I have to agree with Howie, somethings seriously messed up in this organization and its almost embarrassing (laughable) to root for this team right now.

Nut, firing Ruff can in fact jolt this team since Ruff has been "the constant" through the organization for most of these guys careers. Loosing that "constant" will change the dynamic of the team. whether its changed for the best or the worst depends on who comes in afterwards (i dont really see how it could get much worse). Its bringing in a fresh/new perspective will/should jolt this team. When you talked about getting rid of the bad apples, Ruff might be one of those apples.


I think the players burnt out to the point that they almost expect to loose every night and i dont think Ruffs getting through to them when it comes to pep-talks, speeches, etc. Millers dead eyes in the interview can attest to that. He (and the team) will still get pissed when they loose but they feel like they've tried everything they know of and nothings worked so they just keep doing something that they assume wont work. Having been on a number of shitty teams I know this mental status and their needs to be a serious shake up to get them out of it.

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Check out my website: http://www.artistzero.com

"That wasn't very nice...I do believe you killed my hat."

Driver of the FIRE LINDY RUFF Bandwagon since 2008.

I think firing a coach of Ruff's tenure sends a message to the team that no one is safe and that they better get their shit together. Everyone may be blaming Ruff right now, but if we get a new coach and things don't turn around, it's time to point the fingers elsewhere. It's not about finding a better replacement (in the short term), it's about lighting a fire under the players' asses. Shake things up, cause a stir, and show the team that you're not fucking around.

That's my take on it. It demonstrates that losing will not be tolerated.

In a nutshell (haha) I'm getting that a new coach will energize these guys?

Sorry, not buying it. I think there are players here that just don't care any more. They can't do it any more. They are worn out, worn down, can't be reached any more. By anyone. I honestly think it is the locker room that is the issue and yes, that means at least some of the core players. Guys new to the team can't be soured on Ruff & his message simply because they are new to it. BUT, if they walk in to a locker room that is thick with a sense of malaise, then they can be dragged down by it. So who is the center of the malaise? The players who just came here were good with Ruff & his system UNTIL THEY GOT TO THE LOCKER ROOM. So until they got in with the current players they were good with the idea of Ruff's system.

Grrr, I'm talking in circles, and I know it, but I'm trying to get my jumble of thoughts out. Guys need to go. Ruff can't trade anyone, that is up to Darcy. If Darcy won't do it, Ruff can't do anything. Changing out Ruff is not going to get rid of the lazy, self-satisfied bums who are the center of the malaise. Darcy can get rid of them. Darcy hasn't/won't.

DARCY DARCY DARCY.

I've got to get my sorry carcass to bed, Woz. Maybe I'll think more clearly tomorrow. Thanks for trying.

I thought it was a great interview and he pretty much hit the nail on the head.

If this team is going to improve it needs to start with them, it's not like they can just swap out a few guys and things are going to suddenly click and they are going to be great again.

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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

Nuthatch, imo changing the coach isn't so much about lighting a fire (although it would), but changing the system and style that this roster is playing (and has played for some time). On an Xs and Os scale, I don't think Ruff is effective anymore. On a logical basis, it makes the most sense for Pegula to first change the coach and see how the roster then performs. If that doesn't work then either have Regier make major moves or replace him with a GM that will, and is on the same page with the coach.

Hell if St. Louis can take off from a coaching change why can't this team??

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just call me Brad

Twitter @BUrbanowicz13

Well read this article off TSN' website. Miller has made it very clear that despite reports he has not and will not ask for a trade from Buffalo. He also then goes on to state that no trade will really help them more than them changing what they've got in the locker room.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=385418

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"Love, love will tear us apart again"- Ian Curtis

LA under Daryl Sutter, and Washington under Dale Hunter have improved since making their head coaching changes as well.

The point is; we have to find out what the players we have can or can't - will or won't do - under a different coach. Have to know. It is only then we know the extent of what level of rebuilding or makeover we are at.

Lindy stays on and we'll have answered none of these questions.

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"I'll rap you with my cane; you pencil necked geek!!"

-Bowler, imitating Freddy Blassie, at the very first M & G.

Even Carolina has improved under a new coach. Look at last year with the Devils too.

Columbus isn't always out of the water either.

A new coach can help, but we'll never know, because Pegula doesn't want to fire him.

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He's not getting it done as a coach and a person the players should be looking up to which they aren't. Should be listening to and they aren't... So obviously Ruff isn't in favor of the players. The guys been here for long enough we need new blood. Look at the Blues they were pretty much last place before Hitchcock took over and now look they look pretty damn good. Look at LA they were really underachieving and Sutter has turned that around in a big way. All in all coaching changes most times IMO have a positive effect. It's time for Lindy to get his coach on somewhere else....

