well put. I just dont get why they felt the need to announce it. we all knew it, just looks weak.
- TheHank

I would have to look at the transcript. Did he announce it or was he asked by the media? Either way, nothing comes out of his mouth without the owners' approval.

This is where stuff gets silly. He didn't "announce" it. It was part of a conversation. I think we all just saw the headline. The other leagues said the same things as part of conversations - I don't think they are weak.
- Slump Buster

fair enough. I didn't see the context.

If the coach goes it will be a relief.

Let’s see what they’ve done wrong:

Continues to play Risto 23 mins a night

Continued to play a goalie who couldn’t see

Put his former 40 goal scorer on a line with scrubs and expects him to continue to produce oh and turn into this stellar two way player something he’s never been in his 10 year career.

Played with so many different d pairings and kept one of the better ones in the press box.

I mean none of this shows he’s a good coach. Last year the roster sucked so I kinda understood. But when you have more than one line and you’re still screwing up your second highest paid player something isn’t right.
- Stripes77

You'd be relived? KA alone is a scary thought. Things could get a lot worse really fast.

Playing Skinner with Cozens could be a big matchup advantage for us
You’re much too quick to say that’s “screwing up”
And it also won’t be the “4th line” as you’ve said
They’ll get icetime
- jdfitz77

From all indication Cozens isn’t going to play in the opener.

You'd be relived? KA alone is a scary thought. Things could get a lot worse really fast.
- Lunaion

Terry and Kim are calling the shots.

If Ralph does go my guess is he gets “promoted” to his soccer position just for the Sabres and they hire a real coach.

From all indication Cozens isn’t going to play in the opener.
- Stripes77

Ok, but we all expect him to be a regular player sooner than later.... right?

Ok, but we all expect him to be a regular player sooner than later.... right?
- jdfitz77

I freaking hope so. But who knows with this weird season.

Terry and Kim are calling the shots.

If Ralph does go my guess is he gets “promoted” to his soccer position just for the Sabres and they hire a real coach.
- Stripes77

Ppl criticize Ralph’s coaching,
but pretty much all his players LOVE playing for him

I think he’s a better coach than he’s given credit for

Ppl criticize Ralph’s coaching,
but pretty much all his players LOVE playing for him

I think he’s a better coach than he’s given credit for
- jdfitz77

The Bills to a man all said they loved playing for Richard Jauron. It didn't make him any less of a disaster as a coach.

Ppl criticize Ralph’s coaching,
but pretty much all his players LOVE playing for him

I think he’s a better coach than he’s given credit for
- jdfitz77

I think he’s a good communicator and a personable guy. But he lacks the X’s and O’s to be successful. He’s like a Ted Nolan motivator type just better speaking. But he doesn’t know what to do with talent.

Like I said make him the president of the organization.

The Bills to a man all said they loved playing for Richard Jauron. It didn't make him any less of a disaster as a coach.
- buffalofan19

Jauron also didn’t have a superstar follow him to a crappy team when he had better options out there

There’s a difference here

Jauron also didn’t have a superstar follow him to a crappy team when he had better options out there

There’s a difference here
- jdfitz77

It’s a 1 year deal. Not a long term deal. In a financial crisis for the league.

Lots of variables.

I think he’s a good communicator and a personable guy. But he lacks the X’s and O’s to be successful. He’s like a Ted Nolan motivator type just better speaking. But he doesn’t know what to do with talent.

Like I said make him the president of the organization.
- Stripes77

Putting a talented winger,
with a great young center talent like Cozens is a GOOD idea- not a bad one

It’s a 1 year deal. Not a long term deal. In a financial crisis for the league.

Lots of variables.
- Stripes77

Still... Hall came here bc he wanted to play for Kruger... right?

Very doubtful he’d have come here if we had a different coach,
and I’m sure he turned down offers from teams who had a “good” coach

Putting a talented winger,
with a great young center talent like Cozens is a GOOD idea- not a bad one
- jdfitz77

Cozens isn’t going to start at center either and given the weirdness of this season I don’t know if he plays there at all this season.

