JohnC

The problem isn't that the Sabres are in a state of disaster. The issue is whether it has adequately advanced in their rebuild. There is a process in any rebuild. It can be excruciating to follow. It's not always linear. However, that doesn't mean that at this stage there shouldn't be a progression from the last year. The end of season playoff run left most of us positive about this year's playoff likelihood. From what has happened so far that upbeat feelings toward this season and playoff prospects have been dashed. Something is wrong when this team can be impressive against the best teams in the league one day, and then soon after struggle against the lower tier teams. The compete level and inconsistency that this team has shown so far shouldn't be tolerated.

The issue for me isn't the over-reliance on young players. I still believe that it was/is the right approach. However, there still was a need to bring in the right veteran players to support the youngsters. And as I said in previous posts (as others have also stated) there isn't the right mix of players on this roster. There are too many perimeter players and not enough stalwarts battling around the net. That was classically evident in the Ottawa game where the 40 plus shots on net were easily seen by their goalie due to little obstruction. It's been like that all season.

My big worry is exactly what you stated. The constant losing over an extended period of time is understandably corrosive to players' morale. Pro players are lifelong intense competitors. An inordinate amount of losing and being relegated to watching the playoffs on TV while their competitors are participating in the playoffs has to make them think about getting out of their frustrating situation.

Why don't you have Mitts playing center? Regardless, who he is playing with he should be at center.

You act as if the Pegula era dysfunction is a difficult concept to grasp by some. It isn't. Everyone agrees that there was systemic failure right from the start of this new ownership. You are pointing out the stark reality of long-term failure that is already well known. Recurring bad staffing and decisions are evident for all to see. It's like saying water is wet and believing that observation is a new revelation. It isn't. We already all know it.

I'm not arguing that the history was a failed history. However, what shouldn't have happened, did happen. The owner under KA made a decision to do a major reset. How we got to that point is not what I'm bringing up. We both agree on the extended systemic failure. My point on the ROR trade is since the owner/GM decision was made to do a reboot, that particular deal on balance worked out for us. If you disagree on how I'm framing that deal, that's okay.

The repercussions due to the covid crisis had tremendous ramifications on how the work world function. The main change was how it altered the work place from relocating much of the work done in the office to remote work at home. There is still great debate about what the proper balance should be between the office and remote working at home. I'm sure you can testify to that change and discussion.

As you indicate the world has changed. The work world you started in is different from the work world you left. The troglodytes who are living in the past are not happy with the changes and those who are more enlightened and believe in a better work/home balance are pleased.

I respectfully disagree. My observations about the game are at a great variance with your observations. It shouldn't be surprising that different eyes have different views. That's okay. With respect to the penalty issue and the lack of calls it shouldn't be a surprise in this game. There are games in which there is a fast up and down pace. The refs adjusted to the style of play and didn't make calls that could have been made. I have no problem with that application of discretion if the calls are fairly consistent. I thought the refs used good judgment in this game and allowed the play to go back and forth without interrupting the rhythm of the game.

I strenuously disagree with your basic point. I'm looking at the ROR as a single transaction. Although it took time for a full assessment it was a major plus for us. You are commenting on something altogether different i.e. the long-term dysfunction of the organization that is recognized by everyone. That's not what I was commenting on regarding this deal. Who in their right mind is going to disagree that this was a failed hockey operation? Certainly, not I. When you have carnage resulting in the team being blown apart, there is an aftermath. And this deal, by all calculations, is a good deal for us. Tage is a cornerstone player for us and it appears that Johnson is going to be a mainstay defenseman for us for a long time. Considering where we were when the deal was made, I make that deal every time if given the opportunity.

In most pro sports, including basketball, hockey, baseball and football, paternity leave is part of the labor agreement. It's a standard leave of absence for a player that shouldn't surprise anyone.

The topic in question was about this singular game. It wasn't about an overview of the franchise or even the season. There are plenty other topics that address the state of the franchise issue. The complaints that you and most of us have made about the play so far were not evident last night. The problem with being infected with long-term cynicism is that it makes it difficult to recognize a positive when it evident, even if it is only for the short-term. I'm not sure there are eye-drops for what ails you i.e. jaundiced eyes. Don't misinterpret what my point is. I'm not getting carried away after a good game against an inferior opponent. But when good play is exhibited, it should at least be acknowledged instead of sneeringly dismissed. As I said in my prior post, last night's game will be rendered meaningless if tonight's game doesn't end in a win.

As you are pointing out, there is an efficiency and maturity to this rookie's game that is impressive. He doesn't stick out because he's so efficient in moving the puck out of his zone. As you stated, staying four years in college prepared him well for the NHL. Just think, we got Tage and Johnson in the ROR trade with St. Louis. Sometimes it takes some time to calculate the p+/- in a deal. This was a great deal for us.

