IndySabresLifer Posted October 14, 2023 Report Posted October 14, 2023 Anyone else curious if Mike Bales is the issue with UPL? As a goalie myself, watching Levi in game 1, he seemed to be over-shooting his marks (like UPL does often). The common denominator now is Mike Bales. I didn’t see the overshooting on Levi in his play last year or even in college. Thoughts? 3 1 Quote
tom webster Posted October 16, 2023 Report Posted October 16, 2023 On 10/14/2023 at 9:41 AM, IndySabresLifer said: Anyone else curious if Mike Bales is the issue with UPL? As a goalie myself, watching Levi in game 1, he seemed to be over-shooting his marks (like UPL does often). The common denominator now is Mike Bales. I didn’t see the overshooting on Levi in his play last year or even in college. Thoughts? No. UPL has been awful for about 5 years now. 1 Quote
Brawndo Posted October 16, 2023 Report Posted October 16, 2023 Bob Essensa is the best goalie coach in the league right now, see Ullmark, Linus, Bales is a step or two below Him. 1 Quote
Porous Five Hole Posted October 16, 2023 Report Posted October 16, 2023 On 10/14/2023 at 9:41 AM, IndySabresLifer said: Anyone else curious if Mike Bales is the issue with UPL? As a goalie myself, watching Levi in game 1, he seemed to be over-shooting his marks (like UPL does often). The common denominator now is Mike Bales. I didn’t see the overshooting on Levi in his play last year or even in college. Thoughts? Welcome! I’m with Tom on this that UPL just isn’t that good. His stats don’t lie. And neither will the Amerks season ticket holders. The guy doesn’t have it. Sure, he’s had a couple of stretches where he gets hot for a few games like any other goalie. But he’s never been good. His career save percentage at the AHL level is sub .900. Same at the NHL level. If he was drafted in the 6th round instead of the 2nd round, would anyone care about him at the NHL level? Also, UPL has never earned an NHL recall. He has only been in Buffalo because of injury recalls. A career AHL save percentage of under .900 means he never should have been here to begin with. Obviously Levi has some maturing to do at this level, but I wouldn’t read too much into his first two starts. The Rangers were superior and the Isles had two deflection goals. Quote
matter2003 Posted October 16, 2023 Report Posted October 16, 2023 (edited) Maybe he needs to be like... "Back then, they didn't want me... Now I'm hot, they all up on me... Back then, they didn't want me... Now I'm hot, they all up on me... I'm Mike Bales!" He just needs to get some iced up grills in his mouth and be like "I'm Mike Bales! Don't act like you don't know my name... ain't nothing changed but my change, I'm gonna stay the same! Before Levi came... before I got my fame... these posters poppin' now didn't even know my name... they said UPL was lame... they said he had no game... I told 'em Levi was fixin' to blow, they thought I was insane..." Edited October 16, 2023 by matter2003 Quote
Buffalonill Posted October 16, 2023 Report Posted October 16, 2023 51 minutes ago, matter2003 said: Maybe he needs to be like... "Back then, they didn't want me... Now I'm hot, they all up on me... Back then, they didn't want me... Now I'm hot, they all up on me... I'm Mike Bales!" He just needs to get some iced up grills in his mouth and be like "I'm Mike Bales! Don't act like you don't know my name... ain't nothing changed but my change, I'm gonna stay the same! Before Levi came... before I got my fame... these posters poppin' now didn't even know my name... they said UPL was lame... they said he had no game... I told 'em Levi was fixin' to blow, they thought I was insane..." 1 1 1 Quote
Derrico Posted October 16, 2023 Report Posted October 16, 2023 (edited) Mike Bales is the Steve Smith of hockey coaches. Overrated. I'm fine if they move along. Edited October 16, 2023 by Derrico 1 Quote
Carmel Corn Posted October 16, 2023 Report Posted October 16, 2023 Did Levi have his own "coach" as well??? Quote
Buffalonill Posted October 16, 2023 Report Posted October 16, 2023 6 minutes ago, Derrico said: Mike Bales is the Steve Smith of hockey coaches. Overrated. I'm fine if they move along. Steve Smith was a beast and Backed up All his smack talk. I wish there was a wide receiver out there today like him but there isn't. 2 Quote
Zamboni Posted October 16, 2023 Report Posted October 16, 2023 Ok so … in addition to complaining about Bales, can anyone name better and available right now goalie coaches? Seriously … 1 Quote
Buffalonill Posted October 16, 2023 Report Posted October 16, 2023 7 minutes ago, Zamboni said: Ok so … in addition to complaining about Bales, can anyone name better and available right now goalie coaches? Seriously … What's Arturs up to Quote
