Time to grab some kindling.

I haven't seen a single person bash the Pegula's since game 1 of the NFL season.

People were more than ready to bash the (frank) out of them at every turn for poopty teams.

Are folks ready to praise them for good teams? Or are people going to pull the double standard card, it's only the banshee's fault when we suck but they have nothing to do with us being good.

Time to grab some kindling.

I haven't seen a single person bash the Pegula's since game 1 of the NFL season.

People were more than ready to bash the (frank) out of them at every turn for poopty teams.

Are folks ready to praise them for good teams? Or are people going to pull the double standard card, it's only the banshee's fault when we suck but they have nothing to do with us being good.
- TheSabresTaco

I'll meet you halfway, here. Early returns this season suggest they might have finally put the right people in place. It still took much longer than it should have.

TGIGD...


Thank God it's game day...

Hope we win, but even if we win we lose because we didn't win by enough, or someone did something over the course of the game they shouldn't have done, or the moon didn't align with Neptune and someone just feels like female doging about something. This board gets worse by the day by so called hockey fans

Time to grab some kindling.

I haven't seen a single person bash the Pegula's since game 1 of the NFL season.

People were more than ready to bash the (frank) out of them at every turn for poopty teams.

Are folks ready to praise them for good teams? Or are people going to pull the double standard card, it's only the banshee's fault when we suck but they have nothing to do with us being good.
- TheSabresTaco

This
THis
THIs
THIS

I'll meet you halfway, here. Early returns this season suggest they might have finally put the right people in place. It still took much longer than it should have.
- buffalofan19

I think they learned the hard way. But it would seem at this point they may have finally figured it out.

I'm sure I'm not the only one, but I definitely get McDermott vibes from Krueger. It very much seems they have similar styles and so far, it seems to be working for both teams.

Time to grab some kindling.

I haven't seen a single person bash the Pegula's since game 1 of the NFL season.

People were more than ready to bash the (frank) out of them at every turn for poopty teams.

Are folks ready to praise them for good teams? Or are people going to pull the double standard card, it's only the banshee's fault when we suck but they have nothing to do with us being good.
- TheSabresTaco

Maybe we can get some more of those knee-slapping waitress jokes...

I'll meet you halfway, here. Early returns this season suggest they might have finally put the right people in place. It still took much longer than it should have.
- buffalofan19

I will never debate this. I would just like the same people who feel the need to bash the Pegulas (they play such a minimal role in personnel outside the GM) to give them a little credit. I don't really give a poop about the praise itself, I'm just exhausted from all the blaming and the "meddling" and the "roster decisions" they made. Well, so far, things have worked for both teams, because both GMs seemed to hire quality coaches (finally) and both teams have been building their talent pools and finally have playoff caliber rosters.

There's always more than can be done with the rosters, of course. And Pegula has little to nothing to do with either roster.

I will never debate this. I would just like the same people who feel the need to bash the Pegulas (they play such a minimal role in personnel outside the GM) to give them a little credit. I don't really give a poop about the praise itself, I'm just exhausted from all the blaming and the "meddling" and the "roster decisions" they made. Well, so far, things have worked for both teams, because both GMs seemed to hire quality coaches (finally) and both teams have been building their talent pools and finally have playoff caliber rosters.

There's always more than can be done with the rosters, of course. And Pegula has little to nothing to do with either roster.
- TheSabresTaco

I'm not arguing your overall point, because for the most part I agree. But, I do believe they hired McDermott before Beane was hired. So in that case, they hired both the GM and the Coach.

I do think that it's all finally coming together, and it's not just those around Buffalo that have noticed, at least on the NFL side. There's been a lot of praise for what Beane/McDermott have done here nationally. And that was before this season even started.

Maybe we can get some more of those knee-slapping waitress jokes...
- jcragcrumple

(frank)ing, yawn. Tired of the misogyny, tired of the back and fourth Me (frank)ing Too arguments..

The Pegulas are directly responsible for the employment of all faculty and staff, other than the coach (somewhat) and pretty much the entire roster. Their "hand" in it is signing off on a questionable character, and signing the player contract once the GM has completed the deal.

I will never debate this. I would just like the same people who feel the need to bash the Pegulas (they play such a minimal role in personnel outside the GM) to give them a little credit. I don't really give a poop about the praise itself, I'm just exhausted from all the blaming and the "meddling" and the "roster decisions" they made. Well, so far, things have worked for both teams, because both GMs seemed to hire quality coaches (finally) and both teams have been building their talent pools and finally have playoff caliber rosters.

There's always more than can be done with the rosters, of course. And Pegula has little to nothing to do with either roster.
- TheSabresTaco

Amen, people love to bash the people who have little to do with anything

I'm not arguing your overall point, because for the most part I agree. But, I do believe they hired McDermott before Beane was hired. So in that case, they hired both the GM and the Coach.

I do think that it's all finally coming together, and it's not just those around Buffalo that have noticed, at least on the NFL side. There's been a lot of praise for what Beane/McDermott have done here nationally. And that was before this season even started.
- HonkFortheGoose

You're definitely right here. I'm unsure if they enlisted outside consultation, but they also employed Dougie Whaley, who I assume at that point was a front man at best. Normally, though, those decisions are done by the GM, and within this org especially, a group decision made by the GM, his staff, and the Pegulas.

