saying here. Since he did not know the Sabres would be "that bad", did he think that we would finish 25th? Would that be a moral victory for the players or something? I get no one wants to be last, I know I would not, but it should have been obvious where we were in the rebuilding process, especially considering all the things Murray was saying at the draft last year.... "give me 2 drafts and we are on our way up."
- Lilroot9

I could be wrong, but I think the point was that we had to be that bad because of how close the race was.

I don't think anyone thought it would be historically low point totals for the bottom 5 teams.

Yes I know. I am not sure what you are saying here. Since he did not know the Sabres would be "that bad", did he think that we would finish 25th? Would that be a moral victory for the players or something? I get no one wants to be last, I know I would not, but it should have been obvious where we were in the rebuilding process, especially considering all the things Murray was saying at the draft last year.... "give me 2 drafts and we are on our way up."
- Lilroot9

If ya gonna be bad and get a chance to better yourself , Be as bad as can be , Nothing worse than coming in at 25th every year hoping to get better.

I could be wrong, but I think the point was that we had to be that bad because of how close the race was.

I don't think anyone thought it would be historically low point totals for the bottom 5 teams.
- thatsapickle

Thanks Pickles

I could be wrong, but I think the point was that we had to be that bad because of how close the race was.

I don't think anyone thought it would be historically low point totals for the bottom 5 teams.
- thatsapickle

OK, fair enough. Sorry Gionta

A lot of that was teams realizing they were not going to make playoffs and tanking themselves. I am talking to you Toronto, since you were in 1st place in the NHL in December, then fell apart (on purpose?).

If ya gonna be bad and get a chance to better yourself , Be as bad as can be , Nothing worse than coming in at 25th every year hoping to get better.
- cabin

I think most of us agree to that, glad we are where we are right now. Can't wait to celebrate for years and years of exciting hockey in Buffalo!

Thanks Pickles
- cabin

I'm just glad that I had the right idea.

ohn Vogl ‏@BuffNewsVogl 9m9 minutes ago
Sabres tell me they will not comment on their coaching search until a coach is hired.


Should be fun..

OK, fair enough. Sorry Gionta

A lot of that was teams realizing they were not going to make playoffs and tanking themselves. I am talking to you Toronto, since you were in 1st place in the NHL in December, then fell apart (on purpose?).
- Lilroot9

I think once teams realized how good Eichel was, maybe they didn't believe the hype out the gate, they wished they started the process sooner. I can't imagine what the season would have looked like if 7-10 teams were purposefully tanking.

ohn Vogl ‏@BuffNewsVogl 9m9 minutes ago
Sabres tell me they will not comment on their coaching search until a coach is hired.


Should be fun..
- Sabresfan-365

I wouldn't tell Vogl anything either. Or any of the other Buffalo sports writers. Maybe Hamilton, but even then... he'll probably hate it.

I think once teams realized how good Eichel was, maybe they didn't believe the hype out the gate, they wished they started the process sooner. I can't imagine what the season would have looked like if 7-10 teams were purposefully tanking.
- thatsapickle

Quite embarrassing that is for sure. Since the NHL draft (top couple picks) is almost a sure thing, it's a wonder more teams did not tank in the last year you would be guaranteed to be top 2. Watch all the teams next year tank and teams that win top 3 picks be teams that finished 8-16 (in reverse order of course).

I wouldn't tell Vogl anything either. Or any of the other Buffalo sports writers. Maybe Hamilton, but even then... he'll probably hate it.
- thatsapickle

Out of all the BN writers, Vogl is kind of "okay." I don't mind Hamilton on WRGR because he actually played hockey in College. So, he sorta knows what he's talking about. The rest of the writers at the News act like they're trying to crack watergate every time they get in to a Q&A with anyone from the Sabres.

Out of all the BN writers, Vogl is kind of "okay." I don't mind Hamilton on WRGR because he actually played hockey in College. So, he sorta knows what he's talking about. The rest of the writers at the News act like they're trying to crack watergate every time they get in to a Q&A with anyone from the Sabres.
- seedy

That's true, but if Vogl knows... then Sully and Harrington will find out. Then all hell breaks loose.

The Hamilton one is good too, but I don't think he could keep it a secret and then it could blow the whole operation. I don't really think he's in the know. Just my opinion.

I'm just glad that I had the right idea.
- thatsapickle

Customers interrupting my mindset of what i'm typing .

ohn Vogl ‏@BuffNewsVogl 9m9 minutes ago
Sabres tell me they will not comment on their coaching search until a coach is hired.


Should be fun..
- Sabresfan-365

And now that ass Vogl will write about how the Sabres aren't being transparent enough during their coaching search. I hate the Buffalo Snooze.

