There's quite a division of opinion, between "Hire a guy right now" and "Hire a guy in the offseason"

I'm in the latter, I feel it's more prudent to work with a bigger pool.

However, if you truly love one of those guys available right now, I don't see the point in waiting.
- TheSabresTaco

We shall see, see if we hear about any quarantine news

Nice man, Ralph is.

But this needed to happen.
Full stop.

Personally, I wish Ralph well in his future endeavors.
This just wasn't the right fit at the right time for him for whatever reason.

I just would like to wish him well.
He's not the only problem here as we all know.
This problem runs deeper than just the head coach.
- Over50

People react emotionally and pined heavily for his canning, and chucked insults at him. I've personally said "(frank) you Ralph" about 100x.

But now that he's gone, I wish him the best. We all know he's a good man, but he comes up way, way short to be leading an NHL bench.

You know what else?

Good on them for recognizing that Steve Smith was ruining our good young D men (Dahlin, Joker).

should be a complete house cleaning..
- gordong

How many more people are in the house?

This place is just a frat house once the party disperses.

You know what else?

Good on them for recognizing that Steve Smith was ruining our good young D men (Dahlin, Joker).
- Powerslave

This should have happened ten games into the season. It didn't take a dedicated fan to see most of the players regressing into oblivion.

You know what else?

Good on them for recognizing that Steve Smith was ruining our good young D men (Dahlin, Joker).
- Powerslave

Amen to this.... but seriously why did this take so long as well.

Reportedly Granato, Ellis and Girardi won't get raises, but they will get an additional 10% off at 716......
- jcragcrumple

Fixed

Reportedly Granato, Ellis and Girardi won't get raises, but they will get an additional 10% off at the Sabres store
- jcragcrumple

Oh my

If you are really sticking with Kevyn and are not bringing in an AGM or consultant... there is no reason not to have discussions with the coaches on the sidelines.

- Gr8daygo

Sure, but you're limiting yourself because half of the people you might want to talk to aren't available right now.

Fixed
- dadeadhead

OH MY

I think how the team plays in the next game will speak volumes as to how the players thought of the coach. I don't think it is any coincidence that this went to a new level of awfulness when Skinner was benched.

Cammi Cammi Cammi

I think how the team plays in the next game will speak volumes as to how the players thought of the coach. I don't think it is any coincidence that this went to a new level of awfulness when Skinner was benched.
- Slump Buster

They have zero practice team (more or less) so I'll be looking for steady, hopefully minor improvement throughout the rest of the season. Namely, I hope Girardi can get Dahlin back on track.

I hope to Christ that PSE does what they did during their NFL searches and don't get hoodwinked by another magic bean salesman like Rex and Ralph, and find a quality, experienced coach. If it's Leaman, fine whatever. Just make sure it's the right (frank)ing guy who actually knows how to teach hockey.

Sure, but you're limiting yourself because half of the people you might want to talk to aren't available right now.
- Slump Buster

I didn’t say hire them. I said talk to them... if one of them blows you outta the water and is clearly “your guy”. Then make the move. But talking to no one until the end of the season when the pool will be larger but there will be more openings as well, is not the best move.

I know they can’t talk to NHL people but could they put feelers out to say college coaches or Swedish coaches? I am assuming they all have agents? Does Kevyn reach out to an agent and say, we have an opening a we are interested in your client when available, does he have interest? Can those calls start?

They have zero practice team (more or less) so I'll be looking for steady, hopefully minor improvement throughout the rest of the season. Namely, I hope Girardi can get Dahlin back on track.

I hope to Christ that PSE does what they did during their NFL searches and don't get hoodwinked by another magic bean salesman like Rex and Ralph.
- TheSabresTaco

If I were the coaches I would just tell them to go out and and have fun and not worry about it. The best thing they can do for confidence and trade value is to have them scoring and playing free and easy.

I didn’t say hire them. I said talk to them... if one of them blows you outta the water and is clearly “your guy”. Then make the move. But talking to no one until the end of the season when the pool will be larger but there will be more openings as well, is not the best move.

I know they can’t talk to NHL people but could they put feelers out to say college coaches or Swedish coaches? I am assuming they all have agents? Does Kevyn reach out to an agent and say, we have an opening a we are interested in your client when available, does he have interest? Can those calls start?
- Gr8daygo

I think they already are. Vogl said his source was someone close to a free agent coach.

They have zero practice team (more or less) so I'll be looking for steady, hopefully minor improvement throughout the rest of the season. Namely, I hope Girardi can get Dahlin back on track.

I hope to Christ that PSE does what they did during their NFL searches and don't get hoodwinked by another magic bean salesman like Rex and Ralph, and find a quality, experienced coach. If it's Leaman, fine whatever. Just make sure it's the right (frank)ing guy who actually knows how to teach hockey.
- TheSabresTaco

https://giphy.com/gifs/bu...squarepants-qL2kQFdyzApRS

John Brown goes to the Raiders for one year. Sorry Smoke. Love you.

1/3.75 and up to 5.5

And the first call to GR - the problem with the team is guys not being able to finish their checks and be gritty.

They have zero practice team (more or less) so I'll be looking for steady, hopefully minor improvement throughout the rest of the season. Namely, I hope Girardi can get Dahlin back on track.

I hope to Christ that PSE does what they did during their NFL searches and don't get hoodwinked by another magic bean salesman like Rex and Ralph, and find a quality, experienced coach. If it's Leaman, fine whatever. Just make sure it's the right (frank)ing guy who actually knows how to teach hockey.
- TheSabresTaco

It will also help if the new guy can recognize the players on the team and how’d he utilize them in a system for the players.

It would also be helpful if the coach and gm have the same vision for what makes a Buffalo Sabres and they type of team they want to be...

They don’t have to look far to see the synergy between Bean and McD and they type of player they look for... Adams (although I’d like to see a strong AGM with him) needs to find his McD....

And the first call to GR - the problem with the team is guys not being able to finish their checks and be gritty.
- Slump Buster

Well wonder who made that call

I think they already are. Vogl said his source was someone close to a free agent coach.
- Slump Buster

Good to hear... and I still wouldn’t be upset with a Gallant or BBQ Bruce... I know retread. Blah blah blah. But also proven. At least they’d right the ship and have had some success... I’d be happy with competent behind the bench right now...

I don't care when they hire the new guy. Just, for once in their miserable lives, make the right (frank)ing hire.

What coach would take this job until they knew what was going on with Jack

I don't care when they hire the new guy. Just, for once in their miserable lives, make the right (frank)ing hire.
- TheSabresTaco

That's it right there