Systems are fine and all, but we have really bad defensive players. Forwards and Defenders. That can't just be swept under the rug.
- Lunaion

No doubt. How many players of the best 20 they could ice right now would you say are capable of being at minimum average at both ends of the ice? I imagine the number is very low, I think it's our biggest problem.

little short sighted don't ya think? I'm sure there are decent candidates out there outside of Gronborg and Keefe. Let's remember that the Sabres were not the only team to not offer him a HC position.
- TheSabresTaco

THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE!

Systems are fine and all, but we have really bad defensive players. Forwards and Defenders. That can't just be swept under the rug.
- Lunaion

Not only that, we will need Eichel and Mittelstadt to develop top notch 200 ft games if we ever want to win a cup.

THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE!
- jochfr

Apparently

I was all aboard the Gronborg hype train. But if my choices for experienced coaches are Lindy, Jacques Martin and Randy Carlyle, I'll take Lindy 10/10 times, and not out of sentimentality
- jcragcrumple

Agreed

Schenn would have been the #1 center as he was the year before, Bozak would have been the #2. Trading for O'Reilly allowed Schenn to move back to wing.

O'Reilly has had a hell of a year (best player on the team and every bit a #1 center), but he's struggled in the playoffs. Everyone thinks he was injured early in the Jets series when he was boarded twice. He's still playing 20 minutes but something is wrong with him and he's laboring.
- charlest

ROR definitely has something wrong with him. He was terrible on the faceoffs all series against Dallas and has been avoiding physical play lately.

Let's remember that the Sabres were not the only team to not offer him a HC position.
- TheSabresTaco

who?


they didn't make an offer to anyone

Housley was the "best candidate available" according to us. We don't know Richard.

https://www.hockeybuzz.co...p?thread_id=144869&page=3

who?


they didn't make an offer to anyone
- homiedclown

Gronborg. The Sabres, nor any other NHL team, made an offer to Gronborg to be HC of their respective teams.

Gronborg. The Sabres, nor any other NHL team, made an offer to Gronborg to be HC of their respective teams.
- TheSabresTaco

"Let's remember that the Sabres were not the only team to not offer him a HC position."



not sure how those are the same

Gets roasted for hiring coach with no NHL head coaching experience, but people want Grönborg or Keefe. People don't want retreads, but get mad we didn't get AV or Maclellan.

No matter who gets hired people will be mad. Botts waited too long and missed out on so and so. Botts jumped the gun and should have waited for so and so.

I guess what we need is a fresh, young forward thinking coach that has plenty of NHL coaching experience, but is not a retread from another team. Also, has to be an offensive defensive mind or a defensive offensive mind.

I guess we have to get the Weird Science machine booted up

"Let's remember that the Sabres were not the only team to not offer him a HC position."



not sure how those are the same
- homiedclown

Sabres didn't interview him from what I read

If that's the case Botterill has a clear vision of what he wants right or wrong

Housley was the "best candidate available" according to us. We don't know Richard.

https://www.hockeybuzz.co...p?thread_id=144869&page=3
- TheSabresTaco

also heard they are looking at jacques martin as a possible head coach if housley is not interested
- homiedclown

Welcome to hell folks

We've been criticizing the Pegula's for years for making naive and sentimental hires. This would take the cake.
- Lunaion

point taken, but offer up an alternative other than keefe

No doubt. How many players of the best 20 they could ice right now would you say are capable of being at minimum average at both ends of the ice? I imagine the number is very low, I think it's our biggest problem.
- Sabresfan-365

It's a depressingly short list. Sam and ERod, and they are both just average defensively. A couple are debatable, like Eichel and Dahlin. Calling them average defensively is a bit generous.

Which of our D are average defensively? That list is sad as well.

point taken, but offer up an alternative other than keefe
- Michael Pachla

Hire O'Keefe

"Let's remember that the Sabres were not the only team to not offer him a HC position."



not sure how those are the same
- homiedclown

Bad phrasing.

Let's remember that the Sabres, along with all other NHL teams looking for a HC, did not offer him a contract.

It's a depressingly short list. Sam and ERod, and they are both just average defensively. A couple are debatable, like Eichel and Dahlin. Calling them average defensively is a bit generous.

Which of our D are average defensively? That list is sad as well.
- Lunaion

McCabe maybe but lacks consistency there. It is depressing, yes. That's why I'd rather they focus on guys like Hagelin in FA. Cheaper option who can give you some solid two way play in the bottom 6.

Sign/trade for a few of those and suddenly the third and fourth line aren't just out there to let the 1st line catch their breath.

point taken, but offer up an alternative other than keefe
- Michael Pachla

The providence head coach was an intriguing option. i dont know if hes still in the mix though

Gets roasted for hiring coach with no NHL head coaching experience, but people want Grönborg or Keefe. People don't want retreads, but get mad we didn't get AV or Maclellan.

No matter who gets hired people will be mad. Botts waited too long and missed out on so and so. Botts jumped the gun and should have waited for so and so.

I guess what we need is a fresh, young forward thinking coach that has plenty of NHL coaching experience, but is not a retread from another team. Also, has to be an offensive defensive mind or a defensive offensive mind.

I guess we have to get the Weird Science machine booted up




- adambuffalo

"Yeah Ice, now you're gettin it!"

point taken, but offer up an alternative other than keefe
- Michael Pachla

Randy Cunneyworth. But he doesn’t speak French.

point taken, but offer up an alternative other than keefe
- Michael Pachla

Like I said before, that was directed at Lindy as president.

Maybe Nate Leaman is the perfect fit, there's no way any of us would know. I don't stress about it. Our knowledge of coaching is about as superficial as it gets.

like the swede who they did not offer a job to?


if they don't grab the marlies coach, it's a piss poor job of filling an important position
- homiedclown

what if he doesn't want to come to buffalo?...or, what if they fire babs and put keefe in his place?...

love,

dummy

Boston trades Thornton for nothing, Kessel for Seguin and Hamilton, then proceeded to trade Seguin for nothing. Hamilton traded for futures. That team has still been in the thick of things for years though on the backs of Bergeron and Chara even though they lose every trade they make.
- Pegullaville

That comes from a good management and scouting department that can identify and select players that can fit in with the team's philosophy.

Like I said before, that was directed at Lindy as president.

Maybe Nate Leaman is the perfect fit, there's no way any of us would know. I don't stress about it. Our knowledge of coaching is about as superficial as it gets.
- Lunaion

He gets it. Jason's a smart man. I believe he learns from his mistakes, and he learns from the errors and shortcomings of others. The guy he chooses will likely have the qualities that Housley lacked. He's going to find a guy that fits the roster today, and fits his ultimate vision.