Return of "The hardest working team in hockey"

[matter2003]

It will be interesting to see who's on board and who gets left standing at the station. Truthfully under Rolston, the only players you could honestly say were working hard on a regular basis were the goaltenders...

 

Nolan definitely isn't having that...wonder what becomes of Stafford..think he is the most intriguing player with this...he has some skill but will he work hard or does he end up sitting...

 

Grigorenko also who just seems like he goes through the motions way too often...

 

Love how Nolan publicly said asking someone to practice for 45 minutes a day and then go play for 25 minutes max in a game isn't hard work compared to some people working 14 hour days, seven days a week...

 

Only thing I am worried is the young players improve too much and the hard work ends up pushing us out of the top 3 picks in the draft...

[SabresBillsFan]

 

 

Only thing I am worried is the young players improve too much and the hard work ends up pushing us out of the top 3 picks in the draft...

That's what I'm worried about as well but they have been bad and not even watchable this season. I can't even remember when I could say a team is so bad I don't want to watch. They needed this and I'm glad Ted Nolan is back. Funny thing is I met him and Jordan coming out of MGM in Las Vegas at the end of September and I told Ted it would be nice if u were coaching the Sabres and not Rolston.

[matter2003]

 

That's what I'm worried about as well but they have been bad and not even watchable this season. I can't even remember when I could say a team is so bad I don't want to watch. They needed this and I'm glad Ted Nolan is back. Funny thing is I met him and Jordan coming out of MGM in Las Vegas at the end of September and I told Ted it would be nice if u were coaching the Sabres and not Rolston.

 

Lol, I agree they have been almost comically bad at times. Like, Keystone Kops bad...

 

That is pretty funny, like the border crossing guy that told LaFontaine on Tuesday he should be running the Sabres, lol...

 

 

[Claude_Verret]

Only thing I am worried is the young players improve too much and the hard work ends up pushing us out of the top 3 picks in the draft...

 

That could happen, but I think it's highly unlikely. As bad as the collective effort has seemed on most nights, the teams biggest problem by far is still the lack of top end talent.

[26CornerBlitz]

Get your orders in today: Buffalo Sabres Hard Hat

[matter2003]

 

 

That could happen, but I think it's highly unlikely. As bad as the collective effort has seemed on most nights, the teams biggest problem by far is still the lack of top end talent.

 

True but look at how far hard work took us in '98....all the way to the cup finals...that team by no means had a lot of talent other than in net...

[Iron Crotch]

Buffalo Sabres ‏@BuffaloSabres3m

"That's one of the best practices we've had." -Zemgus Girgensons, cites energy and hard work #Sabres

[Claude_Verret]

True but look at how far hard work took us in '98....all the way to the cup finals...that team by no means had a lot of talent other than in net...

 

Give this team the best goalie to ever play the game and I could get on board for the run to 8th place.

[G-Daddy]

Buffalo Sabres ‏@BuffaloSabres3m

"That's one of the best practices we've had." -Zemgus Girgensons, cites energy and hard work #Sabres

 

Great positive news!!!!

[tom webster]

 

 

True but look at how far hard work took us in '98....all the way to the cup finals...that team by no means had a lot of talent other than in net...

 

That was two years after Ted and had more then goaltending.

[Norcal]

It seems that the process was in place for a few days before it was announced but imo the compete levels vs LA tuesday were the best all year. U could tell Hodgson had a fire lit under him. Love the idea of hard work, hope the players buy into Nolans ways.

[LGR4GM]

Slow down everyone. We haven't seen this team play 60minutes yet this season. They had a couple of good games out of a dozen terrible ones. They have played 0 games under Nolan and are still severely lacking talent. We don't know if they can work hard or will work hard for anyone. Some guys just dont have it. This is going to be a "process" as Rolston loved to say of Ted figuring out who has that IT factor and who really doesn't give a flying shti.

 

I don't think the players had any idea about this during their west coast trip.

 

It seems that the process was in place for a few days before it was announced but imo the compete levels vs LA tuesday were the best all year. U could tell Hodgson had a fire lit under him. Love the idea of hard work, hope the players buy into Nolans ways.

They were outshot 45-17 on tuesday and you think they were competing? Ryan Miller competed but the rest of the team sucked. I don't for 1 second believe this team new about Nolan as coach and somehow magically won tuesday because of it. They were outplayed for most of game and looked like crap. They won because they coverted 2 of the 3 scoring chances they had.

[Doohicksie]

Nolan definitely isn't having that...wonder what becomes of Stafford..think he is the most intriguing player with this...he has some skill but will he work hard or does he end up sitting...

