Lindy's speech for his induction into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame included a strong statement about the Sabres making the playoffs. I don't think Lindy would have made such a bold statement, unless he believed it, because I really feel like that is out of Lindy's character to say it if he doesn't mean it. He said he wants a championship in Buffalo (don't we all? Oh, and Bandits don't count)

That being said, let's bring up a hypothetical situation (that some may say isn't too far from the truth):

Lindy is no longer effective as a coach and it is the root of our problem. The guys aren't motivated by him anymore, they don't listen to him, they defy what he says, and so on. Do you believe that if Lindy felt he was the root of the problem that he would remove himself as head coach? Like, if a new coach could turn these guys around and make a championship a REAL possibility, would Lindy relieve himself of his duties for the greater good of the city?

I guess where I'm going with this is that I feel if Lindy felt that his time had expired as coach and things just weren't working anymore, that he would resign from his position. There are other teams, I'm sure, that would gobble him up in seconds. Maybe not necessarily as head coach, but some other position. I don't really think Lindy is a major source of this team's problems.

Of course, I'm just saying this from armchair and I have no real basis to actually formulate a solid opinion because I don't know what goes on in that locker room or on the ice for that matter. I just don't think Lindy would put himself in a position where he is ineffective.

Nope. Lindy said he wouldn't leave a problem. That's quitting.

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Wheelhouse

Bucky, is that you?

All kidding aside, I love Lindy, and I'd like to believe that, I just don't. It seems similar to a captain relinquishing the C, which I just don't see happening. I think Lindy said it best when talking about Rivet. Every leader has an ego, and they're going to try and be the guy until someone tell them otherwise.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

LETS GO BANDITS!!! I Miss the Bandits...

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LETS GO BANDITS!

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Lindy was asked the other day if he thinks the team is tuning him out and he firmly believes that's not the case. Who knows what he really believes, but as far as we know, Lindy is telling the truth. I know a lot of professional athletes say they choose to retire when they feel like they aren't enjoying playing anymore. I don't know if the same applies to a coach (obviously Lindy wouldn't be retiring, but it's the same principle). I think Lindy loves Buffalo and would want nothing more but to coach the Sabres to a Cup. I don't see him stepping down.

And as bad as things are right now, and I am going to admit that I am biased because I just love Lindy, but I really don't think Lindy is the main problem. Everyone needs to take responsibility including Ruff, but I don't think firing him is going to fix everything. All because it would be something drastic doesn't mean that it's the right choice. But what do I know...

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"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hockey Night in Buffalo

I mean I feel that Lindy wants a championship just as much as we do, so if he felt he wasn't the man to get it done, I think it would be within his character to resign as head coach. That's what I'm asking for opinions on.

For the record, I don't think Lindy is the problem and I don't want him to leave. I think the team has problems from within the players themselves.

I don't know. I respect Lindy for what he has been able to do with Sabres teams in the past. Either having a winning season or not making the playoffs, I've respected him because he hasn't bailed on the team. The way the team has been playing as of late, I've been leaning towards a changing of the guard behind the bench because it really did/does seem as though he's just not getting through anymore to these guys. I hope I'm wrong because I do think his ways can win. But if things just bottom out and the team continues to shit the bed, change is just as good as a rest. It won't change my mind about Ruff and I'll wish him well if he goes, but if he just can't get it done with these guys, as they say, it's easier to fire one guy than it is 23.

Side note; BackthatSASSup... your display pic is now not only my desktop pic. Also, I printed it off, framed it and hung it in my Sabres room.

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If it's a tight squeeze, spit on it! - NyI

He's a middling AHL player who had the good fortune of a drunk arbitrator. - The Squanto re: Tim Kennedy

Ahhh I'm glad you like it! I took it with my iPhone so the quality isn't the best. I'm hoping to get a higher res pic at some point!

Well, it looks mighty badass, but if you can snap another more high res, please share?

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If it's a tight squeeze, spit on it! - NyI

He's a middling AHL player who had the good fortune of a drunk arbitrator. - The Squanto re: Tim Kennedy

When did this whole 'players not listening to Lindy' issue arise? I don't remember hearing anything in the media about this bull.

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I am, you know I am. I am Canadian.
#1 Hockey Nation.

Anyone got the post game interview with ruff?

