From Lucic to Noesen - The Sabre lack of backbone exposed again

[Thorner]

It’s a parity olive branch in a league where half the teams make the playoffs and we REFUSE TO CAPITALIZE ON IT 

In the words of Jack Eichel, “HUH?!”

[SABRES 0311]

2 hours ago, inkman said:

Lindy mentioned in his post game press conference that he may cancel todays practice. 

Why

[TheAud]

1 minute ago, SABRES 0311 said:

Why

No need for it. Three game winning streak - the Sabres standard for excellence has been achieved.

[pi2000]

FWIW Greenway would've made a big difference in this game.   

The problem is if he's out of the lineup, they have no ability to answer back... they get push around without any fear of reciprocation.     

Part of that is roster construction.  

The other part is youth.  This team is still very young and simply hasn't developed the size and strength to matchup physically with certain teams. 

Guys like Power, Quinn, Cozens, Peterka, Byram and even Dahlin... are still growing into their "man bodies". 

I expect there to be a heavy focus on getting bigger and stronger over the offseason.

4 minutes ago, SABRES 0311 said:

Why

gym day

[French Collection]

5 minutes ago, pi2000 said:

FWIW Greenway would've made a big difference in this game.   

The problem is if he's out of the lineup, they have no ability to answer back... they get push around without any fear of reciprocation.     

Part of that is roster construction.  

The other part is youth.  This team is still very young and simply hasn't developed the size and strength to matchup physically with certain teams. 

Guys like Power, Quinn, Cozens, Peterka, Byram and even Dahlin... are still growing into their "man bodies". 

I expect there to be a heavy focus on getting bigger and stronger over the offseason.

 

It’s not 1974 anymore but NHL hockey is still a man’s game.

[GASabresIUFAN]

9 minutes ago, pi2000 said:

FWIW Greenway would've made a big difference in this game.   

The problem is if he's out of the lineup, they have no ability to answer back... they get push around without any fear of reciprocation.     

Part of that is roster construction.  

The other part is youth.  This team is still very young and simply hasn't developed the size and strength to matchup physically with certain teams. 

Guys like Power, Quinn, Cozens, Peterka, Byram and even Dahlin... are still growing into their "man bodies". 

I expect there to be a heavy focus on getting bigger and stronger over the offseason.

gym day

Why did they acquire Malenstyn and sign Lafferty.  I thought they were supposed to bring speed and toughness to the lineup?  Why is Gilbert playing if not the help with the physical aspects of the game?  Beck is 6'3 210.  He should be able to help settle issues.

Edited February 3 by GASabresIUFAN

[Archie Lee]

5 minutes ago, pi2000 said:

FWIW Greenway would've made a big difference in this game.   

The problem is if he's out of the lineup, they have no ability to answer back... they get push around without any fear of reciprocation.     

Part of that is roster construction.  

The other part is youth.  This team is still very young and simply hasn't developed the size and strength to matchup physically with certain teams. 

Guys like Power, Quinn, Cozens, Peterka, Byram and even Dahlin... are still growing into their "man bodies". 

I expect there to be a heavy focus on getting bigger and stronger over the offseason.

gym day

I agree. I think the ratio of “guys who stand up for their teammates” to “guys who need a teammate to stand up for them” is not what it needs to be. This is on the GM. I have been very critical of Ruff. I think his hiring was a sham and that no legit NHL contender would have had any interest; further, I think he has done a worse job than I feared. In this case though, I think he was just standing up for his team. I think he sees they have been playing better lately and does not want this to become a distraction. I would bet it was addressed internally and that it won’t take much of a transgression by Columbus to get a response. Just my view. 

[SABRES 0311]

12 minutes ago, TheAud said:

No need for it. Three game winning streak - the Sabres standard for excellence has been achieved.

 

11 minutes ago, pi2000 said:

 

gym day

The post on X had me thinking there was drama involved in the decision.

[JohnC]

36 minutes ago, Thorner said:

I don’t agree. In fact I vehemently disagree with a side of, “are we following the same franchise, here?” 

I don’t see, and haven’t in 14 years seen any evidence that to my eye suggests Terry meddles any more so than than a rough anecdotal average of all owners. Owners do generally meddle; because they own the team and that’s their right 

we have a far greater problem, im somewhat surprised you aren’t keying on instead, because I really don’t think it’s the other thing. Way worse problem. Terry doesn’t care *enough*. The whispers of meddling are borne out from the early days of Terry’s tenure when we were spending to the cap.