 

My prediction is that Drew will get with the program. I think he's the type of player that isn't particularly self-motivated, but will follow the expectations of the program set up by the coach. Rolston obvisouly projected low expectations. I don't see Nolan whipping him into shape so much as inspiring/praising him into shape: "You're one of the few veterans left from the last time the Sabres had a good team; I need you to show these guys the way, and I know you can do it."

 

Only thing I am worried is the young players improve too much and the hard work ends up pushing us out of the top 3 picks in the draft...

 

Why is that an issue? I thnk landing a top pick is great, but not a necessary condition to the team's improvement. I don't think the team's issue is talent level; it's confidence, motivation and effort. Having a phenom would sure help, but having a high draft pick doesn't guarantee the guy the Sabres select will become a star, and later first round picks (or even later rounders) can acheive greatness. I'd rather see the team excel to their abilities than to accept mediocrity to get a high pick.

 

My guess is that most of this board agrees, but the team has been so dreadful for so long, we rationalized it away by saying it was worth it to get a top pick. Hogwash. Start winning NOW.

[Doohicksie]

Here's the thing: Nolan is here on an Interim basis. We know that's the case because a GM hasn't been chosen, and picking the coach is the GM's realm.

 

So Nolan has a very short period of time, perhaps only a few games, to show he can turn this thing around. He can't develop, he can't trade, about all he can do is moves to/from Rochester. You saw him yesterday; he wants to be the coach (not interim). He wants it bad, and with this organization. The only way he can get there is to get max effort out of the guys. I expect a bounce out fo the Sabres, playing over their heads for a few games anyway. This is a tenuous sitation at best for Nolan. He wants this job, he's got to impress the new GM to convince him he's capable of it. With the players he's got. I don't think he would have taken the interim tag unless he really thought he had a shot at a more permanent position. He's going to give it his all and try to get the players to do the same. There's some talent among the young guys, and while I don't think there's enough veteran experience, he's gonna have to get everything he can out of them (thus my earlier comment about Stafford). He doesn't have much, and he knows it, but he's going to make the most of his opportunity.

[...]

 

 

My prediction is that Drew will get with the program. I think he's the type of player that isn't particularly self-motivated, but will follow the expectations of the program set up by the coach. Rolston obvisouly projected low expectations. I don't see Nolan whipping him into shape so much as inspiring/praising him into shape: "You're one of the few veterans left from the last time the Sabres had a good team; I need you to show these guys the way, and I know you can do it."

 

 

I tend to agree. I think Stafford stands a better chance under Nolan than Hodgson. I think Stafford is the victim of the worst of the Lindy years, and being in the Regier-era atmosphere his entire career. He, essentially, has been led astray, and I think his rebellious, rock-n-roll attitude COULD warm up to Nolan's style.

 

I think Girgs is similar to an un-tainted Stafford, somewhat rebellious, "rock-n-roll", but untarnished yet and way more intense. I think Girgs will love Nolan.

 

I think Hodgson ultimately doesn't survive; I think he'll complain to the media about Nolan, but he'll be perhaps the only player on the roster this year who does.

 

Moulson will probably do okay, I think his future depends on the rest of his line.

 

Ennis will like Nolan, I think, and will benefit from Nolan's direction.

 

I think Leino will probably not survive. His nature is to be contradictory, and he'll pretty much conflict with Nolan.

 

I see Foligno being neutral-ish. I think he may like Nolan's game, but won't like his style so much. Don't know why, but that's my gut reaction since I'm thinking about it. Foligno will be a good soldier, though, and probably do well under Nolan.

 

Ott, Ott, hmmm, I think Nolan might not think much of Ott at the beginning, but they may grow on each other. I think Nolan will remind Ott of his father and he'll quickly grow to like Nolan, which will lead to the work, which will lead to Nolan warming up to Ott.

 

 

 

[Trettioåtta]

I tend to agree. I think Stafford stands a better chance under Nolan than Hodgson. I think Stafford is the victim of the worst of the Lindy years, and being in the Regier-era atmosphere his entire career. He, essentially, has been led astray, and I think his rebellious, rock-n-roll attitude COULD warm up to Nolan's style.

 

I think Girgs is similar to an un-tainted Stafford, somewhat rebellious, "rock-n-roll", but untarnished yet and way more intense. I think Girgs will love Nolan.

 

I think Hodgson ultimately doesn't survive; I think he'll complain to the media about Nolan, but he'll be perhaps the only player on the roster this year who does.

