They kept Capuano for years, and won a playoff series.

John Cooper and Steven Stamkos were at odds, and guess what? They won playoff games and he freaking re-signed there.

We make it to the playoffs, and can't get to the next level, then Eichel and co. have legitimate gripes. Not now, at all
- sbroads24

I think the Stamkos thing was blown out of proportion given he was in a contract year. I'm not saying there wasn't friction. But obviously it wasn't that bad he did re sign there. And another little nugget; They were/are perpetual contenders. Winning fixes everything.

You mean the Over a PPG Teemu Selanee over a 15 year period? Yea, teams sure knew how to stop him.

Crosby, McDavid, how have teams not adjust to them, they should be coming down to the rest of the league, no?

Tyler Myers? HE had one good half of a year and was ruined by coaches who failed to coach him on his faults.

The Leafs have Superstar talent up front. They are only going to get better.
- ImThatGuy

I never said good players wouldn't go on to have great careers. I said teams learn how to play better against them and the extreme success these players have as rookies are ususally not repeated.

Selanne only had 1 fifty goal season again in his 20 year career after his 76 goal rookie campaign, so yeah I'd say he simmered down quite a bit.

Crosby is great and generational, so is McDavid, Matthews, Marner, and Nylander are not.

But the list goes on and on of players who don't repeat their rookie campaign: ghostisbehere, Heatley, Maata, the league is full of them.

Sutter is not a " speed " coach, don't know if we would want him. That was one complainant about Sutter is that the Kings were a slow team lately under him. Maybe i'm wrong.

Ted Nolan was criticized constantly(rightfully so) for not preparing for opponents, watching film, not working on in-game strategy during practice etc. and he was viewed as an out of touch, behind the times dinosaur of a coach (which he was)

Now, the problem is Bylsma does those things above too much, and needs to have coffee and talk to the players more.

This team/organization is such a clown show on so many levels it's unreal.

People actually want the BU coach here? Why, so it will be like every little league team where the best player's daddy is the head coach?

The kids on this team need to man up and play the game.
- sbroads24

They kept Capuano for years, and won a playoff series.

John Cooper and Steven Stamkos were at odds, and guess what? They won playoff games and he freaking re-signed there.

We make it to the playoffs, and can't get to the next level, then Eichel and co. have legitimate gripes. Not now, at all
- sbroads24

All those points are true..Amazing what winning can do...

Glad to hear GMTM say that when youre a bad team leadership/coach problems are WAY overblown and when you win it's the opposite.

Does a coach make a difference, yes but no coach imo wouldve gotten this team into the playoffs this year

egberth13

- homiedclown

My middle initial is "E"

I see some Sabre fans are still struggling with the grim reality that the Tim Murray`s rebuild is going all wrong. Many blame injuries, systems and coaching but in the end, there is simply not enough NHL talent on the roster. Poor asset management by Murray.

It reminds me of Brian Burke's "rebuild" of the Maple Leafs almost a decade ago. Trading away young assets to pick up flawed players (Kessel, Phaneuf). In the end, Leaf fans were sold fools gold and Burke was deservedly run out of town.

Eichel is one of the best young players in the world. However it is foolish to give him such a voice in the future of the team. You don't hear Matthews or McDavid throwing their coach under the bus. That's a nasty, finger point habit that will follow the young man around.

Sabres fans should focus their energy on "why" the Sabres are getting their rebuild all wrong. The should focus less on the Maple Leafs rise. Silly proclamations stating they will "take a step backwards" next year. Doubtful with the Leadership of Shanahan, the management of Lamoriello and the coaching of Babcock. Compare that trifecta with the Sabres Pegula, Murray and Bylsma. It's amateur hour. Deep down Sabres fans know this and can't stand the fact the Maple Leafs are getting their rebuild "right"

Not if they don't fix that defense.
- Wetbandit1

They can use that first round pick to trade for a defender.

I think Toronto makes a massive move to get defense, Multiple high picks and JVR because they have all players on cheap contracts and can get two years of cheap phenomenal forwards.

I see some Sabre fans are still struggling with the grim reality that the Tim Murray`s rebuild is going all wrong. Many blame injuries, systems and coaching but in the end, there is simply not enough NHL talent on the roster. Poor asset management by Murray.

It reminds me of Brian Burke's "rebuild" of the Maple Leafs almost a decade ago. Trading away young assets to pick up flawed players (Kessel, Phaneuf). In the end, Leaf fans were sold fools gold and Burke was deservedly run out of town.

Eichel is one of the best young players in the world. However it is foolish to give him such a voice in the future of the team. You don't hear Matthews or McDavid throwing their coach under the bus. That's a nasty, finger point habit that will follow the young man around.

