We’re railing on Housley like we railed on Bylsma.

At some point, the players have to play.


It’s pretty apparent that everything outside of one line and maybe two defensemen need an upgrade.

There is no second line, no true first pairing, and not one damn goalie.

Either these players need to develop over the summer, or you get more talent and push them down to the line or other teams they need to be on.

Edit: I think we’d love it to be the coach because if the talent is there and you swap the coach, it can change over night. Watching these mistakes, it’s apparent it won’t be an over night fix.

I must admidt I am conflicted on Risto, but have moved to the position that it is time to move him.
Points are GREAT from a Dman, however their first responsibility is to play Defense, to actually defend their own goal primarily...then attack the opposition goal only when that threat has been eliminated.

Playing tough is an attribute I value in a Dman. That toughness is best utilized in properly defending one's own goal...clearing the crease, eliminating high-danger passes from behind the net, securing puck possession along the wall. Open ice hits in the neutral zone are fan-pleasers and fun to watch. I'd rather have the tough play where & when it counts FIRST, then the crowd-pleasing hits can follow when they don't jeopardize D-first mentality.

Making accurate passes tape-to-tape, in stride that lead your teammate to open areas is a critical skill in today's game, and especially in Housley's N/S, 5 man unit system. Passes into skates, behind teamates, that miss completely...these are all possession killers and are causes for the opponent to be able to attack "with numbers" as a result of Sabres forwards being trapped by their forward momentum.

Risto consistently demonstrates a lack of skill and commitment in these and other areas.

Now that Montour is here with Dahlin, and with Pilut having gained valuable experience to build on, the time is ripe to leverage Risto's perceived value and move hime for a top 6 player. . 1RW or 2C would be ideal in my mind.

When I watch Tage, I see a very similar player to Tyler Myers.
Two players with god-given attributes that could be real difference makers.
Both big men who have made the conscious decision to play like Bambi, rather than integrating physicality into their tool bag.

In Tage's case, it would be less of an issue if he had the proper body control to be able to skate like bambi, he doesn't though..takes way too lonv to be able to shift body positioning to be able to make quick turns/change of directions...he is constantly beaten by the opponent when he is on the forecheck.

I'm not of the opinion he will ever amount to a solid NHL player until
1- he significantly improves his body control / skating
2- realizes playing a heavy game for a guy who is 6'-5" and could easily carry 225lbs would be an intimdating, productive force to be reconed with
3- improves the accuracy of his shot

He should be assigned to Roch until at .east 1 and 2 above are accomp,ished...he can then work on 3 in after-practice time.

We’re railing on Housley like we railed on Bylsma.

At some point, the players have to play.


It’s pretty apparent that everything outside of one line and maybe two defensemen need an upgrade.

There is no second line, no true first pairing, and not one damn goalie.

Either these players need to develop over the summer, or you get more talent and push them down to the line or other teams they need to be on.

Edit: I think we’d love it to be the coach because if the talent is there and you swap the coach, it can change over night. Watching these mistakes, it’s apparent it won’t be an over night fix.
- gcomella34

Totally agree. Some teams have great talent (Tampa), others don't (our Sabres). Many fans have a hard time coming to grips with that. Said it before - even with the greatest hockey minds of all-time coaching this squad, they'd still suck.

Totally agree. Some teams have great talent (Tampa), others don't (our Sabres). Many fans have a hard time coming to grips with that. Said it before - even with the greatest hockey minds of all-time coaching this squad, they'd still suck.
- kritter65

Casey Nelson has not been amazing, but he has been solid. He hasn’t played in weeks. Hunwick has played regularly. Scandella has played regularly.

Housley has played lineups that limit our scoring capabilities to a single line instead of utilizing combinations that could make a more varied attack which is harder to stop.

Our talent needs to be deeper, but he’s not getting the most out of the skills the team has.

What you guys think of Dan Dunleavy doing play by play. Heard him yesterday and he wasn't bad. Rob Ray is awful though.

Harrington and Eichel definitely not getting along after the game - it's gonna be an ugly end to the season, I think.
- The_Inkwell

Uh oh, sounds like another Eichel tantrum and another individual being run out of town to appease him.

This guy isn't Captain material at all.

Uh oh, sounds like another Eichel tantrum and another individual being run out of town to appease him.

This guy isn't Captain material at all.
- As_I_See_It

Who do you think has the better drive off the tee Matthews or Eichel ? I guess Eichel will have another extra week and a half this summer to work on his game before Matthews hits the links.

Botts likes Housley and the coaching staff. We're doomed. Might as well get used to the gum chewer next year too.

