rickshaw

Since team D isn’t strong enough, it’s time to shop around for a true starter in goal. The tandem they have would be ok on a solid defensive team but my this team. Short side to win it. Not acceptable

How can this team be out played but the Canucks who were on back to back nights? I see the Canucks all the time here in Kelowna and they are not that good. There is no way they should outshoot us by such a wide margin. I spoke to someone today who is in the game and works with NHL'ers and he told me that this team is Eichel's team and that he runs the show. That the kids don't respect the older guys and that there is a big disconnect in the room. I believe him when he says this and while Eichel is the future, it is disappointing to hear that there is a lack of respect for the older players and coach last year etc. That there is no accountability in Buffalo. Now this was in the summer so it remains to be seen how the culture of the club changes if at all. But it's clear that this team is going nowhere until they all believe and trust one another.

Kane is making a case to either sign long term for big money, or making himself excellent trade bait. Honestly, say what you will about the guy but he works his ass off each and every night. Their PP needs to get back to last year's basics. ROR looks like he wants out.

Here in Kelowna there always lots of hockey guys in town during the summer. I've heard from ex players that ROR is not all that, that he has a bit of a headcase. Good player, but I bet he's not thrilled he's not getting bank like Eichel. On Eichel, the guy is a winner and while it's early, the kid will take this team to great heights. His goal was pure grit and skill all at once. Drops the guy in the corner effortlessly, then goes to the front and Boychuk can't budge him as he tips the puck and then finds it for the goal. Skill that can't be taught. The team has some good players and pieces but the way Housley sent the lines out, some players seemed to have gotten lost in the shuffle. Kane is a beast and plays hard every shift. Some bright spots but lots of work to do.

Jordan Nolan will get some games very soon. They’re getting run with no push back.

Bealieau having a tough night

I think Chad Johnson takes the position of starter before too long, if the coaching staff gives him the chance. How quickly Lehner gets in his own head is remarkable. The. 2nd shorty wasn’t his fault but 3 and 4 have to be saved. He became unglued so quickly. On a side note, Sam Reinhart is not looking good. Playing very soft. He needs to play tougher than he does. He could find himself moved down the lineup very soon if his game doesn’t pick up.

Bingo

How is Eichel not a shooter? He’s not a Sedin the last I looked. Can’t wait to see how bad Lehner looked on the winner. I wonder if the league will ever wisen up and ditch the so? Oh, I just answered my own question.

I was happy to hear TP stick up for Jack and squash any rumours that are out there. I wish he had said he was going to get good "hockey" people on board so he could sit back, watch and write cheques. I hope they have a plan, but until the next group is hired, I'll withhold judgement. I am not sad Bylsma is gone. I am not sad Murray is gone. I didn't dislike Murray, I found his brutally direct approach refreshing, but I'm sure he rubbed way too many people the wrong way, and that wasn't gonna help the Sabres one bit. This is Jack's team, as it should be, and he deserves to lead this team. He's the best player they have and will be for hopefully a very long time.

Another reason NHL is a second rate sport to so many. No way this hit was meant to be dirty. Had puck been there it would've been perfect. Penalty was correct. And don't get me started on playoff format. Congrats to whoever finishes second in Metropolitan.

That much closer to 28th. Hopefully Jack won't demand a trade.

Imagine not losing the Col, Az and Pitt games. 72 points and in wild card spot. Gotta laugh

Listen, we are all busy people so please, if you're going to post, do a little research first otherwise you're just wasting our time!!!????

Wow, 3 zip lead and they lose? Shocked that they lost the 2nd period though, that's weird!???? Anyway, it seems they sat back again and that refs were bad again from what I've read but honestly, this is the best outcome. 28th here we come. PS when will Eichel start getting respect from refs?

Lehner is fine, for now, but if this team starts to turn the corner he has to go. I hate the shootout but sadly the NHL loves 'em. But the bottom line is wins and he is under .500

How can a number one goalie have ZERO saves in all shootouts this year? HOW? Lehner should be pulled before it starts. I thought Luongo was bad when he was in Vancouver. Zero saves!!!!!

Sabres have a 1.1% chance of making the playoffs. Time to keep on losing.

It's over folks. We can't finish last but we're only 5 out of 28th!!!! Time to sell. Hate to say bye to Kane but his value will never be higher that right now. Get any D you can. Get a coach who will let his best player play more than he has. Can you imagine if Connor McDavid wasn't ridden by their coach, especially when he's really on? Progress has been made but puck possession is key in this league and this team doesn't have enough of it. Get anything you can for Gorges, Ennis, Foligno, to name a few. Gionta has been very good. Goodnight

Penalties have different time limits depending on the infraction. For example. A trip is 2 min but a boarding call is 3 to 4 depending on the severity. A hook is 2 min but a punch in the head roughing call is 3 min. A interference call is 2 min but a 2 handed slash is anywhere from 3 - 5 mins depending on location and severity. It's still beyond me how a hook is the same time limit as a boarding call or charge. And all penalties served until time limit is up.

As many of you know I live in Kelowna and there are many NHL players who live here in the summer. I go to a gym where the likes of Shea Weber, Josh Gorges, Curtis Lazar to name a few, train. I speak frequently with the owner of the gym and we've had some good conversations about the Sabres. I have heard from many that JG is not happy there, mainly cuz he loved Montreal and cuz he HATES losing. We talked about guys like Ennis and Foligno just the other day. I mentioned I thought the team had really poor defence outside of the stud 55 and that I thought the coach didn't coach the way the team is set up. He told me that guys like Ennis and Foligno have to go. That Foligno thinks he is a top 6 guy and when he doesn't hit guys and get to the net, he's not effective. And that the way the team is set up that Dan Byslma HAS to coach them this way. They don't have any defense. So a lot of this does sit on the GM. But I believe the coach is a big issue too. How can JE not get more ice than RR in a game against Arizona? He seems to not manage his bench well. The stud 55 is overused and is now wearing down. The GM needs to make some moves and sell the likes of TE and MF as well as any other dead weight player that can bring back picks of some sort. I doubt we will get help in the back end. I ramble but this team is done. I just hope that Jack doesn't say F it and leave as soon as he can. He is the future and they should be building around whatever he wants!

Matt Duchene in Avs land would sure look good in a Sabres uniform. Not sure who goes the other way though. Would Sakic take Kane? Doubt it.

Time for a new coach.

I admit I don't get to watch of games out here on the West Coast but I do see lots of hi (low) lights. And it's very clear from my perch that Lehner is not a capable starter in the NHL. Backup, yes, but go to guy, no. Not by a long shot. Yes he's tough and has a fire in his belly but that doesn't stop shyte goals like Martin's goal against Toronto. That is the goal that breaks a team's back. The one that deflates them. The team also has too much dead weight. Too many slow, breaking down defencemen. I'd prefer the group get or use their best young D and let them get the experience. The team has 5 goals by defence this year. FIVE! 4 I believe are by #55 who is gonna be a beauty. The bottom 3 defence are old, slow and/or breaking down and that's not good. In Vancouver they have two young guys learning on the fly and they are not liabilities. Sure they make mistakes but they are dynamic players who are learning and will benefit from it. It's time for Buffalo to say goodbye to JG, who is a very nice guy but he isn't happy there and I know that from speaking with him. He didn't outright say it but his body language did and that's enough. Go with the younger kids and see what happens. Offensively, I believe the team should open it up more and go for goals, as opposed to trying not to get scored on. They have offensive talent and it's time to let them go a bit more. Maybe it's time for a top coach not one who inherited Sid, Malkin and Co. I know I'm rambling but something still isn't right there. But I'd start by looking for a true starter in net, or until then go with Nillson (although I didn't like the game winner)

I'm not sure if it's been said before or not, but isn't it time Nilsson became the team's number one goalie? He seems to put up wins and seems to have better numbers than Lehner, no? I could be wrong but it's time to go with the guy playing best imo.