Ruff calls team's 2nd period performance "embarrassing" after Kraken loss.

[Stoner]

24 minutes ago, Dreams Burn Down said:

You're certainly entitled to your opinions, as we all are.  However, I'm still amazed at how many fans show up to see this team play, visiting team fans notwithstanding.

I don't think that many fan bases around the league would still care as much as ours after 14 years of unbridled ineptitude.  People on this board are pissed and who can blame them?  To me that shows passion, not apathy.

This fan base is not only not at fault, but, for the most part, it somehow continues to care about this team in spite of itself.

Especially Billy Mumford.

I blew it. Mumphrey.

Edited January 13 by Stoner

[Thorner]

On 1/12/2025 at 7:49 AM, Stoner said:

I don't have a lot of money but I would bet every penny of it that Terry thinks the fans and media are a part of the problem. Hell, he said it out loud about the media when he bought the team. Incoming Pegula Fan Boi Prove It alert.

I’d bet money the players themselves, in the end, chuckle at the mindset of the fans. I keep saying this: right or wrong, they don’t claim the drought. No one does. No matter how many years they contribute to it. You can see it in Adams snarky defensiveness when questioned.

“We think we know a bit more than the fans.”

the situation is so toxic because it isn’t one sided at all: make no mistake, there’s disdain on both sides 

[Thorner]

19 hours ago, SwampD said:

This has nothing to do with Granato. It’s the players. 

Through what we’ve nurtured them to be. The environment we’ve developed them into.

if there’s flaws of nature, it’s by way of ill-construction of the whole 

[JP51]

On 1/11/2025 at 7:38 PM, OverPowerYou said:

Where is the lindy ruff that used to scream at the players in practice ?

Honestly, worried that if he raised his voice they would break down in tears....  not sure this is a group that yelling at will get the desired response... I think they crawl deeper into their hole... so fundamentally, the team in its basic construction is so mentally fragile that to me by and large it is not salvageable even when he tries to hold players accountable... literally I just dont know what he does... I almost feel like they want to be shot and put out of their misery overall... at least a lot of them... I wish for a retool... but I am not convinced that there isnt major gutting to be done... this is a quandry that is bigger than teaching defense and yelling at players... its a fundamental core issue that we have a bunch of skaters and very few hockey players.  The reincarnation of a young Scottie Bowman couldnt fix this. 

[JP51]

37 minutes ago, Thorner said:

I’d bet money the players themselves, in the end, chuckle at the mindset of the fans. I keep saying this: right or wrong, they don’t claim the drought. No one does. No matter how many years they contribute to it. You can see it in Adams snarky defensiveness when questioned.

“We think we know a bit more than the fans.”

the situation is so toxic because it isn’t one sided at all: make no mistake, there’s disdain on both sides 

LOL I am not sure they chuckle.. but definitely roll their eyes in disgust...  the relationship between the fans and the players definitely has reached the level of acrimonious... another reason I am not sure this can be fixed in its present form. 

[Gatorman0519]

On 1/12/2025 at 5:25 PM, HILLsabre said:

This needs to become much more prevalent at home games. Worked for the New Orleans Saints for quite awhile...melon heads for the LA Rams as well. I like it!!!

The fact those were kids on kids night tells us everything we need to know. The lost generation. 

[Pimlach]

23 hours ago, JP51 said:

LOL I am not sure they chuckle.. but definitely roll their eyes in disgust...  the relationship between the fans and the players definitely has reached the level of acrimonious... another reason I am not sure this can be fixed in its present form. 

Why do you think that?  Are you going back to the booing last season and the calls for firing Granato?  

[JP51]

36 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

Why do you think that?  Are you going back to the booing last season and the calls for firing Granato?  

Well I dont think that what you describe is all of it by anymeans... even the refusal to go out an salute the fans... but that certainly is an indicator.... 

I think the general visceral attitude that we as fans have and the media at this point cannot possibly be endearing... just emotionally as a player... to be constantly booed off the ice or read how horrible you are even if it is true cant possibly make them feel affinity... rather the opposite... probably feel almost like these people railing you everyday are the enemy... or certainly less than friendly.... that being said... I dont think the players hate the fans... I think they get it... I think the acrimony is much more weighted to the fans regard for the players and management than vice versa... although Adams press conference was definitely showing the wear and tear on the relationship...  he seemed pissed off, defensive and condescending...  Is what I am saying true... no clue... just a feeling especially regarding the internal views of the players and management... I think clearly there is acrimony in the fan base towards the team... and deservedly so.. 

Edited January 14 by JP51

[Pimlach]

5 minutes ago, JP51 said:

Well I dont think that what you describe is all of it by anymeans... even the refusal to go out an salute the fans... but that certainly is an indicator.... 

I think the general visceral attitude that we as fans have and the media at this point cannot possibly be endearing... just emotionally as a player... to be constantly booed off the ice or read how horrible you are even if it is true cant possibly make them feel affinity... rather the opposite... probably feel almost like these people railing you everyday are the enemy... or certainly less than friendly.... that being said... I dont think the players hate the fans... I think they get it... I think the acrimony is much more weighted to the fans regard for the players and management than vice versa... although Adams press conference was definitely showing the wear and tear on the relationship...  he seemed pissed off, defensive and condescending...  Is what I am saying true... no clue... just a feeling especially regarding the internal views of the players and management... I think clearly there is acrimony in the fan base towards the team... and deservedly so.. 

Yes.  The no salute thing was in response to the "fire Donny" chanting.  To me it shows how young this team was and more importantly how bad the internal leadership on the team actually was, and probably still is.     