Terry is an absentee owner. His mandate to Adams was to cut costs. That has not only manifested in the *demonstrable* lack of spending, lack of commitment to winning, it was the *very principle upon which Adams took the job*

people, this is the Adams tenure. Don’t blame Adams, I do not care. But get your head on straight here: the issue is Terry not caring about the Sabres enough 

i shouldn’t need to explain this by now: teams that don’t spend typically don’t win, teams that are the youngest in the league typically do not win. We are both. Those items are both a reflection of lack of spending. Young players are cheap. This is a puzzle that easily fits together. These are the hallmarks of the Adams tenure.

Pegula is the common denominator- but, as mentioned, he’s found multiple ways to fail over the years. You need to, when it’s 14 years 

There are many reasons why this franchise has failed. The common denominator is the owner. He makes the key hires to run the operation. The organization is structured the way it is because that is the way he wanted it structured. 

As far as meddling or not, as an owner, that is his prerogative. As far as being an absentee owner or not, again that is his prerogative. As far as the failings of KA you refer to, my question is why was this ill-equipped person hired in the first place? He was a hire that no other owner in the league would have allowed to be interviewed for the job, let alone hired for the job. Who made the hire? Mr. Pegula. 

For me, it starts at the top. And if KA is such a failure then why hasn't the owner fired him after five undistinguished years? He's never been reluctant to fire upper staff. The main problem that has plagued this flailing franchise is the owner. He's the constant. That's how I see it.  

 

[inkman]

27 minutes ago, SABRES 0311 said:

Why

Two games in 3 days 

11 minutes ago, SABRES 0311 said:

 

The post on X had me thinking there was drama involved in the decision.

You are taking Harrington’s opinion as fact 

[Thorner]

6 minutes ago, JohnC said:

There are many reasons why this franchise has failed. The common denominator is the owner. He makes the key hires to run the operation. The organization is structured the way it is because that is the way he wanted it structured. 

As far as meddling or not, as an owner, that is his prerogative. As far as being an absentee owner or not, again that is his prerogative. As far as the failings of KA you refer to, my question is why was this ill-equipped person hired in the first place? He was a hire that no other owner in the league would have allowed to be interviewed for the job, let alone hired for the job. Who made the hire? Mr. Pegula. 

For me, it starts at the top. And if KA is such a failure then why hasn't the owner fired him after five undistinguished years? He's never been reluctant to fire upper staff. The main problem that has plagued this flailing franchise is the owner. He's the constant. That's how I see it.  

 

Agree 

[CallawaySabres]

36 minutes ago, pi2000 said:

FWIW Greenway would've made a big difference in this game.   

The problem is if he's out of the lineup, they have no ability to answer back... they get push around without any fear of reciprocation.     

Part of that is roster construction.  

The other part is youth.  This team is still very young and simply hasn't developed the size and strength to matchup physically with certain teams. 

Guys like Power, Quinn, Cozens, Peterka, Byram and even Dahlin... are still growing into their "man bodies". 

I expect there to be a heavy focus on getting bigger and stronger over the offseason.

gym day

Wow, this is how far I have fallen. I totally forgot Greenway was on the team.

[inkman]

17 minutes ago, CallawaySabres said:

Wow, this is how far I have fallen. I totally forgot Greenway was on the team.

It’s fair.  He hasn’t played since thanksgiving or something. 

[Weave]

59 minutes ago, inkman said:

Two games in 3 days 

You are taking Harrington’s opinion as fact 

And disregarded Harringtons penchant for sarcasm.

[LGR4GM]

1 hour ago, pi2000 said:

FWIW Greenway would've made a big difference in this game.   

The problem is if he's out of the lineup, they have no ability to answer back... they get push around without any fear of reciprocation.     

Part of that is roster construction.  

The other part is youth.  This team is still very young and simply hasn't developed the size and strength to matchup physically with certain teams. 

Guys like Power, Quinn, Cozens, Peterka, Byram and even Dahlin... are still growing into their "man bodies". 

I expect there to be a heavy focus on getting bigger and stronger over the offseason.

gym day

You think 24yr old, 200+lb Rasmus Dahlin, veteran of 6 NHL seasons, 2 SHL seasons, and soon to be 25yr old is still growing into his body and can't match up physically? 

