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End of November will be 7-8 weeks in the season. just assessing the style of play they will go to. Not their record of wins/losses. we should be able to see how the PP looks. Puck possession, goaltending, are the panicked or composed, speed etc. not looking at wins/losses at that time or really for next season. Just looking for improvement is all.

Nolan picked up Rolston's abortion and then was told to finish last (remember the tank?) That is why they were last. It was part of 'the master plan". Or so I am told

Oilers had bad coaching. Mac T and whomever the last guy was. I thought Eakins would have worked out better though. this is why it is imperitive on Murray to get the coaching right.

LGR4GM: You're reading too much into my post. Yes I do like Jack Eichel and feel he will be a very good player. Will he be better then McDavid: NO!(and that is why McDavid will go 1st in June and not Eichel.) To your argument, could you tell me how many Conference winners have won the Cup in the last decade? (as opposed to the 8th place finishers) So maybe you don't want to shoot for the moon and the stars. No, I never at any point felt the Sabres would make the playoffs last season as I was aware that the tank was on. I am not aware of what happens to Jack if he stays for another season in Boston. This question was brought up on SportsCentre here and no one answered it so pardon my ignorance on that. I agree with you that the jury is out on Murray and we will see if his future bodes well for this club. I believe that it does. I don't like the way he went about it but I am not the GM. I felt we had good goaltending with Neuvirth and Enroth. Maybe Lindback will be good also. The NHL has teams in Florida, Carolina, Arizona and perhaps Vegas in the future so I don't give a damn "what the NHL likes". they are feeding off the cap money from good Canadian clubs like Montreal and Toronto so screw them for that. I hope I have made things somewhat clearer. I do get off on a rant but I'm starting to feel like a Leafs fan. I want a winner in Buffalo before I die!!!!! That is all.

I don't find any with opposing opinions as attacks. i enjoy conversing with everyone on here to get varying opinions. We are all Sabres fans concerned with the product on the ice and we all inevitably want success for this team. I learn things on here and some of the best laughs I have had have come from being a part of The Aud Club. I do look forward to the upcoming season as I always do. Yes I am more optimistic about this year then in the past but it is with guarded optimism now. I wish all of you well and keep up the great dialogue. Again, come the end of November the picture will be clearer. I am expecting improvement though. I am sure the rest of you do as well and that is a good thing.

My whole deal with Nolan: He should have been given the opportunity to finish his contract with a good solid young lineup as I believe he coaches youth well. that is all: Give the man a fair shake then release him if the results are not what you expected. Is that so wrong???

bottom line is this: I will be happy as a clam to be completely wrong about all of it. If Tim Murray becomes a God here I will surely bow to him. If the Sabres win a Cup i will get the logo, Cup and date tattooed on my skin (my daughter will attest to this) (and i am not a tattoo guy) I was so excited when T-Pegs bought this club as i thought: we now have an owner who has deep pockets and is a Sabres fan. i bought into the whole "Hockey heaven" talk. But as of this writing, that is all it has been, talk.

just saying: we have "won" nothing yet: Not the draft lottery, not the best available coach. By the end of November, we'll have a better idea of what we truly have (developmentally speaking- they may not be winning but we'll see what type of hockey we are playing) i wouldn't be so quick to dump on the Leafs (and God knows I hate them) I believe Mike will make a big difference there. that club can score (which it did under Carlyle) their D just needs tio improve. Het SDS, give me some credit; I did say Babcock wasn't coming either! I really did (and took the subsequent heat for it)

