Rams hired ex-Jaguars OC Greg Olson as QBs coach.
Olson was in the mix to be the Bills' new OC, but apparently was getting passed over and will take a position coach gig with the Rams. Olson coaxed a big year out of Blake Bortles as the Jaguars' OC in 2015 but was canned by Jacksonville back in October after a horrid start. He was also instrumental in developing Derek Carr in Oakland as a rookie. Olson previously was the Rams' OC back in 2006-07 under then-coach Scott Linehan. Olson's next project is Jared Goff.


all is well.

You are never as good as you look when you win, and never as bad as you look when you lose.

That was a 1-goal win by the Leafs last night and there were times in the game when Buffalo out-played them.

The gap between these teams is not nearly as big as it looks sometimes.

It does seem like some players aren't happy, and I think it goes beyond just "don't like to lose".
- Aetherial

I blame the city of Toronto, last year they poisoned Jack so he couldn't play in the game in Toronto and then last night they sabotaged the clocks in the dressing room so they weren't ready to come out for the second and gave up a quick one.

Every loss around here is a season ending loss, and every win is because the other team played bad, not because the Sabres outplayed them and then that leads to "so what? The season's over. Why should they even try?"

It's quite tiring.

I blame the city of Toronto, last year they poisoned Jack so he couldn't play in the game in Toronto and then last night they sabotaged the clocks in the dressing room so they weren't ready to come out for the second and gave up a quick one.

Every loss around here is a season ending loss, and every win is because the other team played bad, not because the Sabres outplayed them and then that leads to "so what? The season's over. Why should they even try?"

It's quite tiring.
- Wetbandit1

Agreed.

I think the overrating is a reaction to a portion of the twitter community genuinely believing the guy is a #6. I get it hes not top 15 or whatever but every time i read something like that I just look at the screen and go "bruh" .


Also if you look at the shot map for Ristolainen, a lot of the attempts he gives up are outside the dangerous area. Obviously still a weakness but not one that would lead me to believe in the bottom pairing theory.
- Sabresfan-365

Is it really a weakness? Or is it what he's coached to do? Let them shoot from outside, but don't let them beat you to the inside. Especially since he had a lot of trouble with that last year. That's the problem with looking at something with woefully inadequate information and trying to make a concrete/accurate picture. Most of the time taking a wild ass guess would be better.

He's also only 22, how many other guys his age are playing his minutes? I'll give you a hint, no one. Risto's 5th in ATOI at 26:42, Trouba, the next closest guy at even close to his age/experience is 21st at 23:59, almost 3 minutes less a game. That has to be factored in too.

Buffalo’s Kyle Okposo reached out to Jack Capuano before the Sabres played in Toronto on Tuesday night. He was disappointed. “Tell you what,” Okposo said. “No one quit on Jack. We liked playing for him.”


It's subtle but...
- Sabresfan-365

I remember when the Bills said to a man that they loved playing for Richard Jauron. There were plenty of "good guys" that were inept coaches...in all sports.

Agreed.
- SabreWest

Agreed! ....bastards! 😠

one thing that may have been overlooked. if comparing the two rebuilds is toronto fired all its scouts. and hired winning owners in the CHL. anyone can draft an eichel or mathews. Its those 5th and 7th rounders that turn out that make the difference. Just look at tampa and the ducks. If you know the leafs farm system you see alot of these later picks excelling. Friends that happen to hate the leafs even admit this to me. The leafs have some bright spots coming down the pipe. The sabres are not as bad as its fans are making out. God you guys eat your own. I do think however the sabres should be a little more patient and not traded for or signed some your veterans.
- ziffles

ROR had to be jumped on if we wanted him, he was done in Colorado and we desperately needed another C. I'm totally fine with that trade.

Murray wanted Myers gone. Period. So he gave up a bunch of poop he didn't want and didn't want to be here plus a 1st round pick to do as much as he could to finish 30th to guarantee at least Eichel, and it still came very close to not being enough. Is that worth giving up Roslovic? I think so. Because we could just as easily have been stuck with Strome who can't even crack the Coyotes lineup ffs. I've never seen a GM try that hard to be that bad and then at the end almost fail. Arizona wasn't really tanking. They still have their goalie even now, and the Sabres had what? 7? that year? The Coyotes were just legitimately that bad. The Leafs just waited too long, and they sold off a few pieces and nose dived, but it still wasn't as thorough as the Sabres tank was. And given another 3 weeks the Leafs would've caught us too. (frank)ing Ted Nolan. Almost ruined it.

