These dogs can't hunt

[spndnchz]

Interhybridizing.

[Patty16]

Wish list.

 

Montador has been better this year, but it seems like he and Leopold are on the ice for too many GAs. If he can be re-signed for about the same $$, I'm more or less OK with it, but I kinda think the Sabres could do better.

 

Pommer leaving is a definite wish list item. You are correct that it's not realistic.

 

I can't argue too much with your last sentence. I do think that Miller and Myers are special players, that the Sabres have a number of good role players and a good coach, and better forwards at the top would make a huge difference -- not least by dropping Roy and Vanek down to the #2 line where they belong.

 

 

Montador was close to leading the league in +/- so hes out there for more goals for us than against.

 

I really wish we could dump pomm but im kidding myself into thinking thats possible.

[Stoner]

Montador was close to leading the league in +/- so hes out there for more goals for us than against.

 

I really wish we could dump pomm but im kidding myself into thinking thats possible.

 

A lot of these guys could be rejuvenated with a new coach and a new system.

 

I bet there are 50 guys looking to break into the NHL as a head coach who look at the Sabres roster and say, "Jeez, I could get those guys into the playoffs, at least."

[Weave]

A lot of these guys could be rejuvenated with a new coach and a new system.

 

I bet there are 50 guys looking to break into the NHL as a head coach who look at the Sabres roster and say, "Jeez, I could get those guys into the playoffs, at least."

 

I think those wannabe coaches would be dead wrong. Al Arbor, Mike Keenan, Glen Sather, Roger Nielson and Scotty Bowman all on the same staff couldn't overcome the dearth of talent and heart on this club. This roster isn't loaded with players needing to be rejuvenated, it is loaded with players that have roles higher than their ability. No #1 center, a #2 center that is injured or disinterested, no #1 RW and no #2 LW, and a checking line that is too slow of foot.

 

My opinion anyway.

[deluca67]

I think those wannabe coaches would be dead wrong. Al Arbor, Mike Keenan, Glen Sather, Roger Nielson and Scotty Bowman all on the same staff couldn't overcome the dearth of talent and heart on this club. This roster isn't loaded with players needing to be rejuvenated, it is loaded with players that have roles higher than their ability. No #1 center, a #2 center that is injured or disinterested, no #1 RW and no #2 LW, and a checking line that is too slow of foot.

 

My opinion anyway.

I've seen this roster come out in games, with their playoff lives on the line, and play like it was the preseason. I agree with the point about the talent. Hell, I have been saying for a while now that this roster, talent wise, is bottom third of the league. You can get by with limited talent if players are willing to sacrifice their bodies and play a physical style. You don't need great speed, soft hands or a blistering slap shot to throw a check or block a shot.

 

This team has a really good goalie. That alone should be a guaranteed ticket for at least the 8th spot in the conference. Yet here they are about to drop down to 12th place behind a Florida team that will still have two games in hand.

 

Something isn't right.

[bunomatic]

I've seen this roster come out in games, with their playoff lives on the line, and play like it was the preseason. I agree with the point about the talent. Hell, I have been saying for a while now that this roster, talent wise, is bottom third of the league. You can get by with limited talent if players are willing to sacrifice their bodies and play a physical style. You don't need great speed, soft hands or a blistering slap shot to throw a check or block a shot.

 

This team has a really good goalie. That alone should be a guaranteed ticket for at least the 8th spot in the conference. Yet here they are about to drop down to 12th place behind a Florida team that will still have two games in hand.

 

Something isn't right.

 

Can't argue with that.

[Weave]

I've seen this roster come out in games, with their playoff lives on the line, and play like it was the preseason. I agree with the point about the talent. Hell, I have been saying for a while now that this roster, talent wise, is bottom third of the league. You can get by with limited talent if players are willing to sacrifice their bodies and play a physical style. You don't need great speed, soft hands or a blistering slap shot to throw a check or block a shot.

 

This team has a really good goalie. That alone should be a guaranteed ticket for at least the 8th spot in the conference. Yet here they are about to drop down to 12th place behind a Florida team that will still have two games in hand.

 

Something isn't right.

 

At the risk of becomming Captain Obvious.. The idea that a lesser talented team can win consistantly assumes that the better talented opponent isn't playing with an equal amount of heart and desire. As soon as the physical play and sacrifice is matched the lower skilled team is exposed for what it is. Witness the 1st round against Boston last season. And we are rapidly approaching the 2nd half of the season. The intensity ratchets up across the board once the push for playoff seeding really kicks in.

