R_Dudley

Good analysis and synopsis and I agree. Begs the question though a lot of us have been saying, "Wouldn't a better Coach/system helped mitigate some of this disaster" .

Okay Alex I take, Leadership for $100. There is a saying that a fish rots from the head. So since he eliminated coach and GM by calling out players I agree with D4rk and start with the current captain. The only player that we know had inquiry's at the trade deadline was the big G. He could have allowed a trade that netted some picks or players for a team that went no where but we know he refused and the team subsequently went nowhere standing pat. So I start there, he was a good soldier at one time but he can't be captain of my ship anymore because he put his own interest ahead of his team for what could have been a few month rental and possibly playing for a SC. Also GMTM shouldn't be allowed to say ZFG anymore after that too but that is a different thread. Second anybody that runs/hangs with Big G's group in and out of work. Anybody with a letter in that group needs it replaced because that leadership failed. Last the players that looked like they coasted too often during the season or wouldn't finish a check, Moulson, Franson, Kulikov. Try hards but whiffed on a lot of checks or chances, Deslauriers, Zemgus, Grant. Tried but very uneven results and efforts seen on the ice , Bogo, Ennis,

All dead nuts on points. I don't understand how anyone can think better players defensive or otherwise will solve the problem unless they are not watching the games. If you are watching you should see players alone will not solve this until the players have system that organizes the exits and entries and even accounts for(game plans) other teams strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes referred to as coaching.

No because I agree with this scenario as the most plausible at this point. Argh hockey hell instead of heaven. Who woulda thunk.

Made me look, March 4 2007, wow 10 years goes fast. I definitely Qualify for the over crowd but don't mind hanging with the kids either. The whole Modo meetup was epic reading. I almost made it into town with my son and was going to crash it but some family items came up. Maybe next time. Let's Go Buffalo.

Why can't they play offensively like this all the time.

Wow, great minds but minus the calf's of course. . Yep, this is pretty much where I have been for the last several weeks as well. It just has not been an entertaining product anymore. First-most with the way DD has the Sabers play and then the consistently in-consistent on ice officiating. I see it in many other games on center ice. I am firmly in the if DD returns next year crowd I drop CI package.

Yes, rules are rules and are supposed to apply to everyone otherwise they are not rules.

If you have cookies you can add 1 more.

I choose Yes. I say 8 more points. I'm looking for it to go something like this for the rest of the season. 2 points tonight, 1 against TO, 1 against Florida and 0 at Columbus, 1 against Islanders, 2 against TO/Matthews and 1 against Montreal, than vacation starts early with 0's in last two in Florida.

They have played the Pens pretty well most of the games this season. They have been in all of them with a chance and did win their first SO victory against them at home. Will it be Batman or Robin in goal tonight? I dunno maybe they can get up for it tonight and be a real spoiler, besides the "they already spoiled hockey for a lot of posters here". Lets go Buffalo, keep the Pens from clinching on your home ice.

Yep, I think this is more than any one or two players could effect. It clearly just can't be 1 or 2 players making this team look as bad as it does at times. When the team turns it loose I.e. Playing from behind, that is when it looks its best and is likely allowed to abandon the primary system they are being coached.

I have the "Blahs'mas" for a this one.

I didn't read the whole thread so if already unpopularily stated I apologize in advance. Alex i'll take bolderdash for 500. Management loves the work coach is doing with the team so much they give him a bonus and option to extend his contract another 5 years.

What's better talking about it if even just to vent or abandon all hope yee who enter here and stop watching because of "Bylsma soul sucking hockey"? I forget who coined that phrase BSSH, but boy it does describe it. God I hope your wrong.

Yeah talent is there, just not coming together as a team.

Close again and no cigar. The definition of this season

Wow, Good article. "Here’s how Dan Bylsma got his team ready for Canada: By playing four games of overwhelming offense, and then taking a hairpin left turn towards passive, counterpunching defense in the semifinal. It was like training every day to sing Mariah at your “American Idol” audition and opting to warble Nickelback instead." "It was a decision that practically raised the white flag, one that had the Americans genuflecting in front of the reigning gold medalists. It screamed “we can’t hang with you, so we’re going to forgo anything that might put a scare into you offensively, hang here and hope you screw up at some point so we can score.” “I think the [Canada] game took a lot out of us,” said Zombie Bylsma in a low-key postgame press conference. “Took a lot out of us emotionally.” How many times this season have we heard something similar. This is exactly what we are all seeing with what he is doing with the team. This really puts a damper on hoping to see real hockey anytime soon, this leopard hasnt changed his stripes.