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Fans have been suggesting that the players have been tuning Lindy out for years. It's just something that the fans and media have conjured although there has been no concrete proof of it at all, unless you consider the team's on ice performance as proof.

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"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hockey Night in Buffalo

As much as I like Lindy Ruff I really do believe this team is tuning him out. I'm sure they are sick of hearing the same old shit all the time. Not saying that what Lindy is telling them isn't true but they probably don't want to hear it anymore. I have been saying this for awhile now that this team needs a top scorer in the worst way. Buffalo's top line is other teams second line players.

I just think it's a bunch of nonsense. If players are actually not listening to him then I don't want the whiny babies on our team. They shouldn't even be in the NHL for fuck sakes. But like I said, it's probably a bunch of bull shit anyways.

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I am, you know I am. I am Canadian.
#1 Hockey Nation.

I don't if the players are or aren't listening to him but I can see why they might not be. Yes they are professional athletes being paid to play but it's only human nature to get frustrated and apathetic sometimes, especially if you have been through what these guys have. Years of playing for the same coach with nothing to show for it would be hard for anyone. I can see how they could lose faith in Ruff and his "system" after getting so close to the Cup only to then have three years of dissapointment. It goes deeper than Ruff but he is who they see everyday. Playing for a management team that doesn't seem to care about a Cup run has to make it hard to stay motivated.

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Assumptions....you know what they accomplish. The assumption that Thomas "Yashin" Vanek and Jason "Timberlake" Pominville and their millions really give a damn about winning. The assumption that the organization has done favors to guys like Stafford and Myers by giving them no on ice mentors, time to properly develop, time to mature without top line minutes and top line pressures.

We make these assumptions because they are a defense mechanism...one that allows belief that everything is just "this close to being a real contender" and avoid the nasty possibility that the team is bush league run, in need of a serious overhaul, and years away from a real shot at winning anything. The most functional and successful department of the Sabres is the marketing group, which with the help of the scouting department, which I can only assume (haha) is a 16 year old girl with 'dreamy cute' as the only critera for players, has managed to continue to sell tickets to watch a sub par product.

The biggest problem I see with both the Sabres and Bills...character. Where are those savvy battle hardened veterans firing up teammates? Slapping guys on the helmet and telling them to get in the game? Leading by example? The Bills at least aren't pretending to have that guy... Miller and Roy have probably been the only two guys to break a sweat every game this year. And what does Lindy know? That Reiger has basically secured all the slacker players in the knowledge that they will still get rolled out every night...

My two biggest disappointments this year? Believe it or not, Gaustad and Grier. Not that they should be scoring hat tricks, but rather that two guys who always had heart appear infected with the apathy that pervades this team. That seems the end of hope.

Lindy, IMHO, has shown more loyalty and devotion to this team then the team and organization has shown to him. Miller as well. I got sick of arguing with people when I said after 07-08 season that they needed to lose Connolly and some others, blow it up and rebuild. But had they done so, they might very well be ahead of where they are today and trending in the right direction. A new coach? Maybe. But with this same core group, WE WILL NEVER WIN A CUP. There, I said it. Half the roster needs to be changed, a different locker room dynamic created. A different environment that demands winning and hard work developed. That said, it hasn't happened and doesn't look like it will any time soon, so the team is, 3 years later, still 2 or 3 years away from a real run. This same team, in 2 years, will still be 2 or 3 years away from a real run.

You spelled Vanek wrong

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mechaphil

Justin Timberlake? Criticizing dreamy players (because Myers and Adam definitely don't look half retarded) and yet complimenting Roy and Miller, probably the two biggest puck-bunny inspiring guys since Taylor Pyatt and Marty Biron. What the hell?

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

I think he would. If you remember back when Golisano bought the team, they weren't doing too well. When Lindy sat down with Golisano, he suggested that maybe he start fresh as a new owner and bring in all new personnel.

There's no reason for me to believe that our players will play any differently under a different coach. You've replaced one guy but haven't replaced the problem.

I just don't think we have the talent. None of our guys have proven themselves in the long term. Some play lazy, yes, and it's been their nature. Some try and don't succeed. We've jumped on the bandwagon of a lot of players who have a good season, and base our "core" off them. When they don't turn out to be the players we hoped them to be, we end up in situations like this.

Changes need to be made and it's a shame that Darcy isn't open to making them right now. But a coaching change is not the one that needs to be made. I fail to see where it will help - I actually think it will make things worse.