GDT: Buffalo @ NYR, 7:00 pm est, 4-2-2016

[Stoner]

Wow. Crap, damn and frickin. He really let loose.

[SwampD]

Wow. Crap, damn and frickin. He really let loose.

Don't sell him short. There was a bull#### in there as well.

[Tondas]

Don't sell him short. There was a bull#### in there as well.

 

I like his good news, "At least we know what to work on this week; work ethic."  In hockey terms that means BAG SKATES.

[Eleven]

I like his good news, "At least we know what to work on this week; work ethic."  In hockey terms that means BAG SKATES.

 

The look on his face when he says that, too.

[Stoner]

I like his good news, "At least we know what to work on this week; work ethic."  In hockey terms that means BAG SKATES.

Six a.m.?

 

I dunno. Didn't he say the game was their fourth in six days? I kind of suspect what the coach said has been building up. A one-off clunker with a schedule like that doesn't get that kind of reaction. In situations like this, either the coach goes or the players do (or a lot of them anyway).

[deluca67]

82 points is .500 points percentage; 41-41 is .500 winning percentage.

In sports only winning percentage matters, or at least should. The NHL point system is still a source of embarrassment.  

[deluca67]

I get that thought & agree that it's possible there won't be room for him. But unless they get Stamkos, I don't see them having only Gionta as an older leadership F on the team. Moulson won't be moved, but w/ his diminished skills he wouldn't qualify as a "leader."

 

The kids the Sabres have exhibit a lot of the right qualities & though he's young I could very well see O'Reilly get the C this coming season, so there is young leadership, but IMHO they do need that veteran presence to bolster it.

 

Having a top 10 PK could be the difference between low 90's & high 90's. I'd like to see a 4th line of Deslauriers - Legwand - Fasching with Stamkos or Drouin the missing piece in the top 6. Legwand as PK specialist; Fasching playing the Moe-ray-all version of LeClair making the 4th line able to score & being the big body down low on the PP (which McGinn was filling); & Deslauriers as the true 4th liner that also has a modest scoring touch.

 

When injuries occur, bring up Bailey, Baptiste, or Carrier for filling in on top 6 or Schaller or O'Reilly for bottom 6.

 

I'd like to see Gionta & Legwand both back this season, but at least one gone the following year.

I would like to see Moulson and Legwand moved out and McGinn brought back as well as Troy Brower signed. Add Cam Fowler and we may be talking playoffs next season. 

[Taro T]

I would like to see Moulson and Legwand moved out and McGinn brought back as well as Troy Brower signed. Add Cam Fowler and we may be talking playoffs next season.

 

If they can move Moulson, awesome. Can't see a scenario where that happens & we will be lamenting a buyout tremendously 4 years from now.

 

Brouwer is an interesting thought.

 

I'd expect that McGinn will be too expensive for what he'll bring. Would rather see Fasching or Bailey grow into that role. It might hurt next year's results slightly (though I don't expect it) but LT they'll be better off.

[JujuFish]

In sports only winning percentage matters, or at least should. The NHL point system is still a source of embarrassment.  

 

I would prefer to see 3 points for regulation wins, so every game is worth the same number of points.

[Stoner]

CALGARY had played 4 games in 6 nights. They played Saturday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday then smoked EDM 5 nil on the following Saturday.  McClellan was pissed about shift length because he wanted to wear them down but they were taking long shifts and letting Calgary off the hook.

Thanks.

[Doohicksie]

I don't mind D-lo riding shotgun for the kids. It keeps other teams from taking liberties with them. Gretzky and Kurri had Semenko and they did OK.

 

I did notice late in the game there was a little push-&-shove after a play between Eich and a Ranger and DLo showed up with his crazy eyes and the whole thing instantly ended.  So maybe there is something to that.

why do you think he'd be a good coach?

 

Don't know that he would be, but considering he isn't as fast as he used to be but he's still effective on the PK, he must be doing something right, technique-wise.

[Thorner]

82 points is not .500. 41 - 41 is .500 :rolleyes:

 

Ok. .500 points percentage, then. Still impressive. Thanks for the correction and eye-roll.

 

82 points is .500 points percentage; 41-41 is .500 winning percentage.

 

Yup, that's what I meant, I suppose!

Edited April 4, 2016 by Thorny

[Jsixspd]

Wow - the Sabres may actually hit 80 points this season - who woulda thunk it even a month ago? Disco Dan system starting to click?  

Or is it scrub players fighting to keep their jobs at the last minute?  

[LGR4GM]

Wow - the Sabres may actually hit 80 points this season - who woulda thunk it even a month ago? Disco Dan system starting to click?  

Or is it scrub players fighting to keep their jobs at the last minute?  

The back half of our schedule was easier than the first half and the kids have grown quite a bit. Bylsma has done a good job helping them along IMPO.

[...]

Jsixspd, on 04 Apr 2016 - 10:44 AM, said:Jsixspd, on 04 Apr 2016 - 10:44 AM, said:Jsixspd, on 04 Apr 2016 - 10:44 AM, said:

Wow - the Sabres may actually hit 80 points this season - who woulda thunk it even a month ago? Disco Dan system starting to click?  

Or is it scrub players fighting to keep their jobs at the last minute?  

 

I've eased up on DD for the past several weeks.  I think we're seeing a team that is starting to gel.  I also think we're seeing some tired rookies, so, take this team with fresh players and they're probably playing "scary good" hockey.

 

Again, I don't know why the Big Johnson isn't signed for next season, you can't ask for a better goalie for this team's predicament.  Lehner, even though we finally got to see a lot of him the second half of the season, is still a question mark.  And none of the goalies in the system are ready for prime time.

Oh, forgot to talk about DD more...

 

I think DD's system is starting to make sense.  It makes a lot more sense watching it, and comparing it to other teams' games.  It makes more sense now that it's being executed and that DD has a solid, consistent third line, and the Eichel/Reinhart pair has remained consistent.

 

The system seems at least okay, if not good.  There are other things to complain about with regards to DD, but I think his system is at least as good as anything else in the league. 

 

I also have to give him credit for attempting to be a clever, real-time coach, who will try different coaching and game strategies on-the-fly.  I kind of like that small percentage of unpredictability, even if what he's trying to do doesn't work.

Edited April 4, 2016 by SiZzlEmeIsTEr