Housley on Poor Defense

[WildCard]

@BrianWGR

Housley on poor D play:  "It's a lack of respect and urgency in the defensive zone...not having that urgency to kill a play. I think there is a lot of cheat in our game. They think that points are more important than playing solid D."  #Sabres

[LGR4GM]

First real signs that Housley knows what is going on and actually might be a bit more stern behind closed doors... I'll believe it if I see an on ice change. 

[GASabresIUFAN]

Isn’t he supposed to be the D whisper?

[LGR4GM]

Isn’t he supposed to be the D whisper?

He can't be the D whisperer if his PP doesn't work. 

[Mustache of God]

 

@BrianWGR

Housley on poor D play:  "It's a lack of respect and urgency in the defensive zone...not having that urgency to kill a play. I think there is a lot of cheat in our game. They think that points are more important than playing solid D."  #Sabres

 

 

 

This is something coaching should have fixed within the first 5 games.

[darksabre]

This is something coaching should have fixed within the first 5 games.

Can't fix it if the players are too slow, unwilling to engage, or just bad.

[LTS]

All this focus on the coach is so wrong.

 

 

A player who does not want to change is not going to change.  Just like an addict who does not want to rehabilitate themselves.  

 

I am fine with Housley right now. The team needs to change its mindset and he's trying to make that happen.

[That Aud Smell]

There's a guy locally (?) who has coached/played some at the college level (Niagara?), etc. and who Tweets commentary about NHL play. He generally includes video clips with his takes -- and his takes are coach-y in nature. It's good stuff - I wish I could find it (but I only recall seeing it (not following him) on Twitter a week or so ago). 

 

Anyway. He had a Tweet thread where he had compiled a series of defensive sequences by the Sabres (not just d-men - the Sabres playing D), and his commentary was that there was a lack of good fundamental play by the defending players. He accurately described the Sabres players as upright and stiff-legged, as they watched the opposing team develop their opportunities -- none of the Sabres were crouched, bent, etc. in order to be positioned to disrupt the play.

 

I think that's part of what Housley is getting at with the "cheat" comment.

[inkman]

@BrianWGR

Housley on poor D play: "It's a lack of respect and urgency in the defensive zone...not having that urgency to kill a play. I think there is a lot of cheat in our game. They think that points are more important than playing solid D." #Sabres

I gotta admit I don't like the use of they here instead of we. Is he not part of the team? Sounds like he's trying to distance himself from the situation that he should be fully ensconced in.

[Formerly Allan in MD]

Play Ullmark, please.

[That Aud Smell]

I gotta admit I don't like the use of they here instead of we. Is he not part of the team? Sounds like he's trying to distance himself from the situation that he should be fully ensconced in.

 

fair point.

[pi2000]

I gotta admit I don't like the use of they here instead of we. Is he not part of the team? Sounds like he's trying to distance himself from the situation that he should be fully ensconced in.

 

 

All this talk about should Phil be phired.... maybe he resigns after the season.

[Thorner]

@BrianWGR

Housley on poor D play:  "It's a lack of respect and urgency in the defensive zone...not having that urgency to kill a play. I think there is a lot of cheat in our game. They think that points are more important than playing solid D."  #Sabres

  

I gotta admit I don't like the use of they here instead of we. Is he not part of the team? Sounds like he's trying to distance himself from the situation that he should be fully ensconced in.

He does say “our”, though.

[inkman]

He does say “our”, though.

Make up your mind Phillis

[LGR4GM]

I gotta admit I don't like the use of they here instead of we. Is he not part of the team? Sounds like he's trying to distance himself from the situation that he should be fully ensconced in.

Makes logical sense. It's our team but they play. 

[bunomatic]

Good thing Phil doesn't do interviews in 3rd party. :blink: