Pinch me Cuz I'm dreamin'

[OverPowerYou]

We're mostly sabres fans here, so stop the arguing! LoL

[wnyguy]

You would think the embarrassment of how last season ended would be motivation enough for this roster. Which is why I find it so ridiculous that the idea of a new rug in the locker room is motivational. That a change in ownership has the players invigorated. I want players on this roster that want to win a Stanley Cup and it is their only motivation.

 

 

Well we now have an owner whose sole motivation is exactly that, and the new carpet is a symbolic message to everyone in that locker room of his intentions. You are, it appears, unwilling to comprehend that.

[Doohicksie]

What happens when the initial excitement wears off? Do the players go back to not caring?

 

The idea is that by then, there will be an expectation of winning. Pegula cited Mike Ilitch as a role model as a hockey owner. The Red Wings have been perennial contenders for nearly 20 years now. How do they keep motivated? After a while, a system and a tradition forms. New players come into the system and play within it, whether they are God's gift to hockey (Datsyuk, Zetterberg) or just another guy trying to earn a spot on the club (Cleary, Helm). The result is that when the stars follow the system and set the example for the rest, the rest get on board, too.

 

I've been promoting Vanek as the next captain. Part of the reason for that is because he's bought into Lindy's system, including the backchecking aspect. For most of the season now, he's checked the ego at the door and put on his hard hat. By doing that, he not only does better, he makes those around him better. Being a System and not just a Team brings that synergy. The Sabres, actually, are not that far off from that. The scouting could use some improvement, the farm club is doing well, the team on the ice, going back to early November, has been among the best in the NHL.

 

This is not just a Pegula thing; this has been happening most of the season, after a terrible start. The bounce they've gotten from Pegula is real, sure, but the team was no slouch before his arrival. He's saying, though, that the primary focus of this team is not the money as it was under Tom G., but winning a championship. That little change in focus means that the players no longer have to make do with what comes there way; they can depend on ownership to fill the gaps going forward. It lightens the load on everyone which means that it becomes easier to perform at that higher level, day in, day out.

 

Pegula's leadership is providing the vision. Golisano was an absentee landlord of an owner. Even when present, his presence did little to lift the team. Pegula is a fanboy geek who's enthusiasm rubs off on the players and inspires mutual respect. But there is more to him than that; Pegula is smart enough to bring in good hockey people like Black, and to demonstrate his commitment to the team by spending a little frivolous but inspirational money on the locker room.

 

What happens when the excitement wears off? I don't think the excitement will wear off. I think Pegula will work with the front office to ensure there is always something exciting about this team. When the players themselves are in the middle of the grinding season, he will bring back the alums to inspire. He will make more improvements to the facilities. He will do whatever he can to make the team feel that they are special and unique and damned lucky to be with The Buffalo Sabres.

 

If he's successful in imitating Ilitch, the Sabres will become a team that players will accept less money to join because it will be worth it to them to be with such a quality organization.

 

What happens when the excitement wears off? I predict the next excitement builder will come Tuesday when Vanek is introduced as the new captain. That should pump up the HSBC faithful as the Sabres seek to consolidate their playoff position by knocking the Canes down further in the standings.

[FogBat]

Did you just call DeLuthor67 gay?

 

I'm guessing that if Jesus judged people as much as you do, his little cult wouldn't have gotten so popular.

No, I didn't call him gay. I only figured that it was best to put that moniker on him since he whines and complains about everything under the sun unless he gets his way.

 

As for how you perceive Jesus and me, you don't have even the faintest clue.

[FogBat]

The idea is that by then, there will be an expectation of winning. Pegula cited Mike Ilitch as a role model as a hockey owner. The Red Wings have been perennial contenders for nearly 20 years now. How do they keep motivated? After a while, a system and a tradition forms. New players come into the system and play within it, whether they are God's gift to hockey (Datsyuk, Zetterberg) or just another guy trying to earn a spot on the club (Cleary, Helm). The result is that when the stars follow the system and set the example for the rest, the rest get on board, too.

 

I've been promoting Vanek as the next captain. Part of the reason for that is because he's bought into Lindy's system, including the backchecking aspect. For most of the season now, he's checked the ego at the door and put on his hard hat. By doing that, he not only does better, he makes those around him better. Being a System and not just a Team brings that synergy. The Sabres, actually, are not that far off from that. The scouting could use some improvement, the farm club is doing well, the team on the ice, going back to early November, has been among the best in the NHL.

 

This is not just a Pegula thing; this has been happening most of the season, after a terrible start. The bounce they've gotten from Pegula is real, sure, but the team was no slouch before his arrival. He's saying, though, that the primary focus of this team is not the money as it was under Tom G., but winning a championship. That little change in focus means that the players no longer have to make do with what comes there way; they can depend on ownership to fill the gaps going forward. It lightens the load on everyone which means that it becomes easier to perform at that higher level, day in, day out.