I am 100% sure Murray wants a coach in place before the draft. He should want him to be a part of the drafting process. He may not have been the same with Nolan, knowing the players that he drafted would not suit up for him anyway.
- Lilroot9

How much time do u think nhl coaches spend watching prospects?
Other than the World Juniors & maybe some CHL playoff games, it's very little.
Nhl coaches rarely are involved in the draft process.
Teams have scouts that watch all these guys over & over.
Maybe if we were picking 3rd, then Murray would talk to Babcock (or whoever our coach will be) about taking Hanifin or Strome...
But do u really think NHL coaches have spent significant time watching guys that'll be picke outside the 1st round?
I doubt it
Maybe a few cases here & there.
But I'd say that's FAR from the norm

they did trade him to a contender and he did carry the Stanley cup
- Michael Pachla

And that helped the Sabres how ??? I missed it.

And that helped the Sabres how ??? I missed it.
- SABRES 89

Addition by subtraction

How much time do u think nhl coaches spend watching prospects?
Other than the World Juniors & maybe some CHL playoff games, it's very little.
Nhl coaches rarely are involved in the draft process.
Teams have scouts that watch all these guys over & over.
Maybe if we were picking 3rd, then Murray would talk to Babcock (or whoever our coach will be) about taking Hanifin or Strome...
But do u really think NHL coaches have spent significant time watching guys that'll be picke outside the 1st round?
I doubt it
Maybe a few cases here & there.
But I'd say that's FAR from the norm
- jdfitz77

I get what you are saying, but I think Murray would want Babcock in the room during the process and who to trade and who to bring in during Free Agency. I would think he would want them sooner than later, that is all I am saying (besides the obvious of locking him up and directing his attention elsewhere).

And that helped the Sabres how ??? I missed it.
- SABRES 89

you missed the point, 89...up until that point, the sabres were very limited in their ufa search, especially with players on a no-trade clause...things changed that summer when it came to bringing in free agents...

granted, the whole Regier portion of Pegula's ownership was a disaster on the ice, but you cannot discount the fact that the sabres image was moving away from a wasteland towards respectability...maybe not very far in that direction, but moving in the proper direction none the less

I get what you are saying, but I think Murray would want Babcock in the room during the process and who to trade and who to bring in during Free Agency. I would think he would want them sooner than later, that is all I am saying (besides the obvious of locking him up and directing his attention elsewhere).
- Lilroot9

Ya, that definitely makes sense.
I'd say it's safe to say Babcock will be signing somewhere June 1st.
That gives him a little over 3 weeks to review a teams talent & help figure out a game plan for possible draft day trades.

you missed the point, 89...up until that point, the sabres were very limited in their ufa search, especially with players on a no-trade clause...things changed that summer when it came to bringing in free agents...

granted, the whole Regier portion of Pegula's ownership was a disaster on the ice, but you cannot discount the fact that the sabres image was moving away from a wasteland towards respectability...maybe not very far in that direction, but moving in the proper direction none the less
- Michael Pachla

Gorges telling the Leafs to shove it .

Ya, that definitely makes sense.
I'd say it's safe to say Babcock will be signing somewhere June 1st.
That gives him a little over 3 weeks to review a teams talent & help figure out a game plan for possible draft day trades.
- jdfitz77

After June 1st does the 3rd rnd pick go away ? Or is it June 30th ?

you missed the point, 89...up until that point, the sabres were very limited in their ufa search, especially with players on a no-trade clause...things changed that summer when it came to bringing in free agents...

granted, the whole Regier portion of Pegula's ownership was a disaster on the ice, but you cannot discount the fact that the sabres image was moving away from a wasteland towards respectability...maybe not very far in that direction, but moving in the proper direction none the less
- Michael Pachla

All it tells me is they sent a plane to pick up a guy that didn't do anything for this team and then after making it sound like we were going for the playoffs, they shipped him out. We look like fools to other players in the league, it doesn't show other players anything. I didn't make that up.

All it tells me is they sent a plane to pick up a guy that didn't do anything for this team and then after making it sound like we were going for the playoffs, they shipped him out. We look like fools to other players in the league, it doesn't show other players anything. I didn't make that up.
- SABRES 89

What ever Darcy said about team additions plus Pegula's money worked.
They did him a solid by offering to move him to a contender once he realized he was in non playoff purgatory.
I think the onus is on Darcy for thinking him and Leino were going to save us. But of course, He couldn't snag any top line players. Not sure if no one would come here because of Ruff, Darcy, certain players, or a combination of all 3.
I think that's why Murray is wiping the entire slate clean of anything that existed before him.

Are we in last place again?