Rolston officially #Sabres head coach

[Weave]

Agree, which is what most the feeling of this board expresses except for the few Koolaid drinkers and the increasing number of overall negatrons. I think most of the vitrole is toward Regier. Mine has been since the Briere Vanek debacle. Drury was gone, he wanted to go to NYC which is what bothers me the most, because that was easily foreseable yet Regier f'd up Briere, lost Dumont and rented a bunch of underperforming bums except Zubrus who they also let get away. Also Zach Kassian was supposed to be something... not... Why hasn't Armia been called up given the lack of scoring talent and why the Hell is Stafford still on this team???? Also, Grigerenko was tagged as being lazy as the reason he dropped.... hmmm looking more and more apt a tag, but yet Marcy is being given another chance....

 

Regier in my mind is a MORON and until he is gone I cannot in good conscience give TPegs the benefit of the doubt.

 

Copy/paste would have been much less effort than typing that out twice. :rolleyes:

 

I'm not too worried about his demeanor or his glasses. I just like having a little fun with them.

 

I'm mostly interested in the things I see on ice. When he activates the defense. Who he plays with a one goal lead.

His line changes etc., and to a lesser extent who he scratches.

 

So far, we've seen very conservative coaching decisions with a very simplified style.

As far as I know Rolston might be a genius at mixing and matching lines and pressing advantages,

but I don't think he's had the personnel to play that way. There was such a lack of talent that it was

difficult to find a Rolston signature on the club.

 

I'm not completely against the move of hiring Rolston, but because I haven't seen much yet, I'm not energized by it either.

I'd be excited if his brother joined the staff.

 

The bolded about sums up where I stand.

 

The fanbase wants something to energize them. And so far no decision yet has really given the fanbase a reason to be energized. Rolston is not a pick that gets the fans very excited.

 

At least the seasonal/situational posters here will be gone in a week or two for the bulk of the offseason. But the week or so after draft day and/or the 1st day of free agency is going to be miserable around here if something exciting doesn't occur.

[TrueBlueGED]

As much as everyone has bellyached about another late season run that amounts to nothing, I fail to see how this move is the "same old Sabres." Look at the roster turnover since two seasons ago. Now there's a different coach. This is such a different squad in it's make up, and we haven't really seen what Ron is capable of yet. He simplified the game plan and got a bunch of ahlers to play for their jobs while the goaltenders played out of their minds, but now we get to see what he does with a full camp and a full season. I had plenty of criticism for Ronnie during his short stint so far, but I really don't understand those claiming that him being the guy is the same old Sabres.

 

Speaking for myself, it's more of a counter-argument to the "look at the pace they were on under Rolston" argument which has sprung up. Maybe it's not the same old Sabres, maybe it is, but there's really no evidence either way.

[LabattBlue]

Well after a few hours, I have rechanneled my anger...

 

- It is not RR's fault that DR decided not to interview anyone else.

 

- It is not RR's fault that DR is still the GM of the Buffalo Sabres.

 

- It is not RR's fault that DR hired a coach who may be more willing to be a company man.

 

- It is not RR's fault that DR will do anything at this point to save his job.

 

- It is not RR's fault that DR is a freakin' idiot.

 

All that being said, I am still not drinking the Rolston kool-aid, and there is no way anyone can say that Rolston was the best hire that DR could have made.

 

I'll move on.

[Grumpy]

Just terrible. No way you can make me believe that he is the best candidate out there for "Hockey Heaven". Did they even interview anyone else? Rolston is the guy Regier wants because he won't question or challenge him on anything, not because he is the BEST candidate.

 

Great off-season so far...

 

1 - Regier retained

2 - Rolston made permanent without any competition

 

<Insert a huge "WTF WAVE">

 

 

 

So, was Ruff just a yes man all these years?

[North Buffalo]

So, was Ruff just a yes man all these years?

 

Your question answers itself.... yes until he wasn't. Ruff did the best he could with what he was given until he got worn out trying to make lemonade out prunes, the only thing it does for you is make you regular.

[Stoner]

I have no idea what PA is talking about.

Terry had the munchies; Ted used it as cover to butt into Ron's interview; it turned into an Oprah Book Club discussion; and Ted took such a likin' to Ron's taste in literature and designer frames that Ron ended up losing the interim tag. If that ain't ###### up, nothing is.

[spndnchz]

 

 

That was a good interview on WGR and an excellent summary by you.

 

 

Good comments. He seems to know what this teams issues are, which is nice.

 

I'm willing to give him his chance, since I don't have anything against his demeanor and his glasses. <_<

 

Thanks.

[Eleven]

Well after a few hours, I have rechanneled my anger...

 

- It is not RR's fault that DR decided not to interview anyone else.

 

- It is not RR's fault that DR is still the GM of the Buffalo Sabres.

