God i hope he does. Just make this team exciting to watch. its got the players for that, find a coach that can put a system for that too and watch player growth skyrocket.

2. They were close to last 5v5. if an analytics guy like TM thinks they were not far away then thats the reddest of flags

3. again, they werent my expectations. I was the guy getting laughed at for thinking theyd be bad and being too hard on bogosian. And being obsessed with lindholm (irrelevant to this i know but ill own it lol)
- Sabresfan-365

I believe the "one more win per month" statement occured last season and not this just concluded season.

Maybe Pegula set unrealstic expectations on the rebuild.
- fastek

http://www.espn.com/nhl/s...res-not-five-year-rebuild

"I wasn't here. I'm not using that word," he said. "This is not going to be a five-year rebuild, not for me anyway. That's not what I want."

That's Murray, not Pegula

Or Murray didn't deliver on what he set out to do from Day one.

Plus Pegula wasn't involved (to whatever level you want to believe) in the hiring of TM. It doesn't take an executive long to move away from people that they aren't directly involved in hiring if they don't perform.
- thatsapickle

Yeah but they typically don't give them an extension 6 months before "moving away" from them now do they ?

I believe the "one more win per month" statement occured last season and not this just concluded season.
- fastek

yea they were one of the worst 5v5 teams last season too...

http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/10787944/tim-murray-buffalo-sabres-not-five-year-rebuild

"I wasn't here. I'm not using that word," he said. "This is not going to be a five-year rebuild, not for me anyway. That's not what I want."

That's Murray, not Pegula
- sbroads24

Just looking at this from afar, I think Murray put too much into thinking he would land McDavid by tanking. While Eichel is a great player McDavid would have covered up a lot of warts just like he's doing in Edmonton. When he didn't get him I think that changed his plan.

http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/10787944/tim-murray-buffalo-sabres-not-five-year-rebuild

"I wasn't here. I'm not using that word," he said. "This is not going to be a five-year rebuild, not for me anyway. That's not what I want."

That's Murray, not Pegula
- sbroads24

OK that's two years ago .......... not sure what the point is.

What's the standard of success for a rebuild? Reaching the playoffs? Becasue if it is .......... I thought we were tracking for that next year for sure.

Yeah but they typically don't give them an extension 6 months before "moving away" from them now do they ?
- fastek

You mean like the Nolan extension, where Murray fired him 6 months later?

Yeah but they typically don't give them an extension 6 months before "moving away" from them now do they ?
- fastek

If the message seemed to be effective (Kulikov, Okposo, strides from 23, 15, 63, 26) then you show you believe in them. Murray didn't deliver and the Pegula's aren't afraid to cut people with term left.

Edit:

I threw Jack in because he took a step and I believe if he was healthy all season he would have been a PPG player or better.

Just looking at this from afar, I think Murray put too much into thinking he would land McDavid by tanking. While Eichel is a great player McDavid would have covered up a lot of warts just like he's doing in Edmonton. When he didn't get him I think that changed his plan.
- Matthews_Auston

Without a doubt he was dissapointed to not land McDavid. Of course it changed his plan going forward. When you have the next Gretzky you go about building the roster differntly.

Without a doubt he was dissapointed to not land McDavid. Of course it changed his plan going forward. When you have the next Gretzky you go about building the roster differntly.
- fastek

What were the odds we were landing McDavid?

If the message seemed to be effective (Kulikov, Okposo, strides from 23, 15, 63, 26) then you show you believe in them. Murray didn't deliver and the Pegula's aren't afraid to cut people with term left.

Edit:

I threw Jack in because he took a step and I believe if he was healthy all season he would have been a PPG player or better.
- thatsapickle

And maybe if him and Kane are healthy all year we sneak in like Toronto did and everyone still has a job and Sabreland is happy.

I think their best shot was last year. Who knows if Marleau and Jumbo Joe come back. I think they will but who knows. Those guys into their upper 30's now.
- Matthews_Auston

I hope they keep them but you're probably right, they missed their opportunity

What were the odds we were landing McDavid?
- sbroads24

Don't recall but Murray was devastated none the less.

What were the odds we were landing McDavid?
- sbroads24

20% but they were still the highest odds. I remember leading up to the lottery both Murray and garth were creepy in how much they were talking about the kid.

https://twitter.com/KKurz...status/856573853446717444

just get this guy one...one cup

I hope they keep them but you're probably right, they missed their opportunity
- chilliard77

If Jumbo Joe doesn't sign in SJ I hope he goes somewhere to win a Cup. The guy deserves one.

20% but they were still the highest odds. I remember leading up to the lottery both Murray and garth were creepy in how much they were talking about the kid.
- Matthews_Auston

think jeff o'neill said on overdrive that TM was spotted smoking and yelling after the lottery loss. Im sure pegula was thrilled with that

Don't recall but Murray was devastated none the less.
- fastek

20%.

If his entire game plan was based on a 20% chance, then there's a red flag right there.

I personally think his game plan was simple. Trade for a bunch of players he liked when he was scouting or watched when he was in Ottawa, draft Jack or McD, and let it fly.

20% but they were still the highest odds. I remember leading up to the lottery both Murray and garth were creepy in how much they were talking about the kid.
- Matthews_Auston

Still bad odds

20%.

If his entire game plan was based on a 20% chance, then there's a red flag right there.

I personally think his game plan was simple. Trade for a bunch of players he liked when he was scouting or watched when he was in Ottawa, draft Jack or McD, and let it fly.
- sbroads24

He struck gold with Karlsson and figured everyone he liked must be really damn good too

20%.

If his entire game plan was based on a 20% chance, then there's a red flag right there.

I personally think his game plan was simple. Trade for a bunch of players he liked when he was scouting or watched when he was in Ottawa, draft Jack or McD, and let it fly.
- sbroads24

Serious question .... what would the Sabres have done this year with the exact same team but substitute Eichel with McDavid. I think they are still playing in the 2nd round.

Serious question .... what would the sabres have done this year with the exact same team but substitute Eichel woth McDavid. I think they are still playing in the 2nd round.
- Matthews_Auston

assuming connor missed 20 games too? either way hard to imagine theyd contend against one of the top seeds.

I am very happy to be here !

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assuming connor missed 20 games too? either way hard to imagine theyd contend against one of the top seeds.
- Sabresfan-365

They would have made the playoffs. Murray would not have been fired if they made the playoffs this year.