what if you tank for a decade and still lose?
- homiedclown

Still loser's basically. But hey what's the difference let's do it for a few more years and maybe that generational talent we might get will change everything. Let's ignore what you posted above about poopty management, what does that matter.

You're right. They just get outclassed by Boston constantly. Lot of skilled, savvy vets on that team.
- Powerslave

Pittsburgh too. And they didn't play against Tampa's speed, skill and goaltending nor the onslaught of the Leafs forward group. They had difficulties handling Washington's size.

Long way to go

I am going to post something stupid. So disclaimer:

After the Sabres fired Ralph .... I actually enjoyed this season. Obviously after Ralph. We were in last and wins didn’t mean anything to me.

But watching the kids grow up this year has been one heck of an enjoyable ride.

Dahlin, cozens, middlestadt, asplund, tage, Bryson, borgen etc.

By no means are the kids finished products but they gave me hope for a good core in place.

Add in Eichel
Add in a decent NHL goalie
Add in the 1st overall pick
Add in a real coach

And this team should be good to go for years to come.

Just my 2 cents.

Pittsburgh too. And they didn't play against Tampa's speed, skill and goaltending nor the onslaught of the Leafs forward group. They had difficulties handling Washington's size.

Long way to go
- Michael Pachla

All we can do is watch the off-season unfold. To be a fly on the wall downtown...

I am going to post something stupid. So disclaimer:

After the Sabres fired Ralph .... I actually enjoyed this season. Obviously after Ralph. We were in last and wins didn’t mean anything to me.

But watching the kids grow up this year has been one heck of an enjoyable ride.

Dahlin, cozens, middlestadt, asplund, tage, Bryson, borgen etc.

By no means are the kids finished products but they gave me hope for a good core in place.

Add in Eichel
Add in a decent NHL goalie
Add in the 1st overall pick
Add in a real coach

And this team should be good to go for years to come.

Just my 2 cents.
- Sabretooth9

Stop just stop, this kind of post is not allowed.

I am going to post something stupid. So disclaimer:

After the Sabres fired Ralph .... I actually enjoyed this season. Obviously after Ralph. We were in last and wins didn’t mean anything to me.

But watching the kids grow up this year has been one heck of an enjoyable ride.

Dahlin, cozens, middlestadt, asplund, tage, Bryson, borgen etc.

By no means are the kids finished products but they gave me hope for a good core in place.

Add in Eichel
Add in a decent NHL goalie
Add in the 1st overall pick
Add in a real coach

And this team should be good to go for years to come.

Just my 2 cents.
- Sabretooth9

I don't think this is stupid at all. On paper, you're probably not wrong.

I still think they need some veteran sandpaper (no, not face-punchers, for those in the "patty-cake crowd").

You're right. They just get outclassed by Boston constantly. Lot of skilled, savvy vets on that team.
- Powerslave

And it isn't just Boston...wait until next year, I believe that is what Jack is thinking...
Tampa
Toronto
Florida
Boston
Montreal
Washington
Carolina
Pittsburgh
Islanders
Rangers

Up and coming Ottawa team.

Does he see a clear path to the Playoffs next season?

I am going to post something stupid. So disclaimer:

After the Sabres fired Ralph .... I actually enjoyed this season. Obviously after Ralph. We were in last and wins didn’t mean anything to me.

But watching the kids grow up this year has been one heck of an enjoyable ride.

Dahlin, cozens, middlestadt, asplund, tage, Bryson, borgen etc.

By no means are the kids finished products but they gave me hope for a good core in place.

Add in Eichel
Add in a decent NHL goalie
Add in the 1st overall pick
Add in a real coach

And this team should be good to go for years to come.

Just my 2 cents.
- Sabretooth9

same was said after disco dan was hired

same was said after disco dan was fired

same was said when phil was hired

same was said when phil was fired

same was said when ralph was hired

Think I am gonna drop a 100 on Rousseau to win DROY of the year, coming of at +1600.

And it isn't just Boston...wait until next year, I believe that is what Jack is thinking...
Tampa
Toronto
Florida
Boston
Montreal
Washington
Carolina
Pittsburgh
Islanders
Rangers

Up and coming Ottawa team.

Does he see a clear path to the Playoffs next season?
- IonSabres

Jack could get traded to New Jersey or Anaheim. He should be careful what he wishes for.

