mjd1001

I've always argued Cozens was so bad at times, he hurt the team out there with turnovers, being out of position, taking dumb shots because he 'didn't see' the better pass to make with the puck..etc. He was a 'net negative' to the team when he was on the ice, making more negative plays than positive plays. My thought is, a 'replacment level player' (maybe a better choice of words would be an 'average' player who makes an equal number of positive plays as negative plays, even if there aren't many of each) is better than a player who is a net negative, which Cozens is/was. Now, that is the subtraction part. Of course the key is they NEED to replace those minutes with MINIMUM that 'average' player....who may not be as talented as Cozens but doen't make many mistakes. Right now, it doesn't appear they have done that yet. Norris replacing Cozens would be a very good upgrade. But if Norris isn't around, you need a backup plan. An "decent" or "slightly above average veteran journeyman" in my opinion would be better than Cozens. Right now with Norris out, they don't even have that.

Totally disagree. The whole point of my post is if you fire Adams, unless Pegula changes his mindset you are going to get basically an "Adams clone". The bigger change happens not with Pegula having the same role/mindset but a new GM that he picks. The needed change ONLY happens when Pegula decides to make a change at GM and take a step back (maybe get that PHO as another layer between him and the GM). If you are removing Adams, I do not want that "Adams clone" or someone who is in the current organization with the same mindset. When they make a GM change, they need to do better, and that likely means getting someone Terry won't always feel comfortable or wanted around.

Didn't Harrington write a really critical article about Pegula a year or two ago also?

Maybe an over-reaction from the first 2 games: -Quinn needs to be told he doens't get any more minutes unless he spends the majority of his time in front of the net in the offensive zone. He has turned into a total perimeter player and he has to be broken of that forcefully. -Doan I'd like to see get a bit more ice time and a shot on a top 2 line. Take awy 3-4 minutes from Quinn and give them to Doan. -Without Norris, as soon as Benson is back in the lineup, Benson-Kulich-Tage as a line. -Tuch. Again, only 2 games but I really don't see a reason, or have any desire to give him $10m+ per year as he ages through his middle-to-late 30's. The team can lose just as well with him as without him. -Byrum. all I see in him is a 'somewhat' better version of Bryson. Meaning, nothing special other than he somehow gets a ton of ice time every game without doing much with it. he's not HURTING the team, but I don't see much special.

Pegula

Opening night when Bettman showed up was a sellout crowd. That is what they care about the most (not that it will last long)

At least with the Sabres, Has Pegula given any indication he wants anything other than "yes" men, or wants someone he 'feels' comfortable around and not someone who will disagree with him in any way? Terry wants to be made to feel listened to, to feel important. To feel like his thoughts on the hockey department and roster are being heard ALL THE WHILE being protected from criticism. Who is going to take that role? Until that changes, nothing really changes.

Looking at the early returns on the 'fancey stats' from this game (Fenwick, Corsi, expected goals for/vs, etc.) and a quick glance shows the guys with the best numbers this game were Doan, Bryson, Krebs, and Danforth. Tuch, McLeod, Samuelsson and Quinn were at the bottom of the list. The only issue is, give THIS team a coach they want, and are things going to be much better?

I don't think you are going to get much for him at all. The question is, does he hurt you by being on the ice? Would a 'replacement' level player, or one of the young guys from Rochester that you bring up to fill his spot, be an improvment over him?

I thought he was great in Rochester and his first year with the Sabres his play was encouraging. Its just since his injuries, he has been on of the worst Forwards in the NHL that gets regular (semi-regular) minutes.

For a few of us, it was already empty on Thursday night. Tonight just gives that feeling further confirmation. A couple of empty netters, but outscored 7-1 through 2 games against 2 non-playoff teams from last season.

I know its only 2 games and the team looks bad overall, but for me one of the keys of the season was Quinn actually playing like a decent NHLer. Well, 2 games in, he has a total of 2 shots on goal, no points, is a -1, and in the 2nd game of the year his ice time has already been cut down to under 15 minutes.

Well, at least they have a goalie that so far has a nearly .920 save percentage.

He didn't get his big dollar extenstion. He's hurt? his feelings? his pride?

There are some individual players on this team I like. But...its bad to say but I do not like the 'team'. It shouldn't be this way, but when I see a clip or highlight with any of them wearing the Sabres jersey, I let out a groan or a least a sigh in my own head upon seeing it.

He's a goal scorer. Often goal scorers have bad/terrible games but put one or two in the net and everyone loves them again.

He'll take the easy interviews. If Josh Allen got hurt and the Bills went 5-12 next season, I'd bet he'd be nowhere to be found to make any appearences with the Bills taking questions.

At least they came out of the 2nd intermission fired up! Over 6 minutes into the 3rd, and still not official shots on goal.

That is a big reason why he hired Adams. We know there was a bit of friction between Pegula and the last 2 gm's and he didn't like that. Adams got his job because he would take all the arrows for Pegula. Pegula is a coward.

We've done this conversation before...but since the drought: -8 coaches (7 with Lindy twice) -4 GMs -70 different skaters over 14 seasons have at least 80 games played. -Many front office and scouting changes. -Just one owner. What is the common thread, that controls all those other things under him?

If a team is playing poorly...there is always a way to take whatever you see and blame it on coaching: -A team starts out slowly but plays better later = Its the coach's fault they aren't prepared -A team starts out well but gets worse as the game goes on = Its the fault of the coaching staff they can't/don't make adjustments.

Interesting that Bryam has 2 full minutes more ice time than Dahlin does already.

Coming INTO tonight, 17 players already had 2 or more goals scored on the season. This team can't even get 1 yet against 2 non-playoff teams from last year.

These first 2 games were the 'easy' ones...5 of the next 6 against playoff teams from last year.

Up to this point they have performed as the worst team in the league and its not even close. They have played 2 mediocre at best teams so far, can't score a goal and don't even look like they have the ability to play at the same level as them.