Passive in the D-zone. they sit back and wait instead of pressuring and forcing errors.. Its the bend don't break mentality.. Every time we got the puck last night there was a San Jose player in our face pressuring us. We just don't do that...
- hehateme

yeah they 100% do this because they don't have the skill to do otherwise. Defensively they can barely stay aware and in position even in a passive set up.

yeah they 100% do this because they don't have the skill to do otherwise. Defensively they can barely stay aware and in position even in a passive set up.
- Sabresfan-365

that is coaching....

that is coaching....
- hehateme

Right, Im saying hes chosen to coach this way because the alternatives aren't feasible because of a lack of talent.

I have no idea how you can go from the best PP to the worst PP.

This is a indicator of a lack of coaching talent and a refusal to make adjustments
- Shadman306

First to worst is mind boggling. Seeing the same issues crop up with different players (talking overall, not just PP) points to coaching for me. I can't see them moving to a new head coach any time soon though.

that is coaching....
- hehateme

I mean, at some point, if the shoe fits. The team last year was better than a last place team. I'm not ready to give up on him, but...

R-E-L-A-X

Right, Im saying hes chosen to coach this way because the alternatives aren't feasible because of a lack of talent.
- Sabresfan-365

Lack of Talent? This team has more talent on it then they have in years...

First to worst is mind boggling. Seeing the same issues crop up with different players (talking overall, not just PP) points to coaching for me. I can't see them moving to a new head coach any time soon though.
- Frizzlefry

This was to be expected. Even on his hiring most pointed out that Nashville had a subpar power play and that Housley was running it for the most part. This isn't hard to solve though and if they need to they could probably find an assistant coach who specializes in this.

First to worst is mind boggling. Seeing the same issues crop up with different players (talking overall, not just PP) points to coaching for me. I can't see them moving to a new head coach any time soon though.
- Frizzlefry

Yea I agree. It’s embarassing how many people are being paid not to work for buffalo teams.

I think the Pegulas keep hiring (botteril excluded) people who are trying to do new and improved things and we should be hiring people who have proved themselves at what they are being hired for.

Lack of Talent? This team has more talent on it then they have in years...
- hehateme

That's not saying much at all. Yes, this team has more talent on it than the three sabres teams that finished dead last and somewhere in the bottom 10.

It also has largely the same defense group that was part of that last place team from last year.

There are two d-men on this team i would trust to run effective zone exits with any consistency. one of them is 18 years old, the other is a 3rd pair d-man. The other 4 make a combined 16 million on the cap. Really not that hard to figure out. How are you going to defend and then turn defense into offense if the defense can't get the puck to the offense?

That's not saying much at all. Yes, this team has more talent on it than the three sabres teams that finished dead last and somewhere in the bottom 10.

It also has largely the same defense group that was part of that last place team from last year.
- Sabresfan-365

I think all of the issues fall on the coach. he played Passive and he coaches passive. There is No reason at all that we can't make a first pass out of the zone. This is fundamentals 101... I am sick of this crap. I don't think Housley is the answer at all...

There are two d-men on this team i would trust to run effective zone exits with any consistency. one of them is 18 years old, the other is a 3rd pair d-man. The other 4 make a combined 16 million on the cap. Really not that hard to figure out. How are you going to defend and then turn defense into offense if the defense can't get the puck to the offense?
- Sabresfan-365

Then bring up Guhle and Pilute.. Passimng should NEVER be a glaring issue for professionals..

Passing is horrible and they play a very passive style of Hockey...
- hehateme

They seem to wax and wane. Sometimes they are passive in the d-zone and get scored on, sometimes they stay with their assignments and seem to be successful.

It's the only reason I have hope they can right the ship early on here, they show flashes of knowing what to do.

I have no idea how you can go from the best PP to the worst PP.

This is a indicator of a lack of coaching talent and a refusal to make adjustments
- Shadman306

I don't like Housley. Never was a big fan, but agreed that they're lacking in the coaching department. Was excited when Steve Smith came over too.

Then bring up Guhle and Pilute.. Passimng should NEVER be a glaring issue for professionals..
- hehateme

They're going up against other professionals, who when on defense are doing their best to disrupt this passing.

Good defencemen can make these outlet passes while under pressure and make them to someone who is in a position to receive the pass. We should try and get some of those.

It's possible Guhle and Pilut can do that, but my guess is they're still a little to weak defensively to be brought up.

Right, Im saying hes chosen to coach this way because the alternatives aren't feasible because of a lack of talent.
- Sabresfan-365

Are we so far back from other teams talent wise? I mean to say that it isn't feasible, to me, would say we are WAY off.

R-E-L-A-X
- feetontheair22

Are we so far back from other teams talent wise? I mean to say that it isn't feasible, to me, would say we are WAY off.
- RhinoFan

On the blue line? 110% We're not just far behind skill wise there, we're so outdated. Ristolainen, Scandella, Bogosian..maybe even McCabe. These guys are built like the d-men of the previous era. Everything about their style and strengths is archaic.

Are we so far back from other teams talent wise? I mean to say that it isn't feasible, to me, would say we are WAY off.
- RhinoFan

We are not... In fact with the talent on this team I say we should be able to play with any team on any given not. We should not look clueless out there....

We are not... In fact with the talent on this team I say we should be able to play with any team on any given not. We should not look clueless out there....
- hehateme

All true

We are not... In fact with the talent on this team I say we should be able to play with any team on any given not. We should not look clueless out there....
- hehateme

I think some of the talent is still being overrated. Scandella, Risto, Okposo, Reinhart to name a few.

R-E-L-A-X
- feetontheair22

Don't do it...

I think some of the talent is still being overrated. Scandella, Risto, Okposo, Reinhart to name a few.
- Sabresfan-365

Does not compute

"Jack Eichel can create a lot of space and handle the puck extremely well but in last night's contest he was double-teamed constantly and didn't receive much help from the rest of his unit."

I think teams know that as long as they keep Eichel in check that there's no one else that's really a threat.
- Frizzlefry

That's a huge problem. Everyone in the league knows exactly what they are trying to setup on the PP.

Okposo is no threat at all. Any time Risto has a chance, odds are his stick will break.