Cup or bust for most people here.

I don't think you're wrong, but there certainly are areas this team needs to improve. Many of us just disagree about what areas they are and how to do it.

I do agree, however, that many are overreacting.

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Wheelhouse

Following up on my own post...we also need to get the attention of the league to step in and start fining guys like Rutuu and Neil for their on ice antics, the hiding behind referees, trying to draw penalties.

The NHL is just as guilty of the dirty play that happens in every games, as are the players and their lack of respect for the integrity of the game. The NHL continues to protect these dopes, instead of letting them get their asses kicked. Think about the game from 90-99, how many times did agitators also have to be solid fighters? (Baranby) Now you can get away with being an asshole, and hiding behind a ref.

It's like the annoying kid we all knew growing up. He'd fuck with anyone constantly, but the minute you got pissed, he'd run and hide behind a parent, teacher, ect.

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"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010

If we lose the division lead, no biggie, if we make it to the playoffs and get ousted, no biggie.

This smells exactly like excepting a 40 year status quo, no thank you.

Many of the fans do want the Cup or bust option, this organization should be in this mindset every single season. I see no over reaction here, I see alot of pissed off fans, and rightfully so, they have paid their dues with this team, its time for the team to pony up from their end. Failure, in many fans minds here in Buffalo is wearing very thin. Exciting team, not really, do the fans expect them to go for the cup this season, Yes.

We have all known their problems for awhile now. You know something, I wonder what all of the people would say if Calgary and Toronto become Cup competitive in 2 or 3 years while the Sabres sit in the same position, because if you look at it from a historical time line prespective for this organization, many teams have already peaked, crashed, rebuilt and won the Cup again while Buffalo just sits in mediocrity. I think all the fans have a right to react negatively with that record before their feet.

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Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.

Especially because of the loss to Ottawa...again

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"...they came down into the stands and asked if I knew how to do play by play. I said...No. But. I'll take a shot at it if you want".- Rick Jeanneret

Jay, what's interesting is that this team identified toughness and grit as their number one weakness in the offseason and went about signing Grier, Montador, McCormick and Cowan, plus drafted nothing but beasts to come up through the system.

We also dumped Kotalik before the trade deadline, and then said goodbye to Max, Spacek and Teppo in the off-season as part of our plan to toughen up the makeup of the team. Peters was also shipped off, but since he almost never suited up it was not really losing a player so much as a good guy in the locker room.

Yet, we're just as soft, if not even softer. Why?

Well, my guess is Ruff has been all talk/no action on the plan to emphasize toughness over finesse. He fell in love with that speed team from '06-'07, and fell back into the trap of emphasizing the offensive speed rush, and relying on Miller shutting down the odd-man rushes when they're caught up ice on the counter.

We are a team in transition, lacking any identity at all. Are we a trap team shutting down the offense to win low scoring games? Sometimes. Are we a speed team hoping to use flash to shock and awe opponents? Sometimes.

Unfortunately, the one thing we are NOT is the gritty, tough team that wins physical battles, throws pucks at the net, and scores ugly goals on rebounds while charging the crease. THAT'S what was supposed to happen, but that's exactly what has NOT happened.

This team lacks the skill to be a dominant skill team, and lacks the toughness to fight and hit to compensate for the lack of skill.

Another thing to remember is that Rivet and Grier are now past their fighting years, and Mair is quickly approaching his end, too. None are particularly fast skaters or offer skill, so serious roster decisions will have to be made next year.

I believe we make the playoffs with outstanding goaltending, a dominant defenseman, and balanced scoring. Until this team adds a whole lot more toughness and fight in the lineup, and is willing to implement that kind of system philosophy for the long hall, than we will remain the delicate, soft team that ultimately gets pounded to dirt over the grind of the long season.

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Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way. I can't wait to look in the mirror, 'cause I get better looking each day. To know me is to love me, I must be a hell of a man. Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, but I'm doin' the best that I can.

Fighting Majors is such a stupid category and shouldn't even be suggested. Who is worse than us fighting, Washington and Detroit? not horrible company. Who is first? Calgary? Are they even in the playoffs.

I agree with adam's comments on puck posession and hits. I think when we need to bring a physical game, we tend to do so (games against philly), but most of the time it's unnecessary.

I need to see a statistic on the number of shots we allow before I comment on blocked shots. Sometimes I wonder if the orders aren't to give Miller a lane to see the puck rather than risk a wonky bounce off a defenseman trying to block a shot.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

ETC, come on. I see our skill wingers win physical battles in the corners all the time. Hecht, Pominville, Vanek, Connolly, Grier... they all get worked over in the corners while shielding the puck and establishing a cycle.

