It's tough to fathom a rookie head coach like Sandelin, Keefe or even Grönborg, who guided the resurgence of Team-Sweden, having the attributes to properly manage egos and guide a team through turbulence like that.

I don't know. Lots of egos on the 2015 Sweden World Cup of Hockey team:

TEAM SWEDEN

Forwards:

Mikael Backlund, Calgary Flames; Nicklas Backstrom, Washington Capitals; Loui Eriksson, Vancouver Canucks; Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators; Carl Hagelin, Pittsburgh Penguins; Patric Hornqvist, Pittsburgh Penguins; Marcus Kruger, Chicago Blackhawks; Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado Avalanche; Patrik Berglund, St. Louis Blues; Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks; Henrik Sedin, Vancouver Canucks; Jakob Silfverberg, Anaheim Ducks; Carl Soderberg, Colorado Avalanche

Defensemen:

Mattias Ekholm, Nashville Predators; Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Arizona Coyotes; Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning; Niklas Hjalmarsson, Chicago Blackhawks; Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators; Hampus Lindholm, Anaheim Ducks; Anton Stralman, Tampa Bay Lightning

Goalies:

Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers; Jacob Markstrom, Vancouver Canucks Jhonas Enroth, Toronto Maple Leafs;


I think if one can handle the egos of Eric Karlsson and Hank Lundquist, that one can manage the egos of Jack n Sam and guide the team through turbulence. Don't you?

He coached a team that beat Russia and Finland in that World Cup, and lost in OT to the N.A. team featuring Matthews, McDavid, Eichel, Mackinnon, et al. Sweden was knocked out by Team Europe 3-2 in OT in the Semi's when Yaro Halak stood on his head in a game Sweden dominated.

I've yet to read a legitimate 'con' to hiring Gronberg. Every 'con' I've read here or on other Sabres blogs just doesn't hold up to a round of critical thinking.

I don't know. Lots of egos on the 2015 Sweden World Cup of Hockey team:

TEAM SWEDEN

Forwards:

Mikael Backlund, Calgary Flames; Nicklas Backstrom, Washington Capitals; Loui Eriksson, Vancouver Canucks; Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators; Carl Hagelin, Pittsburgh Penguins; Patric Hornqvist, Pittsburgh Penguins; Marcus Kruger, Chicago Blackhawks; Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado Avalanche; Patrik Berglund, St. Louis Blues; Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks; Henrik Sedin, Vancouver Canucks; Jakob Silfverberg, Anaheim Ducks; Carl Soderberg, Colorado Avalanche

Defensemen:

Mattias Ekholm, Nashville Predators; Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Arizona Coyotes; Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning; Niklas Hjalmarsson, Chicago Blackhawks; Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators; Hampus Lindholm, Anaheim Ducks; Anton Stralman, Tampa Bay Lightning

Goalies:

Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers; Jacob Markstrom, Vancouver Canucks Jhonas Enroth, Toronto Maple Leafs;


I think if one can handle the egos of Eric Karlsson and Hank Lundquist, that one can manage the egos of Jack n Sam and guide the team through turbulence. Don't you?

He coached a team that beat Russia and Finland in that World Cup, and lost in OT to the N.A. team featuring Matthews, McDavid, Eichel, Mackinnon, et al. Sweden was knocked out by Team Europe 3-2 in OT in the Semi's when Yaro Halak stood on his head in a game Sweden dominated.

I've yet to read a legitimate 'con' to hiring Gronberg. Every 'con' I've read here or on other Sabres blogs just doesn't hold up to a round of critical thinking.
- Jack Straw

Botterill cannot give Grönborg the same (or an equivalent to last year's) roster and expect different results, however.

I like Lindy but you bring him back and we did a complete circle and made no process in doing so.
- SABRES 89

Idk about that

We now have Jack & Dahlin
Plus some other good supporting cast

I think Ruff is a good coach
And he’s shown he can coach multiple styles
And young talented kids
He gets fired up at times too for those who aren’t a fan of Phil’s lack of emotion
And i think he’s a pretty respected guy

He does check quite a few boxes for what we are looking for

Maybe he coaches for a couple years,
and grooms an assistant to take over-
like maybe the Swedish guy?
or one of the AHL coaches that have been discussed?

Ruff probably has the respect of the Pegulas & could then become the “Hockey Czar” to run the team with Botts (or whatever GM)

Idk about that

We now have Jack & Dahlin
Plus some other good supporting cast

I think Ruff is a good coach
And he’s shown he can coach multiple styles
And young talented kids
He gets fired up at times too for those who aren’t a fan of Phil’s lack of emotion
And i think he’s a pretty respected guy

He does check quite a few boxes for what we are looking for

Maybe he coaches for a couple years,
and grooms an assistant to take over-
like maybe the Swedish guy?
or one of the AHL coaches that have been discussed?