I don't think this is stupid at all. On paper, you're probably not wrong.

I still think they need some veteran sandpaper (no, not face-punchers, for those in the "patty-cake crowd").
- Powerslave

Did this season show a bit that bringing in those veteran players ended up blocking playing time for much impactful young players?

My point: You need to be very, very careful in which veteran players you target because most are more name recognition then on ice substance.

same was said after disco dan was hired

same was said after disco dan was fired

same was said when phil was hired

same was said when phil was fired

same was said when ralph was hired
- homiedclown

As a fan, that's all you can do.

Losing has really been built into the culture of this board

Did this season show a bit that bringing in those veteran players ended up blocking playing time for much impactful young players?

My point: You need to be very, very careful in which veteran players you target because most are more name recognition then on ice substance.
- kingcong39

Have to be the right vets, obviously. Or maybe just that one guy. We definitely didn't bring in the right ones (Staal).

Losing has really been built into the culture of this board
- Buff36

Great post.

You're right. They just get outclassed by Boston constantly. Lot of skilled, savvy vets on that team.
- Powerslave

A huge part of the outclassed component, which was infrequent aside from the last game under Donny Meatballs, is the pathetic state of the goaltending.

If they had one competent goaltender, they would look much better on a game by game basis, let alone if they had 2 competent goaltenders.

Think I am gonna drop a 100 on Rousseau to win DROY of the year, coming of at +1600.
- Buff36

Parsons probably gets 140 tackles for cowboys or more


gonna be tough to beat him

Have to be the right vets, obviously. Or maybe just that one guy. We definitely didn't bring in the right ones (Staal).
- Powerslave

Staal, Eakin, Rieder, etc: How many have really had a positive impact? You could say none and be accurate.

That's a big problem, and it's league wide regarding how teams assess veteran free agents.

I believe a part of the problem is teams believe they need players for very specific roles despite those players not being good at much if anything else.

A huge part of the outclassed component, which was infrequent aside from the last game under Donny Meatballs, is the pathetic state of the goaltending.

If they had one competent goaltender, they would look much better on a game by game basis, let alone if they had 2 competent goaltenders.
- kingcong39

They have one. He can't ever stay healthy. I can't commit, what, $5 a year to him? Yikes. Time to move on, imo.

Parsons probably gets 140 tackles for cowboys or more


gonna be tough to beat him
- homiedclown

True, but made a little unexpected cash betting on another team, so why not.

They have one. He can't ever stay healthy. I can't commit, what, $5 a year to him? Yikes. Time to move on, imo.
- Powerslave

They don't have one if he's never fully healthy, which is I believe your point.

The decision to go with an injury prone number 1A and a horrible backup for this season is yet another in a long line of poop decisions by the team.

Losing has really been built into the culture of this board
- Buff36

Wow. Truer words were never spoken.

Staal, Eakin, Rieder, etc: How many have really had a positive impact? You could say none and be accurate.

That's a big problem, and it's league wide regarding how teams assess veteran free agents.

I believe a part of the problem is teams believe they need players for very specific roles despite those players not being good at much if anything else.
- kingcong39

I don't know why I did, but I expected better from Eakin. Hopefully they just buy his ass out or bury him. Won't cost much.

And you're right on Rieder. He's not who I think of when I think about the "right" vet. I want someone from a winning organization that knows what it takes. That guy that'll do anything to win. Someone, who, when he speaks, the room shuts the hell up. But he has to be able to play hockey, too. They'll be in tough to attract a guy like that. Maybe they won't be able to. Might have to create your own leadership.

See

Washington Capitals.
Colts Indianapolis
Miami Dolphins
Cleveland Browns
Houston Astros
Cleveland Indians

I can continue to find teams that decided being bad now was great for the future and it worked.

Buffalo is extremly inept and continued to hire the wrong people and have awful owners.

Tanking and Rebuilding are the same damn thing, one just sounds better.
- ImThatGuy

When did the dollphins do this?

They don't have one if he's never fully healthy, which is I believe your point.

The decision to go with an injury prone number 1A and a horrible backup for this season is yet another in a long line of poop decisions by the team.
- kingcong39

That line is very long, and continues to get longer.
Quinn at 8? Maybe, but boy did they set themselves up for 2nd guessing.