All about the Babwatch -- Sabres out

[That Aud Smell]

And yet.....I'd show up to every game he coached at the time.....with 10% my income from the 2000's......

 

Funny how some people value different things.......

Different era. Nolan's never going to win in this league again. Nor, I might (*might*) venture, will Tortorella. Edited May 22, 2015 by That Aud Smell

[Stoner]

I can understand why it might rub some people the wrong way, and he's never going to be everyone's cup of tea, but I'd take his communication style over Darcy's any day.

Did Murray's thinly veiled jab at Nolan on WGR today move the needle for you?

[Iron Crotch]

Did Murray's thinly veiled jab at Nolan on WGR today move the needle for you?

 

I just listened to the interview (before reading anything on this board) and I immediately though it was a not-so-subtle jab at Nolan.

[smj]

I think Murray has been great so far. Not afraid to sacrifice the short-term for the long-term so far and doesn't want to just build an average team to make himself look good but to attempt to build a great team which requires a few years of great drafts, development and then free-agents to fill in the gaps. I like that he is passionate and also willing to be pretty frank.

 

Can't believe people criticize him for not getting McDavid and Babcock. First, tanking was never about guaranteeing McDavid because the worst record only had a 20% chance - the tank was about getting McDavid OR Eichel which he did so he was 100% successful (How would you like to be Arizona?). Second, it's not his fault Babcock wanted to coach in Canada which he clearly did and his comments on the issue today were very wise even though when talks go that far I'm sure everyone begins to feel like a deal is imminent. Murray was smart enough to know you don't go all the way with Nolan and we did need to upgrade coaching which he will do. We'll be fine...stay the course.

[inkman]

AM I the only one who ever makes life choices based on family?

Most of us follow our donngs

Edited May 22, 2015 by inkman

[LGR4GM]

RING RING

 

Tim Murray "Yea?"

Babcock "Hi Tim this is Mike Babcock calling you back"

Tim Murray "Yea?"

Babcock "Well Tim I wanted to call and say that Toronto is willing to offer me more years and money.  Would you beat it?"

Tim Murray "..."

Babcock "Hello, Tim?  Would you be willing to up your offer?"

Tim Murray "So you took our offer to Toronto and they beat it?"

Babcock "Well no I wouldn't word it like that"

Tim Murray "You wouldn't but I did.  Enjoy Toronto. Murray out."

[Stoner]

RING RING

 

Tim Murray "Yea?"

Babcock "Hi Tim this is Mike Babcock calling you back"

Tim Murray "Yea?"

Babcock "Well Tim I wanted to call and say that Toronto is willing to offer me more years and money.  Would you beat it?"

Tim Murray "..."

Babcock "Hello, Tim?  Would you be willing to up your offer?"

Tim Murray "So you took our offer to Toronto and they beat it?"

Babcock "Well no I wouldn't word it like that"

Tim Murray "You wouldn't but I did.  Enjoy Toronto. Murray out."

That seems to be so far out of the realm of what happened, it's not funny. You're calling Murray a liar, apparently on his own behalf. #zfgnarrative

[LGR4GM]

That seems to be so far out of the realm of what happened, it's not funny. You're calling Murray a liar, apparently on his own behalf. #zfgnarrative

You know if you had a sense of humor life would be a more cheerful place. 

 

Also do you really want to keep this going? 

[eman]

SMJ: Murray sure as hell looked disappointed to me that he didn't get McDavid. Let me paraphrase him: "It was like getting the call at 6 a.m. to tell you that you've been cut from the Canadian Junior team". Also, correct me on this. whenever they showed the crowd at First Niagara Centre on Sabres lowlights this season, there seemed to be many signs, posters saying "We want McDavid" not so much any Eichel posters. In fact, from the television highlights that I saw, I never saw one for Eichel.

[Jeanbe]

SMJ: Murray sure as hell looked disappointed to me that he didn't get McDavid. Let me paraphrase him: "It was like getting the call at 6 a.m. to tell you that you've been cut from the Canadian Junior team". Also, correct me on this. whenever they showed the crowd at First Niagara Centre on Sabres lowlights this season, there seemed to be many signs, posters saying "We want McDavid" not so much any Eichel posters. In fact, from the television highlights that I saw, I never saw one for Eichel.

 

I only read this board before work and after and as you said, you are new to boards, so using the quote button would be helpful for those of us that skim posts.   I may come home to an additional 10 pages in a thread so I'll skim them, deem them "bitch fight in the parking lot" and move on by two pages at a time, skipping posts. 