Ruff probably has the respect of the Pegulas & could then become the “Hockey Czar” to run the team with Botts (or whatever GM)
- jdfitz77

Nope, he's gone let him stay gone.

Idk about that

We now have Jack & Dahlin
Plus some other good supporting cast

I think Ruff is a good coach
And he’s shown he can coach multiple styles
And young talented kids
He gets fired up at times too for those who aren’t a fan of Phil’s lack of emotion
And i think he’s a pretty respected guy

He does check quite a few boxes for what we are looking for

Maybe he coaches for a couple years,
and grooms an assistant to take over-
like maybe the Swedish guy?
or one of the AHL coaches that have been discussed?

Ruff probably has the respect of the Pegulas & could then become the “Hockey Czar” to run the team with Botts (or whatever GM)
- jdfitz77

Works for me.

Ruff for a year, then Gronborg. Ruff to POHO

Question: Has there ever been a coach that was rehired after being fired by the same franchise?
- RhinoFan

Billy Martin like 5 times lol

I like Lane Lambert, Trotz right hand man.
- SABRES 89

Based on reading Pach's article, I think i can sum up the state of the Sabres today in two words - "still suffering".

I would go a lot further with Lehner. Let's just say that anyone who has a drinking problem, beats it, then blames the franchise they let down for their transgressions can get (frank)ed as far as I'm concerned.

I won't say that I hope he dies or relapses, or something crazy, but I do hope he gets stuck in traffic on the way to his next playoff game.........with explosive diarrhea and violently sneezes.
- RhinoFan

U guys better watch it

I got labeled a monster when i said “F Lehner” and that i didn’t give a sh!t about him

U guys are definitely gonna trigger some participation trophy having crybabies that can’t have a discussion without flying off the freaking rails

Nope, he's gone let him stay gone.
- SABRES 89

U can’t deny that Ruff checks a bunch of boxes for what we are supposedly looking for though

And probably moreso than any other candidate out there right now

Is there someone in particular that you’re hoping for?

Works for me.

Ruff for a year, then Gronborg. Ruff to POHO
- jcragcrumple

Don’t know if it would be a possibility
Just a thought i had

Who do you want then?
- TheHank

I wanted AV or McLellan but those ships have sailed. Marc Crawford would be the guy for me and bring in the Swede as an Assistant, amongst others.

U guys better watch it

I got labeled a monster when i said “F Lehner” and that i didn’t give a sh!t about him

U guys are definitely gonna trigger some participation trophy having crybabies that can’t have a discussion without flying off the freaking rails
- jdfitz77

I get the anger from Sabres fans it makes sense on some levels. Always leaves you wondering what if? if he was able to get clean while still with the Sabres. I had serious doubts about him when the Isles signed him but man has he been awesome. The fans have fallen in love with him and have really embraced him since he arrived. (Having a sv% of 93 sure doesn't hurt either ,lol) Still not sure if they'll sign him long term if they can get the russian goalie over here this summer. I sure hope they do because he has earned it. I would hate to see Lambert getting a HC job but he is probably due for a promotion soon.

Plenty of rookie coaches have success. Just because Housley did not, does not mean that any inexperienced coach out there is less likely to succeed. They are the same entities with or without Housley's failures.

Furthermore, from what I've read the actual success rates for retreads vs rookies fluctuates, but is very similar.

Therefore, by passing on every inexperienced coach simply for that fact only lessens your options, it doesn't make your chance of success any better.
- RhinoFan

I think that for the most part,
coaches are like goalies

Yeah, some can do more with less
But they’re few & far between
And guys like that aren’t available right now

Most coaches that have good rosters,
have success
And coaches with poor rosters,
struggle

No matter WHO our next coach is...
if Botts can’t upgrade the roster,
idk that it’ll matter all that much

I get the anger from Sabres fans it makes sense on some levels. Always leaves you wondering what if? if he was able to get clean while still with the Sabres. I had serious doubts about him when the Isles signed him but man has he been awesome. The fans have fallen in love with him and have really embraced him since he arrived. (Having a sv% of 93 sure doesn't hurt either ,lol) Still not sure if they'll sign him long term if they can get the russian goalie over here this summer. I sure hope they do because he has earned it. I would hate to see Lambert getting a HC job but he is probably due for a promotion soon.
- Vukota

My issue is more with his comments this season. Botterill stayed in contact with him through the whole process. I think after the Athletic article, he should have kept his mouth shut (which he didn't do), and accepted some responsibility (which he didn't do).