LGR4GM: Edmonton wasn't such a wasteland when Gretzky and Messier were there. Stanley Cup final ratings were big time! With that young talented lineup, it could be the 80's all over again! Ask the L.A Kings how finishing 6-8th works if you have hard work, dedication and some great goaltending. (and they came out of the big bad Western Conference) Are we getting Jack Eichel? What happens if he does decide to go back to Boston College for another season (I would say it is highly unlikely but it is possible) Does he re-enter the next draft or do the Sabres hold his rights. I believe he goes back in the draft but i could be mistaken there. Now whose argument isn''t all that correct? I don't wish to argue with any of you , really. The bottom line is this: we are all Sabres fans who are desperate for winning hockey here (at least i am) I want nothiong more then for this team to hoist a Cup in my lifetime but as i hit 50 this year I question their tactics from time to time. Is that wrong of me? To expect more from a team I choose to spend my money and time on? I will gladly, (believe me gladly) accept the fact i am wrong and take all the crap thrown at me should this team turn it around and become a serious contender. Tanking is not my way of proven success. just because it worked for Pittsburgh. You need a sharp GM and a great coach and a great team of scouts to keep your organization competitive. Winning your Conference is hardly a given to a Stanley Cup. that is how I would like to see this organization formed. Hell, i really like Jack Eichel as i have said in previous posts. he looked great at the World's and i hope he plays with gusto to stick it to all who think he's the consolation prize. to me tanking is the easy way out while subjecting your fan base to a brutal product in "the hopes" of possibly getting a great player. Hey Randall Flagg: Keep telling yourself that........

the proof will be in the pudding come October. Yes, I am angry at the direction this organization took. All of you who think the Cup is coming in 4-5 seasons are the same group who felt we were getting both McDavid and Babcock. didn't happen. Feel absolutely free to call me out when it does. As those who called me out when I stated we wouldn't be guaranteed McDavid and Babcock was never going to come here. If you have been a Sabres fan for several decades I cannot believe I was the only one to see that coming.

@ SabresFan In Rochester: I am not upset with Babcock. i really wanted him here. i do think he is the best coach available absolutely. My bar is set low because look back at the past 8 seasons of Sabres hockey. Do you blame me? really? I am a realist my friend and i do not enter the season with Rose coloured glasses anymore. Now it is time for the Sabres braintrust to show me, as a long time fan, that they are worthy of the praise others are heaping on them for doing the right thing with the tank, for axing Ted Nolan etc. and to PlenzMd1: so they paid Ted for 3 seasons and axed him after 1. he should be kissing T-Pegs feet? They set him up to fail. Is that a nice way to treat someone but hey at least he got paid? if that is how you view this organization then maybe you can't see why Babcock took a pass. (and perhaps others in the future)

Bottom line. NO BABCOCK, NO MCDAVID. No one is saying the Sabres have won anything except blind believers. Second best IS WHAT ALL THE MEDIA are saying, myself included. (except Whiner Line and they make me laugh with their insanity) Check the previous topics and bloggers who did think The Sabres were going to get both and were deserving of both. It's there. I am a Sabres fan but I have not liked the way this organization has treated some people. T-Pegs for all his dough hasn't accomplished anything on the ice yet. He hasn't proven to be a wise owner yet. Thats the fact also. Will it come? Forgive me for being skeptical but I'll believe it when I see it. Sure it's great to be optimistic before the next season starts. We'll speak again come November and we'll see what's shaping up. The coaching choice is going to be enormous for this club.

The way they sold out his starting lineup by seasons end. Both starting goaltenders? Tim's obvious tank may have embarrassed the NHL also. Do you find it somewhat strange that Edmonton got the first pick again???? Maybe the draft lottery was rearranged as Edmonton tried to win their last few games and weren't so blatant with the tank. This will not embarrass the Commissioner whereas in Buffalo it was so blatantly obvious to anyone with a brain what they were doing. Do you remember that 10 game stretch early in the year when Buffalo won 7 or 8 of those and slowly moved up the standings and were showing hard efforts? All of sudden, that effort stopped cold and they plummeted back down to the cellar. That was the real Ted Nolan coached club. Then they had the fire sale because Ted was utilizing the existing talent and was getting results. Do you really think LaFontaine didn't leave because he wasn't on board with this tank process? That is why he left and he didn't want that for Ted. Tim Murray has not accomplished a damn thing yet. I am not sold on this man right now. i will give him every opportunity to prove me wrong.What goes around comes around.