Sabres fans should focus their energy on "why" the Sabres are getting their rebuild all wrong. The should focus less on the Maple Leafs rise. Silly proclamations stating they will "take a step backwards" next year. Doubtful with the Leadership of Shanahan, the management of Lamoriello and the coaching of Babcock. Compare that trifecta with the Sabres Pegula, Murray and Bylsma. It's amateur hour. Deep down Sabres fans know this and can't stand the fact the Maple Leafs are getting their rebuild "right"
- BernardShakey

It's a long drop off your high horse, be careful.

I see some Sabre fans are still struggling with the grim reality that the Tim Murray`s rebuild is going all wrong. Many blame injuries, systems and coaching but in the end, there is simply not enough NHL talent on the roster. Poor asset management by Murray.

It reminds me of Brian Burke's "rebuild" of the Maple Leafs almost a decade ago. Trading away young assets to pick up flawed players (Kessel, Phaneuf). In the end, Leaf fans were sold fools gold and Burke was deservedly run out of town.

Eichel is one of the best young players in the world. However it is foolish to give him such a voice in the future of the team. You don't hear Matthews or McDavid throwing their coach under the bus. That's a nasty, finger point habit that will follow the young man around.

Sabres fans should focus their energy on "why" the Sabres are getting their rebuild all wrong. The should focus less on the Maple Leafs rise. Silly proclamations stating they will "take a step backwards" next year. Doubtful with the Leadership of Shanahan, the management of Lamoriello and the coaching of Babcock. Compare that trifecta with the Sabres duo of Pegula, Murray and Bylsma. It's amateur hour. Deep down Sabres fans know this and can't stand the fact the Maple Leafs are getting their rebuild "right"
- BernardShakey

Nobody is struggling to accept where the Sabres are, we know where they are, they suck. We just don't like it.

And, what's silly is to think that a Leaf team that was dead last, last season, is going to keep rocketing skyward and win the cup this year and for the next fifteen years.
We've all said here on this blog that Toronto's rebuild is on track and doing very well and that Matthews is an amazing player. But lets not pretend that the Leafs are going to just dominate the entire league for here on out and nobody is going to do anything about it.

Toronto will be good and playoff contender for years to come, but the arrogance of them being unstoppable and all of their rookie players are already Hall of Fame caliber is just ridiculous. Pump your brakes.

I doubt Buffalo has enough to get him.

Tampa has Drouin
Colorado has Ladeskog, Duchene, Mackinnon
Toronto has Marner, Nylander

Buffalo cant match that one of one without adding more pieces.
- ImThatGuy

Very good point... thats my biggest fear is there are teams willing like those three that have the assets to offer the jets, canes, or ducks

I see some Sabre fans are still struggling with the grim reality that the Tim Murray`s rebuild is going all wrong. Many blame injuries, systems and coaching but in the end, there is simply not enough NHL talent on the roster. Poor asset management by Murray.

It reminds me of Brian Burke's "rebuild" of the Maple Leafs almost a decade ago. Trading away young assets to pick up flawed players (Kessel, Phaneuf). In the end, Leaf fans were sold fools gold and Burke was deservedly run out of town.

Eichel is one of the best young players in the world. However it is foolish to give him such a voice in the future of the team. You don't hear Matthews or McDavid throwing their coach under the bus. That's a nasty, finger point habit that will follow the young man around.

Sabres fans should focus their energy on "why" the Sabres are getting their rebuild all wrong. The should focus less on the Maple Leafs rise. Silly proclamations stating they will "take a step backwards" next year. Doubtful with the Leadership of Shanahan, the management of Lamoriello and the coaching of Babcock. Compare that trifecta with the Sabres Pegula, Murray and Bylsma. It's amateur hour. Deep down Sabres fans know this and can't stand the fact the Maple Leafs are getting their rebuild "right"
- BernardShakey

You don't hear McDavid and Matthews complaining because their teams don't suck.

Loved Housely as a player, I am just wary of him as a coach. Rarely/ever has a star player gone on to become a great professional coach - see Gretzky, Larry Bird et all for reference. Having said that, FIRE DISCO NOW!

I never said good players wouldn't go on to have great careers. I said teams learn how to play better against them and the extreme success these players have as rookies are ususally not repeated.

Selanne only had 1 fifty goal season again in his 20 year career after his 76 goal rookie campaign, so yeah I'd say he simmered down quite a bit.

Crosby is great and generational, so is McDavid, Matthews, Marner, and Nylander are not.

But the list goes on and on of players who don't repeat their rookie campaign: ghostisbehere, Heatley, Maata, the league is full of them.
- sskkoo1

Do you mean McDavid is generational, but the others aren't? It's not 100% clear.

I'm really confused as to why you have Heatley in there. He scored 50 twice and 39 twice and 41 another 2 times. He only scored 26 goals and 67 points his rookie year. And he scored 100+ points in his 3rd and 4th seasons. That's pretty damn consistent.