A big key to the Sabres success thus far has been their ability to recover the pucks in the corners and win those battles.

It's one thing to say you'd like them to throw more hits and show more emotion after certain plays during last night's game, but it's another to accuse them of being soft in the corners. That's just not true.

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Wheelhouse

PSP, I'm fully aware of your positive outlook on the Sabres. If you want to believe that this team, which is at the bottom of the NHL in hits, giveaways, fights, and blocked shots, is winning the battles and beautifully playing the system than you're entitled to your opinion. Express it until you are purple in the face.

However, you are not entitled to repeatedly tell me how to think, and I'd appreciate it if you'd quit trying to impose your views upon me every time I make a comment. Quite frankly, it's starting to get on my nerves, and I don't want to get angry with you. I'm asking nicely; just accept that I don't agree with you and let it go.

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Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way. I can't wait to look in the mirror, 'cause I get better looking each day. To know me is to love me, I must be a hell of a man. Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, but I'm doin' the best that I can.

So If we lack Tuffness then why would we not send Mair or someone else down on waivers and bring up McCormick Pretty sure he not past his prime yet maybe that will insert some grit and a playing who will stand up for his team. We already tried waivers once on Mair why not again.

I'm not trying to tell you how to think. Why is it that when I make a point, people see it as imposing my views?

I disagree with you. That's all. I think there's a perfectly logical explanation for our low totals in those columns, and I showed you why when I pointed a reference to Detroit, who was at the bottom of the NHL in those categories in the year they won the cup as well, when they were playing a system very similar to ours.

Let me ask you a few questions.

Do you repeatedly see the Sabres fail to establish a forecheck and zone time through cycling?

Do you ever see players shy away from shots rather than blocking them?

My answer to both of those questions is no. What's yours?

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Wheelhouse

PSP, I'll ask you again, one more time, to stop trying to force me to think like you when obviously I don't. I actually do see the Sabres with my own eyes, and observe them losing the physical battles, caughing the puck under pressure, failing to come to teammates defense, not hitting, fighting or blocking shots. The stats bare that out, too.

Again, this is the last time I'll ask nicely. Cut it out.

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Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way. I can't wait to look in the mirror, 'cause I get better looking each day. To know me is to love me, I must be a hell of a man. Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, but I'm doin' the best that I can.

Elliott had an unbelievable good game last night.

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Miss you Schony!!
Women are Angels
And when someone breaks our wings....
We simply continue to fly.........on a broomstick...
We are flexible like that ....

ETC and PSP : Agree to disagree. You guys have different perspectives on the question, which is fine, but there's no reason to fire away at each other trying to change minds.

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The human mind sees what it's already looking for PSP, fighting a losing battle here. For what it's worth, I am in agreement with you, though I am open minded enough to actually listen and think about the opposition.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

Honestly, Squanto, I hope he listens to your warning, because I am definitely not trying to force my opinion on him. Thanks much for stepping in.

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Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way. I can't wait to look in the mirror, 'cause I get better looking each day. To know me is to love me, I must be a hell of a man. Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, but I'm doin' the best that I can.

Again... not trying to force views on anybody. More or less, I'm trying to understand why you think the way you do in these aspects.

That's the point of a forum. To convey your ideas and discuss them with others.

I apologize if my inquisitions are angering you, but we're kind of defeating the purpose of Junkie if you want me to stay out.

That said, it's not worth raising your blood pressure, so I'll take my bow.

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Wheelhouse

I didn't see it that way at all. I think some good points are made by the two of you and that's fine. It seemed that you're more willing to make an honest and accurate assessment while others are set in their way of thinking and are apparently take it personally if anyone thinks any differently.

At least you gave some rational thought to posts stating opinions opposite your own.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

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FIGHTER OF THE NIGHTMAN

"on the ice now for buffalo, looking for the pass, and gets it, afinogenov, couldnt get the shot away, now HE DOES, HE SCORES!!!! HOLY MACKEREL ROLE THE HIGH LIGHT FILM, MAXIM AFINOGENOV, WHAT A MOVE!!!!.... thats not fair... that was unbelievable"
-R.J. and Lorenz

Honestly, I am really getting tired of the snide, passive aggressive attacks by a certain member in this forum. I think I need to take a break.

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Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way. I can't wait to look in the mirror, 'cause I get better looking each day. To know me is to love me, I must be a hell of a man. Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, but I'm doin' the best that I can.