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Almost midway though the season rant
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Author:  sabresindc [ Sun Dec 18, 2011 12:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Almost midway though the season rant
Howie Hodge wrote:
Sadly it appears Terry Pegula is a pathetic little jock sniffer. I doubt he'll do anything. "These things take time." 14 years and counting....
- as posted in GDT 32: Sabres @ Penguins 7PM 12/17/11


I completely agree with you Howie, I've said that Terry is in love with the Sabres of the 70's and 80's. That is why he has had such of push to draw those old players back into the organization as ambassadors. That's all fine and good as long as you make the current product on the ice winnable. That has not happened. Now I wasn't expecting to win the cup this season, not by any stretch of the imagination. I DID expect to be somewhat competitive which I don't see this right now.
Personally, I think Lindy has convinced management (or maybe the other way around, who knows) that this set of core players (Roy, Pominville, Hecht, Vanek, Stafford, and Guastad) have it in them to be winners. I really don't see this combo doing it. I think trading Roy, Pommers, Hecht, and/or Stafford could be the catalyst for change. They are not listening to Ruff and his staff. The question was asked during Lindy's Penguins post game interview that Regehr said that the coaches can show us video until their blue in the face but we got to start doing what they tell us to do... Sounds like it's going in one ear and out the other.
At this point, I expect nothing from this team and have written this season off at this point. I know it's not exactly the midpoint but it's only 10 games away but whatever happens, happens. If they start a miracle run during the second half of the season then I'll be happy and excited to watch the games again. If they don't, then they don't and we spend another post-season rooting for other teams. It's not like we're not use to it by now.

Sadly, I really don't know what else to do other than to completely blow up the core or coaching. Do some sort of major shake up to shock these guys into listening.

I'll step off my soapbox now.... :angry-soapbox:
Author:  BlueandYellow [ Sun Dec 18, 2011 1:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Almost midway though the season rant
You've got to be fucking kidding me.

I'd like to see you step in as an owner and completely change a team, get rid of all the current players, bring in all of the kick ass players we need to bring in a cup, change the coaching completely, fire the GM, find the replacement, in 1 trade deadline and 1 offseason. The fact that you are all complaining about Pegula and Regier bringing in Ehrhoff, Regher, and Leino. We're loaded up with injuries, it's been 32 games, and you're expecting management to throw everyone away and get a cup winning team. This is not NHL 12, and even in NHL 12 I couldn't do that. NO TEAM CAN DO WHAT YOU'RE ASKING. Jesus Christ.
Author:  BlueandYellow [ Sun Dec 18, 2011 2:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Almost midway though the season rant
Oh, and he brought in Boyes, who scored 179 points in 3 seasons with the Blues.
Author:  Displaced Fan [ Sun Dec 18, 2011 2:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Almost midway though the season rant
BlueandYellow wrote:
You've got to be fucking kidding me.

I'd like to see you step in as an owner and completely change a team, get rid of all the current players, bring in all of the kick ass players we need to bring in a cup, change the coaching completely, fire the GM, find the replacement, in 1 trade deadline and 1 offseason. The fact that you are all complaining about Pegula and Regier bringing in Ehrhoff, Regher, and Leino. We're loaded up with injuries, it's been 32 games, and you're expecting management to throw everyone away and get a cup winning team. This is not NHL 12, and even in NHL 12 I couldn't do that. NO TEAM CAN DO WHAT YOU'RE ASKING. Jesus Christ.