I remember when the Bills said to a man that they loved playing for Richard Jauron. There were plenty of "good guys" that were inept coaches...in all sports.
- buffalofan19

oh i agree that he's a terrible coach im reading way too far into it but could be a subtle jab at his current hc.

- Der Kaiser

Can't complain I'm just happy she cooks for me lol

But I just can't stand the taste of donuts looks like I'm not American

I still say the problem with this team isn't the moves the gm made (has he won every trade? No. Show me a GM that has), or the assets he traded (a word thrown around and, imo, misused on here by many. I mean, do we just want to collect draft picks? That's silly. Murray did what he said he would do, flip some of them, along with prospects. They're not assets unless you use them for something, and whether you think he overpaid or misused them, the fact remains that he turned them into actual NHL players, not a bunch of 'maybes or could be's').


The problem I'm seeing is the coach. His system blows, trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. This team needs to skate and play high tempo, not this New Jersey Devils cr@p he's trying to make work.

We can't discount the injuries, either. Eichel is not at top speed, and he probably won't be until next season. Ennis, love him or loath him, does add a ton of speed and skill. He's a 3 time 20 goal scorer. Our defense hasn't had a single game where it's been fully healthy. Kulikov is a much better player than he's shown and the guy was obviously hurting when he played.

And the hate for Reinhart on here is disturbing. The kid is barely 21 years old, and he's tied with the team lead in points. Not every player has the flash and dash. If he ends up with Bergeron/Krejci numbers (65-70 points consistently), playing the solid game he does, in a boring, clutch and grab league, then that's nothing to sneeze at, and I'll take it.

Murray did it right in this sense: putting respected veterans like Gionta, Gorges, Legwand, O'Reilly, etc around these kids, to show them how to be professionals. While it's not translating to on ice results just yet, I'm confident, with the maturation of these kids who are already here, and a few more pieces (Nylander and Guhle are going to be studs) and a trade or two, this team will be fine. It's not just all about playing hockey for a lot of these kids. Many are living on their own for the first time, with the added responsibilities of cooking their own meals, paying their bills, doing their own laundry, etc etc etc, everyday things that, as adults, we've all had to learn to do. That's a lot to put on 19, 20, 21 year old kids who don't get to even sleep in their own beds half the year. They have a lot to worry about on their off days besides working on their stickhandling.

In conclusion, perhaps they need a new coach/system, and the jury is still out on their goaltending (I hope Murray is able to keep Petersen), but given the injury situation (4th most man games lost this season, I believe) , and that's also without any #1 overall picks and some dead weight in the bottom 6.

Just my thoughts.
- Powerslave

But, goddamnit! I want it NOW!

Seriously though. Well said.

It seems a lot of people think that hockey players are these mythical beings that don't have lives and are just here for our entertainment.

Is it really a weakness? Or is it what he's coached to do? Let them shoot from outside, but don't let them beat you to the inside. Especially since he had a lot of trouble with that last year. That's the problem with looking at something with woefully inadequate information and trying to make a concrete/accurate picture. Most of the time taking a wild ass guess would be better.

He's also only 22, how many other guys his age are playing his minutes? I'll give you a hint, no one. Risto's 5th in ATOI at 26:42, Trouba, the next closest guy at even close to his age/experience is 21st at 23:59, almost 3 minutes less a game. That has to be factored in too.
- Wetbandit1

He's coached to do that because he simply doesnt have the stick work or speed to do what someone like Lindholm or Tanev can do defensively. That's the "weakness" Hes better at forcing them to the outside using size/strength. This isn't a jab at him its just an area of weakness in his game and the entire D core really.

But, goddamnit! I want it NOW!

Seriously though. Well said.

It seems a lot of people think that hockey players are these mythical beings that don't have lives and are just here for our entertainment.
- Wetbandit1

at x million dollar contract + way overpriced tickets, aren't they?


