GAME DISCUSSION THREAD GDT: Toronto at Buffalo 11-15-13 at 7:00 PM EST

[Hoss]

 

 

Not sure about the tank, we finish dead last we probably don't even get the pick we want, I say we do our best and let the chips fall where they may.

 

If we finished last, chances are we DO get who we want. A lot of the bad teams around us would want Ekblad over Reinhart. So if we finish dead last, the worst pick we can get is 2nd overall. If Ekblad goes first we still get Reinhart.

[TrueBlueGED]

Not sure about the tank, we finish dead last we probably don't even get the pick we want, I say we do our best and let the chips fall where they may.

 

And he's saying trying our best is still likely to result in the tank, albeit in a slightly less embarrassing form.

[darksabre]

I didn't want to say this last night because ###### us fans deserved on night of unconditional joy, but let's be realistic here.

Last night was the result of a perfect storm of emotions. The team ALWAYS plays hard against Toronto. Toronto is missing a few of their best players. The players HAD to come out with their best effort or they would be embarrassed by the fans, media and organization. The pressure was on the last. Is it sustainable? I doubt it. The new coach will eventually wear off at least SOME. The effort will always be high under Ted Nolan, but last night was that on steroids. They won't be facing injury riddled teams from the franchise we all hate every game. They might carry this for a week or so, but this team is still VERY bad. And it'll get worse eventually. The tank is still the best move.

 

For the record I've been to several games against the Leafs and the Sabres played terrible. So let's not label last night an oddity until the sample size is larger.

[BuffaloBorn]

I really really really want a top pick. I don't care if they suck. They already do... Best way to get players is draft them and draft well and the best way to get good players is draft high, and keep em' after ufa status. Who was the highest picked sabre this season. Vanek picked 5. See what I mean? Every player has a pick like that. Our highest touted player is the 8th pick Rasmus and he's a defensemen. I want a true #1 center who's awesome... like Reinhart... and even if we didn't draft first, WFCares? At least a top 3 would be excellent. Think of it like this, either tank or make the playoffs, Sabres not making the playoffs, only logical step is tank ......right? What's the point of playing with no playoffs??/ Just my opinon. Still hope they destroy the leafs 15-0

[dudacek]

A top five pick is already pretty much written in stone.

If the go .500 the rest of the year - which would be remarkable with this lineup - they still finish with 72 points.

That would have put them 29 in the last full season.

[Hoss]

For the record I've been to several games against the Leafs and the Sabres played terrible. So let's not label last night an oddity until the sample size is larger.

 

The general effort when we play Toronto is up. The atmosphere forces it. I'm just saying that there's a pretty good chance that this doesn't last.

[nfreeman]

 

 

Not sure about the tank, we finish dead last we probably don't even get the pick we want, I say we do our best and let the chips fall where they may.

 

Yes.

 

 

 

And he's saying trying our best is still likely to result in the tank, albeit in a slightly less embarrassing form.

 

Well, Stebb can certainly speak for himself, but "tank" by definition is mutually exclusive with trying their best.

 

A top five pick is already pretty much written in stone.

If the go .500 the rest of the year - which would be remarkable with this lineup - they still finish with 72 points.

That would have put them 29 in the last full season.

 

There is 75% of the season left. I'm not eliminating ANY possible outcomes that don't involve space aliens.

 

This kool-aid is crisp and refreshing!

[TrueBlueGED]

Well, Stebb can certainly speak for himself, but "tank" by definition is mutually exclusive with trying their best.

 

No, it's not. Tank refers to bottoming out, it does not mean the players have stopped trying to win. A team can try really hard and still be terrible enough to take a season.

[Hoss]

Well, Stebb can certainly speak for himself, but "tank" by definition is mutually exclusive with trying their best.

 

Well there's a few different ways to "tank." If they were to trade Miller and Ott, it'd be pretty much irrelevant how hard the team tries. That's kind of what I think the front office might be thinking. They'll let the team play as is until around the deadline. Then if you trade Miller and Ott (and possibly Moulson as well) at the deadline then they'll be lucky to win three games after the deadline. Even if they end up as the fifth/sixth worst team near the deadline, they'll fall back down to the bottom afterwards.

[nfreeman]

 

 

No, it's not. Tank refers to bottoming out, it does not mean the players have stopped trying to win. A team can try really hard and still be terrible enough to take a season.