Cozens isn’t going to start at center either and given the weirdness of this season I don’t know if he plays there at all this season.
- Stripes77

1- lots of assumptions
2- whether he’s at Center or RW, it’s still a good idea

1- lots of assumptions
2- whether he’s at Center or RW, it’s still a good idea
- jdfitz77

I’d still like both of them to play with a better center than Lazar...

I just see Skinner being a healthy scratch because he can’t produce with Sheehan and Lazar

If the Sabres fire Ralph and hire another coach all the people who fear Jack will want out will actually have something to fear. Having him play for his, what 4th coach in 6 years? will not lead to the stability this organization wants and he will lose the coach he likes. All this to make poor Jeff Skinner happy who was not wanted by his ex-team's coach either for some reason. But, it is all about Skinner.

I’d still like both of them to play with a better center than Lazar...

I just see Skinner being a healthy scratch because he can’t produce with Sheehan and Lazar
- Stripes77

Sure, 3C could be our weakness of the forwards
That’s why I’m thinking Cozens will slide into that spot at some point
But also....
if not Skinner & Cozens with him, then who?
Is Olofsson-Lazar-Reinhart any better?
Or Olofsson-Lazar-Tage ?

It’s gonna be an issue (no matter what) unless Ruotsalainen or Mitts can win a spot on that line

Prediction
Sabres start the season 2 - 7 - 1 ... Ralph feels the pressure and reacts by:
- "promoting" Skinner to 2LW, with Staal and Rhino
- "promoting" Cozens to 1RW, with Jack and Hall
- moves TT down to 3RW, with Eatkin
- moves Olofsson to 3LW
- shifts Miller to 1RD with Dahlin at 1LhD
- shifts Montour to 2LhD with Joker at 2RhD
- moves McCabe down to 3LhD with Risto at 3RhD

Ralphie-boy then states he us very happy that Skinner has improved his defensive game (not) and earned the 2LW job

Sure, 3C could be our weakness of the forwards
That’s why I’m thinking Cozens will slide into that spot at some point
But also....
if not Skinner & Cozens with him, then who?
Is Olofsson-Lazar-Reinhart any better?
Or Olofsson-Lazar-Tage ?

It’s gonna be an issue (no matter what) unless Ruotsalainen or Mitts can win a spot on that line
- jdfitz77

Hall Eichel Thompson
Skinner Cozens Reinhart
Olofsson Staal Eakin

Something like that you have defensive sound players on all 3 lines and offensive players on all 3 lines.

OSU-Alabama is a shootout.

Hall Eichel Thompson
Skinner Cozens Reinhart
Olofsson Staal Eakin

Something like that you have defensive sound players on all 3 lines and offensive players on all 3 lines.
- Stripes77

But i thought Cozens isn’t gonna start at Center?
U can’t make that part of your argument,
but then slot him at Center as part of your solution

Again....
Skinner getting paired up with Cozens is a good idea imo- and yours too apparently-
AND
it looks like Ralph is gonna pair them up as well
So i really don’t know why you’re so up in arms

Still... Hall came here bc he wanted to play for Kruger... right?

Very doubtful he’d have come here if we had a different coach,
and I’m sure he turned down offers from teams who had a “good” coach
- jdfitz77

Maybe.
Or maybe he thought the 1LW was wide open playing with a Top 5 C who is still improving.
Hope he is working on his glove hand and kick saves, Ralphie-boy might just throw him in net.

Hall Eichel Thompson
Skinner Cozens Reinhart
Olofsson Staal Eakin

Something like that you have defensive sound players on all 3 lines and offensive players on all 3 lines.
- Stripes77

Cozens is not ready to be a 2nd line center. This brings back fond memories of the Mitts and 2nd line memories in his first year.