I see some Sabre fans are still struggling with the grim reality that the Tim Murray`s rebuild is going all wrong. Many blame injuries, systems and coaching but in the end, there is simply not enough NHL talent on the roster. Poor asset management by Murray.

It reminds me of Brian Burke's "rebuild" of the Maple Leafs almost a decade ago. Trading away young assets to pick up flawed players (Kessel, Phaneuf). In the end, Leaf fans were sold fools gold and Burke was deservedly run out of town.

Eichel is one of the best young players in the world. However it is foolish to give him such a voice in the future of the team. You don't hear Matthews or McDavid throwing their coach under the bus. That's a nasty, finger point habit that will follow the young man around.

Sabres fans should focus their energy on "why" the Sabres are getting their rebuild all wrong. The should focus less on the Maple Leafs rise. Silly proclamations stating they will "take a step backwards" next year. Doubtful with the Leadership of Shanahan, the management of Lamoriello and the coaching of Babcock. Compare that trifecta with the Sabres Pegula, Murray and Bylsma. It's amateur hour. Deep down Sabres fans know this and can't stand the fact the Maple Leafs are getting their rebuild "right"
- BernardShakey

Kessel as a flawed player, lol. That's rich.

When did Eichel throw Bylsma under the bus? He went out of his way to not do that.

You're right. It's silly to expect a team that overachieved to maybe take a step back the next season, or at the very least, not improve. It's never happened before. Not once.

Jesus Christ.

There's a saying that springs to mind here "act like you've been there before".

Maybe O'Reilly and the mystery driver should start the search for the next coffee coach.
- sbroads24

- adambuffalo

But Why?

I think the Stamkos thing was blown out of proportion given he was in a contract year. I'm not saying there wasn't friction. But obviously it wasn't that bad he did re sign there. And another little nugget; They were/are perpetual contenders. Winning fixes everything.
- Wetbandit1

Maybe it was. Maybe the Eichel/Bylsma friction is too.

I don't even like Bylsma that much, but just allowing guys who have accomplished zilch at this level to have say over their coach is moronic on so many levels

Nobody is struggling to accept where the Sabres are, we know where they are, they suck. We just don't like it.

And, what's silly is to think that a Leaf team that was dead last, last season, is going to keep rocketing skyward and win the cup this year and for the next fifteen years.
We've all said here on this blog that Toronto's rebuild is on track and doing very well and that Matthews is an amazing player. But lets not pretend that the Leafs are going to just dominate the entire league for here on out and nobody is going to do anything about it.

Toronto will be good and playoff contender for years to come, but the arrogance of them being unstoppable and all of their rookie players are already Hall of Fame caliber is just ridiculous. Pump your brakes.
- sskkoo1

Wrong. Many Sabre fans are still in denial. You are one of them. Don't worry, when Murray is fired in the next year, I won't tell "I told you so"

The Leafs rebuild is on track. Nobody said anything about winning Cups, being unstoppable, 15 years and rookie players being HOFers and other nonsense

Again, you should switch your focus onto why the Sabres look to be firing another coach and the GM's poor asset management record.

Loved Housely as a player, I am just wary of him as a coach. Rarely/ever has a star player gone on to become a great professional coach - see Gretzky, Larry Bird et all for reference. Having said that, FIRE DISCO NOW!
- SabreWest

The guys that seem to make the best coaches are the ones that were good, but not great players, like Carlyle(probably the best player that's a good coach today), Gallant, Ruff(more "solid" than good, but not a 4th liner like Bylsma), actually the best coach today kind of sucked as a player, Q only had 190 points as a defenseman in 803 games during the highest scoring era in hockey, Darryl Sutter, and probably a few others I'm forgetting.

So much drama in the LBC...

Back reading the Leafs blog and now they're saying Matthews will be better than mcdavid.
- adambuffalo

Who said that?

Wrong. Many Sabre fans are still in denial. You are one of them. Don't worry, when Murray is fired in the next year, I won't tell "I told you so"

The Leafs rebuild is on track. Nobody said anything about winning Cups, being unstoppable, 15 years and rookie players being HOFers and other nonsense

Again, you should switch your focus onto why the Sabres look to be firing another coach and the GM's poor asset management record.
- BernardShakey

Kewl

The guys that seem to make the best coaches are the ones that were good, but not great players, like Carlyle(probably the best player that's a good coach today), Gallant, Ruff(more "solid" than good, but not a 4th liner like Bylsma), actually the best coach today kind of sucked as a player, Q only had 190 points as a defenseman in 803 games during the highest scoring era in hockey, Darryl Sutter, and probably a few others I'm forgetting.
- Wetbandit1

Bylsma is Rolston minus the gardening gloves