7+6=13

Thanks for the compliment but I don't think my point came across like I'd hoped. I also agree that's it's always a good thing to be angry with losing. I just think Bylsma is missing the self awareness part. I do not see a team that isn't giving effort - of course that's my opinion. I just see a system not working. Let's take your analogy of football and we're a young team. When you're 2-5 and you average 12 points per football game - it may not be a time to say this team needs to start playing desperate and angry. It's time to reflect as a coach on what is broken. You're best player is pissed. Probably watching certain players on the Oilers and Maple Leafs raising their arms - and none too happy. I'm not sure he's completely understanding what's brewing and it isn't, ok great my best player is pissed hope everyone else gets that way.

I don't know if it's good to let the young players "off the hook" - but I'd ask, is it better for our young team to feel/play like this after the 37th game? "I think everyone of us should be [as emotional as Eichel]. We know the situation we're in and we know how desperate we are at this point in the season to win games. We should all find that desperation, that urgency, and that anger." I don't want my young team feeling angry, urgent and desperate at the 45% point of the season for ANY REASON. This is another total blunder on Bylsma's part. I wouldn't worry about letting players off the hook as much I would about them playing angry and desperate - which to me is much much much more damaging. In addition I think he read the situation wrong, again. I would prefer he said - Jack is an emotional player and it's what we love about him. We hope his fire continues to be an influence on any player that needs it. However as a coach I want to use his fire to focus this team and continue to come together. I'm not seeing a lack of effort, so I don't believe it's that. We will all work tirelessly to stack more wins together or go 4 out of 6, things like that. But that pressure should be on me, not the players. He better find out who/what Jack's frustrated about/at.

I don't think anyone could disagree with you on your point. However with the puck already headed towards the offensive zone we don't use many options besides dumping the puck in and we're especially bad once we have possession in the offensive zone.

You're saying it though. He's done a nice job assembling forwards yet we don't score. That's coaching IMO. It seems to me the skilled players are trying to figure out how to use their talent while adhering to Bylsma's system. Then you see Gionta being a good soldier and dumping the puck in at nauseum like he should be. To me there needs to be a clear distinction on how separate lines should be playing instead of one system for the entire roster. I'll give GMTM criticism for Lehner but hey he was his first choice after the tank. It's not working out but he surely had to give him this year after an injury ridden 1st year to show what he can do. It's not like he's made several bad goalie decisions.

While I hate he hurt his hand the best moment of the night for me was Carrier fighting. This kid is playing himself into the future of the Sabres plans. He's also one of the reasons I believe we can play a Boston style offense with our next coach.

I love the way Boston plays offense. We have the personnel to play the same style on our top lines so it's difficult to watch. You can just see it's a system too not improv. Puck at the mid point in the offensive zone and there's a presumption a player will be at a spot - then they are. They shoot down lanes at different left to right lines. Then they have a separate circling offense but with the same philosophy of eventually a player going down a lane. It really is impressive because there's so many legitimate shots being taken (they missed the net a lot tonight too). Even though we lost I also get the sense we're getting better at Bylsma's game plan. The problem is that style doesn't suite our best player and on nights like tonight make him irrelevant IMO for far too many shifts. This style is fit more for a lot of the other players(Okposo, O'reilly, Foligno and maybe even Kane. Bylsma is giving Jack the freedom to play his game but his system fits a group of players well - but the system is not for Jack's ability and his passing game. Jack several times a game puts a hard pass to a line-mate and they're not ready for it because it's so separate from the system (unexpected even because it's on the fly) - where the Boston players are playing that style all game long and the player is expecting that pass as he's expected to be there. I don't dislike Bylsma and I'm torn on if I want something more tailored for Jack and less for the majority even though some lines can't execute. Difficult situation IMO.

Eichel has been extremely irresponsible with the puck the last several games. It's like he doesn't take the possession seriously enough or something. Haphazardly gives the puck away trying to be too complicated with his stick moves.