Brawndo Posted October 17, 2023 Report Posted October 17, 2023 2 hours ago, Zamboni said: Ok so … in addition to complaining about Bales, can anyone name better and available right now goalie coaches? Seriously … Not advocating for a change, however Mike Condon did a nice job as a volunteer goalie coach with Levi at Northeastern Quote
Brawndo Posted October 17, 2023 Report Posted October 17, 2023 Just now, LGR4GM said: What's Craig Anderson up to. He was at Sabres Practice today 3 Quote
Zamboni Posted October 17, 2023 Report Posted October 17, 2023 30 minutes ago, Brawndo said: He was at Sabres Practice today So it would be a safe assumption that Anderson is mentoring, right? Along with Bales, and also getting some feedback from his goalie coach from college. Would that be a safe or incorrect assumption? Quote
Brawndo Posted October 17, 2023 Report Posted October 17, 2023 13 minutes ago, Zamboni said: So it would be a safe assumption that Anderson is mentoring, right? Along with Bales, and also getting some feedback from his goalie coach from college. Would that be a safe or incorrect assumption? This sounds about right Quote
Marvin Posted October 17, 2023 Report Posted October 17, 2023 On 10/14/2023 at 9:41 AM, IndySabresLifer said: Anyone else curious if Mike Bales is the issue with UPL? As a goalie myself, watching Levi in game 1, he seemed to be over-shooting his marks (like UPL does often). The common denominator now is Mike Bales. I didn’t see the overshooting on Levi in his play last year or even in college. Thoughts? Welcome to the board. Bales is supposed to be one of the best in the game. If he is, that says a lot about the goaltenders we have had the past few years. 1 Quote
PerreaultForever Posted October 17, 2023 Report Posted October 17, 2023 I think it's safe to say that UPL has not shown a steady progression or development (even if slow) over his time here. Whether you put that on the goalie coach or just on him being incapable of learning/improving I guess is a point of contention. Levi simply should be paired with a veteran who can also take him under his wing and work with him much like Ullmark does with Swayman (thinking of Bob Essensa mentioned above by @Brawndo). At the moment I'm not impressed by ANY of our coaches and think we let the guy we really needed walk away in Mike Peca. Quote
GoPuckYourself Posted October 17, 2023 Report Posted October 17, 2023 8 hours ago, Zamboni said: Ok so … in addition to complaining about Bales, can anyone name better and available right now goalie coaches? Seriously … Anyone not named Mike Bales.... You're welcome!!! 2 Quote
Doohicksie Posted October 17, 2023 Report Posted October 17, 2023 10 hours ago, LGR4GM said: What's Craig Anderson up to. Spending time with family. I see him as a potential "special goalie consultant" but not a full time anything at this point. I'd love to have him but I think he wants to spend time with the wife & kids. Quote
Stoner Posted October 17, 2023 Report Posted October 17, 2023 18 minutes ago, Doohickie said: Spending time with family. I see him as a potential "special goalie consultant" but not a full time anything at this point. I'd love to have him but I think he wants to spend time with the wife & kids. Link? 1 Quote
RochesterExpat Posted October 17, 2023 Report Posted October 17, 2023 7 hours ago, PerreaultForever said: I think it's safe to say that UPL has not shown a steady progression or development (even if slow) over his time here. Whether you put that on the goalie coach or just on him being incapable of learning/improving I guess is a point of contention. I thought for a while it was some combination of coaching, improper development, and his injury issues that stunted his development, but he came into camp this year unprepared relative to others. Even just looking at his closest power, I t’s evident that Comrie worked hard this offseason. It isn’t with UPL. At this point it suggests to me it’s the player lacking the drive/focus to succeed in pro sports. 1 Quote
Sabres Fan in NS Posted October 17, 2023 Report Posted October 17, 2023 Welcome !! I have no idea who this guy Bales is. At some point I think the Sabres need to bring in Anderson or maybe even Miller is a semi-permanent goalie whisperer role. Quote
LTS Posted October 17, 2023 Report Posted October 17, 2023 15 hours ago, Brawndo said: He was at Sabres Practice today I have no ability to support what I am going to say... But this makes me happy. There is something about Craig Anderson that resonates with me. 1 Quote
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