Glad he's clean. That's it

That was MY proposal not Bott's.
And I stand by it.

My issue is more with his comments this season. Botterill stayed in contact with him through the whole process. I think after the Athletic article, he should have kept his mouth shut (which he didn't do), and accepted some responsibility (which he didn't do).

Glad he's clean. That's it
- jcragcrumple

Very fair

I get the anger from Sabres fans it makes sense on some levels. Always leaves you wondering what if? if he was able to get clean while still with the Sabres. I had serious doubts about him when the Isles signed him but man has he been awesome. The fans have fallen in love with him and have really embraced him since he arrived. (Having a sv% of 93 sure doesn't hurt either ,lol) Still not sure if they'll sign him long term if they can get the russian goalie over here this summer. I sure hope they do because he has earned it. I would hate to see Lambert getting a HC job but he is probably due for a promotion soon.
- Vukota

But he’s just another player who failed here,
(and that was of his own doing)
that is now on a competitor who we need to beat

Never liked that we gave up a 1st for him
And wasn’t a fan of him as a person to begin with- all his crazy antics, etc

Plus all the disparaging remarks he made about Buffalo & the fans...
Many of which were an extreme exaggeration, if not an outright lie
Like the fans booing the team before the game even started

That’s just utter bullish!t
And again... while it’s nice that he’s been able to get his life together,
He can still go and f#ck himself as far as I’m concerned


PS. Congrats on that sweep of the Pens
I thought u guys would suck this year after losing JT
Trotz is a freaking wizard

I know you're being facetious, but I wouldn't mind if the Sabres hired Dawn Braid away from the Coyotes. She's currently their skating coach. Offer her a position as an assistant coach and she can sit up top. There's no limit on the number of assistant coaches as far as i know.
- jcragcrumple

Pic 1st.
The we shall decide.

might be time to call Darryl Sutter

Raw deal
- gerbe75pts

Like they always say, 3ER isn't always right, but aint ever been wrong. Kudos Gerbe old boy for acknowledging it. Same to you notalent. Godspeed to you both for bending the knee.

I'm happy for Lehner, but his addiction does not absolve him of his role in the debacle. I was a huge supporter of his through his first two years. I could see the potential, but his behavior played a major role in the under-performing Sabres. The fact that throughout this season he kept making comments about the "negative environment" really pissed me off. With all due respect, he was hungover every game (by his own admission), and generally sucked ass his last year here.

And Tim Murray absolutely deserves blame for acquiring him for 1st round pick. Surely he knew him from Ottawa, and Brian wouldn't have pulled the wool over his eyes as to his behavior. He hitched his wagon to that guy.

Robin should have gotten his poop together. He didn't until it was too late for us. So good for him, but also, his unprofessional behavior cost us quite a bit.

So I'm not ready to make an excuse for the guy. He's good at doing that for himself
- jcragcrumple

I remember after one game last year during his post-game I asked if he might have been high. His pupils were massive even with a bright light in his face. That did not go over well. People were not happy that I simply asked if he was high.

Did it really cost us though? We did get Dahlin. And he was hardly the only one that played like poop. He was hung out to dry more than your grandma's laundry.

Pic 1st.
The we shall decide.
- IonSabres

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Dawn+Braid

I remember after one game last year during his post-game I asked if he might have been high. His pupils were massive even with a bright light in his face. That did not go over well. People were not happy that I simply asked if he was high.

Did it really cost us though? We did get Dahlin. And he was hardly the only one that played like poop. He was hung out to dry more than your grandma's laundry.
- Wetbandit1

He's not the only one at fault, but he should have accepted some fault in his many, many comments since. Plus, you know how many 1 goal games we lost that year. It may not be a scientific stat, but I think we all remember his proclivity to let in a softy at the worst time possible.

I would go a lot further with Lehner. Let's just say that anyone who has a drinking problem, beats it, then blames the franchise they let down for their transgressions can get (frank)ed as far as I'm concerned.

I won't say that I hope he dies or relapses, or something crazy, but I do hope he gets stuck in traffic on the way to his next playoff game.........with explosive diarrhea and violently sneezes.
- RhinoFan

Where exactly did he blame the Sabres? He thanked Allen and Botterill for all the help they gave him and how Botterill was still talking to him/checking in after he went to the Isles.

He said that it was really hard to play here a few weeks ago, that the fans started booing before the game even. But I didn't see any blame there.