agreed. tough to like for the past couple years. thought his comments after the toronto debacle were refreshing, then back to his old schtick yesterday...

as a goalie myself it feels like he is a black cloud over this team. the goalie as the team leader doesnt work IMO. didnt in vancouver with lou as the capt. just sets him up to be ostricized by his team. lucic game a coincidence?

the goalie needs to blend into the wallpaper. no coincidence that when enroth stepped in longer term for miller injury the team skated through walls for him. same when biron was here.

whether he is correct or not- goalie vocally criticizing the team never helps because he is not out there skating. same as a player criticizing a goalie- goalie just thinks they have no idea what they are talking about.
- battelmt

True except for the Enroth part. The team was awful when miller was out. The team for the most part of last year was terrible. Yet they managed to save rufs job and almost make the playoffs.

how is it lack of coaching? You think James Patrick doesnt know defeense? How about putting the blame on the players for once. Not just you btw, anybody that blames the coaches for everything.

They know what to do, they have played hockey their whole lives, they just arent doing it. Like Vanek said, we got up 3-1 and then played stupid. They weren't coached stupid, they played stupid.
- Homer

So basically what your saying is that coaching doesn't matter becuase these guys have been playing hockey their whole lives and should know what to do. No offense but have you been watching these games? They are lost, all of them without the numbers 19/26/29. The defenseman take turns being brutal.

Why would they when the fans keep packing the place? I say that only half serious, but honestly, its amazes me that the fans keep buying their product.

I havent bought a ticket in at least 5 years...Ive been to games because of hand outs, but I never buy tickets. Their product isnt worth my money.

Once the building is 70% full on a consistent basis instead of 100% full maybe Terry will look around and question whats going on.
- Homer

I might have some insight to this:

Being a season ticket holder, I'm not about to just stop buying my tickets at this point. They're going to get it straightened out eventually, and there's a 3000 person waiting list. So if I give them up, there's a really good chance I'm going to have to wait a really long time to get them back. Especially if they do turn it around.

Why would they when the fans keep packing the place? I say that only half serious, but honestly, its amazes me that the fans keep buying their product.

I havent bought a ticket in at least 5 years...Ive been to games because of hand outs, but I never buy tickets. Their product isnt worth my money.

Once the building is 70% full on a consistent basis instead of 100% full maybe Terry will look around and question whats going on.
- Homer

I was on the waiting list for years but when they didn't get rid of Ruff and Regier last spring, I got my $200 deposit back. I spoke with Ted Black and let him know that I won't financially support this team until real changes are made. He said he would looki into if a refund would be possible as they wouldn't normally offer one. He got back to me and gave me the refund.

I wish more fans would do this but don't blame anyone if they don't

In a lot of cases these things can be rehabbed instead of having surgery. They aren't planning on doing surgery either. I don't think he was having issues during the lockout. I think something happened during camp, because he was fine that whole week and right at the end is when he missed practice.
- HonkFortheGoose

I thought I saw somewhere that it was a lingering issue from last year and that he was debating on having surgery over the summer. I could be wrong but I believe thats what I saw.

Why would they when the fans keep packing the place? I say that only half serious, but honestly, its amazes me that the fans keep buying their product.

I havent bought a ticket in at least 5 years...Ive been to games because of hand outs, but I never buy tickets. Their product isnt worth my money.

Once the building is 70% full on a consistent basis instead of 100% full maybe Terry will look around and question whats going on.
- Homer

The WNY hockey market is great to a fault as it pertains to the Sabres.

Pegula was supposed to represent change in philosophy, attitude etc... Hypothetically speaking, not making moves because the fans still packing the stands is the definition of Golisano.

Blow it up, seriously.
- Gunner Staal

I don't think it was terrible. I think so far it hasn't worked out how they would like, but it's only been 1 year. The Wade Redden contract was terrible. The Scott Gomez contract was terrible. Leino's isn't great, but it's not terrible either.
- HonkFortheGoose

I strongly disagree
The 4.5mil per was too much
The 6yrs was too much
Asking a winger to be a center was just dumb
and having that $$$ allocated to an AVERAGE 3rd liner when we need defensive help is a mistake too

What's Leino max out at?
20-30-50pts... Maybe?!
I'd rather have Armia on that line next year who can score 15goals or so & eventually be a 30+ goal scorer

Not only is there no way Leino can live up to his deal,
I don't even see how he can be on the roster next year?!

Even if Armia isn't "ready" I'd rather give Tropp a shot on the 3rd line & use the 4.5mil on upgrading defense

Are we good yet?
- homiedclown

Are both Tylers good yet?

And when I say blow it up, I am talking about moving Vanek while his value has skyrocketed.

I dont expect that to be a popular opinion, but you can do things like that, or be the Calgary Flames.

I strongly disagree
The 4.5mil per was too much
The 6yrs was too much
Asking a winger to be a center was just dumb
and having that $$$ allocated to an AVERAGE 3rd liner when we need defensive help is a mistake too

What's Leino max out at?
20-30-50pts... Maybe?!
I'd rather have Armia on that line next year who can score 15goals or so & eventually be a 30+ goal scorer

Not only is their no way Leino can live up to his deal,
I don't even see how he can be on the roster next year?!