 

By putting in SMJ: and the response I may not remember what SMJ wrote so your response may make no sense in context of the conversation to me and maybe others.

 

Also, welcome aboard. 

[bunomatic]

SMJ: Murray sure as hell looked disappointed to me that he didn't get McDavid. Let me paraphrase him: "It was like getting the call at 6 a.m. to tell you that you've been cut from the Canadian Junior team". Also, correct me on this. whenever they showed the crowd at First Niagara Centre on Sabres lowlights this season, there seemed to be many signs, posters saying "We want McDavid" not so much any Eichel posters. In fact, from the television highlights that I saw, I never saw one for Eichel.

Everyone has moved on Eman. No disrespect intended but the general consensus of the board is that we got our man. Eichel will be fine

[MBHockey13]

Everyone has moved on Eman. No disrespect intended but the general consensus of the board is that we got our man. Eichel will be fine

 

:thumbsup:

[That Aud Smell]

it's not funny. 

 

it was funny, albeit not based in reality. call it GM TM fan fiction.

edit: the idea that GM TM would've been angry that Babcock shopped the Sabers' offer to TOR is one that every Sabres fan should banish from their minds. because it cannot be remotely true. and if it were somehow true? then we'd be doomed. 

[nfreeman]

I only read this board before work and after and as you said, you are new to boards, so using the quote button would be helpful for those of us that skim posts.   I may come home to an additional 10 pages in a thread so I'll skim them, deem them "bitch fight in the parking lot" and move on by two pages at a time, skipping posts. 

 

By putting in SMJ: and the response I may not remember what SMJ wrote so your response may make no sense in context of the conversation to me and maybe others.

 

Also, welcome aboard. 

 

Outstanding.

[inkman]

SMJ: Murray sure as hell looked disappointed to me that he didn't get McDavid. Let me paraphrase him: "It was like getting the call at 6 a.m. to tell you that you've been cut from the Canadian Junior team". Also, correct me on this. whenever they showed the crowd at First Niagara Centre on Sabres lowlights this season, there seemed to be many signs, posters saying "We want McDavid" not so much any Eichel posters. In fact, from the television highlights that I saw, I never saw one for Eichel.

Most of the general populous at the F'N Center are ignorant. Ignorant to who Jack Eichel is and how good he is. Most of them still want Pominville and Afinogenov back.

[Randall Flagg]

You know if you had a sense of humor life would be a more cheerful place.

 

Also do you really want to keep this going?

I think he was using a sense of humor, there, not being serious. Maybe I'm wrong though.

[shrader]

Most of the general populous at the F'N Center are ignorant. Ignorant to who Jack Eichel is and how good he is. Most of them still want Pominville and Afinogenov back.

 

It has very little to do with ignorance.  Who in their right mind is going to come to the arena with a signed reading "I want second place!"?  No matter how good second place is, people are always going to want first.

[Samson's Flow]

Maybe not but right now he's the man. After a few years of medicore teams and the fans getting restless, things can change. Babcock wasn't always the man and there are always up and coming coaches ready to take your place. It happens all the time in sports, especially since he has 1 cup. He isn't someone like Phil Jackson or Bill Belichick with a handful of league titles to fall back on.

 

Look at Mike Shanahan, who has two Super Bowl rings. He WAS a legendary NFL coach just 5 years ago, and the Bills were offering him the moon and stars, maybe even a % of the team to take the HC gig. Other NFL teams were falling over themselves offering him anything he wanted. Money, power, control.

 

He chose Washington because he wanted to "solidify his place in the Hall of Fame." It was the best chance to win big in a big market. Plus, he even mentioned that his family wouldn't want to come to Buffalo. Washington gave him ENORMOUS money and all the power he wanted. In short, he was a big f-ing deal in America's biggest sport.

 

Fast forward 5 years to today. He is out of work, and no NFL team seriously considered taking him on. The Bills brought him in after Marrone quit, heard him out, and said "thanks for your time but no thanks." He had a few other interviews but nobody really was that interested in him. In short, he's pretty much finished.

 

Keep in mind that Shanahan actually made the playoffs with Washington during his time there. But he didn't seal the deal, or even get that close. That's all anyone remembers now.

 

The stench of failure on a big stage is a LOT to overcome.