To those that are "upset" or angered by the way Babcock supposedly treated the Sabres. All I can say is this, KARMA IS A REAL BITCH TIM MURRAY! Another poster berated me for using "the karma thing" about my rant on the way this organization treated Ted Nolan. He told me KARMA has nothijng to do with it. I beg to differ, no Connor McDavid, no Mike Babcock. I would say KARMA is playing a role whether you want to acknowledge it or not. Maybe Mike Babcock didn't enjoy the way this organization treated Ted Nolan either and decided to play them to his advantage. Hell if this club craps on it's coaches why would I want to go there? Just food for thought. we'll see in the next 2 seasons where this organization is headed under Tim Murray.

Luke would be my choice now that Babcock is out. He has plenty of experience with the young players and I'm not keen on some of the other names I've been hearing. No Bylsma (I think he was way overrated- that Cup team he had in Pitt was a Michel Therrien team that Bylsma inherited in short order, and it was his only Cup with the NHL's best player & Malkin) No Carlyle, no Terry Murray (that one actually scared me) Blashill will end up the Wings new coach so he's out (otherwise I'd really like him) Guy Boucher perhaps. Not sure he is on the Sabres list after Boucher's extensive Toronto interviews.Might as well go with a youthful coach with the experience of coaching youth. Most important decision Murray's going to make. Enough of brutal hockey in Western New York.

On one of the other topics regarding coaching for this club, I stated that Babcock wasn't coming here. I was berated for it as people kept telling me "why wouldn't he come here?" etc. etc. I said that he would have more control of players in T.O. and he and Shanny have more history then he and Murray. Lo & behold, Babcock is in T.O. Now bloggers claim they are glad, he ain't that great a coach, he's all ego etc. etc. Guess what Sabres fans. You can candy coat it any way you want.. We got the 2nd best player in the draft (did Eichel make a hard commitment to the Sabres yet? He may stay for another year at Boston, that is possible also) We will now have to settle for the second best coach available. Thems the facts. I do like the young talent that has been assembled here in Buffalo so far but Murray's biggest step will be finding "the right coach" for these young guys. this will make him or break him as i am not a fan of his right now. He has not achieved a damn thing yet and the tank hasn't exactly played out the way we all kind of thought it would. Don't believe me? look back at the various topics posted and the responses. Why were we all high on Tim Murray to begin with? Just because he wasn't Darcy Regier? In my books Tim still has a lot to prove to us that he has what it takes to be a good GM. The decision of coach is enormous now. Bylsma? Really? People are crapping on Babcock for having won only 1 Cup with his lineup. Bylsma had the best player in the NHL and Malkin and won it once (off the back of Michel Therrien's hard work I might add) Terry Murray's name has come up also. Really? Didn't he coach in the late 80's early 90's? I would actually like to see Luke Richardson get the chance now but who knows who else is out there. I'm not so sure we'll see a huge improvement in this club this upcoming season but I bet you, you will see tremendous improvement in both The Leafs and The Oilers (remember them) It's great to be optimistic but this team is having trouble right now getting the pieces they thought they had coming. Don't get me wrong, I am very happy to have Jack Eichel. (provided he does indeed come to Buffalo) He looked great at the World's and fit right in with the pro's, Just see the difference the coaching will make in Toronto (which isn't a lesser talent then Buffalo regardless of what you may think- their dressing room and team concept is the main issues over there and Babs will straighten that crap out) and McLellan will do the same in Edmonton. All I'm saying is Tim, you need to make the most important decision now, choosing the right head coach for this young group.

I know no one is talking Babcock in this thread but wouldn't you agree, the next big step (huge step really) is who TM gets as coach? We have lots of kids now and their development is pivotal to where this franchise goes in the next 3-5 years. I am set with Eichel. I admit I wanted McDavid but like I said, i trust Central Scouting and am happy with Jack. i also agree that I hope he does play with a chip on his shoulder to show he was not "the consolation prize". That being said, The coach thing has me worried, we screw that up and it is more pain, and seriously, have we as fans not suffered enough now? I have had it with the play of this club the past 3 seasons. The coaching choice will make it or break it

Babcock ain't coming. I have come to terms with that. Hopefully Buffalo has a coach come the official draft day. Babcock in T.O? I see that as a possibility also. No shortage of cash there and the challenge is immense. Pat Burns and Quinn did well there. No reason to think Mike wouldn't join Shanny in the big market. Help rebuild that franchise also. Going to be fun in the next few months to see where all these chips fall. I tend to believe it just may be Luke Richardson in Buffalo.

Anyhow, the bottom line is this. We do have loads of good young talent here now. The B.S. is done with and so is the tanking. It is most definitely time to move forward with Jack. I just hope we get a very good coach with a very good system. This will be the next really important move by our GM. God bless you Jack and Tim Murray, please bring respectability back to this franchise. I have not worn my closet full of Sabres gear in 3 years and am dying to break it out!!!!!!!!!!!!

Babcock ain't comin here. I stand by that. Feel free to make me eat it if he does. I do hope that he does but I just cannot see it. I also hope Eichel does play with a chip on his shoulder. I have an ugly feeling Babcock goes to Philly. Also a wealthy owner and maybe Babcock has more control then with TMGM. Money itself will not entice Babcock, he has plenty already. Hey, if you haven't seen Eichel play, you don't know Jack! Babcock to Philly, just my guess.

By the way, all of those out there touting the signing of Mike Babcock, do you truly believe he is coming now? Really really believe it? I do not think so. And yes, McDavid will sign with Edmonton as they also have a youthful club. He could very well be the next Gretzky. Let the comparisons between McDavid and Eichel start now. The coach Buffalo hires this season will be ever so important now. If it is Luke Richardson, hope he brings that Binghampton magic with him. No way Edmonton deals the McDavid pick either. That is guaranteed ticket sales and in the seats. As for a goaltender, I think if Edmonton shores up the rest of their game, their goaltending is decent. Plenty goalies out there, ask the Sabres!

I do agree, McDavid didn't look overly thrilled. I have not seen enough of Jack but I trust Central Scouting and I will be overly thrilled if Jack becomes the player he seems destined to be. Best of luck Jack, i for one, wish you the greatest success here in Western New York and I will be rooting for you! Perhaps good to have an American on a U.S based club.

And this is why you don't tank. Jack Eichel had better be the next Modano. You are never guaranteed the #1pick. NEVER!!!!!!!!!! By the way, when is Mike Babcock coming again? Yes the Sabres have loads of young talent but I do feel this "rebuild" will now take considerably longer then expected. In Jack we trust!!!! I still do not believe Babcock sets foot in Buffalo so start looking for another coach whose last name isn't Bylsma. Calling Luke Richardson! I hope this all pans out Sabre fans or we are in for years of more pain. Not my way of building but I am no GM. I prefer the Habs, Wings, Bruins way of building.

I make no secret I love Ted Nolan as a head coach and was thoroughly disappointed he was not given the chance to mold the team with young talent after being a good soldier the past 2 seasons. I will most definitely give Tim Murray the benefit of the doubt for the next 2 seasons as he has to basically rebuild this thing and it is not an easy job. I am desperate to see good hockey in Buffalo once again and if Tim can accomplish this then my hat is off to him and I credit him for making the hard decisions. It is in his hands now. I agree with other posters on these blogs that since T-Pegs and all his money came to Buffalo, we have been promised "Hockey Heaven" and so far, it has been the complete opposite. I give myself 2 more seasons of hopefully seeing serious improvement in this club before I consider other ways to spend my winter time and money. The organization has what it supposedly wanted and now it is time for them to get it right. I'm not expecting Stanley Cups even. Just strong playoff appearances which may lead to it. No blaming anyone but Tim now if this derails.

Well, Tim went and did it. Ted is gone. I personally feel it was a classless move and we'll see if Don Cherry is right. Karma is a bitch. We'll see what footprint this club has now under Murray's leadership. Can't blame Ted now. I just don't want to see Bylsma, Carlyle or Ron Wilson behind this bench. If it is Luke Richardson, I hope he shoves my doubts up my @$$. I have to say, I am worried about this club if the man behind the becnh IS NOT BABCOCK! Going to be a hot summer in Western New York!