Wanted: Assistant Coaches: Joe Sacco

[LastPommerFan]

Teppo, along with Ville, will be critical to the assimilation and development of Armia and Barkov.

[Eleven]

I heard a comment from one of the guys on XM's NHL station stating as much. So it's definitely out there.

 

GR (Hamilton?) discussed it as well.

[LastPommerFan]

the last thing I want in a HC is one who is afraid of those underneath him. I HOPE that isn't the case here.

 

In any field, a boss afraid of ambitious underlings is a lousy boss.

 

A boss who relieves employees of their duties for not buying into strategic decisions that have already been made is not a lousy boss.

[TrueBlueGED]

Then how do you explain off 75% of teams with a head coach as assistant making the playoffs and 17% without one making it?

 

Again...the numbers were similar last time as well. That seems like simple enough to me. What voodoo numbers are we using to deflect this from the inept Sabres this time?

 

My explanation is it's one season and you're failing to account for team talent. To avoid the mess of operationalizing talent, let's use your favorite eye test. What teams that didn't make the playoffs should have based on their roster? Not could have, but should have, as in they failed miserably by missing. Philly maybe? You're assuming causality is being driven by assistant experience, which I'd bet my car would be completely irrelevant of you take into account roster talent.

[LGR4GM]

Honestly I don't care what team x or y is doing. I care about what the Sabres are about to do. We need better coaching, better conditioning, and we need a fluid pp. Parking Vanek in front is beyond stupid. It doesn't work because every player on every team blocks shots. Watch the pp of others. They have some cycle in front but not just camping. I want a pp with movement and I want a coach who can bring that.

[North Buffalo]

My explanation is it's one season and you're failing to account for team talent. To avoid the mess of operationalizing talent, let's use your favorite eye test. What teams that didn't make the playoffs should have based on their roster? Not could have, but should have, as in they failed miserably by missing. Philly maybe? You're assuming causality is being driven by assistant experience, which I'd bet my car would be completely irrelevant of you take into account roster talent.

 

Statistically, it still could just be coincidence and not relevant. I know it meets and eye test, but the sample size is rather small and I am not sure the confidence levels have been reached in order be actually be statitically significant. That being said it is an interesting idea and would like to see how it plays out over multiple seasons.

 

In addition there are teams that struggle because they had multiple injuries... Florida and Carolina and I still can't figure out Edmonton's excuse after how many talented number 1 or top 5 draft picks they have had in recent years. That team should be close by now so you gotta figure they have a coaching problem too.

[Two or less]

I am glad they atleast kept Corsi. Atleast some sanity remains over there at First Niagara Center.

[rakish]

Then how do you explain off 75% of teams with a head coach as assistant making the playoffs and 17% without one making it?

 

Again...the numbers were similar last time as well. That seems like simple enough to me. What voodoo numbers are we using to deflect this from the inept Sabres this time?

 

There is a bit of truth here, but not a lot. What is being confused in this thread is causation vs. the hiring process

 

Let's use a hypothetical involving Randy Cunneyworth, I'm not sure he counts because of the interim issue, but no matter. Cunneyworth gets two phone calls next week, one for the Chicago PP job, one for the Calgary PP job. He values the Chicago PP job more because it is seen as a stepping stone to the next head coach job. (As an aside, Calgary had a good PP for its level of talent, and I would hire the Calgary PP coach, but that's not how people really hire in the NHL). Next season rolls around and Chicago wins the cup, Calgary doesn't, as a key assistant, Cunneyworth is a name considered for the next head coach job opening.

 

The position of this thread seems to be that Chicago will make the playoffs because of Cunneyworth. I believe it's a better argument that Cunneyworth went to Chicago because they would more likely be a playoff team, thus helping his career.

 

I see the point of this argument, experience coaching leads to better play, there is some truth to it, but my guess is, not a whole lot.

[Weave]

A boss who relieves employees of their duties for not buying into strategic decisions that have already been made is not a lousy boss.

 

I agree. I wasn't making a point counter to that. I got from the post I quoted that Patrick was let go because Rolston did not want "to look over his shoulder", indicating to me he didn't want to see a potential suitor for his job. That would be an example of weak leadership.

 

If the poster meant he didn't want someone that might undermine Rolston I would have accepted that at face value.

[LastPommerFan]

I agree. I wasn't making a point counter to that. I got from the post I quoted that Patrick was let go because Rolston did not want "to look over his shoulder", indicating to me he didn't want to see a potential suitor for his job. That would be an example of weak leadership.

 

If the poster meant he didn't want someone that might undermine Rolston I would have accepted that at face value.

I guess I read it as the latter.

[TrueBlueGED]

Statistically, it still could just be coincidence and not relevant. I know it meets and eye test, but the sample size is rather small and I am not sure the confidence levels have been reached in order be actually be statitically significant. That being said it is an interesting idea and would like to see how it plays out over multiple seasons.

 

In addition there are teams that struggle because they had multiple injuries... Florida and Carolina and I still can't figure out Edmonton's excuse after how many talented number 1 or top 5 draft picks they have had in recent years. That team should be close by now so you gotta figure they have a coaching problem too.

 

I honestly think Edmonton's problem is they have such a ridiculously unbalanced roster. All of their talent is in their top-6 forwards. Their defense is atrocious and they lack quality role-players among their forwards. The silver lining is Dubnyk appears to finally be coming on in goal. My guess is they end up dealing one of their star forwards not named RNH or Hall for some help on the roster elsewhere to even things out. Yes, I think Eberle could be in play (although I think it's far more likely Gagner gets moved for help).

