A portion of Jim Kelley's recent article for Si.com.......

Ruff road ahead?
Interesting scenario in Buffalo where head coach Lindy Ruff is believed to be playing out the last year of his contract. If the Sabres, locked into a playoff slot and still able to finish as high as second in the Eastern Conference, go out in the first round, Ruff might take a fair share of the heat. At the same time, the NHL's longest-serving coach to one team might be willing to try his talents elsewhere. Buffalo has long been a franchise that does just enough to sell hope to a fan base that hasn't seen a Stanley Cup since the team's inception some 40 years ago.

Buffalo is said to have an option for next season, but if Ruff really wants to go, it will be difficult to hold him to it. Whichever way it plays out, he isn't likely to be worried. He's a career coach with a stellar reputation in the NHL and he just added a gold medal to his legacy as an assistant on Canada's Olympic hockey team. Coaching likely is still in his future, but a team that might someday open the door to the general manager's office may well attract his eye, be it in Buffalo or elsewhere.



Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/w ... z0jxDLmTaQ
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THIS IS THE YEAR MY FRIEND.

Look, you don't need to be the 84' Oilers to win a Cup in the NHL these days. There are a few crucial attributes that a team must have in order to win a Cup in todays NHL. The Sabres have all of them.

1. Goal tending.
2. Discipline.
3. Speed.
4. Opportunistic.
5. Belief.

The fans can help #5....I see NO REASON why this can't be the Sabres year. None. Lindy Ruff is doing his job at a high level, this year he will get the Cup and then the contract.

Hook, line, sinker.


Done.

There's no reason that they can't compete for the cup this year.

Coming from a (ex) fan of a championship team, it's great to hear

but I still have my worries about this team, I'm not sure we are opportunistic enough, just look at Vanek. He couldn't miss more scoring chance than that and it could cost us. But if he starts finding the back of the net, we know he can be unstoppable(beginning of last year).

Pominville though seem to have find his groove, same for Hecht and Roy.

Anyway, I believe!! ...but I expect the worst.

Vanek is a puuureeeee sniper. The only problem with hsi game this season is the same problem he has had throughout his entire career. Which is, he doesn't shoot enough. For some reason snipers want to branch out their role on teams and distribute the puck more. BIG MISTAKE. He was born to be the finisher of play in hockey, he is the SNIPER. All he has to do is get selfish, embrace his role and shoot the hell out of the puck.

Having said that, he's not having an awful season, but that all gets wiped out in a few games and that's a perfect time to find yourself!

Coming from a (ex) fan of a championship team, it's great to hear

Lindy isn't going anywhere. He will die as the Sabres coach

?

Havinjg been a fickle fan of a team that won a championship gives you some credibility where analysis is concerned.

How that?

Northeast Division title? GREAT!!!

Cup?

3 reasons that's not likely:
Washington
New Jersey
Pittsburgh

The last 2 especially. These are organizations that know how to win championships.

That counts for a lot.