GAME DISCUSSION THREAD GDT: Winnipeg at Buffalo 12-17-13 at 7:00 PM EST

[26CornerBlitz]

THE MORNING SKATE: PORTER, RUHWEDEL READY TO CONTRIBUTE

 

Brian Flynn speaks with the media following Tuesday's morning skate at First Niagara Center

 

Kevin Porter speaks with the media following Tuesday's morning skate at First Niagara Center

 

Matt Ellis speaks with the media following Tuesday's morning skate at First Niagara Center

[sicknfla]

 

 

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Nolan is, and will be, the permanent coach. I think he has the interim tag so Lafontaine has his ass covered just in case something comes up and it doesn't end up being that way. With that said, I don't think being without a permanent GM right now makes a bit of difference. A couple of weeks isn't going to change anything. I highly doubt they are shopping Miller, I doubt they would be shopping him if they did have a permanent GM.

 

 

 

I'm curious. Exactly how many points should the Sabres be aiming for? You've got all basis covered, good and bad, for when you offer criticism. Give us all an idea of where you think this team should be this year in order to make you happy. ;)

 

This team should be trying to put the best team they can on NHL ice. They should be trying to get as many points as possible.As a fan do you walk into the arena hoping to lose? If you end up drafting 1st great. if you end up picking 7th - so be it. With the proper management team you will expect to succeed either way. the Bostons, Detroit's, etc don't spend 82 games worrying about a draft position. they worry about a playoff position.

 

My wish for this team is to do all they can to get better as fast as they can. don't worry about McDavid. As a fan do you really enjoy being upset when they win? many of us worry about us getting too many points. That is pathetic.

 

 

 

[nfreeman]

This team should be trying to put the best team they can on NHL ice. They should be trying to get as many points as possible.As a fan do you walk into the arena hoping to lose? If you end up drafting 1st great. if you end up picking 7th - so be it. With the proper management team you will expect to succeed either way. the Bostons, Detroit's, etc don't spend 82 games worrying about a draft position. they worry about a playoff position.

 

My wish for this team is to do all they can to get better as fast as they can. don't worry about McDavid. As a fan do you really enjoy being upset when they win? many of us worry about us getting too many points. That is pathetic.

 

But why does sending down McNabb, Pysyk and Luker detract from the chances of winning? Were those guys contributing to a winning streak that I missed? Is playing those guys appreciably more likely to result in wins than playing Sulzer, Rudy and Porter?

[sicknfla]

 

 

But why does sending down McNabb, Pysyk and Luker detract from the chances of winning? Were those guys contributing to a winning streak that I missed? Is playing those guys appreciably more likely to result in wins than playing Sulzer, Rudy and Porter?

 

IMO they are better than the other 3 and hence give us a better chance to win. not to mention that Sulzer and Porter have zero upside with no long term potential. Give those minutes to Adam and McNabb and MAYBE you help them develop into something. They both have already proved they could do it in the AHL. what does sending them back do for their development? Not to mention when you watch them and they do well it gives you a glimmer of hope. Porter could score 4 goals tonight and I could give a crap less.

[26CornerBlitz]

‏@SabresStats

On the year, the #Sabres have scored 2 or fewer goals in 25 of their 33 games and have allowed 3+ in 19 of the 33.

 

[Sabre Dance]

IMO they are better than the other 3 and hence give us a better chance to win. not to mention that Sulzer and Porter have zero upside with no long term potential. Give those minutes to Adam and McNabb and MAYBE you help them develop into something. They both have already proved they could do it in the AHL. what does sending them back do for their development? Not to mention when you watch them and they do well it gives you a glimmer of hope. Porter could score 4 goals tonight and I could give a crap less.

 

Even if it meant the Sabres take the win? :P

[Kristian]

I agree. They are playing much harder. I think this is why it pissed me off that they were sending the 3 guys down. I don't want to watch the Kevin Porters of the world. didn't we try that earlier in the year with DR. I don't mind that we are throwing in the towel but just how bad do they want to be?

