Michael Pachla: Of the Buffalo Sabres present 28th place standing. Plus some prospect stats

First, oh boy!

First, oh boy!
- LandlordTom

well done, tom

Hello friends.

Hello friends.
- mhp

howdy

Nice read. I, for one, don't like to "blame" too much. I have enough of that amongst my wife, mom, and child in my life to go around. I do not mind if we are in stealth tank mode, or end up picking top-five for whatever reason. Bylsma is doing a nice job so far, imo. Maybe a little too conservative at times, especially with a lead, but that's wise when you don't have a ton of firepower on your side.

I'm very glad we have few shootouts, cuz we stink and Dan's choices are baffling.

Nice read. I, for one, don't like to "blame" too much. I have enough of that amongst my wife, mom, and child in my life to go around. I do not mind if we are in stealth tank mode, or end up picking top-five for whatever reason. Bylsma is doing a nice job so far, imo. Maybe a little too conservative at times, especially with a lead, but that's wise when you don't have a ton of firepower on your side.

I'm very glad we have few shootouts, cuz we stink and Dan's choices are baffling.
- LandlordTom

am looking for a big jump next season where the critique will become more harsh

Hello friends.
- mhp

In my view I think Bylsma tends to over analyze his decisions too much and seems too robotic in his approach. He's a slightly better version of Ron Rolston in that sense. And that's not saying much. He has to stop with the Gionta love.

Hiring Bylsma was a Pegula move, not a Murray decision imo. He wanted a brand name. He should have hired John Hynes.

Bylsma should let Dave Barr make the decisions in the shootouts. Eichel, skunk and ROR should have been the choices. EKane would be good in the 4th/5th rd. Heck, I'd use Moulson before Kane (Oh boy)..

In my view I think Bylsma tends to over analyze his decisions too much and seems too robotic in his approach. He's a slightly better version of Ron Rolston in that sense. And that's not saying much. He has to stop with the Gionta love.

Hiring Bylsma was a Pegula move, not a Murray decision imo. He wanted a brand name. He should have hired John Hynes.

Bylsma should let Dave Barr make the decisions in the shootouts. Eichel, skunk and ROR should have been the choices. EKane would be good in the 4th/5th rd. Heck, I'd use Moulson before Kane (Oh boy)..
- mhp

the "Gionta love" is baffling although I do like him on the third line...Moulson has the best shootout percentage amongst Sabres dating back to the 2012-13 season

the "Gionta love" is baffling although I do like him on the third line...Moulson has the best shootout percentage amongst Sabres dating back to the 2012-13 season
- Michael Pachla

I didn't realize that about Moulson. Throw him in the shootout then. If he scores he'll get some badly needed confidence. This team needs goals and looking to next season I would sign Boedker and draft Patrik Laine.

We have more regulation wins than 9 teams, including Philly and Detroit, and are tied with 2 others, including Jersey. I like my team to roll that way rather than the Nolan-esque method of hanging on, not trying to win, and hoping for OT and some loser points.

This team is better than its record.

The nattering nabobs of negativism be damned. (Credit Spiro Agnew).

This team is better than its record.

The nattering nabobs of negativism be damned. (Credit Spiro Agnew).
- Der Kaiser

They have made progress this year Schultzie, no question. A top 5 pick in the draft and then a trade to get back into the 1st rd would be good. My boy Lenner looks pretty stellar though. They are more entertaining this year, and they've played well on the road, and that's a positive.

I'm more than okay with the silent tank, we still have holes to plug.

This year was supposed to be about growth, and I think we exceeded expectations. We may be in a six-way tie for last place, but we are still on par with 5 other teams that were infinitely better than us last year. The growth of our young players has been great and if we can still land a top 4 draft pick to add to the roster, than this year will have been a huge success regardless of our final record.

Ugh!

Another comparison to the team last year. As if it means something to be better than a team that was designed to tank. All I hear are people trying to justify that we aren't as bad as a team that was put together with the goal of finishing last to get Eichel or McDavid. Terrible argument, terrible take.

Posts arguing that we have more regulation wins than teams ahead of us in the standings, as if that matters.

The fact is that we traded away two first round picks, the 31st overall in the second, Armia, Compher, Grigorenko, Zadorov and Myers for players that are supposed to make us better now.

We added Eichel, Reinhart, O'Reilly, Kane, McGinn, McCabe, Pysyk Franson and we are still tied for last place.

Time to stop making excuses. Time to stop making arguments that we are better because we stand better than a historically bad team designed to tank. This falls on management and coaching and Pegula.

The expectations are too low from so many. We gave up a lot of our assets and future for players who are supposed to make us better now. If being tied for last place, but having more points than a team designed to tank, is your idea of improvement, then you need to raise your expectations.

This team is better than its record.

The nattering nabobs of negativism be damned. (Credit Spiro Agnew).
- Der Kaiser

It absolutely is. Still doesn't make them good though.

14-13-3 in the final 30 games.

Ugh!

Another comparison to the team last year. As if it means something to be better than a team that was designed to tank. All I hear are people trying to justify that we aren't as bad as a team that was put together with the goal of finishing last to get Eichel or McDavid. Terrible argument, terrible take.

Posts arguing that we have more regulation wins than teams ahead of us in the standings, as if that matters.