 

Moulson will probably do okay, I think his future depends on the rest of his line.

 

Ennis will like Nolan, I think, and will benefit from Nolan's direction.

 

I think Leino will probably not survive. His nature is to be contradictory, and he'll pretty much conflict with Nolan.

 

I see Foligno being neutral-ish. I think he may like Nolan's game, but won't like his style so much. Don't know why, but that's my gut reaction since I'm thinking about it. Foligno will be a good soldier, though, and probably do well under Nolan.

 

Ott, Ott, hmmm, I think Nolan might not think much of Ott at the beginning, but they may grow on each other. I think Nolan will remind Ott of his father and he'll quickly grow to like Nolan, which will lead to the work, which will lead to Nolan warming up to Ott.

 

This made me really laugh. I like the psych 101 evaluation of these people whose personalities you know so well. I honestly can't tell if this was a joke or idiocy in its purest form

[...]

 

 

This made me really laugh. I like the psych 101 evaluation of these people whose personalities you know so well. I honestly can't tell if this was a joke or idiocy in its purest form

 

Pure idiocy.

[3putt]

I don't think the team's issue is talent level; it's confidence, motivation and effort.

Uh...no. All the motivation in the world does not trump similarly motivated but superior talent. We have no NHL ready scoring talent at present.

[papazoid]

Stafford will be the first star Friday night.

 

then never to be heard of for the rest of the season.

[Doohicksie]

Uh...no. All the motivation in the world does not trump similarly motivated but superior talent. We have no NHL ready scoring talent at present.

 

We'll see how much talent they really have when properly motivated. One thing that a lot of people criticized Darcy about was that he brought players in without regard to how they fit together. Rolston was not the kind of guy that could develop chemistry among the players. I think Nolan might be able to take the pieces and fit them together into a functioning unit. There are some good prospects on the team; we really don't know what level they're capable of since they've been through such a horrible year or so. Give them a change of (coaching) scenery and see how they do.

 

Besides, the Sabres don't have to outplay the other team. They can get soundly beaten and still win at reasonable clip, at least while they have Miller. They just can't play as poorly as they've been playing and hope to win.

 

They're 11 points out of a playoff spot. The playoff push starts now. I bet Nolan gives them a speech to that effect before Friday's game.

[Campy]

I tend to agree. I think Stafford stands a better chance under Nolan than Hodgson. I think Stafford is the victim of the worst of the Lindy years, and being in the Regier-era atmosphere his entire career. He, essentially, has been led astray, and I think his rebellious, rock-n-roll attitude COULD warm up to Nolan's style.

 

I think Girgs is similar to an un-tainted Stafford, somewhat rebellious, "rock-n-roll", but untarnished yet and way more intense. I think Girgs will love Nolan.

 

I think Hodgson ultimately doesn't survive; I think he'll complain to the media about Nolan, but he'll be perhaps the only player on the roster this year who does.

 

Moulson will probably do okay, I think his future depends on the rest of his line.

 

Ennis will like Nolan, I think, and will benefit from Nolan's direction.

 

I think Leino will probably not survive. His nature is to be contradictory, and he'll pretty much conflict with Nolan.

 

I see Foligno being neutral-ish. I think he may like Nolan's game, but won't like his style so much. Don't know why, but that's my gut reaction since I'm thinking about it. Foligno will be a good soldier, though, and probably do well under Nolan.

 

Ott, Ott, hmmm, I think Nolan might not think much of Ott at the beginning, but they may grow on each other. I think Nolan will remind Ott of his father and he'll quickly grow to like Nolan, which will lead to the work, which will lead to Nolan warming up to Ott.

He already played for Nolan when he was on the Latvian WJC team, didn't he?

[BuffaloBorn]

_{I can't tell if I want them to tank or hope they go for a playoff run solely out of a like for this coach}

[26CornerBlitz]

He already played for Nolan when he was on the Latvian WJC team, didn't he?

 

It was the Latvian National team at the World Championships IIRC. They have qualified for the Olympics under Nolan.

[...]

 

 

It was the Latvian National team at the World Championships IIRC. They have qualified for the Olympics under Nolan.

 

I'm pretty good at this, aren't I?

[DaveSnuggerud]

 

 

I think Leino will probably not survive. His nature is to be contradictory, and he'll pretty much conflict with Nolan.

 

 

 

 

Those of you who grew up with the original Nintendo might remember the game "Ice Hockey." Leino has always reminded me of the skinny guy with speed and moves (I know Leino is not the fastest nor the shiftiest) that gets knocked down every time someone makes contact with him.