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"If you want to know what I've been doing lately, I've been driving around from Tim Horton's to Tim Horton's, rolling up the rim. Haven't won anything yet. Thanks." - Lindy Ruff

Anaheim has turned it around under Bruce Boudreau their last few games as well; they beat Phoenix 6 - 2 last night.

The national media is having a field day with The Sabres right now; mocking the organization for failing to respond to the team tanking. Mike Keenan lamented how he was let go during seasons where his team was playing a lot better than Buffalo is. He said not only that; but let alone getting away with your team under performing over four seasons?

This is on Pegula now. Only Terry can end this atrocity known as The Buffalo Sabres this season. You've made your point that you do as you please; even if you're obviously wrong.

So much good will was created; and he's just pissing it away.

Wake up Terry.

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"I'll rap you with my cane; you pencil necked geek!!"

-Bowler, imitating Freddy Blassie, at the very first M & G.

I forgot about them. They are like 5-0-1 in their last 6 I saw.

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I had as well. They're actually 6 - 0 1 in their last seven games. They were in such a hole that it will still be tough to make the playoffs for them.

If we were to change up, and rebound with a run like Anaheim's; we'd put ourselves in to a playoff spot in likelihood.

But TPeg has to make his point of being in control. I guess the only thing more important to him than winning is to have it his way whether he's right or obviously wrong.

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"I'll rap you with my cane; you pencil necked geek!!"

-Bowler, imitating Freddy Blassie, at the very first M & G.

So what's Terry gonna do? How is he going to change the lockerroom? Yeah, let's fire our GM mid-season. That will solve things. Only thing he really can do is fire Ruff which I doubt will do much.

BY THE WAY, Montreal still sucks after a coaching change. It goes both ways.

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

Exactly B & Y; he has the option to make a much needed coaching change, which he is opposed to doing. He is refusing to accept the results changes usually bring. People who know the game better than you and I are snidely mocking his unwillingness to accept reality.

Teams benefiting from a coaching change:
-St. Louis
-Washington
-Los Angeles
-Anaheim
-Carolina

Teams continuing to flounder after a coaching change:
-Montreal
-Columbus(No one could win with this roster.)

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"I'll rap you with my cane; you pencil necked geek!!"

-Bowler, imitating Freddy Blassie, at the very first M & G.

I WANT them to fire people, wanna make that clear. But doing it midseason won't change our team. Making a trade at the deadline (best deals, best rumors, I'd rather they make a trade then) is probably the best thing to do for now. Firing Ruff I think would just complicate our situation more, and I'd rather do it in the offseason so we can have time to find a good coach and not just emergency nabb some scrub off the streets, or bump our we-todd-ed assistant coach to head coach. So before we insult Terry, we need to be aware this was unexpected and we can't just snap and have a new coach/players. We also don't need to wait 5 more seasons, though.

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

BUT, if we DO find a good coach, I wouldn't mind them doing it mid-season. IMHO, it won't do jack shit, because a new coach won't suddenly flip a switch in the minds of our players, but it would be a proactive decision and easier for our guys to get used to him for next season.

All I'm saying, basically, is Terry shouldn't be blamed for not firing a coach mid-season.

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

He's such a freaking fanboi, he won't fire ruff mid season. Just not gonna happen.

Though, im still glad to have a fanboi at the helm over BTG/Quinn

There are more guys like Hitchcock, Sutter, Budreau, Muller, and the like out there than you might think. Brian Sutter off the top of my head, along with Mike Keenan. This doesn't mean we hire them for more than a year or so. Everyone else in the NHL knows coaches are hired to be fired.

Do something > Do nothing.

If you want the fee fall to continue; make no changes.

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"I'll rap you with my cane; you pencil necked geek!!"

-Bowler, imitating Freddy Blassie, at the very first M & G.

Mike Keenan said he was never allowed to miss the playoffs and out in the first round like Lindy has been, he said it's crazy. Oh poor Lindy, he only had a team that spend 2 million under the cap last year, oh boo hoo. In 2006-2007 the Sabres were right at the salary cap and every year after that they were always very close to the cap limit, Darcy just spend the money on shit players. I don't care if Buffalo loses a game but I'm sick of spending $250 to go to the game and they lose to the Islanders or other bottom feeders and don't even play hard for the full game. I also don't go to the game to watch Goose play more even strength icetime than Vanek. Only in Buffalo do we have the same loser GM with all his silly rules and quotes, "You can't make a trade to just make the fans happy", "No trades are out there in this poor economy". If you bought a sports team and wanted to win a cup would Darcy be high on the list of choices?

WGR said "Lindy Ruff is an institution in Buffalo", total bullshit, Lindy is nothing like Joe Paterno and I doubt the assistant coaches are showering with boys.