The fact is that we traded away two first round picks, the 31st overall in the second, Armia, Compher, Grigorenko, Zadorov and Myers for players that are supposed to make us better now.

We added Eichel, Reinhart, O'Reilly, Kane, McGinn, McCabe, Pysyk Franson and we are still tied for last place.

Time to stop making excuses. Time to stop making arguments that we are better because we stand better than a historically bad team designed to tank. This falls on management and coaching and Pegula.

The expectations are too low from so many. We gave up a lot of our assets and future for players who are supposed to make us better now. If being tied for last place, but having more points than a team designed to tank, is your idea of improvement, then you need to raise your expectations.
- SabresPanacea

They are also tied for 25th...

Ugh!

Another comparison to the team last year. As if it means something to be better than a team that was designed to tank. All I hear are people trying to justify that we aren't as bad as a team that was put together with the goal of finishing last to get Eichel or McDavid. Terrible argument, terrible take.

Posts arguing that we have more regulation wins than teams ahead of us in the standings, as if that matters.

The fact is that we traded away two first round picks, the 31st overall in the second, Armia, Compher, Grigorenko, Zadorov and Myers for players that are supposed to make us better now.

We added Eichel, Reinhart, O'Reilly, Kane, McGinn, McCabe, Pysyk Franson and we are still tied for last place.

Time to stop making excuses. Time to stop making arguments that we are better because we stand better than a historically bad team designed to tank. This falls on management and coaching and Pegula.

The expectations are too low from so many. We gave up a lot of our assets and future for players who are supposed to make us better now. If being tied for last place, but having more points than a team designed to tank, is your idea of improvement, then you need to raise your expectations.
- SabresPanacea

Of course I'll accede to the fact that last years team was built to lose, but I think you're missing the point being that the growth on this new team ( in year one) has already managed to catch up to teams like Cal, Win, Edm, Col who have been building their rosters for quite some time.

Ugh!

Another comparison to the team last year. As if it means something to be better than a team that was designed to tank. All I hear are people trying to justify that we aren't as bad as a team that was put together with the goal of finishing last to get Eichel or McDavid. Terrible argument, terrible take.

Posts arguing that we have more regulation wins than teams ahead of us in the standings, as if that matters.

The fact is that we traded away two first round picks, the 31st overall in the second, Armia, Compher, Grigorenko, Zadorov and Myers for players that are supposed to make us better now.

We added Eichel, Reinhart, O'Reilly, Kane, McGinn, McCabe, Pysyk Franson and we are still tied for last place.

Time to stop making excuses. Time to stop making arguments that we are better because we stand better than a historically bad team designed to tank. This falls on management and coaching and Pegula.

The expectations are too low from so many. We gave up a lot of our assets and future for players who are supposed to make us better now. If being tied for last place, but having more points than a team designed to tank, is your idea of improvement, then you need to raise your expectations.
- SabresPanacea

You say that people shouldn't compare this years team to last years because last years team was designed to lose. ( A valid point)

But than you go on to judge Murray's trades as to how much better they were to makes us. Make us better as opposed to what, last years team?

I'm just happy it's not July and we're going through withdrawal from hockey.

I love this team no matter where they are in the standings.

I'll go back into hiding now...

PS: Nice blog Mike

Ugh!

Another comparison to the team last year. As if it means something to be better than a team that was designed to tank. All I hear are people trying to justify that we aren't as bad as a team that was put together with the goal of finishing last to get Eichel or McDavid. Terrible argument, terrible take.

Posts arguing that we have more regulation wins than teams ahead of us in the standings, as if that matters.

The fact is that we traded away two first round picks, the 31st overall in the second, Armia, Compher, Grigorenko, Zadorov and Myers for players that are supposed to make us better now.

We added Eichel, Reinhart, O'Reilly, Kane, McGinn, McCabe, Pysyk Franson and we are still tied for last place.

Time to stop making excuses. Time to stop making arguments that we are better because we stand better than a historically bad team designed to tank. This falls on management and coaching and Pegula.

The expectations are too low from so many. We gave up a lot of our assets and future for players who are supposed to make us better now. If being tied for last place, but having more points than a team designed to tank, is your idea of improvement, then you need to raise your expectations.
- SabresPanacea

1-Your opinion
2-I was making a point that I like winning in regulation more than getting loser points by hanging on to OT, a la Ted Nolan. Winning more in regulation than a team in the playoff picture tells me we are not too far off
3-We are better now
4-No, we're not
5-NO. Maybe you should stop moaning about the past and come up with something that the team could or should be doing now.
6-Your opinion, again
7-Don't tell me what I need to do

A Polish blessing: may your poop come to life, and kiss you.

1-Your opinion
2-I was making a point that I like winning in regulation more than getting loser points by hanging on to OT, a la Ted Nolan. Winning more in regulation than a team in the playoff picture tells me we are not too far off
3-We are better now
4-No, we're not
5-NO. Maybe you should stop moaning about the past and come up with something that the team could or should be doing now.
6-Your opinion, again
7-Don't tell me what I need to do

A Polish blessing: may your poop come to life, and kiss you.
- LandlordTom

Michael Pachla: Of the Buffalo Sabres present 28th place standing. Plus some prospect stats
- Michael Pachla

"For some in Sabreland it's an abomination that a team like Buffalo, who went to the bottom of the league two-years running, should be in this predicament, and in typical fan-fashion, begin to throw blame around."