 

I hope Babcock fails as spectacularly in the NHL as Shanahan did in the NFL and ends up 5 years from now getting passed over by the Florida Panthers and Arizona Coyotes for HC gigs.

 

He will still have his tens of millions to count and can probably live on his past glories and coach Team Canada every 4 years.

Shanahan is a fair point, and shows how quickly a high-profile coach can fall from grace.

 

I don't think Babcock completely falls of the map, but his reputation may take a hit to the point where some up-and-coming Canadian coach takes over as the national team coach. I don't see that happening, but it is possible. I think it is more likely that people in league circles recognize Toronto as a tire fire and suggest it is more the city's fault than Babcock's coaching ability.

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

Outstanding.

 

I actually find that term demaeaning to women......... ;)

[Jeanbe]

I actually find that term demaeaning to women......... ;)

 

LOL.  I thought about that when I wrote it, but....I knew this male dominated board would probably laugh and love it. 

[inkman]

It has very little to do with ignorance. Who in their right mind is going to come to the arena with a signed reading "I want second place!"? No matter how good second place is, people are always going to want first.

McEichel would have been the correct choice

[LTS]

So, as I start looking for a new source of income, I shouldn't really involve my family in the decision-making process?  Because, say, if I want to move to Nashville, and my wife doesn't, then, I guess we're not moving to Nashville.  That's how it works here, at least.  Maybe I'm whipped.  As it turns out, after going to Nashville with my wife recently, all of sudden she is okay with moving there.  That doesn't apply to other relationships? 

 

I thought people were made fun of for being so dominant in relationships these days.  I am so confused about 2015.

I am still in Rochester because, and only because, of my wife.  

 

Babcock is taking that pretty girl up the road to the prom. She's prettier. But we win on personality. 

Sure, but when you phrase it like this I suddenly think of Toronto as Sharon Stone's character in Casino.

 

SMJ: Murray sure as hell looked disappointed to me that he didn't get McDavid. Let me paraphrase him: "It was like getting the call at 6 a.m. to tell you that you've been cut from the Canadian Junior team". Also, correct me on this. whenever they showed the crowd at First Niagara Centre on Sabres lowlights this season, there seemed to be many signs, posters saying "We want McDavid" not so much any Eichel posters. In fact, from the television highlights that I saw, I never saw one for Eichel.

 

I know it got harped on earlier in the thread when your stream of consciousness basically caused your posts to be unreadable, but at least this one I could read.  And someone responded already, but let me ask you a question.

 

You are in a contest where you have a 20% chance at winning $5M and a 100% chance at winning $4.5M.  They ask you to hold up a sign as to which you prefer.  No one is holding up the $4.5M sign.  Not one person, not ever. 

 

As far as Murray's analogy, I completely understand it. If you don't that doesn't make it wrong or any worse than it is. The simple premise is this. You spend your time working the roster, working the system, only to be told at the very last moment that you didn't get the top prize. None of the people in the Sabres organization WANT to lose, they just understood what had to be done and were committed to doing it. So, they put in their time, and boom, second best. That said, they knew they only had a small chance at winning top prize. This point is so over and done with that it shouldn't even come up anymore.

 

No one wants second best. No one.

 

We talked about the NHL odds in the lottery. Go review the recent NBA draft where for the first time since 2004 the worst team in the league won the lottery. I don't follow basketball so I'm not sure if the NBA tweaked the percentage of winning but the Timberwolves had a 25% chance of winning.  Assume that was the case the entire time and it speaks just the reality of winning. 

 

No one wants second best. They just have to live with it because of the lottery.

 

In another 8-10 years, we'll all be able to take all the factors into account and then be able to say who was the better pick in 2015. Right now you can only hypothesize.

[Samson's Flow]

 

You are in a contest where you have a 20% chance at winning $5M and a 100% chance at winning $4.5M.  They ask you to hold up a sign as to which you prefer.  No one is holding up the $4.5M sign.  Not one person, not ever. 

 

No one wants second best. No one.

 

I know what you were trying to get at, but if you're giving me $4.5M, i'm totally taking it. Expected payout is $4.5M vs $1M ($5M * 20%) with the other one. That's a no brainer.

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

LOL.  I thought about that when I wrote it, but....I knew this male dominated board would probably laugh and love it. 

 

Thank you for the cover!

[Hoss]

If coaching an Original Six team is so important, why was Buffalo in the mix?

 

"(Because) Terry Pegula is a superstar."

 

#sabres #leafs