 

As for the really good goalie guaranteeing a playoff spot, it hasn't worked for the Rangers lately either. The skaters still need to score one more goal than the other guys 6 out of every 10 games.

[Patty16]

Ok name a stanley cup team in past few years that had an equal roster in terms of talent.

Too hard?

 

Name a team that got to the finals but lost that had equal or lesser talent?

 

 

I cant think of any..... can anyone else? Thats my point, Miller + this team of kitty forwards isnt a cup contender. Miller is one of the best but he cant score goals and do the dirty work.

[Marvelo]

I think only a few of these guys can be rejuvenated -- on a different team. A change of scenery is best for these long-time non-achievers. A new coach might perk them up for a little while, but then they'll go back to their well-learned ways. There's no hope for these guys in Buffalo, they're too trapped in the malaise. Problem is, not only do most of these guys have just mediocre talent, but they don't compete on a nightly basis because they're "fragile." Whether it's overall character, guts or pride, or whatever you want to call it, the group as is is dyin' of cancer.

[MDFan]

I think only a few of these guys can be rejuvenated -- on a different team. A change of scenery is best for these long-time non-achievers. A new coach might perk them up for a little while, but then they'll go back to their well-learned ways. There's no hope for these guys in Buffalo, they're too trapped in the malaise. Problem is, not only do most of these guys have just mediocre talent, but they don't compete on a nightly basis because they're "fragile." Whether it's overall character, guts or pride, or whatever you want to call it, the group as is is dyin' of cancer.

I have come to the same conclusion and agree with many of the other posts in this thread. It is clear this team is gutless, under talented, and going nowhere and it is time to blow it up. I am not sure if Ruff is the right guy any more either, with or without new players. I am kind of tired of watching him coddle his favorites (why is Hecht playing at all) and misusing others on a nightly basis. I think he has mentally checked out as well.

 

The only real hope for the Sabres is new ownership committed to winning. This season is lost. My hope is the ownership situation can be straightened out in time for some new direction at the trade deadline to get the process started, but absent that, certainly by the end of the season. If this sales falls through and Golisano retains control, I am done wasting my time and money.

[Weave]

And the irony isn't lost that we are still calliing them heartless after a game where they displayed a good deal of heart.

 

Granted, one game here and there among many where they are listless and uninspired doesn't change their reputation in my eyes. It does tell me that *some* of these guys have it in them.

[TheChimp]

And the irony isn't lost that we are still calliing them heartless after a game where they displayed a good deal of heart.

 

Granted, one game here and there among many where they are listless and uninspired doesn't change their reputation in my eyes. It does tell me that *some* of these guys have it in them.

They did what a mediocre team would have been expected to do last night. They beat a backup goalie on a team that played its guts out the night before. And our "core" barely showed up. Good game, I thoroughly enjoyed it. And good for Rivet. The old coot deserved to have a good night sooner or later.

 

But the team still blows. We all know that. We're the new Columbus.

[Fire Lindy Ruff NOW]

They did what a mediocre team would have been expected to do last night. They beat a backup goalie on a team that played its guts out the night before. And our "core" barely showed up. Good game, I thoroughly enjoyed it. And good for Rivet. The old coot deserved to have a good night sooner or later.

 

But the team still blows. We all know that. We're the new Columbus.

columbus really isnt that bad.

[Stoner]

columbus really isnt that bad.

 

Lindy said today the Sabres can't take the Panthers lightly tomorrow night. Steve Montador said after the loss at Florida that the Sabres took to the Panthers lightly.

 

Why is this thought even in their heads?

[Fire Lindy Ruff NOW]

Lindy said today the Sabres can't take the Panthers lightly tomorrow night. Steve Montador said after the loss at Florida that the Sabres took to the Panthers lightly.

 

Why is this thought even in their heads?

i have no idea, you have to take every team seriously. thats the great thing about pro sports. any team can win any game.

[Marvelo]

Lindy said today the Sabres can't take the Panthers lightly tomorrow night. Steve Montador said after the loss at Florida that the Sabres took to the Panthers lightly.

 

Why is this thought even in their heads?

 

Maybe the Sabres think they're entitled.

[Calvin]

Maybe the Sabres think they're entitled.

I blame coaching if they went to Florida and took the Panthers lightly.

 

Even Bellichik talks up the Bills and gets his players ready to play us, despite having whacked us comprehensively about thirty-odd times.. yes it does feel that long.

[bunomatic]

Ruff isn't even in Bellichiks league. Literally. I guess Ruffs ability to lift the level of his players play has to be ebbing after all these years. Thats part of the reason for using the captain as an example and sitting him. He has to have that trump card to hold over the players heads or he's done.