Agreed. We have injuries. We are in 7th place.....not last....relax. Pegula brought in some great talent in the off season, it showed when we were healthy and when our guys come back we should see improvement. Any time we win a game this stupid forum blows up with inflated speculation of a Stanley Cup and anytime we lose it get's filled with end of days type threads like this one. Get a fucking grip. Anti-Almost midway through the season rant over.
Author:  sabresrocker56 [ Sun Dec 18, 2011 3:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Almost midway though the season rant
Seriously? Calling Pegula a "Jock sniffer" is just fucking ridiculous.
This man we praised not 6 months ago is now getting thrown under the bus. Unbelievable.
And why the hell would you even suggest trading our leading scorer (Pominville)? That's the stupidest fucking thing this team can do right about now. Even if you don't agree with him being captain, you can't argue with his results this season. 35 pts in 32 games is what we've wanted out of him all along and you're suggesting we ship him off. I swear, some Sabres fans have just become unbearable.
Author:  Howie Hodge [ Sun Dec 18, 2011 5:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Almost midway though the season rant
Let's get something straight here.

1) No one hates Terry Pegula. He has by all accounts brought financial stability to this team. For that we are eternally grateful.

2) He created some goodwill by reconnecting with alumni, and listening to the fans.

3) He announced the sole purpose of The Sabres is solely to win The Stanley Cup.

>We're all in agreement on this I take it.<

To accomplish number 3, changes needed to be made to the core - to the coach, and to the GM. Very little changed. Some token additions came in; of which Robyn Regehr is the only positive.

By embracing Lindy and Darcy; who have done very little in 14 years he copped out. He put being one of the boys with people he was familiar with, ahead of the difficult - but necessary move of getting rid of one or both of them.

He is, at this time, a jock sniffer. We hope that he sees the error of his ways, and corrects his infatuation with his unsuccessful management team.

Remember - anything other than a Cup is a failure now...
Author:  Howie Hodge [ Sun Dec 18, 2011 5:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Almost midway though the season rant
BlueandYellow wrote:
Oh, and he brought in Boyes, who scored 179 points in 3 seasons with the Blues.


Brad Boyes.

2007/2008...43 goals
2008/2009...33 goals
2009/2010..14 goals
2010/2011..17 goals
2011/2012..2 goals in 21 games.

I apologize if you are pointing out this was a bad move.
Author:  BlueandYellow [ Sun Dec 18, 2011 5:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Almost midway though the season rant
Howie Hodge wrote:
BlueandYellow wrote:
Oh, and he brought in Boyes, who scored 179 points in 3 seasons with the Blues.


Brad Boyes.

2007/2008...43 goals
2008/2009...33 goals
2009/2010..14 goals
2010/2011..17 goals
2011/2012..2 goals in 21 games.

I apologize if you are pointing out this was a bad move.

I was pointing out, that it was a great move at the time, and still isn't a bad move.
Author:  Howie Hodge [ Sun Dec 18, 2011 5:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Almost midway though the season rant
He's on pace (over an 82 game season) to score 8 goals.

You're kidding, right? Ok; you got me; I thought you were being serious at first! :oops:
Author:  BlueandYellow [ Sun Dec 18, 2011 5:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Almost midway though the season rant
Considering he had 14 points in 21 games for us last year I don't think judging him on these 21 games is fair, because this team has royally blown this season.
Author:  PuckSniperPensel [ Sun Dec 18, 2011 5:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Almost midway though the season rant
I actually liked the way Boyes was playing before he got injured.
Author:  Sabresfansince1980 [ Sun Dec 18, 2011 5:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Almost midway though the season rant
Most fans, Pegula included, had the belief that if only Ruff/Regier had more flexibility with money they could provide a Cup contender. This far in it's doubtful. I still think they can become a lot better with time to get healthy and "gel" (I hate that term and I'm tired of it by now, but...). That doesn't mean Cup contender though, not anymore imo. I have my own thoughts but it's a really hard/bad time for Pegula to ditch Ruff and/or Regier. Until Pegula can be confident that the team has had enough time to reach potential, he really can't be sure about making those changes. He won't make that big a move without being sure.

That said I think Regier has overall done a decent job. He's probably been too high on some players to pull the trigger on some deals other GMs have called him about, but otherwise he's certainly not in the bottom half of GMs. Ruff though has shown plenty of odd and disappointing decisions imo (Gragnani, line changes, goalies). I know he can only tell the players the same thing so many times, but maybe his system just isn't going to work with the current roster. Maybe his system won't work with ANY roster. A good coach can change his style to adapt to what he has to work with, and I've never seen that from Ruff. There are player changes that can/need to be made, but I would think long and hard about a new coach. Along the way, I'd prefer to keep the following and build around them...