 

I get what you're saying, but to me it's all about the future, and if they want to send the kids down not to rush them, or to let them know an NHL spot is never a given or whatever, that's fine with me.

 

Even if it means playing the stiffs. Luckily they're already playing themselves out of the league as it is.

[Derrico]

This team should be trying to put the best team they can on NHL ice. They should be trying to get as many points as possible.As a fan do you walk into the arena hoping to lose? If you end up drafting 1st great. if you end up picking 7th - so be it. With the proper management team you will expect to succeed either way. the Bostons, Detroit's, etc don't spend 82 games worrying about a draft position. they worry about a playoff position.

 

My wish for this team is to do all they can to get better as fast as they can. don't worry about McDavid. As a fan do you really enjoy being upset when they win? many of us worry about us getting too many points. That is pathetic.

 

It's not pathetic at all. Watching the team being stuck in medocrity for decades (save for a couple of seasons) is pathetic. I pay money to watch them in Buffalo and yes I go in their feeling alright if they lose. The only way I want them to win is if they really outplay the other team. I'm tired of getting outshot and winning a meaningless shootout. Actually it's not meaningless it hurts our future. You have your opinions and can express it, I will do the same but there is no need to be condescending about it.

[TrueBlueGED]

This team should be trying to put the best team they can on NHL ice. They should be trying to get as many points as possible.As a fan do you walk into the arena hoping to lose? If you end up drafting 1st great. if you end up picking 7th - so be it. With the proper management team you will expect to succeed either way. the Bostons, Detroit's, etc don't spend 82 games worrying about a draft position. they worry about a playoff position.

 

My wish for this team is to do all they can to get better as fast as they can. don't worry about McDavid. As a fan do you really enjoy being upset when they win? many of us worry about us getting too many points. That is pathetic.

 

As someone who is all-in on the tank, I'm not upset when they win and I'm not particularly worried about them collecting too many points. It's not like they were going to close out the season 0-50, wins were going to come. I think they're sufficiently far behind and bad enough of a team where they going on enough of a run to meaningfully impact their draft position is about as likely as me winning the Mega Millions.

[Brawndo]

As someone who is all-in on the tank, I'm not upset when they win and I'm not particularly worried about them collecting too many points. It's not like they were going to close out the season 0-50, wins were going to come. I think they're sufficiently far behind and bad enough of a team where they going on enough of a run to meaningfully impact their draft position is about as likely as me winning the Mega Millions.

 

This.

 

With the Jets playing back to back games, a regulation win is a possibly tonight

[sicknfla]

 

 

It's not pathetic at all. Watching the team being stuck in medocrity for decades (save for a couple of seasons) is pathetic. I pay money to watch them in Buffalo and yes I go in their feeling alright if they lose. The only way I want them to win is if they really outplay the other team. I'm tired of getting outshot and winning a meaningless shootout. Actually it's not meaningless it hurts our future. You have your opinions and can express it, I will do the same but there is no need to be condescending about it.

 

I am sorry if I came off as condescending. I honestly wasn't trying to be. I get the mediocrity thing. I just don't buy into the fact that finishing last the next few seasons is the answer.

[Derrico]

I am sorry if I came off as condescending. I honestly wasn't trying to be. I get the mediocrity thing. I just don't buy into the fact that finishing last the next few seasons is the answer.

 

That's fair, I appreciate the response.

[dudacek]

 

 

I am sorry if I came off as condescending. I honestly wasn't trying to be. I get the mediocrity thing. I just don't buy into the fact that finishing last the next few seasons is the answer.

 

The thing is, what else do we have?

This team is so devoid of NHL talent it cannot be competitive this year, and being competitive next would take an unlikely free agent bonanza and/or some ridiculous luck.

You can't wave a magic wand and suddenly get better.

I'm frustrated too, but they clearly see today's moves as part of what needs to be done to turn things around.

We're well down this path already. We may as well finish walking it.

[darksabre]

 

 

The thing is, what else do we have?

This team is so devoid of NHL talent it cannot be competitive this year, and being competitive next would take an unlikely free agent bonanza and/or some ridiculous luck.