 

Pegula's leadership is providing the vision. Golisano was an absentee landlord of an owner. Even when present, his presence did little to lift the team. Pegula is a fanboy geek who's enthusiasm rubs off on the players and inspires mutual respect. But there is more to him than that; Pegula is smart enough to bring in good hockey people like Black, and to demonstrate his commitment to the team by spending a little frivolous but inspirational money on the locker room.

 

What happens when the excitement wears off? I don't think the excitement will wear off. I think Pegula will work with the front office to ensure there is always something exciting about this team. When the players themselves are in the middle of the grinding season, he will bring back the alums to inspire. He will make more improvements to the facilities. He will do whatever he can to make the team feel that they are special and unique and damned lucky to be with The Buffalo Sabres.

 

If he's successful in imitating Ilitch, the Sabres will become a team that players will accept less money to join because it will be worth it to them to be with such a quality organization.

 

What happens when the excitement wears off? I predict the next excitement builder will come Tuesday when Vanek is introduced as the new captain. That should pump up the HSBC faithful as the Sabres seek to consolidate their playoff position by knocking the Canes down further in the standings.

Very good post. Pegula and Golisano are as different as night and day. Given that TG made his fortune from starting a payroll processing company, he was all about the bottom line and not having to go beyond that if he could help it. Number crunchers may be valuable for keeping your business afloat, but there's quite a difference between running a white-collar company and a pro sports team.

 

I don't mind if Vanek is the new captain. What concerns me is that in the entire history of the Stanley Cup, only one winning captain was from Europe (Nicklas Lidstrom). I hope that TV can reverse that trend, but that little piece of trivia just does not sit well with me.

[FogBat]

Well we now have an owner whose sole motivation is exactly that, and the new carpet is a symbolic message to everyone in that locker room of his intentions. You are, it appears, unwilling to comprehend that.

He does a really good job of being supremely obstinate.

[deluca67]

He does a really good job of being supremely obstinate.

Are you an ex-girlfriend?

[Stoner]

He does a really good job of being supremely obstinate.

 

Who, God?

 

I'm losing track of the deities here.

[FogBat]

A rug makes more difference than getting knocked out of the the playoffs?

 

BTW, I think the same about your opinion of me as I do your opinion of religion and politics, you have scored the hat-trick of clueless.

Clueless??? Aren't YOU the one to talk!

[grinreaper]

Are you an ex-girlfriend?

 

But I thought you were gay? :sick:

[BuffaloSoldier2010]

Kind of an amature collage of video clips i put together to celebrate the sabres new era.

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oi_fy5v_Flg

[Two or less]

There is a serious flaw in the makeup of the players on this roster. When I see posters say that they are playing better now because of Pegula, that to me is a far worse indictment of the players than saying they lack the talent.

 

Who doesn't have flaws? Are they feeding off the owner? Of course they are, but this team has played well since the new year. This isn't just a recent turnaround of success for the team. Does the team have flaws? Absolutely. Does the team have major strengths? Absolutely. Each team has flaws and strengths. The teams that put it together most by end of the season are the teams that usually see success in the playoffs.

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

Who doesn't have flaws? Are they feeding off the owner? Of course they are, but this team has played well since the new year. This isn't just a recent turnaround of success for the team. Does the team have flaws? Absolutely. Does the team have major strengths? Absolutely. Each team has flaws and strengths. The teams that put it together most by end of the season are the teams that usually see success in the playoffs.

 

Can you please tell me the major strenghts of this team. Thank you. The only decent strengths that I can see are a better than average mobile team on defense, better than adequate goaltending, and some young players with skill who may improve.

 

As solid as a run as they have been on, the question still becomes how do you advance in the playoffs with a Ryan Miller who has played close to 90% of his available games, an undersized forward group who is one of the least physical in the game, and a defense who while having shown progress, tends to make errors under pressure in crucial situations and does not have the word, punish, in their vocabulary except for possibly Weber?

 

While the new owner has been a great story and brings hope, celebrating this team right now is like braging about General Motors progress. Enjoy the games, but try not to confuse a passing grade, with greatness. If this team was sitting in a college class on a bell curve, they would own a C. After their first 3 tests getting an F, C-, and D, they followed it up with a C+, B+, and B. That's progress.....but I don't see them beating out Hu Chin or Lao Mingh for an A in the class any time soon. They've gone from making the fries, to managing the guy who makes the fries.

[Two or less]

Can you please tell me the major strenghts of this team. Thank you. The only decent strengths that I can see are a better than average mobile team on defense, better than adequate goaltending, and some young players with skill who may improve.

 

1. One of the better skating teams in the league.

2. Mobility on defense.

3. Great coach. Like him or not, when his system works, we're hard to be beat.

4. Elite penalty killing team.'

5. Disciplined.

 

That was easy.

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

1. One of the better skating teams in the league.

2. Mobility on defense.

3. Great coach. Like him or not, when his system works, we're hard to be beat.

4. Elite penalty killing team.'

5. Disciplined.

 

That was easy.

 

1) Ok, it's a strength, but not a major strength like '06-'07

2) They have shown that, but again, at the cost of physical play

3) We are a diceroll away from missing the playoffs 6 of 9 years. When my system works, I can bag a supermodel

4) Sabres 16th in the league.