 

- It is not RR's fault that DR hired a coach who may be more willing to be a company man.

 

- It is not RR's fault that DR will do anything at this point to save his job.

 

- It is not RR's fault that DR is a freakin' idiot.

 

All that being said, I am still not drinking the Rolston kool-aid, and there is no way anyone can say that Rolston was the best hire that DR could have made.

 

I'll move on.

 

Blue, FFS, you were down on Ruff in 2005-06. I don't think there's a coach that's going to make you happy.

[Guest]

I'm not trying to argue with you either. It's all in good fun. I thought the Sabres were terrible of course, and are very far from making any serious playoff run. Actually, in the press conference, Rolston pretty much said the same thing, and inferred at least that we weren't built for a long playoff run even if we squeaked into the playoffs, and that is precisely what he is trying to build.

 

But I really don't think any coach anywhere can realistically tell the press in public that he thinks his team has no chance to make the playoffs. Pro sports are a game of egos. They have to go into every single game thinking they are going to win, or they will not play very well, regardless of whether they are going to win.

 

I heard him mention that in the few short clips I listened to as well. Mentioned something about patience too. He knows there is a lot of work to do and I'll be pulling for him as he is the coach of the Sabres for the foreseeable future. I tend to agree with your second statement as well as this is the real NHL and not a movie.

[inkman]

I had no emotional reaction to this hiring (retaining?), but the more people hate it, the more I like it. I'm not convinced that Ron Ron has any idea what he's doing but that has nothing to do with my feelings.

[WildCard]

 

 

Thought this fitting given everything about him. If someone can add glasses to him, that'd be great

[TheFunPolice]

The thing that strikes me is how miserable the people involved with the team seem to be.

 

I've seen funeral directors that are more upbeat than Darcy was today. It was like he was announcing unfortunate news, not the hiring of a guy he really is excited about and believes in. On some level I feel for Darcy, who is a stand up guy doing his best and must know that he is loathed by the press and the fans. That isn't easy on a person (I don't care who you are).

 

Then you get the monotone, emotionless answers from most of the players (aside from Miller, who actually seems to have some fire to him).

 

It just doesn't seem like a lot of fun to be a member of that organization. "The grim reaper" does seem to be around every corner over there.

 

Isn't this supposed to be hockey heaven? At least it shouldn't appear like "suffering" or "misery."

[Andrew Amerk]

Rolston is the coach now.

 

What exactly is the issue?

[wjag]

When the playoffs were on the line (tongue and cheek, I know), they done got blowed up in the game. The Rangers owned them early and often. That and that game alone is what I base my decision on. If they had lost 3-2, I would have been annoyed but gotten over it, but to get blown out of your barn when there was everything to play for is what sticks in my RR craw. If he didn't have the team ready for that game, then why should I have faith that a few more games or a season will make a difference with this coach?

 

Why can't Buffalo teams look past their nose for coaches and GMs? The Bills announce a 'world-wide' search for a GM. In fact, the search turned into a 'walker-search'. Ralph went the distance his walker would take him, that is down the hall, and hired Nix from within. Nix then gives a utterly ridiculous contract to a QB that has no business being an NFL starter. Nix went as far as his local sports network to hire his next coach having watched all the local Syracuse games. The Sabres announce a new contract for Regier and then go crap the bed. Regier went as far as Rochester to get his interim coach and then completed his search by strolling down the hall and hiring the first coach he saw. Surely a little investigation could have brought us better than Nix, Marrone, Regier and Rolston.

 

I have to be okay with the decision for RR because it is what it is. But someone tell me why being a Buffalo fan means having to just be okay with stuff.

[X. Benedict]

Rolston is the coach now.

 

What exactly is the issue?

 

It's all a matter of tenses and titles.

He's the future coach and somewhat less of an interim.

 

We can go slow on this one. We have the next 16 years to discuss his performance. ;)

[deluca67]

A very Bills-esq move by the Sabres. A very lazy and uninspiring hire that is true reflection of exactly were this franchise is at the moment. This is not a situation that is going to attract prime head coaching candidates. You either pick someone like Rolston or some over the hill hack desperate for one last kick of the can. A serious candidate is not going to want to come into this house of dysfunction and pileup a bunch of losses on their resume.

 

In the end it's not an announcement to get excited or upset about. It's an extension of the interim head coaching label, a transition coach, someone to stand behind the bench while this team goes through some tough seasons and will likely be replaced once this team is/if this team is ready to compete 4 to 5 years down the line.

 

Well after a few hours, I have rechanneled my anger...

 

- It is not RR's fault that DR decided not to interview anyone else.

 

- It is not RR's fault that DR is still the GM of the Buffalo Sabres.

 

- It is not RR's fault that DR hired a coach who may be more willing to be a company man.

 

- It is not RR's fault that DR will do anything at this point to save his job.

