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Last year Ovechkin was highly criticized for his laziness and giving up on plays; more criticism than usual. He still managed 51 goals. If Hodgson had managed to maintain some offensive production through the first half, I think Nolan would have given him more opportunity to succeed. But that's just me. I don't think we'll ever know the circumstances behind Hackett. He had been hurt, he even missed a game. Maybe Murray said that he didn't want Hackett starting and risk further injury thinking he might be able to sign him even though he'll be a UFA. Who knows........

:D

You are 100% correct, it's an important aspect to civilized dialogue. But you're going to be hard-pressed to find me attacking anybody without provocation on this board. I can honestly say I crossed the line once in recent memory on this board and it wasn't even directed at anybody in particular. I don't attack people that I disagree with and have never used the word 'sheep'. The child comment came in response to Numark's attack on me, it had nothing to do with disagreeing with his point of view. I won't attack anybody based on their opinion, but if you want to attack me then you're fair game.......... and even then I'll just ignore you or call you out on your comment. I'm not going to hold Hodgson against Nolan because he had almost the entire first half of the season to prove himself. Most players wouldn't have been given that long before being demoted. After the trade deadline there really wasn't much for Hodgson to play with that could put him in the position to succeed because there wasn't anybody left. Earlier, Nolan called out Larsson for not bringing enough, he took it to heart and started putting in an effort so Larsson was the one given the opportunity to succeed. Hodgson is a one-dimensional player and he didn't have the tools around him to succeed this past year. His time to prove himself would be next year, Nolan recognized that and gave others an opportunity. It wasn't Nolan's job to ensure a player keeps a free agent status. Lindback was playing the best so he got the bulk of the playing time. Hackett is never going to cut it in this league, losing him is inconsequential. It seems foolish for a head coach to play the role of a GM. You may be right, but any other head coach wouldn't have been any more successful this year.

I think opinions should change over time, if that is in fact how somebody feels. To keep the same opinion just for the sake of never changing is just being closed-minded. I know you weren't directing this at me specifically, but I'll explain my side. Call me old school, but I am a fan of head coaches whose sole purpose is to organize a team, address snap decisions, motivation, etc....... To me this applies to all sports. I think head coaches have gradually taken on more of a role than they should be handling from the X's and O's to game time strategy, to basically controlling every aspect of the game. This is what assistant coaches are for. A head coach can bring his style to the ice but get on the same page as the assistants and let them handle the rest while the head coach attends to the responsibilities I mentioned above. I'm not supporting Nolan to go against the grain, I support Nolan because he's one of the few left in the league that does this and I believe that kind of coach has a place in professional sports ESPECIALLY in today's day and age where youth tends to need more motivation and 'pats on the back' to make themselves feel good. The issue I had earlier wasn't the fact that posters changed their opinion on Nolan and Stewart, it was the fact that it just seemed to happen the same day they were no longer a Sabre. It was the tone I perceived, some may think otherwise.

Who said it can't change?

Keep in mind I just went down the roster, not all are playing. Most of them are in their lineups though. Vanek Pominville Stewart Leopold Ballard Gaustad Ott Pardy Stafford Myers Thorburn Byron Kassian Miller Mitchell Flynn MacArthur Boulton Neuvirth Halak Moore Ehrhoff

I counted 22 ex-Sabres in the playoffs this year.

You know where I stand, I know where you stand. And I respect your opinion. As far as changing opinions by the tide, it's how I see it. Maybe the most vocal on both sides of the spectrum speak the loudest with firings and trades making the overall consensus seem exaggerated. But the impression I got is the flavor changed almost immediately after Stewart was traded and when Nolan was fired. If you disagree, that's fine. But it's how I see it.

Did I do something to piss you off? Is there an issue with me providing my input? This is a public forum where we discuss things, it's called civilized dialogue perhaps you've heard of it; because you certainly haven't followed it. I've had little time to seriously add to this discussion because half the time I'm busy defending myself from the snark that you and qwk provide on a regular basis. Don't like my posts, put me on ignore. You follow me around, call me names and pretty much just resort to attacking me and what I have to say. I know you think that the only important point of view is yours, and yours only. But you're not the only here. One of these days you'll grow up, I have little patience with children. And just because you say nobody agrees with me, doesn't make it true. Although I'm not here for the popularity contest. I can understand where you might find importance in seeking popularity by resorting to attacks, insecurity usually leads people to search for acceptance. Sad that you need to do it on an internet forum among people you probably don't even know. I've been a fan of Nolan throughout his tenure with the Sabres. I don't care what people think. If you think I only support him just to go against the grain, then I'm just wasting my time with you. My opinion hasn't changed, unlike others.

I have to say, I haven't missed Doc Emrick one bit.

I got the impression that many here were warming up to him since the trade deadline. Of course that thread was deleted. It wasn't until he got fired when everybody started piling on. Not unlike when Chris Stewart go traded.

What do you suggest we talk about?

How about we just spell everything out so we all know where everybody is coming from? Does it take that much more time? I literally SWMT reading posts where somebody uses ATN can figure out. INBATRWIA!! LOL :P

Give the next coach the same lineup Nolan had this year and he'll get outshot 2:1 as well. You know it and I know it. Stop making it seem like it had something to do with Nolan. And god forbid a coach preaches work ethic, that bastard. I think we need a coach that lets players float all night.

It wasn't quite that simple, was it?

Mitchell from Flynn and Subban.

So, no love for Pierre?

Pierre McGuire

I agree, Chicago has done a good job so far. (Although they have no prospects left). But the contracts haven't kicked in yet. Wait until the need to fill the rest of the team out when Kane/Toews are making $37mil/yr each. Pittsburgh hasn't been able to fill out their roster because they haven't had the cap space. I don't know the specifics but their top 5 players take up well over half of the cap. I just don't see a definite advantage in having two elite players on the roster. But, that's just my opinion. ;)

Chicago is going to be hurting soon when their contracts kick in, and they've been getting rid of all their prospects for years. Nothing really needs to be said about Pittsburgh, relatively speaking they are a total failure.

I know this is just a 'what if' thread, but in the salary cap era I don't think it's feasible to have two players of elite status.

You know what's more pathetic? The fact that for some reason you think my opinion is less worthy than anyone else in this thread. 13 pages worth, and you're going to single me out to 'let it go'? I know you and Numark have this obsession with me and follow me wherever I go, but it's starting to get creepy. Lighten up Princess you're not as important as you think you are.

Those details will be overlooked by the gang while the grazing fields are plentiful. As soon as they get the memo that it's time to fire up the bus, it'll be brought out. Just give it time. The bus, at the moment, is in dire need of a tune up and oil change. As soon as Nolan's been run over enough times and they can get it to the shop then we'll see who is next in line. :P :angel:

It's absurd for anybody to think, much less expect, a professional head coach to purposely lose and go against a tank. ESPECIALLY if he knew he wasn't going to make it out of the arena before getting canned, why would he hurt any potential of getting another job? Disagree with Nolan as much as you want, his philosophy, his strategy, whatever................ but to get on the guy's case for not helping to contribute to a tank is absolutely ridiculous.

Who is surprised?