5) Depends what you mean by this.

 

I can give you strengths of many regular posters here. A lot of them may still be mediocre however.

[Two or less]

 

While the new owner has been a great story and brings hope, celebrating this team right now is like braging about General Motors progress. Enjoy the games, but try not to confuse a passing grade, with greatness. If this team was sitting in a college class on a bell curve, they would own a C. After their first 3 tests getting an F, C-, and D, they followed it up with a C+, B+, and B. That's progress.....but I don't see them beating out Hu Chin or Lao Mingh for an A in the class any time soon. They've gone from making the fries, to managing the guy who makes the fries.

 

In terms of total goals per teams in East, the Sabres have 4th MOST (203) in the East, only behind Philly (219), Boston (205) and Tampa Bay (204). Not too shabby for a bunch of losers....

[Two or less]

1) Ok, it's a strength, but not a major strength like '06-'07

2) They have shown that, but again, at the cost of physical play

3) We are a diceroll away from missing the playoffs 6 of 9 years. When my system works, I can bag a supermodel

4) Sabres 16th in the league.

5) Depends what you mean by this.

 

I can give you strengths of many regular posters here. A lot of them may still be mediocre however.

 

I don't care. I'm talking about this season.

 

4. Ok, actual statistics may not follow my point, but i do believe they are an elite group of penalty killers and id love to see what rank we are since Jan 1st.

5. They don't take too many dumb penalties in big games. Being stuck on the penalty kill in the playoffs isn't a worry.

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

In terms of total goals per teams in East, the Sabres have 4th MOST (203) in the East, only behind Philly (219), Boston (205) and Tampa Bay (204). Not too shabby for a bunch of losers....

 

And they are 9th in goals against in the east, and 21st overall.

 

 

Maybe that's the way Ruff runs his system though.

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

I don't care. I'm talking about this season.

 

4. Ok, actual statistics may not follow my point, but i do believe they are an elite group of penalty killers and id love to see what rank we are since Jan 1st.

5. They don't take too many dumb penalties in big games. Being stuck on the penalty kill in the playoffs isn't a worry.

 

Well....good luck to you guys. I hope they pull it out.

[Two or less]

And they are 9th in goals against in the east, and 21st overall.

 

 

Maybe that's the way Ruff runs his system though.

 

You asked for strengths, but you're counter attacking with weaknesses. Makes no sense at all, except you just being a hater.

[Two or less]

Well....good luck to you guys. I hope they pull it out.

 

:rolleyes:

[wjag]

 

While the new owner has been a great story and brings hope, celebrating this team right now is like braging about General Motors progress. Enjoy the games, but try not to confuse a passing grade, with greatness. If this team was sitting in a college class on a bell curve, they would own a C. After their first 3 tests getting an F, C-, and D, they followed it up with a C+, B+, and B. That's progress.....but I don't see them beating out Hu Chin or Lao Mingh for an A in the class any time soon. They've gone from making the fries, to managing the guy who makes the fries.

 

 

Well that started my morning off with a laugh...

[wjag]

Let me try at team strengths:

 

1. Still winning more than losing even though lost man days is increasing. I think they're learning to win.

2. Officially 2 deep at goal tending. First time since Marty left.

3. Team scoring is up with only the really stacked Philly team ahead.

4. Capable of beating Boston and Montreal this year. Match up well against them.

5. Strong through the middle of team back bone, Coach, GM, President, Owner. Strong in terms of cohesion and unity.

6. PK is rounding into form.

7. Blue line scoring. Leopold, Sekera, Weber, Montador and Myers can all score and do.

8. Game is rounding into form at just the right time of year.

[Weave]

Let me try at team strengths:

 

1. Still winning more than losing even though lost man days is increasing. I think they're learning to win.

2. Officially 2 deep at goal tending. First time since Marty left.

3. Team scoring is up with only the really stacked Philly team ahead.

4. Capable of beating Boston and Montreal this year. Match up well against them.

5. Strong through the middle of team back bone, Coach, GM, President, Owner. Strong in terms of cohesion and unity.

6. PK is rounding into form.

7. Blue line scoring. Leopold, Sekera, Weber, Montador and Myers can all score and do.

8. Game is rounding into form at just the right time of year.

 

 

1. Trend, not really a strength at all.

2. Since when is = to rest of league a strength?

3. Legit strength

4. Not a strength until it is proven in the post season.

5. ???

6. Trend, let's see if it continues before labeling it a strength. It wasn't up until recently.

7. Legit strength

8. Again, it's a trend. Call it a strength when it continues in the postseason.

[FogBat]

There is a serious flaw in the makeup of the players on this roster. When I see posters say that they are playing better now because of Pegula, that to me is a far worse indictment of the players than saying they lack the talent.

Well, considering that you seem to spend every waking moment (if you're not working/gainfully employed) b!tch!ng and complaining that the Sabres can't seem to do anything right in your eyes and that you will NEVER be the general manager of this team, I guess you're consigned to playing fantasy hockey. At least you only have yourself to blame if the players you pick don't perform to your draconian expectations. :D