Vanek-xxxxx-Pominville
Ennis-xxxxx-xxxxx
Leino-Adam-Kassian
McCormick-Gaustad-Tropp

Regehr-Myers
Leopold-Ehrhoff
McNabb-Weber

Miller ? (depending how he finishes the season)

I think the d-corps could change some, aside from never letting Sekera and Gragnani see the ice again, but I think a new coach would have the biggest benefit to this group. All I see it utter confusion and hesitation from our young d-men over the years. The only ones that have performed well are d-men that came to the team as vets. Campbell is an exception, but he was obviously overrated anyway, after 1-2 big seasons.

For Ruff to go (which I kinda hope now) it'll take a total tank job the rest of the season. Nothing really personal against him, but 14 years is more than a fair shot, and I want to see what someone else can do.
Author:  sabresindc [ Sun Dec 18, 2011 5:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Almost midway though the season rant
Hey guys, its just my fucking opinion and a little venting. Oh I forgot, you can't do that here. My bad and you all wonder why this forum has shit the bed..... :think: :think: :think: :think:

I'm just a little tired of the piss poor effort we seen game in and game out. The possibility of a great team is there, they show glimpses of it (ie Toronto). I really don't see this group of "core" players being the people to bring home the cup. I'm not saying to get rid of all of them and if it seemed that way then I expressed it wrong. Getting rid of a few of them would benefit this team.

I am a little hard on Pegula. he is the owner we've all been waiting for and maybe he has the patients to wait it out with the current staff. Give Lindy and the management the right tools to make a difference and see what they can do. I just think the team has tuned Lindy out this season and, if that's the case, then it's time for a significant change.

Yeah, the Sabres are in 7th with 35 pts. :dance: Oh wait, Toronto has 35 pts, Winnipeg and Ottawa have 34, and Washington and Montréal have 33.... :|

I guess you all are happy with the teams effort and play this season. Sorry but I'm not and I really don't see a massive turn around like last season. Oh damn, there I go again stating my opinion. I really have to stop doing that.

Edit: Sorry for those of you who supported some of what I said. It took me a little bit to type the last message, in between doing things with my kids.
Author:  jordano [ Sun Dec 18, 2011 6:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Almost midway though the season rant
sabresindc wrote:
Hey guys, its just my fucking opinion and a little venting. Oh I forgot, you can't do that here. My bad and you all wonder why this forum has shit the bed..... :think: :think: :think: :think:

I'm just a little tired of the piss poor effort we seen game in and game out. The possibility of a great team is there, they show glimpses of it (ie Toronto). I really don't see this group of "core" players being the people to bring home the cup. I'm not saying to get rid of all of them and if it seemed that way then I expressed it wrong. Getting rid of a few of them would benefit this team.

I am a little hard on Pegula. he is the owner we've all been waiting for and maybe he has the patients to wait it out with the current staff. Give Lindy and the management the right tools to make a difference and see what they can do. I just think the team has tuned Lindy out this season and, if that's the case, then it's time for a significant change.

Yeah, the Sabres are in 7th with 35 pts. :dance: Oh wait, Toronto has 35 pts, Winnipeg and Ottawa have 34, and Washington and Montréal have 33.... :|

I guess you all are happy with the teams effort and play this season. Sorry but I'm not and I really don't see a massive turn around like last season. Oh damn, there I go again stating my opinion. I really have to stop doing that.

Edit: Sorry for those of you who supported some of what I said. It took me a little bit to type the last message, in between doing things with my kids.

Easy now bud. Every single forum that I've observed functions the same way as ours. If somebody says something that's a tad over the top or unreasonable, they'll probably receive a harsh response. Have a look for yourself.