[dudacek]

I honestly think Edmonton's problem is they have such a ridiculously unbalanced roster. All of their talent is in their top-6 forwards. Their defense is atrocious and they lack quality role-players among their forwards. The silver lining is Dubnyk appears to finally be coming on in goal. My guess is they end up dealing one of their star forwards not named RNH or Hall for some help on the roster elsewhere to even things out. Yes, I think Eberle could be in play (although I think it's far more likely Gagner gets moved for help).

 

A team that will be making some big moves.

And another team Darcy should be in heavy talks with right now.

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

There is a bit of truth here, but not a lot. What is being confused in this thread is causation vs. the hiring process

 

Let's use a hypothetical involving Randy Cunneyworth, I'm not sure he counts because of the interim issue, but no matter. Cunneyworth gets two phone calls next week, one for the Chicago PP job, one for the Calgary PP job. He values the Chicago PP job more because it is seen as a stepping stone to the next head coach job. (As an aside, Calgary had a good PP for its level of talent, and I would hire the Calgary PP coach, but that's not how people really hire in the NHL). Next season rolls around and Chicago wins the cup, Calgary doesn't, as a key assistant, Cunneyworth is a name considered for the next head coach job opening.

 

The position of this thread seems to be that Chicago will make the playoffs because of Cunneyworth. I believe it's a better argument that Cunneyworth went to Chicago because they would more likely be a playoff team, thus helping his career.

 

I see the point of this argument, experience coaching leads to better play, there is some truth to it, but my guess is, not a whole lot.

 

That's true....there's a little chicken or the egg going on.....but at the same time the past 4 Cup winners all have an assistant with previous head coaching experience, and 3 of those 4 teams were not in the playoffs at the time their current coach was hired. I don't think it is the be all end all.....but just another factor to look at when trying to figure out the shortcomings of the Sabres franchise in recent history.

[rakish]

That's true....there's a little chicken or the egg going on.....but at the same time the past 4 Cup winners all have an assistant with previous head coaching experience, and 3 of those 4 teams were not in the playoffs at the time their current coach was hired. I don't think it is the be all end all.....but just another factor to look at when trying to figure out the shortcomings of the Sabres franchise in recent history.

 

Not happy with the Rolston selection myself

[Who Else?]

Keep sweepin' I wish they would nort have said any of the assistants were safe. Can this organization please get anyone with prolonged playoff or stanley cup experience.

[Weave]

I guess I read it as the latter.

 

!!!!NOYOURWRONG!!!!

[LastPommerFan]

!!!!NOYOURWRONG!!!!

 

I do not possess "wrong". You should spend more time studying grammar. You should spend less time looking like an idiot on internet message boards.

 

:nana:

[drnkirishone]

Your a grammer nazi......

[Weave]

I do not possess "wrong". You should spend more time studying grammar. You should spend less time looking like an idiot on internet message boards.

 

:nana:

 

Whatinthehell am I gonna do during quiet moments at work then?

[LaFontaineToMogilny]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=422861

 

Sakic promoted to excecutive VP of Hockey Operations in Colorado

 

I would love to see something like this in Buffalo. A highly respected former player who played the game hard and for a long time and have done it all to have a lot of input on personnel decisions. Someone who can talk to Rolston about how the team needs to or wants to play, what types of pieces are needed, then can identify the players to fill those needs and let Darcy do the work of finding a way to get those players on the roster.

[bills_fan_in_raleigh]

Never liked Adams or Patrick as coaches neither seemed to influence

 

[LabattBlue]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=422861

 

Sakic promoted to excecutive VP of Hockey Operations in Colorado

 

I would love to see something like this in Buffalo.

Somebody that would challenge DR? Not going to happen.

[Grumpy]

I'm asking this sincerely: where do you guys get your insight into the assistant coaches? I rarely read them quoted, or hear them speak; I just see them standing behind the bench.

 

CORRECT!

 

 

 

Unfortunately, all I have to make a guess, is the play of their guys. Their guys may suck, and they look bad.

 

Ralston should have the chance to hire his guys. If they have no ties to this organization, it might be a good thing.

 

Seriously, I don't remember when he was hired, but how did Adams end up here? I do know he was a Clarence product, the town LR and DR live in. I have trouble getting past the nepotism which dominated assistant hires over recent years.

 

Say what you want, at least Rolston is an outsider.

[deluca67]

CORRECT!

 

 

 

Unfortunately, all I have to make a guess, is the play of their guys. Their guys may suck, and they look bad.

 

Ralston should have the chance to hire his guys.

 

Seriously, I don't remember when he was hired, but how did Adams end up here? I do know he was a Clarence product, the town LR and DR live in. I have trouble getting past the nepotism which dominated assistant hires over recent years.

 

Say what you want, at least Rolston is an outsider.

"Outside" of the Sabres organization is one thing, "outside" of the NHL all together is another. The sum of his NHL experience is watching his brother play.

[Grumpy]

 

"Outside" of the Sabres organization is one thing, "outside" of the NHL all together is another. The sum of his NHL experience is watching his brother play.

 

I can't agrue that point. But if I was so motivated, which I'm not, I'm sure I could find a huge list of successful NHL coaches who never had NHL experience before their first gig, starting with Scotty Bowman.