**Im kidding**

Whatever. Time for breakfast.

He's coached to do that because he simply doesnt have the stick work or speed to do what someone like Lindholm or Tanev can do defensively. That's the "weakness" Hes better at forcing them to the outside using size/strength. This isn't a jab at him its just an area of weakness in his game and the entire D core really.
- Sabresfan-365

My point is he's 22 and he's tied for 10th in scoring for defensemen. He dropped a bit this week, there's a logjam from 4th, 31 points to 15th, 26 points. Risto's at 27 and I don't give one singular flying (frank) how many of them are on the PP. They all count the same.

at x million dollar contract + way overpriced tickets, aren't they?


**Im kidding**
- Sabresfan-365

I mean they are, but you know what I was trying to say. That their only purpose in life is our entertainment. Which scarily it seems like more than a few people here think.

Whatever. Time for breakfast.
- Wetbandit1

uhhh.. it's 5 pm

My point is he's 22 and he's tied for 10th in scoring for defensemen. He dropped a bit this week, there's a logjam from 4th, 31 points to 15th, 26 points. Risto's at 27 and I don't give one singular flying (frank) how many of them are on the PP. They all count the same.
- Wetbandit1

Yes but since the majority of the game is played at 5v5 it might be worth considering adding a defensemen or two who excel in that area, particularly in the defensive end. Would probably help risto's cause too.

It took the other nylander almost two years. This team has done enough rushing, call him up when he's ready to handle a top 6 role and only then. Last thing we need is him up with cal o'reilly and deslauriers
- Sabresfan-365

I like your thinking ................

uhhh.. it's 5 pm
- chilliard77

Senior moment

1. Patrick Mahomes — Quarterback — Texas Tech

Rising all the way from number three to number one, Patrick Mahomes appears to be the hot prospect out there right now. Depending on the direction of the Buffalo Bills offense next season, the team may or may not move on from Tyrod Taylor. That said, the team still needs a long term replacement.

While some may be pushing for Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson — someone I feel is a second or third round pick — a player I really adore is Patrick Mahomes. A gunslinger in every sense of the word, Mahomes would bring a new perspective to the Buffalo Bills offense.

Using the run game to help in Mahomes development, adding the former Red Raider would open deep play avenues not seen under Tyrod. If a passing game is the way towards the playoffs, Mahomes is the guy needed in Buffalo.
- SABRES 89

Not a Bills fan but you've gotta stop taking the SAME QB year after year..... so I would agree with you.

- Khmylev

Rodney Dangerfield?

opinions vary
- SABRES 89

You're gonna see him in Vegas ............ I have an inside into that one.

Buffalo’s Kyle Okposo reached out to Jack Capuano before the Sabres played in Toronto on Tuesday night. He was disappointed. “Tell you what,” Okposo said. “No one quit on Jack. We liked playing for him.”


It's subtle but...
- Sabresfan-365

If Kyle even thinks about whispering to the pegulas about Fred Flintstone

Damn, that's a really good question.

The problem with Kessel was always timing - he was the right guy at the wrong time. He was abso-franking-lutely the right guy at the right time for Pittsburgh.

Now that Toronto is looking better, Kessel for a 1st and blah prospect is tempting, but at the end of the day, I'd say it is still too early in Toronto's rebuilding cycle. It's great that we are in a playoff position after 42 games, but we are still nowhere near that "one piece away" from being a legit contender.

So the answer is "no", but damn, you made me think about it.

As crazy as it sounds (and I know most Leafs fans will disagree with me on this), I'd rather have Phaneuf back. At a lower price, obviously.
- Atomic Wedgie

Sat right next to Kessel at a Jays game 4 years ago in those box seats right on the field along with Clarke MacArthur when he was with the Leafs. Saw up close and personal how rabid Leaf fans can be ........... I asked Kessel "how in the hell could you get used to this"? He just smiled, said it can be tough at times ......... and proceeded to sign everything the fans could give him. Once the line reached all the way up the stairs to the concourse ... him and Clarke had to bail. Great guys both of them ...........

uhhh.. it's 5 pm
- chilliard77

Didn't fall asleep until 7:30am, woke up at 2:00, ran a few errands, I just ate my first meal of the day. Breakfast.