If I had a nickel for every time I've heard "players are tuning the coach out"..
Author:  sabresindc [ Sun Dec 18, 2011 6:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Almost midway though the season rant
jordano wrote:
Easy now bud. Every single forum that I've observed functions the same way as ours. If somebody says something that's a tad over the top or unreasonable, they'll probably receive a harsh response. Have a look for yourself.

If I had a nickel for every time I've heard "players are tuning the coach out"..

True to a point. I could see if I was screaming that Pegula should go out and get Ovie, the Sedins, Malkin, and Stamkos... I don't think I was unreasonable to get such a harsh response but whatever, I'm over it.

Someone in Lindy's post game asked a question about Regehr's comments about the team not listening to what Lindy is saying...sure sounds to me like they're tuning him out if the players are admitting to it.
Author:  patkane88 [ Sun Dec 18, 2011 9:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Almost midway though the season rant
I am sick of seeing the #1 center Derek Roy playing like shit. Ethier force someone to take this piece of shit or send his ass to the AHL. He constantly never shows up when the team needs him and I am sick of him getting so much ice for such little production. I also wonder if it was a coincidence that this team played much better last year when he got injured. hmmmmmmm ;)
Author:  Howie Hodge [ Sun Dec 18, 2011 9:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Almost midway though the season rant
The Facebook threads on game nights are depleting the numbers on most hockey forums, sadly. I can't find a forum that is crowded on game nights anymore. Some want to go to a "Twitter" format for games. "It's not my bag baby....." ;) ;)

Terry Pegula's faux pas so far has been not bringing in a hockey man to educate him properly on the reality of running a team in "Today's NHL." Not 2006's NHL; but today's NHL. The game has gone to bigger and meaner players taking up more spots on the rosters of the top teams. The coaches manning the benches on these teams are all reasonably new to their benches - they still are heard by their players.

It's possible; though unlikely, that Darcy could change the mix and make up of this team to a degree. It would take one of the bigger trades in recent memory to make it happen; but that's what he's paid well to do - figure something out, even if it's a couple "core" players moving.

The less than productive return on the free agents hasn't helped us any. Had they not been signed , the reality of an Iginla, or other proven veterans would be an option to acquire. I don't hate Boyes, Leino, or Erhoff; but they have performed below what is reasonable for players collecting 20% of your payroll.

Terry Pegula said he wanted a winner within three years. No way in hell is that happening with the Management and players we have here remaining here.
Author:  Howie Hodge [ Sun Dec 18, 2011 9:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Almost midway though the season rant
And after being someone who thought Derek Roy would have grown up and taken the bull by the horns by now; I was wrong. If he can be moved, he may well represent addition by subtraction. :think:
Author:  sabresindc [ Sun Dec 18, 2011 9:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Almost midway though the season rant
Howie Hodge wrote:
And after being someone who thought Derek Roy would have grown up and taken the bull by the horns by now; I was wrong. If he can be moved, he may well represent addition by subtraction. :think:

:clap:

Pegula may be getting a little tired of the shit sandwich that is our Buffalo Sabres.... I guess time will tell

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Author:  Howie Hodge [ Sun Dec 18, 2011 10:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Almost midway though the season rant
I hope Terry is getting very angry. He thought he was getting a silk suit here; not a sow's ear.

His blind faith in the organizational people, and players was unfounded. Again; his fault for not bringing in a Dale Tallon or Rick Dudley type to be his eyes and ears. If he was right about his belief's, no worries. If he was wrong; he'd have an expert to provide him with an appropriate course of action. His misplaced vision of being "one of the boy's" on a winning team were clearly born of emotion; and not of objective thought. A jock sniffer. Welcome to the real world of professional sports Terry.

The GM and Coach; along with the players, should be ashamed though. Not good enough on their respective parts.

It's not going to come together by osmosis; either.....

Go get them Terry. You have the acceptance of almost all fans. Now go out and earn our respect as an ambitious and hungry team owner... :dance:
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