Michael Pachla: Dean Lombardi shouldn't be dismissed out of hand

My first FIRST!

.......

Ben Bishop anybody ??

Ben Bishop anybody ??
- 22sabresQ

Goaltender was really not an issue with the exception of shootouts, Defense was horrible. Fix the D, goaltender numbers are even better then last year.

Goaltender was really not an issue with the exception of shootouts, Defense was horrible. Fix the D, goaltender numbers are even better then last year.
- hehateme

Agreed. Fix the Defense and get the dead weight off the 3rd and 4th lines. That would help alot!!

I would prefer Lombardi as VP Ops with a younger GM whom he can mentor. However, I am OK with Lombardi as GM if it turns out that way. Interesting to speculate but I wonder what the Sabres would look like today if he was made GM instead of Murray back when Regier was fired.

I think it would be safe to say that if you are able to put your trust in Dean, you'll be getter a smarter version regarding how far blind loyalty will take him. I don't see him making that career altering mistake again.

I think it would be safe to say that if you are able to put your trust in Dean, you'll be getter a smarter version regarding how far blind loyalty will take him. I don't see him making that career altering mistake again.
- Stu17

similar things were said of bylsma.

I think it would be safe to say that if you are able to put your trust in Dean, you'll be getter a smarter version regarding how far blind loyalty will take him. I don't see him making that career altering mistake again.
- Stu17

I am for one totally fine with Lombardi. In fact if Mickey Mouse built a 2 time Cup winner I would be all for him too.

I think DL's stance is yes I blew a team up but I got two cups from it...anyone in Buffalo would sign up for two cups if that meant salary cap jail for a bit. I think he semi-lucked into that situation.

Stay away from Dean and go after someone else for president of ops and someone new for GM. Once the GM is decided coach options become much clearer

I think DL's stance is yes I blew a team up but I got two cups from it...anyone in Buffalo would sign up for two cups if that meant salary cap jail for a bit. I think he semi-lucked into that situation.

Stay away from Dean and go after someone else for president of ops and someone new for GM. Once the GM is decided coach options become much clearer
- Beezer33

Good lord, I would sign up in a second for 2 cups, hell one cup and then cap jail for 5 years.... I would bet an extremely large portion of Buffalo fans would..

I could get in line with Lombardi being Pres./V.P. of hockey ops, but I would really like to see Paul Fenton from Nashville as GM, he has learned from one of the best in David Poile, They have managed their cap pretty well, he is part of a management group that recognizes good Defensemen, and he seems poised to take the next step. We have a fair amount of young players that need the time to mature their game and learn how to be a Pro (Jack Included). I would really like someone to come in and let the young kids run, just like the leafs did. Maybe Fenton would be interested in bringing Housley in as coach with a couple of veteran coaches to help as assistants. I don't think it's right to constantly criticize players who are in their first or second years as not being any good, when sometimes it takes a little longer to find their games.

Well said

Goaltender was really not an issue with the exception of shootouts, Defense was horrible. Fix the D, goaltender numbers are even better then last year.
- hehateme

So you don't think Bishop is an upgrade over Lehner ?

So you don't think Bishop is an upgrade over Lehner ?
- 22sabresQ

Ugh... I was almost going to say that Murray would never go for it.

But, I guess if we could sign Bishop to a reasonable contract and then flipped Lehner for an asset, maybe a 2nd rounder, it might not be a bad option.

So you don't think Bishop is an upgrade over Lehner ?
- 22sabresQ

if i am paying bishop 6.5-7 mil and lehner 3.5-4.. hell no. i would rather have lehner and keep that money for defense

Ugh... I was almost going to say that Murray would never go for it.

But, I guess if we could sign Bishop to a reasonable contract and then flipped Lehner for an asset, maybe a 2nd rounder, it might not be a bad option.
- sskkoo1

on the free market i would guess bishop makes 6-7 mil. no way is he worth that if lehner is in the 4 mil range

on the free market i would guess bishop makes 6-7 mil. no way is he worth that if lehner is in the 4 mil range
- IndianaSabresFan

Way too much for Bishop

similar things were said of bylsma.
- Sabresfan-365

Disco Dan will be missed.

on the free market i would guess bishop makes 6-7 mil. no way is he worth that if lehner is in the 4 mil range
- IndianaSabresFan

Agreed. Way too much.

So you don't think Bishop is an upgrade over Lehner ?
- 22sabresQ

I don't think he is, the shootout problem is way over blown, Lehner stopped breakaways during the season, and not for nothing, the team did not score a single goal for him either during those shootouts. maybe a lead would have given him confidence.

As I sit here today, my ideal forward lineup for next year looks something like this,
Nylander-Eichel-Baptiste
Kane-O'Reilly-Okposo
Carrier-Reinhart-Fasching
Foligno-Larsson-Rodrigues
Girgensons-Bailey
It's time for some these kids to show what they got, there is talent there, it just needs to be nurtured.

As I sit here today, my ideal forward lineup for next year looks something like this,
Nylander-Eichel-Baptiste
Kane-O'Reilly-Okposo
Carrier-Reinhart-Fasching
Foligno-Larsson-Rodrigues
Girgensons-Bailey
It's time for some these kids to show what they got, there is talent there, it just needs to be nurtured.
- macman9

Larsson will be gone IMO. I like him, but the bottom of the lineup needs speed