[Carmel Corn]

2 hours ago, pi2000 said:

The other part is youth.  This team is still very young and simply hasn't developed the size and strength to matchup physically with certain teams. 

Guys like Power, Quinn, Cozens, Peterka, Byram and even Dahlin... are still growing into their "man bodies". 

I expect there to be a heavy focus on getting bigger and stronger over the offseason.

gym day

This should have been an expectation already.....they're old enough to be doing serious strength training and should have been already.  IMHO - the Buffalo Sabres country club atmosphere probably emphasized lowering their golf handicap and working on their tan lines during the off-season....instead of serious strength building and conditioning.  Seems like this is yet another area of no accountability by the players and the organization.....ridiculous!

Edited February 3 by Carmel Corn

[Pimlach]

21 hours ago, pi2000 said:

FWIW Greenway would've made a big difference in this game.   

The problem is if he's out of the lineup, they have no ability to answer back... they get push around without any fear of reciprocation.     

Part of that is roster construction.  

The other part is youth.  This team is still very young and simply hasn't developed the size and strength to matchup physically with certain teams. 

Guys like Power, Quinn, Cozens, Peterka, Byram and even Dahlin... are still growing into their "man bodies". 

I expect there to be a heavy focus on getting bigger and stronger over the offseason.

 

Greenway probably helps if he is on the ice at the time, but its likely he is not.   

If Lindy sticks with his openly stated plan which was, "get a goal on the PP and then get even", then Greenway would have done nothing.  I hate that Lindy said that and I think that is a bush league response.  My opinion is that you address it first and then you move on. 

Clifton would have been much more likely to go after Noesen, in my opinion.   Clifton is only a middle weight but he is a better fighter than Greenway and probably Gilbert too.   

You expect a heavy focus on getting bigger and stronger in the off season.  Maybe so. It is obvious they need it.   But why does Adams get to learn his job on the fly?    His issues with roster construction are criminal and he has does nothing to warrant a 6th year.  

Edited February 4 by Pimlach

[Night Train]

 They are getting pummeled in the press and deserve it. 

  Gutless is not a Culture that works. 

[Stoner]

Lindy loves Us vs. The World.

[LGR4GM]

38 minutes ago, Night Train said:

 They are getting pummeled in the press and deserve it. 

  Gutless is not a Culture that works. 

Got examples?

[Pimlach]

44 minutes ago, Night Train said:

 They are getting pummeled in the press and deserve it. 

  Gutless is not a Culture that works. 

Which press?  Buffalo News.?

Hockey News had a neutral story this morning.  

Edited February 3 by Pimlach

[Night Train]

NHLN was talking about it.  Couldn't believe the lack of response. 

[Thorner]

This could help them, in all seriousness. It’s a shame that in all likelihood it’s probably too late it make it this year, but this sort of stuff can give athletes enduring chips on their shoulders 

[GoPuckYourself]

8 hours ago, pi2000 said:

Huge overreaction by the media and fanbase imo.

First, nobody knew what happened until the replay, who was it, was it clean?   The players on the ice didn't know either, how do you expect them to respond?  Even the refs needed replay.

Challenging someone to a fight after a big hit is absolute garbage, it needs to be removed from the game.   You don't like the hit?  Hit them back, it's allowed!   A finesse/smaller player pretending to fight isn't showing a backbone.   I cringe everytime Krebs steps in and gets ragdolled, it's a joke.    The team as a group elevating their physicality is the proper response.   Get his number and put a target on them the rest of the game, tell your physical players to go out of their way to hit him every chance they get.

Lastly, they're at the bottom of the standings yet again in a season where playoffs were the target.   Their "lack of repsonse" in this situation isn't the problem here.

What a terrible take, as soon as that hit happened they knew we were spineless jelly fish from being able to destroy Tucker from behind, then Thompson with a cheatshot. The entire game changed and they were running all over us, the only reason we won is because UPL was standing on his head. I've never seen a team not respond to a hit like that ever accept the Sabres once again when Lucic ran our goalie, let me guess that was alright with you also?

 

 

[CallawaySabres]

1 hour ago, Pimlach said:

Which press?  Buffalo News.?

Hockey News had a neutral story this morning.  

National writers have been all over it for the last 24 hours. It’s disgraceful and they deserve it.