Michael Pachla: No room for sentiment, Ted Nolan fired. Plus 2014-15 Team Stats--Final

I feel bad for Nolan but I'm definitely excited about a new coach, especially if the Babcock rumors have any truth.

Love what Nolan stands for, but I do face the facts that there are better coaches out there and this will be a great summer to get an amazing coach. It is really sad that in most sports they fire the coach and the "new" coach get a high draft pick right away, but that is how it works. At least Nolan gets paid for the next 2 years to do what he wants!

Michael Pachla: No room for sentiment, Ted Nolan fired. Plus 2014-15 Team Stats--Final
- Michael Pachla

Good blog, interesting points about Nolan and the "rag-tag" bunch, but I cant agree with it.

Nolan is not a good NHL hockey coach. He could be a good life coach. Heck even a good Junior coach. At this level you need more than just a ra-ra motivator, and Nolan is not that. It seemed a lot of the time, the players just looked lost, like they were not sure where they were supposed to be. That comes from having a weak (or lack of) system in place.

You can play as motivated as you want, but when a team scouts you and find ways to exploit what you have, you have to adjust. The Sabres did not appear to do that all year.

This team was bad all year, by far the worst team in hockey. Ted was the coach of that team. Nolan being fired should not really be a shock. The more and more i hear it all makes more sense.

Nolan was defiant in the end and had this team on the verge of blowing a 2 year plan. I'm glad he's gone. Cute little hard working coach, but not the right man for a franchise on the verge of a dynasty. The last thing I want is him benching Eichel for some nonsense reason and creating a rift in the organization.

Good blog, interesting points about Nolan and the "rag-tag" bunch, but I cant agree with it.

Nolan is not a good NHL hockey coach. He could be a good life coach. Heck even a good Junior coach. At this level you need more than just a ra-ra motivator, and Nolan is not that. It seemed a lot of the time, the players just looked lost, like they were not sure where they were supposed to be. That comes from having a weak (or lack of) system in place.

You can play as motivated as you want, but when a team scouts you and find ways to exploit what you have, you have to adjust. The Sabres did not appear to do that all year.

This team was bad all year, by far the worst team in hockey. Ted was the coach of that team. Nolan being fired should not really be a shock. The more and more i hear it all makes more sense.


- ImThatGuy

that's fine...the season's over and time to move forward

Nolan was defiant in the end and had this team on the verge of blowing a 2 year plan. I'm glad he's gone. Cute little hard working coach, but not the right man for a franchise on the verge of a dynasty. The last thing I want is him benching Eichel for some nonsense reason and creating a rift in the organization.
- puppa on you

am of the opinion that a man like him might deserve a little more respect, but that's just me

that's fine...the season's over and time to move forward
- Michael Pachla

Agreed, and thankfully so.

Sabres trade Myers and now he's a "burgeoning superstar" ???
That's a Garth-like exaggeration but its cool since your blogs are typically top notch.
Raw or un-raw...Nolan had to go...everyone knew it...the new coach should be better. I'm liking Murray's approach so far...keep it up Timmy.

Solid read as always Mike.


Have to say though, if Timmy ends up hiring his boy Luke Richardson, is he any better than Lafontaine hiring Nolan?

If they're canning Nolan for a clear upgrade that's just business but I hope they don't make a "lateral" move if that makes any sense.

Good blog, interesting points about Nolan and the "rag-tag" bunch, but I cant agree with it.

Nolan is not a good NHL hockey coach. He could be a good life coach. Heck even a good Junior coach. At this level you need more than just a ra-ra motivator, and Nolan is not that. It seemed a lot of the time, the players just looked lost, like they were not sure where they were supposed to be. That comes from having a weak (or lack of) system in place.

You can play as motivated as you want, but when a team scouts you and find ways to exploit what you have, you have to adjust. The Sabres did not appear to do that all year.

This team was bad all year, by far the worst team in hockey. Ted was the coach of that team. Nolan being fired should not really be a shock. The more and more i hear it all makes more sense.


- ImThatGuy

That's quite common with very young team, and Gionta wasn't going to make any difference on that matter. It was a recipe for failure for Nolan and sad for him. That said, a lot of great candidates will be available this summer. Getting one of McDavid/Eichel will be a great boost as well. On a miscellanous note, i really like Makarov, he will be your starter within the next 2 years.

seems like a divisive day.

that's fine...the season's over and time to move forward
- Michael Pachla

+1, it baffles me the amount of people who wanted hime to have another season. Why wouldnt you want to bring in a better coach. Murray didnt even hire him so its not like he has loyalty to him. Bring in the best so we can have a winner.
People say oh well he developed our D corps........ he developed Risto or is it the fact that he just played better with time in the league.