You're definitely right here. I'm unsure if they enlisted outside consultation, but they also employed Dougie Whaley, who I assume at that point was a front man at best. Normally, though, those decisions are done by the GM, and within this org especially, a group decision made by the GM, his staff, and the Pegulas.
- TheSabresTaco

It's a rare occurrence. I think in this case, they had identified McDermott on their own. At that point it was a matter of finding a GM that would mesh well. No surprise that person came from the same organization and was extremely familiar.

I have 0 complaints about either hire.

Now to see if the Sabres can continue to be a legit NHL team. I'm expecting some regression because they can't keep up this pace. It would be historic so I know it's not going to happen. But, is it going to be a regression back to an NHL norm or are they going to plummet head first again? I'm leaning towards the fact that it's different this year, but we'll see. For now I'm just enjoying the ride.

I'm not arguing your overall point, because for the most part I agree. But, I do believe they hired McDermott before Beane was hired. So in that case, they hired both the GM and the Coach.

I do think that it's all finally coming together, and it's not just those around Buffalo that have noticed, at least on the NFL side. There's been a lot of praise for what Beane/McDermott have done here nationally. And that was before this season even started.
- HonkFortheGoose

The Bills have built the right way for the first time since 1989.

With the Sabres, you have two very smart management men overseeing the roster. They've already proven that they are capable of making acquisitions that won't damage the team short and long term. They've also set a base culture that the players can not only understand, but enjoy.

I look forward to the tweaks these teams make in the coming seasons. The Sabres OS promises to be extremely interesting. The core of the Bills will stay in tact, with the only presumed major loss to be Lo. Beane will keep a nice cushion of cap space for guys like Allen, White, Milano, Poyer and Dawkins.

The Sabres will be curious. Are Girgensons and Larsson retained if this line continues to dominate? What happens with Sheary and Vesey? One can presume the Sabres find a player who can play a talented version of Sobotka.

Long term future looks exciting. And for once, so does the short term.

It's a rare occurrence. I think in this case, they had identified McDermott on their own. At that point it was a matter of finding a GM that would mesh well. No surprise that person came from the same organization and was extremely familiar.

I have 0 complaints about either hire.

Now to see if the Sabres can continue to be a legit NHL team. I'm expecting some regression because they can't keep up this pace. It would be historic so I know it's not going to happen. But, is it going to be a regression back to an NHL norm or are they going to plummet head first again? I'm leaning towards the fact that it's different this year, but we'll see. For now I'm just enjoying the ride.
- HonkFortheGoose

Give this a gander. https://theathletic.com/1...s-10-game-winning-streak/

Ristolainen has been on the ice for just 39 more minutes 5 on 5 than Jokiharju, yet has had 6 more goals against than Jokiharju does.

It’s just a big coincidence, every, single, year.
- sbroads24

You know that I am in your corner when it comes to Ristolainen, but I think Jokiharju's success in that category comes from the fact that he is being used the way many of us wanted them to use Ristolainen in the first place. In other words, Jokiharju is allowing fewer goals because his minute usage is just right.

Ristolainen's metrics are nowhere near spectacular, and I do think that leaning on him and McCabe, the team's two worst possession defenders, is going to cost them some games down the road, but the fact of the matter is this. The team is 1st in the league in goal differential, 3rd in goals for, and 8th in the league in goals against. While Ristolainen is on ice for more goals against than others, the fact of the matter is that the team isn't getting scored on that much as a whole right now. Hopefully, as the season goes on, the coaching staff becomes more comfortable with Jokiharju and Dahlin in defending situations, and the minutes even out a bit.

Give this a gander. https://theathletic.com/1...s-10-game-winning-streak/
- TheSabresTaco

I read it. There's definitely some similarities and some differences. I'm cautiously optimistic. I think this is a different team, mostly because the transition game coming from the blueline has been improved again this season. Last year they were counting on Dahlin and Pilut for the most part in terms of transition. Dahlin has a year under his belt, Miller has been good and Jokiharju, while young like Dahlin, also has some NHL time under his belt too. It's made a world of difference.

Some will say Sobotka is playing well but 1 point in ten games is not second line material. I’d like to try the following

Olof/Eichel/Vesey
Skinner/Mojo/Reinhart
Sheary/Mitts/Thompson
Girgs/Larsson/Okposo-Sobotka

I regret backreading, but I think I can help both sides here.

We know what Risto is, but please observe this chart as I point out an observation, contextually.



We've placed Joker and Scandella in positions to succeed. Battling against average competition. Dahlin and Miller have primarily faced bottom 6 competition and have also managed to keep the puck out of the net, because they are able to clear the puck out and limit the high danger chances of the opposition.

