Mango

Meh, both metrics are in the middle third. If it’s 11th and 20th I’d start to point more fingers at the differential. But a huge part of the problem is we have invested a ton into a defensive corp that as a knack for hanging this defense out to dry.

I was at work and caught the post game locker room interviews. I saw the box score without the score and Benson looked so pissed. I’m just baffled at the box score on this…. We dominated shots, held Pittsburgh to 19? Won turnovers, competitive on face offs and PIM. Can somebody explain WTF happened?

They do have to trade one or let Byram walk. We are the most expensive blue line in the league. Byram is set to get a pay raise. We can’t justify spending more money on a defense that doesn’t play defense. So sure, to the OP’s specific point I don’t think we “have to trade one to improve the team”. But we do need to make a decision on which one to keep when the time comes because we can’t keep investing in this unit as is.

It will ruin what has been good enough drafting to get this team over the hump.

Catch me at the Wings lot and I got you! 3 different chili peppers, 2 cuts of meat, chocolate, coffee. It’s no joke.

I just finished prepping chili for the Bills tailgate Sunday. Sat down. Checked the box score. Laughed. I’ll put something else on. How bad is the arena

I worked in college sports for a while. There are teams that oust their HC's. I wouldn't take one of those jobs. I have friends who coach at the Olympic level, and similar to the NFL, college aften pays as much or more. Those coaches wouldn't take those jobs either. I know, change the GM and/or owner, not the coach. But programs where the team forces a firing are toxic to their core.

“You guys are the best. I know you’re good hockey players. Just keep doing what you’re doing, you have it in you” -Terry Pegula Easily the biggest indictment that accountability starts at the top.

No, he cannot be another voice in the room. Somebody had to be in charge. Enough with this stupid flat leadership structure where responsibilities are muddled and anybody can convince Terry something is a good idea. President of Hockey Ops, GM, or something similar, that is it.

He keeps the NJD money which is reported to be much more than Buffalo.

If Terry loves the kids in the building right now it will likely be Forton.

At the risk of derailing the thread, this is an insane indictment on the GM in year 5. This team is at .142 P% without a defensemen that was drafted 7 years ago/2 years before GMKA got here. The entire roster is dependent on a guy that the general manager had no part in bringing in. It is almost unbelievable.

FTFY

The argument here between you two has spiraled. But from a 1000 foot view as somebody who has tried to keep up to page 8, it’s odd to sort of try and explain away Adams. He’s just been flat out bad. There’s a million things to hold his feet to the flames for whether he’s in full control or no control. Without any shred of evidence I think a big part of this death spiral is that Adams and Terry are in lock step. He isn’t doing Terrys bidding, they have the same vision. I’m also a bit concerned that todays locker room meet up WITH ADAMS was a polite way of telling the team that Pegula stands behind Adams and will change coaches if needed. Firing an NHL lifer like Lindy mid season in year one with this roster and track record would be a rock bottom lower than I thought Terry would be capable of. And like I said above, I think Terry and Kevyn are in lock step. Which means firing Adams and clearing house is even more important than ever.

“I know Lindy was mean to you. But Daddy Pegula and The Gimp are here now. You’re safe. If that big bad coach yells again you go right to coach Sethy you hear me” - Terry Pegula, probably