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Forums :: Blog World :: Hank Balling: Unfathomable/Vanek On Rebuilding
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Hank Balling
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 05.18.2021

May 16 @ 7:00 PM ET
Hank Balling: Unfathomable/Vanek On Rebuilding
Anderdog
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 03.17.2021

May 16 @ 7:17 PM ET
First đŸ„‡
Anderdog
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 03.17.2021

May 16 @ 7:30 PM ET
Good read Hank

Everyone feels the same way on the shooting
Just since less

Except that Richard from Toronto
Hank Balling
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 05.18.2021

May 16 @ 7:35 PM ET
Good read Hank

Everyone feels the same way on the shooting
Just since less

Except that Richard from Toronto

- Anderdog


It's hard to wrap your head around that level of senseless hatred, especially when the perpetrator is so young, and because he came from so far away. It's disturbing and deeply saddening.
Boss34
Buffalo Sabres
Location: BUFFALO , NY
Joined: 12.03.2015

May 16 @ 7:40 PM ET
Well written and appreciated post Hank.

I still think the whole thing starts with goaltending. If you don’t have a goaltender going into next season, I don’t care what move you make, you’re not going to touch the playoffs. So that’s gotta be your first upgrade.”

Basically good goaltending this year would get them 2 or 3 more wins. đŸ€”
Anderdog
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 03.17.2021

May 16 @ 7:43 PM ET
It's hard to wrap your head around that level of senseless hatred, especially when the perpetrator is so young, and because he came from so far away. It's disturbing and deeply saddening.
- Hank Balling



I knew I spelled senseless wrong
Anderdog
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 03.17.2021

May 16 @ 8:06 PM ET
https://give.thurmanthomas.com/

Good cause
ImThatGuy
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I AM MY OWN DAMN SOURCE!, NY
Joined: 11.04.2010

May 16 @ 8:47 PM ET
There are a few that have been banging this drum that its easy to look good when there is nothing to lose.

" It’s a lot easier to play when you know by November that you’re out of the playoffs. The last 20 games? They’re just for fun. They come to the rink and what happens if they lose? Instead of picking 9th you pick 6th? So I want to see them at the beginning of the season, the first 20 games, can you play the same way? Can you win the same way?”"

Its up to everyone, Mgmt, players, scouts, etc now to come out and perform, starting at the draft.
Slump Buster
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I root for draft picks but not the team, apparently, NY
Joined: 10.24.2006

May 16 @ 9:04 PM ET
Please say no to Malkin but yes to Letang
Hank Balling
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 05.18.2021

May 16 @ 9:05 PM ET
There are a few that have been banging this drum that its easy to look good when there is nothing to lose.

" It’s a lot easier to play when you know by November that you’re out of the playoffs. The last 20 games? They’re just for fun. They come to the rink and what happens if they lose? Instead of picking 9th you pick 6th? So I want to see them at the beginning of the season, the first 20 games, can you play the same way? Can you win the same way?”"

Its up to everyone, Mgmt, players, scouts, etc now to come out and perform, starting at the draft.

- ImThatGuy


The honeymoon for KA and Meatballs ends real fast if the season is over by Thanksgiving. Something for them to consider when planning the offseason
sbroads24
Buffalo Sabres
Location: We are in 30th place. It's 2017 , NY
Joined: 02.12.2012

May 16 @ 9:11 PM ET
The honeymoon for KA and Meatballs ends real fast if the season is over by Thanksgiving. Something for them to consider when planning the offseason
- Hank Balling

Yup
Slump Buster
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I root for draft picks but not the team, apparently, NY
Joined: 10.24.2006

May 16 @ 9:22 PM ET
There are a few that have been banging this drum that its easy to look good when there is nothing to lose.

" It’s a lot easier to play when you know by November that you’re out of the playoffs. The last 20 games? They’re just for fun. They come to the rink and what happens if they lose? Instead of picking 9th you pick 6th? So I want to see them at the beginning of the season, the first 20 games, can you play the same way? Can you win the same way?”"

Its up to everyone, Mgmt, players, scouts, etc now to come out and perform, starting at the draft.

- ImThatGuy


I completely disagree with this - it isn't "easy" to win at any point in the season. How many bottom dwellers did you see tearing it up? This is the kind of conservative thinking that had us play vets instead of the kids. Over the past few years we've seen plenty of teams stink it up from start to finish. Is there more pressure during a playoff race? Of course. These kids are out there in crucial situations late in the game and thriving.
Pegullaville
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Toronto
Joined: 03.16.2011

May 16 @ 9:33 PM ET
I completely disagree with this - it isn't "easy" to win at any point in the season. How many bottom dwellers did you see tearing it up? This is the kind of conservative thinking that had us play vets instead of the kids. Over the past few years we've seen plenty of teams stink it up from start to finish. Is there more pressure during a playoff race? Of course. These kids are out there in crucial situations late in the game and thriving.
- Slump Buster


Ottawa went on a run last year and fooled themselves into thinking they had a good team this year.