If he was a good coach hell find a gig but as history shows hell be back to coach Latvia.

That's quite common with very young team, and Gionta wasn't going to make any difference on that matter. It was a recipe for failure for Nolan and sad for him. That said, a lot of great candidates will be available this summer. Getting one of McDavid/Eichel will be a great boost as well. On a miscellanous note, i really like Makarov, he will be your starter within the next 2 years.
- Habsody

he looked alright in his one game this season.. but he has some work left to do.. i don't know that he will ever be that great of a goalie..

Sabres trade Myers and now he's a "burgeoning superstar" ???
That's a Garth-like exaggeration but its cool since your blogs are typically top notch.
Raw or un-raw...Nolan had to go...everyone knew it...the new coach should be better. I'm liking Murray's approach so far...keep it up Timmy.
- siket71

I agree with liking Murray's approach.

He has a plan. That is blatantly obvious. Heck, I'm sure he has plans B, C, D and E, too.

Plan your work and work your plan, but be able to change on the fly.

And his succinctness - such a breath of fresh air from Darcy's "talk in circles until the interviewer forgot what he initially asked" approach - made me an instant fan.

I like the trades he's made. And I like the fact that he's shown that he's not afraid to pay dearly for what he wants.

he looked alright in his one game this season.. but he has some work left to do.. i don't know that he will ever be that great of a goalie..
- IndianaSabresFan

He has great reflexes, strong lateral movement and i fine size. As long as he doesn't get more then 25-30 starts per season the next 2 years his development should be fine.

Solid read as always Mike.


Have to say though, if Timmy ends up hiring his boy Luke Richardson, is he any better than Lafontaine hiring Nolan?

If they're canning Nolan for a clear upgrade that's just business but I hope they don't make a "lateral" move if that makes any sense.
- Sabresfan-365

I know the3y have lots of history, but what players did he directly help improve? I mean I know they have a lot of good youth recently but what did he directly do

Sabres trade Myers and now he's a "burgeoning superstar" ???
That's a Garth-like exaggeration but its cool since your blogs are typically top notch.
Raw or un-raw...Nolan had to go...everyone knew it...the new coach should be better. I'm liking Murray's approach so far...keep it up Timmy.
- siket71

appreciate the reed...yeah, might have been a little garth-like...but myers has found his calder-form since being traded to Winnipeg...and he's just entering his prime...therefore, expectations are heightened...

I know the3y have lots of history, but what players did he directly help improve? I mean I know they have a lot of good youth recently but what did he directly do
- hubie

That's what im wondering as well. He too the AHL sens to the playoffs last year and i think they had Stone, Hoffman and Zibanejad on that team. Does he get or even deserve credit for any of those guys?

Solid read as always Mike.


Have to say though, if Timmy ends up hiring his boy Luke Richardson, is he any better than Lafontaine hiring Nolan?

If they're canning Nolan for a clear upgrade that's just business but I hope they don't make a "lateral" move if that makes any sense.
- Sabresfan-365

Richardson is untested at the nhl-level, so we can't be sure how he'll end up...in saying that, I look at the sens organization and how Richardson has done in binghamton, and the homegrown players that have come up through the ranks...

pretty impressive

That's what im wondering as well. He too the AHL sens to the playoffs last year and i think they had Stone, Hoffman and Zibanejad on that team. Does he get or even deserve credit for any of those guys?
- Sabresfan-365

exactly, is it him or did they just draft well. Radio last night someone wanted Bylsma.... why what did he do what 1 cup with a stacked team

Freaky...I've seen 83 game seasons before, but Yandle played 84 this year.

+1, it baffles me the amount of people who wanted hime to have another season. Why wouldnt you want to bring in a better coach. Murray didnt even hire him so its not like he has loyalty to him. Bring in the best so we can have a winner.
People say oh well he developed our D corps........ he developed Risto or is it the fact that he just played better with time in the league.

If he was a good coach hell find a gig but as history shows hell be back to coach Latvia.
- hubie

False

Solid read as always Mike.


Have to say though, if Timmy ends up hiring his boy Luke Richardson, is he any better than Lafontaine hiring Nolan?

If they're canning Nolan for a clear upgrade that's just business but I hope they don't make a "lateral" move if that makes any sense.
- Sabresfan-365

He has a history with Babcock, too. Although I still believe Detroit keeps him.

I wish McClellan had more playoff success. I like him as a coach.

He has great reflexes, strong lateral movement and i fine size. As long as he doesn't get more then 25-30 starts per season the next 2 years his development should be fine.
- Habsody

inconsistent, which is typical...been told he's still letting in too many bad goals...less than last season, but still too many...then again, he's still a pup