Risto and McCabe are responsible for the opposition's best. They typically start in the DZ, and the fact of the matter is, these two, at least combined and probably individually, are incapable of sustained success in this role. Therefore, it's an expectation that these two will continue to see the brunt of the minus in +/-. "Talented" is a relative term, but it's been proven year after year that both of these players are incapable of defeating the competition they're put up against.
- TheSabresTaco

So you are saying
-Sabres don't CURRENTLY have Dmen who are true 1st Pairings
-McCabe and Risto as partners are elevated to Shut-down minutes while not having the skill-set to do so reliably, consistently

Seems Ralph likes to keep his D pairs together throughout the game...so it is natural that with Miller partnering with Dahlin, and Scandella with Jokihaju; that Miller and Scandella don't get to see the ice as often as McCabe and Risto when the opposing team's best players are on the ice offensively.

Makes me wonder that when M&R are on the ice with such defensive stallworth such as Karlson and Jumbo Joe why those guys don't get more high danger chances when playing with scrubs like Eichel and company as well.

Some will say Sobotka is playing well but 1 point in ten games is not second line material. I’d like to try the following

Olof/Eichel/Vesey
Skinner/Mojo/Reinhart
Sheary/Mitts/Thompson
Girgs/Larsson/Okposo-Sobotka
- lulags

WTF has goalof or vessey done to deserve 1st line 5v5
you know both guys have 2 5v5 poitns right?

8-1-1 and youre shaking up the lineup and lines

Time to grab some kindling.

I haven't seen a single person bash the Pegula's since game 1 of the NFL season.

People were more than ready to bash the (frank) out of them at every turn for poopty teams.

Are folks ready to praise them for good teams? Or are people going to pull the double standard card, it's only the banshee's fault when we suck but they have nothing to do with us being good.
- TheSabresTaco

My beef with Kimmie is their involvement in forcing trades of Kane and ROR thereby reducing the return. Other than that, I'm happy for the fans in Buffalo that their teams are safe from leaving due to financial reasons.

They seem to have finally hired the right management teams for both teams! Took a bit of trial and error, but they got there finally.

WTF has goalof or vessey done to deserve 1st line 5v5
- hubie

Not much, but I am strongly in favor of letting Olofsson play through this. The strength of his game, by a mile, is his shot. He just needs to find a way to get the puck in space to use it. That's not going to happen in the bottom six. Vesey does nothing for me up there. If anything, I swap Vesey for Sobotka, but even that doesn't really excite me.

I read it. There's definitely some similarities and some differences. I'm cautiously optimistic. I think this is a different team, mostly because the transition game coming from the blueline has been improved again this season. Last year they were counting on Dahlin and Pilut for the most part in terms of transition. Dahlin has a year under his belt, Miller has been good and Jokiharju, while young like Dahlin, also has some NHL time under his belt too. It's made a world of difference.
- HonkFortheGoose

We have to be.

I'd like to use the above as a tangent for the next point. I'll keep this short.

Scandella. Is he "good" now? Or has he been put into a position to succeed? Does coaching matter? Do partners matter? (yes). Do systems matter? What irks me about the analytics crowd is that there's no definitive way to say "this player sucks". It's just "this player sucks, on this team, in this system, with this partner, against this competition."

Not much, but I am strongly in favor of letting Olofsson play through this. The strength of his game, by a mile, is his shot. He just needs to find a way to get the puck in space to use it. That's not going to happen in the bottom six. Vesey does nothing for me up there. If anything, I swap Vesey for Sobotka, but even that doesn't really excite me.
- buffalofan19

I dont want to sound like a Sobo supporter but why shake up lines when they are working incredibly well.

So you are saying
-Sabres don't CURRENTLY have Dmen who are true 1st Pairings
-McCabe and Risto as partners are elevated to Shut-down minutes while not having the skill-set to do so reliably, consistently

Seems Ralph likes to keep his D pairs together throughout the game...so it is natural that with Miller partnering with Dahlin, and Scandella with Jokihaju; that Miller and Scandella don't get to see the ice as often as McCabe and Risto when the opposing team's best players are on the ice offensively.

Makes me wonder that when M&R are on the ice with such defensive stallworth such as Karlson and Jumbo Joe why those guys don't get more high danger chances when playing with scrubs like Eichel and company as well.
- IonSabres

I am not saying the first, but I am definitely saying the 2nd. The first is "undetermined" or "unproven".

We have to be.

I'd like to use the above as a tangent for the next point. I'll keep this short.

Scandella. Is he "good" now? Or has he been put into a position to succeed? Does coaching matter? Do partners matter? (yes). Do systems matter? What irks me about the analytics crowd is that there's no definitive way to say "this player sucks". It's just "this player sucks, on this team, in this system, with this partner, against this competition."
- TheSabresTaco

Agreed. As we've seen over the last 8ish years, you need a system, but the system has to fit the players too. We've seen Ted Nolan come in and just tell guys "go out and do what got you here" which works at times, but not long term. On the other end of the spectrum was Bylsma, who didn't seem to know how to set up a system that worked well with the players on the roster.

I'm not really sure what Housley was trying to do. Was it a system? It seemed like nobody was on the same page.

It seems we finally have a guy in place that realizes that yes, Xs and Os have a purpose in the game overall, but it's not the be all end all either. There's a structure, but it's been built around the players that are on the roster. It's been pretty refreshing. Things don't just collapse when it's not going right. They're managing to regroup and not lose their composure.