Why the snark? The Sabres played a game that accentuated their best attributes i.e. speed and skating. They played a fast paced and north/south game. Instead of trying to get cute and make the extra pretty pass, they shot the puck. The other team's goalie played well and kept Columbus in a game that I thought we dominated. Although UPL didn't face many shots (reflection of our dominating play and ability to get the puck out of zone), he made a number of key stops. What is surprising is that you, as much as anyone else has been a harsh critic (rightly so) of our goaltending. So when good play does happen you should at least acknowledge it. Quinn seems back to form and has helped to energize Cozens, and the line. Isn't that a positive takeaway from this game? This team would be in the middle of a playoff run if only it would have beaten teams that it should have, such as Columbus. That's what happened last night. Is this a meaningful game? Not if they lose to Ottawa, another team that it should beat. My point here is that when the team plays well it should be acknowledged. When it doesn't then it is fair to blast away. These comments are coming from someone who has been disappointed from how this season has so far transpired. What's fair is fair.

Some quick thoughts in this game. I thought Mitts was our best player in this game. I thought Buffalo outplayed Columbus offensively. We doubled their shots. Their goalie who was at first shaky, he tightened up and kept his team in the game. This was a back to back game for them. I sensed they lost steam and were holding on for dear life. UPL was solid. Quinn seems back to form. Considering how we outplayed Columbus offensively, it would have been demoralizing if we would have lost this game. This was a fast paced game with few penalties. It seems that the replacement HC is in sync with the sick HC from a style of play approach. This game will have little meaning if we don't win tomorrow.

How anyone can be critical of TT in the OT format is baffling. As you pointed out, he shot the puck, retrieved it, made a nice pass to Power who quickly got it to Skinner for a score.

In his recent post game interview he seemed to be very drawn and fatigued. He appeared very subdued and drained. Hopefully, some added rest and time will get him through his illness. I couldn't see much difference in this game in how a Appert coached team differed from a Granato coached team.

Odds are that the Sabres will win today. That's not the problem plaguing this team. It's has more to do with the next game after a win and good game. The lack of follow up and consistency is what is most disappointing about this team. If the Sabres win today and then follow up with a win tomorrow against Ottawa, then that would be a positive step. This team has already dug itself in a hole, even before the halfway point. It's got to make a move now just to get within range to be taken seriously. That's what I will be focusing on.

Rob can instead chatter with the backup goalie to get the inside scoop. 😀

Every once in a while, Torts would step aside to allow another coach on his staff to get behind the bench. He would do it to offer a different voice on the bench. He would then watch from another vantage point in order for him to also get a different perspective on his players and their play. He's basically trying to provide a different coaching dynamic to freshen things up. That's not the case here. DG went outside his coaching room to work the game.

I disagree. There is nothing unusual that during the season the HC can't be behind the bench for a variety of reasons, such as illness or personal reasons. Usually, the replacement is a coach already on his staff. Often for a variety of reasons, the HC can't conduct practice. The assistant coaches take over. Supposedly, they know the players on the roster and their capabilities. Yes, coaches have defined roles. But they aren't so limited that they can't at time assume greater responsibilities beyond their normal roles.

What's telling is the Rochester coach is brought in to do the job rather than one of the coaches on his staff.

Is holding staff accountable for their results meddling? That's what owners are expected to do in all sorts of enterprises. Is tolerating a flaccid PP doing the same ineffective things over and over acceptable? If it's a player problem, then make a player change. If it's a scheme problem, then change the coaches devising it. What's become exasperating to the followers here is the numbing sameness to these merging seasons over this past generation. Teams rebuild. That's a process that happens in all sports. But there should be a greater degree of tangible progress that is evident to all in that tough process. What has bothered me most about this season is the lack of consistent effort. It will be evident against the better teams. And then it flattens out against the lesser teams. If a team demonstrates that it can play at a high level but can't sustain it, then there is an internal problem associated with the player mix and/or coaching staff. The one that I don't consider fair is criticizing the fans for expressing their frustrations with this team and franchise. If you want to be satisfied with the course of this franchise, that is your prerogative. I'm not. Will the Sabres come out and win today. Probably so. That's not the problem. It's how they play the next game, and the next game etc. So far, they haven't demonstrated that they can play at a high level for a sustainable period of time. That's the source of my frustration with this meandering team.

Within this WGR link is Granato's regular segment on the Jeremy White show. He talked about the Leaf and Ranger games. He addressed the style of play between last year and this year. He made the point that the bigger issue is focus. In general, on this issue he talked about the psychology related to pressure and higher expectations. He also made the point that currently the team is for the most part healthy, and that made a difference when matching up against the opposition. He also noted that Girgs is close to being back. The one player he commented the most was Quinn. This is a 17-minute segment. https://www.audacy.com/wgr550/authors/jeremy-and-joe-show

The NHL and hockey system in general has a wonderful approach of young players being brought in to sponsoring homes.