I'd argue ROR has been our most consistent and reliable player.

I respect so many of you and I've learned a lot from reading you. This one has me confused. My sons and I watch every game and Gionta is the player we get most frustrated with. I get that his 13 points at this point in the year are more than most of us expected but he just makes so many mistakes IMO. His effort this year is respectable but because of his lack of size and now speed he gets dominated and makes decisions in a hurry that turn the puck over far too often for my liking. He's being crafty by contributing I won't dispute that but his mistakes and the way he physically can't overcome what happens to him often frustrates me. It just seems to me that his production doesn't outweigh how much he hurts the team in other areas.

Ever seen this? http://www.polyglidesyntheticice.com/PolyGlide-Home-Series-p/synthetic-ice-100.htm

Lehner isn't awful but he doesn't look like he's going to be a real good one, IMO.

Man I must be missing something because he looks awful to me.

It's clear that keeping possession in OT is critical. I can't believe Mcabe so frivolously let that puck slide by him. He kinda stuck his foot out but could have got his stick back there. He was more interested in getting off the ice than keeping the puck. He is a real disappointment - I really do not like the way he plays.

Just a sweet pass by Sam.

Risto is really playing well

5 hole was open. Dang.

Nilsson comes out too far to square up the shooter for my liking. Leaves offensive players behind him and it makes me nervous every time he does it.

Do you think there's a correlation between this rule and the significant drop off in players drafted in the 3rd round and higher playing in the NHL? Or do you think if you have it, you have it, but it just takes a bit longer with this rule?

I apologize for the lack of knowledge and hope I'm not irritating you. So it's because of his age he can't play in Rochester but he could have made the Sabres? Can you explain why that rule is in place? I'm trying to figure out what it protects or protects against.

Thanks for the explanation. Is the fact he has to either be on the Sabres or go back to Juniors next year due to him being designated there to begin with? I guess what I'm asking is could he have gone to Rochester this year if the Sabres chose?

Serious question because I don't know. If a player is posting those type of point totals at that level - is it possible that the player would get better being moved to Rochester?

I get wanting defenseman to contribute but as a general rule they shouldn't be judged on points. I'm not defending Gorges but points isn't what I'd like to see from him.

Sure and the way this team is structured now - that's where he should be. Simply because there's limited options (I know you know). Problem with Kane is he's a guy that likes to have the puck - but in order to be the type of player with the puck you must be an excellent passer or have puck handling skills that overrides defenses ability to take it from you (keep away handling). He's not either. He really should fall in love with not having the puck but he's not a fundamental player. He plays faster than he's capable of controlling so he doesn't see the rink well enough to be in the right spot - for a better puck handler/passer to set him up. I love Kane's "go". He goes 100 miles per hour and digs and lets see what happens. He's the perfect 3rd line type of player that has enough skating skills to really add to the scoring in the middle of the lineup. Too bad that role will never be realized here and he's just good enough for the money to not let a team afford to have him there.

I don't know the trade was a bust but I'll give a few of my thoughts on Kane. His game isn't fundamentally sound enough to be relied on for top 6 play. Ideally we need one more speed offensive player with excellent puck handling to enter our top 6 to move Kane to the 3rd line. IMO that would allow his style to not only be tolerable but if he gives you 15-20 goals it can elevate the team. IMO that's the perfect role for Kane - to be on a team good enough to get him to the 3rd line. The issue is I don't see Kane as being satisfied with that role and would probably cause his effort to diminish at best and at worst cause team problems. I like Kane and he's the type of player I want on the team when it's somewhat complete especially considering his age. However his salary and I think his self evaluation will stop that from happening. In saying that, I would make any attempt to trade him for the sole reason that I don't want his game in the top 6.

No way. She's a machine like no other. Not many candidates could have ran as hard as her - especially if you look at any of the others talked about. The country was just ready for Trump.