 

I beg to differ. "Tank" connotes intent.

[darksabre]

 

 

The general effort when we play Toronto is up. The atmosphere forces it. I'm just saying that there's a pretty good chance that this doesn't last.

 

We'll agree to disagree. The last game against the Leafs that I went to the Sabres gave out free tickets just to get our fans in the seats. The place was still a morgue.

[nfreeman]

 

 

Well there's a few different ways to "tank." If they were to trade Miller and Ott, it'd be pretty much irrelevant how hard the team tries. That's kind of what I think the front office might be thinking. They'll let the team play as is until around the deadline. Then if you trade Miller and Ott (and possibly Moulson as well) at the deadline then they'll be lucky to win three games after the deadline. Even if they end up as the fifth/sixth worst team near the deadline, they'll fall back down to the bottom afterwards.

 

I think they are going to resign Ott. Both sides are going to want it and they will reach a deal. Not sure about Miller but I can see that happening too.

[Weave]

I beg to differ. "Tank" connotes intent.

 

Management can tank it while the coach and players kick and scream.

 

I guess what I am saying is, Lafontaine *could* still manage this season as a tank season while Nolan does his level best to keep the players efforts and spirits up. I'm not sure it could be effective but.....

 

Intent as far as managing the roster but the coach still coaches to win with a lesser squad.

[Hoss]

 

 

I think they are going to resign Ott. Both sides are going to want it and they will reach a deal. Not sure about Miller but I can see that happening too.

 

I think Ott is the most likely to resign. I guess I'm the only one who sees absolutely no legitimate reason for Miller to resign.

[26CornerBlitz]

I think Ott is the most likely to resign. I guess I'm the only one who sees absolutely no legitimate reason for Miller to resign.

 

So Ott is quitting and Miller isn't? :rolleyes:

[TrueBlueGED]

Management can tank it while the coach and players kick and scream.

 

I guess what I am saying is, Lafontaine *could* still manage this season as a tank season while Nolan does his level best to keep the players efforts and spirits up. I'm not sure it could be effective but.....

 

Intent as far as managing the roster but the coach still coaches to win with a lesser squad.

 

Yes, exactly.

[SarasotaSabre]

does anyone have an approximate time stamp of the Stafford hit? I realize how memorable this must have been so I'd like to watch it from the DVR, as I missed it last night..

 

thanks all

[Eleven]

does anyone have an approximate time stamp of the Stafford hit? I realize how memorable this must have been so I'd like to watch it from the DVR, as I missed it last night..

 

thanks all

 

It was about ten seconds before his penalty, if that helps.

[nfreeman]

 

 

Management can tank it while the coach and players kick and scream.

 

I guess what I am saying is, Lafontaine *could* still manage this season as a tank season while Nolan does his level best to keep the players efforts and spirits up. I'm not sure it could be effective but.....

 

Intent as far as managing the roster but the coach still coaches to win with a lesser squad.

 

I think if management tanks, it infects the players pretty quickly and blossoms into an organization-wide tank.

[Hoss]

So Ott is quitting and Miller isn't? :rolleyes:

 

Why the eye roll before even giving me a chance to tell you that that's not what I'm saying? I NEVER said Ryan Miller has quit, so I have no idea where you're getting that from. He's playing hard, because he's not a tool. He knows he has to play hard if he wants to get paid and moved to a place he can finish out his career. He just knows it's time for him to move on.

 

Ott doesn't appear to be the same type of guy. He takes pride in leading this young group, and he has the C on his chest. While I do think that there's a very good chance he also moves on to a winner, I don't think he has that need to like Miller does.

[BuffaloBorn]

resign versus re-sign

[Hoss]

resign versus re-sign

 

Re-signing might be resigning to a career of losing for some guys.

[darksabre]

does anyone have an approximate time stamp of the Stafford hit? I realize how memorable this must have been so I'd like to watch it from the DVR, as I missed it last night..

 

thanks all

 

I want to say 13:00 left in the 3rd?

[26CornerBlitz]

Re-signing might be resigning to a career of losing for some guys.

 

That's exactly why Darcy is outta here!

[SarasotaSabre]

It was about ten seconds before his penalty, if that helps.

 

thanks Eleven