 

- It is not RR's fault that DR is a freakin' idiot.

 

All that being said, I am still not drinking the Rolston kool-aid, and there is no way anyone can say that Rolston was the best hire that DR could have made.

 

I'll move on.

It is likely the only hire Regier could make.

[LabattBlue]

Blue, FFS, you were down on Ruff in 2005-06. I don't think there's a coach that's going to make you happy.

LOL. I can't remember what I had for dinner last night and you remember my stance on Ruff going back to 2005?

[Eleven]

LOL. I can't remember what I had for dinner last night and you remember my stance on Ruff going back to 2005?

 

You had the salisbury steak.

[wjag]

You had the salisbury steak.

 

Man you're good.. A bit scary though..

[X. Benedict]

 

It is likely the only hire Regier could make.

 

That's crazy. 30 NHL Head Coaching jobs in the world. And success in Buffalo is the closest thing to job security in a transient profession.

[wjag]

That's crazy. 30 NHL Head Coaching jobs in the world. And success in Buffalo is the closest thing to job security in a transient profession.

 

I agree. Any NHL coaching gig is a good gig. People are downplaying that aspect way too much on here. Playing for an owner with deep pockets would also be appealing. Terry has upgraded every aspect of Sabres operations. Facilities, scouting, etc. He swung for the fences with free agents. Seems like a destination worth seeking rather than avoiding.

[LabattBlue]

You had the salisbury steak.

Did I have mashed potatos and asparagus too? I'm hungry now!

 

I agree. Any NHL coaching gig is a good gig. People are downplaying that aspect way too much on here. Playing for an owner with deep pockets would also be appealing. Terry has upgraded every aspect of Sabres operations. Facilities, scouting, etc. He swung for the fences with free agents. Seems like a destination worth seeking rather than avoiding.

I tried to make this argument, up thread, without much luck.

[Stoner]

I tried to make this argument up thread without much luck.

 

You do realize there's medication for that now?

 

I agree. Any NHL coaching gig is a good gig. People are downplaying that aspect way too much on here. Playing for an owner with deep pockets would also be appealing. Terry has upgraded every aspect of Sabres operations. Facilities, scouting, etc. He swung for the fences with free agents. Seems like a destination worth seeking rather than avoiding.

 

Deep pockets, but has Terry zippered them up? (Except when he asks Kevbo to rummage around in there for loose change; oh how they laugh.) Let's remember something Terry said on day one: he might have to spend some money in the short term to get the franchise straightened around and running the way he wants it.

 

Are we past the short term? We might be. They're raising ticket prices to get revenue sharing (and denying it in letters, before Ted admits it again to the press). They're retaining Regier. They're retaining Rolston. They're setting a path toward rebuilding with young players and lowering expectations. They're selling off expensive assets. They're talking about the future financial viability of the franchise. They're talking about Terry as the "typical owner." Is it not the profile of a small-market franchise? Does it not look familiar?

 

Somewhere in Florida this morning, while Golisano was diverting attention away from the table ("whoa, look at the ass on that girl!) and reaching quickly toward the Splenda, he had to be chuckling to himself about the situation in Buffalo. Had to be.

[That Aud Smell]

Deep pockets, but has Terry zippered them up? (Except when he asks Kevbo to rummage around in there for loose change; oh how they laugh.) Let's remember something Terry said on day one: he might have to spend some money in the short term to get the franchise straightened around and running the way he wants it.

 

Are we past the short term? We might be. They're raising ticket prices to get revenue sharing (and denying it in letters, before Ted admits it again to the press). They're retaining Regier. They're retaining Rolston. They're setting a path toward rebuilding with young players and lowering expectations. They're selling off expensive assets. They're talking about the future financial viability of the franchise. They're talking about Terry as the "typical owner." Is it not the profile of a small-market franchise? Does it not look familiar?

 

Somewhere in Florida this morning, while Golisano was diverting attention away from the table ("whoa, look at the ass on that girl!) and reaching quickly toward the Splenda, he had to be chuckling to himself about the situation in Buffalo. Had to be.

 

I think the truth of the matter is more along the lines of this: The long-term strength and health of the franchise depends on sound financial management, and cannot be achieved by running the team as something into which you're willing to pour your personal wealth without much regard for the consequences or the outcome. I think that's largely true.

 

Then again. Then again -- and I posted this elsewhere -- the shift in tone did occur at a time when prices for natural gas were dropping through the floor.

[rakish]

I made a chart for each coach displaying player usage. The x-axis shows the strength of defensemen played against, as defined by the amount of PK time the opponent defensemen get. The y-axis show the strength of forwards played against, as defined by the amount of PP time the forward gets. The size and color of the bubble are plus/minus

 

I'm surprised by the difference in the two coaches. Rolston matched players far more than Ruff, as shown by the vertical spread in Rolston's chart.