Not taking away from what the Sabres did the latter half of the year, but it really has no impact on next year.
Gr8daygo
Joined: 04.23.2014

May 16 @ 9:36 PM ET
Vanek for President of Hockey Ops.
Slump Buster
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I root for draft picks but not the team, apparently, NY
Joined: 10.24.2006

May 16 @ 9:39 PM ET
Ottawa went on a run last year and fooled themselves into thinking they had a good team this year.

Not taking away from what the Sabres did the latter half of the year, but it really has no impact on next year.

- Pegullaville


Your statement is about the quality of the roster and that's a different question. Teams fool themselves all of the time even when the fancy numbers say they aren't good. GMs are motivated to prop up bad teams to save their own skins.
Boss34
Buffalo Sabres
Location: BUFFALO , NY
Joined: 12.03.2015

May 16 @ 10:05 PM ET
Ottawa went on a run last year and fooled themselves into thinking they had a good team this year.

Not taking away from what the Sabres did the latter half of the year, but it really has no impact on next year.

- Pegullaville



This is a reasonable post.

Although ottawa didnt add a bunch of free agents and try and buy/ assemble a team.
They kinda let the kids grow. Stutzle looked like a star.


The Hot finish definitely pushes next seasons expectations
SABRES 89
Season Ticket Holder
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I'm very Happy to be here. Las Vegas Via Buffalo N.Y.
Joined: 02.17.2007

May 16 @ 10:52 PM ET
Please say no to Malkin but yes to Letang
- Slump Buster

you don't have to worry, it will be NO to both.
ImThatGuy
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I AM MY OWN DAMN SOURCE!, NY
Joined: 11.04.2010

May 16 @ 11:10 PM ET
you don't have to worry, it will be NO to both.
- SABRES 89

Too much $$$?
ImThatGuy
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I AM MY OWN DAMN SOURCE!, NY
Joined: 11.04.2010

May 16 @ 11:11 PM ET
The honeymoon for KA and Meatballs ends real fast if the season is over by Thanksgiving. Something for them to consider when planning the offseason
- Hank Balling

As it should.

The expectations next year should be to ice a winning team.
SABRES 89
Season Ticket Holder
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I'm very Happy to be here. Las Vegas Via Buffalo N.Y.
Joined: 02.17.2007

May 16 @ 11:21 PM ET
Too much $$$?
- ImThatGuy

They want to have the money to pay there players, Tage ETC. Then worry about FA. Malkin is not in there plans at all, going to be a slow process.
SABRES 89
Season Ticket Holder
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I'm very Happy to be here. Las Vegas Via Buffalo N.Y.
Joined: 02.17.2007

May 16 @ 11:22 PM ET
The honeymoon for KA and Meatballs ends real fast if the season is over by Thanksgiving. Something for them to consider when planning the offseason
- Hank Balling

Adams has more power then you think, the Pegula's respect him a lot and listen to him.
jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

May 16 @ 11:31 PM ET
As it should.

The expectations next year should be to ice a winning team.
-Im That Guy


The Top Priority (imo) should be to continue to build & develop for long term success

If a trade that makes sense comes along that helps us now as well- something like Fiala, who will fit into our timeline, for example- then great

But we shouldn’t push for the present if the moves don’t make sense in the Grand Scheme
kingcong39
Buffalo Sabres
Location: albany, NY
Joined: 02.21.2007

May 17 @ 3:54 AM ET
My wife calls me a BSer. There may be some truth to that on a personal level.
- Boss34


There may be some truth to the above?

That is the most humorous comment I've read on this site in quite some time 😂😂😅😅
kingcong39
Buffalo Sabres
Location: albany, NY
Joined: 02.21.2007

May 17 @ 3:56 AM ET
Adams has more power then you think, the Pegula's respect him a lot and listen to him.
- SABRES 89


The Pegula's also have shown a history of having itchy trigger fingers.

Another season where the team is out of it by December and then has a nice 20 to 30 game stretch to end the season may not go over well, with fans or ownership.
kingcong39
Buffalo Sabres
Location: albany, NY
Joined: 02.21.2007

May 17 @ 7:21 AM ET
Evolving Hockey's contract projections are out.

I've highlighted players of note that have been often talked about.







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