Amerks beating Syracuse last night was huge. It put them back in 1st in the Northern Division. They play Syracuse again at home this afternoon. I was going to go to the game but decided against it.

They are 2nd overall in the league, only Charlotte is ahead of them.

At least we'll have playoff hockey in the 585.

What you guys think of Dan Dunleavy doing play by play. Heard him yesterday and he wasn't bad. Rob Ray is awful though.
- Matthews_Auston

I like Dunleavy. RJ was good in the past but I think he needs to retire.

When I watch Tage, I see a very similar player to Tyler Myers.
Two players with god-given attributes that could be real difference makers.
Both big men who have made the conscious decision to play like Bambi, rather than integrating physicality into their tool bag.

In Tage's case, it would be less of an issue if he had the proper body control to be able to skate like bambi, he doesn't though..takes way too lonv to be able to shift body positioning to be able to make quick turns/change of directions...he is constantly beaten by the opponent when he is on the forecheck.

I'm not of the opinion he will ever amount to a solid NHL player until
1- he significantly improves his body control / skating
2- realizes playing a heavy game for a guy who is 6'-5" and could easily carry 225lbs would be an intimdating, productive force to be reconed with
3- improves the accuracy of his shot

He should be assigned to Roch until at .east 1 and 2 above are accomp,ished...he can then work on 3 in after-practice time.
- IonSabres

Good post Ion. I'm of the opinion that Tage needs proper development and being in Buffalo all year was a bad idea and should have played top minutes in Rochester. That is the best thing for him in his development. Why they rushed guys like him and Pilut I'll never know, especially for an organization that preaches development for their young players.

I like Dunleavy. RJ was good in the past but I think he needs to retire.
- sabreadvocate1

Nope... Risto sucks
Just ask Sbroads
He’ll tell u all about how Sam reached his ceiling 3yrs ago too
- jdfitz77

Comments like this, that have 0 to do with the topic in hand, are the exact reason I’m done responding to you and a few others on here.

When you need to point out something from the past to try and invalidate my opinion on a completely different topic it makes you look like a moron.

Enjoy your day.

Kyle Williams on NFL Network with Willie McGinest for defensive line drills at combine. Good for Kyle. Class act and always an awesome interview with Schopp and Bulldog.

one team gets 5 goals, the other gets 2


flip a coin on who wins
- homiedclown

DAMN!!!!!

I was born in 1972. For the first time in MY LIFETIME the Leafs have defeated the Sabres 4 consecutive times.

Thank you Phil Housely!

Botts likes Housley and the coaching staff. We're doomed. Might as well get used to the gum chewer next year too.
- mhp

Maybe,
But I think the pegulas hand picked housley

They could be the ones that fire him?

Jbotts is a good listener and yes man it appears

Maybe,
But I think the pegulas hand picked housley

They could be the ones that fire him?

Jbotts is a good listener and yes man it appears
- Boss34

While the Coyotes have won 6 straight with like 8 guys on IR.

While the Coyotes have won 6 straight with like 8 guys on IR.
- Pegullaville

Tocchet >>>>>>>> Housely

The ONE TIME we didn't turn to Pegula's Pittsburgh obsession it backfires.

Maybe,
But I think the pegulas hand picked housley

They could be the ones that fire him?

Jbotts is a good listener and yes man it appears
- Boss34

I thought it was Botts decision to pick Housley without any interference.

I was born in 1972. For the first time in MY LIFETIME the Leafs have defeated the Sabres 4 consecutive times.

Thank you Phil Housely!
- Losman

Maybe it's the Tavares effect. Sabres are 14-16-6 against Tavares and he has only scored more goals against 2 other teams than Buffalo.
Vs buffalo
29gp 17g 17a +10
Vs Carolina
34gp 24g 19a -13
Vs Philly
43gp 19g 17a -13

Tocchet >>>>>>>> Housely

The ONE TIME we didn't turn to Pegula's Pittsburgh obsession it backfires.
- Losman

I love how people talk about coaches as if they were at practices.

This team isnt very good. It has nothing to do with coaching. It has to do with the roster. The roster botts has constructed.

https://youtu.be/gUIHi5Vz2Ys

I love how people talk about coaches as if they were at practices.

This team isnt very good. It has nothing to do with coaching. It has to do with the roster. The roster botts has constructed.
- Mentalorgasm5

It has a lot to do with both.

Housley had Erod/Sheary/Okposo out there with the goalie pulled with 3 minutes left.

Because he decided to keep our only 3 really good forwards on one line, which as dumb as it is, it wasn’t as dumb as pulling your goalie with an NHL 3rd line on the ice.

He has been a very underwhelming coach so far