Around that same time Boston played poorly and got booed off their home ice, and their coach said the fans were smart and they were right.  Marchand said the fans were right and they should have played better.   Simple and done.  No issues

In Buffalo Granato did it wrong, and then he pointed out to the media that some of these players signed long term contracts.  I take that to mean that it is a sacrifice to be in Buffalo.  It actually is and that is 100% on Terry.  

The relationship between the fan base and the team gets worse with every losing season. 

 

[JP51]

2 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

Yes.  The no salute thing was in response to the "fire Donny" chanting.  To me it shows how young this team was and more importantly how bad the internal leadership on the team actually was, and probably still is.     

Around that same time Boston played poorly and got booed off their home ice, and their coach said the fans were smart and they were right.  Marchand said the fans were right and they should have played better.   Simple and done.  No issues

In Buffalo Granato did it wrong, and then he pointed out to the media that some of these players signed long term contracts.  I take that to mean that it is a sacrifice to be in Buffalo.  It actually is and that is 100% on Terry.  

The relationship between the fan base and the team gets worse with every losing season. 

 

It does and I am guilty of this, but our takes and our anger rages the longer it goes on... but yet we still care and wonder why... its really sad actually. I just can't believe it has gotten to this level...  my god, my first hockey game when I was 5 I was in the Oranges watching Schoenfeld take Cashman thru the Zamboni doors... I was hooked and hockey was everything.. the players were just beloved.... to go from that to this... is just incomprehensible... 

[Pimlach]

3 minutes ago, JP51 said:

It does and I am guilty of this, but our takes and our anger rages the longer it goes on... but yet we still care and wonder why... its really sad actually. I just can't believe it has gotten to this level...  my god, my first hockey game when I was 5 I was in the Oranges watching Schoenfeld take Cashman thru the Zamboni doors... I was hooked and hockey was everything.. the players were just beloved.... to go from that to this... is just incomprehensible... 

I was at that game.  Up in Section 10 of the Oranges.   

My first games were late 60's Buffalo Bisons games in the Aud before the Oranges were there.   

[ska-T Palmtown]

6 minutes ago, JP51 said:

It does and I am guilty of this, but our takes and our anger rages the longer it goes on... but yet we still care and wonder why... its really sad actually. I just can't believe it has gotten to this level...  my god, my first hockey game when I was 5 I was in the Oranges watching Schoenfeld take Cashman thru the Zamboni doors... I was hooked and hockey was everything.. the players were just beloved.... to go from that to this... is just incomprehensible... 

I'd add that my rage/anger/disappointment that is suddenly bordering dangerously close to apathy is directed at the team. The Sabres organization. For me, it does not extend to the players, as people, because I think they have been set up to fail. All the too-numerous-to-count threads about why management has failed this team are the reason I think this is beyond whether or not Player A competes hard enough on a given night. The entire organization is not set up for that to matter.

[JP51]

Just now, ska-T Palmtown said:

I'd add that my rage/anger/disappointment that is suddenly bordering dangerously close to apathy is directed at the team. The Sabres organization. For me, it does not extend to the players, as people, because I think they have been set up to fail. All the too-numerous-to-count threads about why management has failed this team are the reason I think this is beyond whether or not Player A competes hard enough on a given night. The entire organization is not set up for that to matter.

I could not agree more... the players are the players... they play like who they are... there is room and need for highly talented folks who just skate... the composition of this team is not only not balanced but has not gotten the leadership on ice nor the committment from the management... they are left twisting... it takes all kinds of pieces...  so no, I dont want to blow up Peterka, Quinn, or whoever for not driving people thru the boards or being defensive stalwarts... they are who they are... but your composition must be balanced... 

7 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

I was at that game.  Up in Section 10 of the Oranges.   

My first games were late 60's Buffalo Bisons games in the Aud before the Oranges were there.   

I was in one of the last rows... over looking the zamboni entrance I remember after the game saying Dad can we go again tomorrow!!! 

[PerreaultForever]

Ruff just sounds so tired and old in every single interview clip. I'm slightly older and he makes me feel spry. I think this is killing him. 

[Archie Lee]

14 hours ago, PerreaultForever said:

Ruff just sounds so tired and old in every single interview clip. I'm slightly older and he makes me feel spry. I think this is killing him. 

I heard the clip from his interview this week where he stated that a player has to hate losing more than he loves winning. I really wanted someone in the media to follow up with:  Does this organization hate losing?  I get what Ruff is preaching. And obviously players are responsible for their own performances and attitudes.  But for the players who have been here for 3-5 years now, who have seen the unused cap space, the prospect pool largely untapped for trades, the charade of an extensive coaching search, and on and on, is that line from Ruff (“You have to hate losing…”) not at least a little bit of an eye-roller? 

[PerreaultForever]

8 hours ago, Archie Lee said:

I heard the clip from his interview this week where he stated that a player has to hate losing more than he loves winning. I really wanted someone in the media to follow up with:  Does this organization hate losing?  I get what Ruff is preaching. And obviously players are responsible for their own performances and attitudes.  But for the players who have been here for 3-5 years now, who have seen the unused cap space, the prospect pool largely untapped for trades, the charade of an extensive coaching search, and on and on, is that line from Ruff (“You have to hate losing…”) not at least a little bit of an eye-roller? 

It's a true thing. On the surface it sounds kind of dumb, and it's straight out of Shorsey, but it's also real. I mentioned this last year (or maybe the year before? it all blurs and time flies) that we have guys who love to win but these kids don't hate to lose. The team as a whole accepts losing far too easily and far too quickly. This again, is a leadership problem and the problem with a team of young individual stars.