30th out of 30 NHL coaches

[NHLopinion]

Currently the Sabres rank 20th in goals per game, right where I had anticipated based on the direction they were taking over the last two seasons.At 20th and still falling, I expect them to fluxuate between as low as 23rd and no higher than 17th for the remainder of the season, finishing the season no higher than 19th.

 

Any objective interpretation of the Sabres ranking on offense puts Ruff at 30th out of 30 NHL coaches in terms of getting offense production out of the talent on hand.

 

Here is the list of teams currently below Buffalo in goals per game.

NJD

TBL

PHX

TOR

MIN

STL

BOS

NSH

CAR

 

Not a single team on that list has more offensive talent than Buffalo. On offense the Sabres are underperforming at a rate worse than any team in the NHL when talent is taken into account.

 

Ranking 16th on PP conversion despite the advantage of having Thomas Vanek is nothing to hang your hat on either.

 

None of this comes as even a mild surprise to the few knowledgable fans who forecasted it.

 

For all but the most devout parrots the smoke screen on Ruff's song and dance regarding the changing NHL is lifting. Ruff's 'system' is poised to come under attack from even the slowest learners (making up the majority of the Sabres fanbase) who typically need to get batted over the head repeatedly before they catch on.

 

Before the parrots blabber out their mindless replies regarding where the Sabres are in the standings they should pause to consider:

1. teams ranked 20th in offense don't contend for stanley cups

2. the countless times TheWhale has taken them to school exposing them as bird-brains

 

 

footnote:

Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald has TheWhale's expresssed permission to publish this post on the condition that it includes the attached signature.

 

TheWhale - the pre-eminent authority on NHL hockey

[SDS]

I'm sorry, but if you can't address the community with an ounce of respect, then go elsewhere.