You can't wave a magic wand and suddenly get better.

I'm frustrated too, but they clearly see today's moves as part of what needs to be done to turn things around.

We're well down this path already. We may as well finish walking it.

 

Yup. Any complaints about minor roster moves are just a waste at this point. There's nothing at all to be done to make this team even close to mediocre this season. There are just too many problems to fix with any kind of celerity.

[Derrico]

I am sorry if I came off as condescending. I honestly wasn't trying to be. I get the mediocrity thing. I just don't buy into the fact that finishing last the next few seasons is the answer.

 

I could see you having an issue with this years draft. But next years? I know if we finish last we only have a 25% shot at McDavid. I still want to sign up for a 25% chance at a GENERATIONAL player.

 

 

For those wondering, above is some McDavid highlights.

[Taro T]

Yup. Any complaints about minor roster moves are just a waste at this point. There's nothing at all to be done to make this team even close to mediocre this season. There are just too many problems to fix with any kind of celerity.

What's wrong w/ this GM?!?!?!

 

He refuses to fix obvious problems and allows this steaming pile to fester. :angry:

 

;)

[Kristian]

I could see you having an issue with this years draft. But next years? I know if we finish last we only have a 25% shot at McDavid. I still want to sign up for a 25% chance at a GENERATIONAL player.

 

 

For those wondering, above is some McDavid highlights.

 

Man I wish I hadn't seen that.

 

Gonna sting an awful lot when that no. 1 pick is awarded to someone other than Buffalo :wallbash:

 

All kidding aside, landing McDavid requires luck we don't usually have.

 

Here's to hoping.

[Taro T]

Man I wish I hadn't seen that.

 

Gonna sting an awful lot when that no. 1 pick is awarded to someone other than Buffalo :wallbash:

 

All kidding aside, landing McDavid requires luck we don't usually have.

 

Here's to hoping.

One must keep in mind that if the Isles keep their pick this year (a distinct possibility), it could be Wang & Snow's quarter put into the slot machine. Wouldn't that fit their modus operandi to a tee?

[darksabre]

 

What's wrong w/ this GM?!?!?!

 

He refuses to fix obvious problems and allows this steaming pile to fester. :angry:

 

;)

 

Right? It's like we don't even have one!

[CallawaySabres]

I just can't wait until every game means something again. This team has brought me to a point where I don't even care about winning a playoff series or the Cup - just make it worth watching again. You win Russ, you win.....oh wait, wrong team. Damn you Buffalo sports, you have beaten me down to a shell of myself. Thank God for the tailgates, wait - thank me for the tailgates. I'm gonna lie down now.....

[darksabre]

 

One must keep in mind that if the Isles keep their pick this year (a distinct possibility), it could be Wang & Snow's quarter put into the slot machine. Wouldn't that fit their modus operandi to a tee?

 

I actually expect it. That's how bad I think they are.

[Darryl Shannon's +/-]

I agree. They are playing much harder. I think this is why it pissed me off that they were sending the 3 guys down. I don't want to watch the Kevin Porters of the world. didn't we try that earlier in the year with DR. I don't mind that we are throwing in the towel but just how bad do they want to be?

 

I think a large portion of sending down some of the eligible youngsters is so they could enjoy a trip to Switzerland prior to coming back. If we're going to be the worst team in the league, an opportunity like this may be to boost morale. Instead of losing 3 of every 4 even with our improvement.

[Stoner]

Yup. Any complaints about minor roster moves are just a waste at this point. There's nothing at all to be done to make this team even close to mediocre this season. There are just too many problems to fix with any kind of celerity.

Celerity. Good word. I had to look it up.

[darksabre]

 

Celerity. Good word. I had to look it up.

 

One of the three -y words of effective criminal justice punishment. Certainty, Celerity, and Severity.

 

Now you know why our justice system doesn't work very well. Too much of door number 3, not enough of the other two. But we like hitting the Easy button in this country. Not so different from blowing tons of cash on FA signings when you think about it.

[Weave]

game day thread is 4 pages but only about 1.5 pages is actual game day chatter.

 

#blueprint