Would somebody kindly explain what this "system" is that Ruff and players constantly refer to?

What is the theory behind this system?

It seems that whenever the Sabres lose, it's because the "system" was betrayed in some way.

Must be some system.

It is an ultra top secret way to play the game of hockey.

As a matter of fact, its so ultra top secret, not even the players were informed

Oh shit, I kill myself sometimes

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

It would be a great system, if our Offense didn't shit itself whenever it tried to score.

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"Call a cop he robbed Delmore blind!!!"
Rick Jeanerette after Marty Biron's diving save back in 2000.

"I'm going to go to the spa and have a hot tub and massage and relax," Miller said. "That's it, and it's back to work tomorrow." Ryan Miller after clinching the North East division.

I'm guessing we aren't supposed to really know, because if we did, other teams would too.
Just rest assured... the system works!

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It's this 'system' whereby I keep hearing about the 'system', and shoot myself in the roof of my mouth. This is usually quickly followed up by 'the core', which results in a red hot poker in my ass.

Basically, they are both(system&core) excuses for failure.

A hard forechecking system designed around cycling the puck and keeping it into the offensive zone to generate scoring chances. Relies heavily along defensemen actively making plays to keep the puck in the offensive zone and the forwards backchecking hard to compensate for when the defenders inevitably get caught.

Or something along those lines. It's a system that works well if everyone's playing hard and sticking to it, but if a single player begins to veer it can easily fall apart. Forwards don't forecheck hard and we can't keep the gain possession in the offensive zone, defensemen don't pinch well and it's coming out of the zone often, forwards don't backcheck hard when needed and the opposition will get many oddman chances. At least that's my understanding.

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It could also mean that if your scoring mad goals, then you're a dominant fore-checking team with mad finishers. That's a 'system' too. It's lip service for we're either playing like crap, or the players aren't listening.

disclaimer: Lindy did absorb full blame for tonight's loss.

The first rule of the system is you don't talk about the system.

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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

So what are you blaming exactly? Coaching? What point are you trying to freaking make?

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Wheelhouse

wgr tried to do that when i was going for the calzones they where talking to hamilton. something about the players not buying the system being in and out of it especially roy (who ruff has been trying to drill for three years), yeah it was questioning the so called core players of this team. It lead to them saying well it may be the players but it is also the coach for not finding ways to inspire, or get the players to play the system. i'm sure it's in the audio vault. i paraphrased the crap out of that.

The calzones where good.

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"Tis The Season, Fa la la la la LaFontaine" - Rick Jeanneret

Seeing how Ruff has ran 3 different systems over the past 3 years with this same roster... I just don't think it's coaching.

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Wheelhouse

I think lindy is ripping out his hair that this so called core is supposed to get to a cup. I think it's about time he tells darcy that cough ROY cough or cough Pominville cough, need to be considered as tradable. not talking total overhaul but if Roy isn't conforming and the coach isn't changing then the stalemate has been reached and seeing as i doubt the coach is leaving goodbye roy. I wonder if Lindy would consider leaving as a free agent, i mean he certainly will get picked up and he will more than likely want a cup to add to his trophies.

I'm looking for signs of progress in the summer and hopefully a core player moved for a core player willing to play the system, my suggestion is still fisher (though i may be living in a different universe or imagination land to see it done).

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"Tis The Season, Fa la la la la LaFontaine" - Rick Jeanneret

Now that's some funny shit.

Go back to the beginning of the season when the team was clicking and people were referring to the system tweaks that Ruff made after hanging out with Babcock and the rest of the Team Canada coaching staff over the summer.

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Sabres Hockey: Commitment to Mediocrity

What point was I trying to freaking make? Well, it was a freaking question, not a criticism of coaching or anything else.

Calm down.

"Rud" understood the post and did a great job answering.

Sorry. I definitely stepped over the line. I was just running hot.

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Wheelhouse

Thats something I like about you PSP, when you (VERY rarely) make a rude-ish comment, you are always mad quick to apologize.

Thanks, Yankee. I'm trying not to lose my cool at all in the first place, but when I do, I usually know when I'm out of line.

Heat of the moment stuff. I'm not here to make anybody angry. I'm here to talk hockey.

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Wheelhouse

Was running three different systems over the last 3 years with the same roster a sound plan??

I dunno. First, I think you examine the team, and then design a system around the strengths of the players you have. This only if you are coming into a situation fresh. If you're afforded the time Ruff/Regier have had, I think you decide on the most successful system you can create, and bring in guys who can fit that system. I'm not so sure just firing off a new system when the last one failed is a great idea, and that may very well point at coaching(and management) itself. We could even take this further with line juggling, too. All lines needs some degree of Grit, Speed, Skill, and Defense. A delicate balance of those is what is crucial to success. Popping guys on different lines every time you lose 2 games(or even sometimes when you win) can't be good for this mixture, unless you have VERY complete players. This isn't even taking into consideration the effect of chemistry itself.