Welcome dudacek. My name is Dudly and I too am a Sabreholic. I'm smart enough, good enough and gosh darn it people like me.(ok some of my family likes me sometimes). I carry a worn out Gilbert Perreault card in my wallet and I once stalked Rick Martin in a grocery store. This is the place we all come to face our addiction. Is it me or does Jack look a little like Don Luce, ok so maybe just the hair. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwj_iNSvo8zSAhUBwYMKHTcqB0MQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsabreslegends.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F06%2Fdon-luce.html&psig=AFQjCNH4w7qhy_ZZkuDa964BT0DeHHc-Mw&ust=1489246954617720 Lets go Buffalo,

Nothing like a hated opponent to rekindle the competitive spirit. Beating us with Ville Leno in the first round and selling us on that fools gold thereafter shall be unforgiven.. Lets go Buffalo

Nice summary. Whoa 40% on 6 players. I like the way you think especially using the expansion draft to maneuver some of these boat anchors off the ship. Now can we get Timmy to read this and just say Aye, Aye mon capitan.

Nice, by the power of 15 we vanquish you.

Meh, I am not sure spreading your too weakest physical players, Moulson and Ennis across 2 lines is better than relegating them to the 4th line for reduced minutes. For shaugts and giggles might actually suggest they try something different for the bottom 2 lines like Girgensons-Rodrigues-Bailey Deslauriers-Ennis-Moulson I think that 3rd line would have a lot of speed and grit and Ennis did have one of his better seasons back in the day when he was at center for awhile. Spoiler role is still something fun to do especially if were spoiling Philly's chances. Lets go Buffalo,

Yep, all good points. Especially the video, just when you think your out they pull you back in. Nice to see you post and hope this finds you well. . How has the move and change been for you? It's going on what a couple years now right? Still refining the palate for fine Liquors and exotic drinks I hope. We've really got a bunch of us started on expanding our drinking tastes with the "What have you been drinking thread(s)" Ah the good old days of Sabres playoff hockey and fine cocktails.

So I was at the game but waited to post. They had a great first period and proved they can play with a Stanley cup contender. Now would they win a series against a team like the Pens, Nah I am not delusional however i was not totally disappointed. They competed and had the lead for 2 and 3/4's periods. The kicked in goal and and the could a been a high stick goal puck luck for the pens made the difference. A game changer was the switch from Murray to Fleury between the 1st and 2nd. Fleury really made some great saves to keep it at 3. What stood out. Ennis and Moulson have no physical game. They really looked horrible and overpowered at times and Pgh is not a big physical team. It's a shame Rodriguez is stuck mainly with them because they are not strong on the puck at all, just a couple of stick check kings. Still Moulson had an open look at the net and just couldn't coral it. Nilsson deserved better he really played a strong game, except for a few rebound control mishaps. As far as the D goes they did not look that bad. They had a few break downs but the pens do that to everyone. What i did notice was how the team was backing up in the 2nd and 3rd instead of continuing to press the play in the Pens zone like they did in the first. The pens looked like they were sending 2 wingers high which made or D back off and created more space in the neutral zone for the Pens passing game which is really good. The number of tape to tape passes are at least 3x what I see the Sabres doing. That and their cycle game and speed is what gave them 5 on 5's that looked like power plays. The sabres insistent use ff the boards didn't help us much with that when the other team is owning them. But that's something we are seeing a bunch of teams doing that have picked up on that Sabres tactic. I guess I didn't expect then to win which is why I am not as disappointed as I could be with losing another that way. l have to come to grips with they are not a playoff ready team and I am resolved to watching the string play out here and see what players really show they care and still play hard for the team. lets hope TM see the same necessary changes a bunch here have already stated.