Even if Armia isn't "ready" I'd rather give Tropp a shot on the 3rd line & use the 4.5mil on upgrading defense
- jdfitz77

There's no guarantee that Armia works out either. Just like signing Leino was no guarantee.

It's frustrating to be around here sometimes because everyone screams and yells that they need to make a move, and when they do, everyone screams and yells about how bad of it move it was.

I strongly disagree
The 4.5mil per was too much
The 6yrs was too much
Asking a winger to be a center was just dumb
and having that $$$ allocated to an AVERAGE 3rd liner when we need defensive help is a mistake too

What's Leino max out at?
20-30-50pts... Maybe?!
I'd rather have Armia on that line next year who can score 15goals or so & eventually be a 30+ goal scorer

Not only is their no way Leino can live up to his deal,
I don't even see how he can be on the roster next year?!

Even if Armia isn't "ready" I'd rather give Tropp a shot on the 3rd line & use the 4.5mil on upgrading defense
- jdfitz77

We will need that 4.5 freed up if we wanna try and better this team during the offseason! Hopefully tropp fully recovers from that terrible season ending injury.

And when I say blow it up, I am talking about moving Vanek while his value has skyrocketed.

I dont expect that to be a popular opinion, but you can do things like that, or be the Calgary Flames.
- Gunner Staal

Yea..... that is one option...

no idea what we could get back at this point though...

And when I say blow it up, I am talking about moving Vanek while his value has skyrocketed.

I dont expect that to be a popular opinion, but you can do things like that, or be the Calgary Flames.
- Gunner Staal

I said last night to trade Miller and Vanek. Keep Pommer around to help mentor the young guys. Get back some young assets and stock up on picks in this years draft, as it's supposed to be one of the deepest in years.

There's no guarantee that Armia works out either. Just like signing Leino was no guarantee.

It's frustrating to be around here sometimes because everyone screams and yells that they need to make a move, and when they do, everyone screams and yells about how bad of it move it was.

- HonkFortheGoose

I would rather the 1m guy get the chance then the 4.5m guy... Cheaper and more upside.

There's no guarantee that Armia works out either. Just like signing Leino was no guarantee.

It's frustrating to be around here sometimes because everyone screams and yells that they need to make a move, and when they do, everyone screams and yells about how bad of it move it was.

- HonkFortheGoose

so many people are great GMs on Capgeek and NHL 13.. why isn't it more like that in real life...

I just want to get a new voice on the bench... this team has quit on Ruff for many years now and this time earlier than before.

True except for the Enroth part. The team was awful when miller was out. The team for the most part of last year was terrible. Yet they managed to save rufs job and almost make the playoffs.
- Smittyx36

not referring to last season when only had spot duty then virtually no duty (dont know why any backup goalie would EVER sign with the sabres- i know enroth had n choice- just sayin) - but the season before when he and the team closed out the season with a flurry with miller out with a concussion.

i actually really like both- but feel the same about miller as i do with ruff- subtract one/both from the equation and there would be a huge exhale by this team...

So basically what your saying is that coaching doesn't matter becuase these guys have been playing hockey their whole lives and should know what to do. No offense but have you been watching these games? They are lost, all of them without the numbers 19/26/29. The defenseman take turns being brutal.
- sbroads24

Coaching is overrated. Put Ruff behind the bench with the Hawks and they are still great, put Quenneville behind ours and we still are still mediocre.

And when I say blow it up, I am talking about moving Vanek while his value has skyrocketed.

I dont expect that to be a popular opinion, but you can do things like that, or be the Calgary Flames.
- Gunner Staal

I said that the other day. Vanek is one of my favorites but if moving him makes the team better in the long run I'm game! But the return HAS to be amazing

I said last night to trade Miller and Vanek. Keep Pommer around to help mentor the young guys. Get back some young assets and stock up on picks in this years draft, as it's supposed to be one of the deepest in years.
- HonkFortheGoose

Trade Pommer too, and that has nothing to do with the job he has done in Buffalo the last two years. He is a movable asset, move him. Get as young and talented (draft picks most likely) as possible. There will be growing pains.

I might have some insight to this:

Being a season ticket holder, I'm not about to just stop buying my tickets at this point. They're going to get it straightened out eventually, and there's a 3000 person waiting list. So if I give them up, there's a really good chance I'm going to have to wait a really long time to get them back. Especially if they do turn it around.
- HonkFortheGoose

which is a big problem, 3000 people waiting to buy seasons for this product? That's kinda sad. How is that going to get a message across to management that we are sick of this when we keep buying the product?

so many people are great GMs on Capgeek and NHL 13.. why isn't it more like that in real life...

I just want to get a new voice on the bench... this team has quit on Ruff for many years now and this time earlier than before.
- JVince11

It wasn't condescending. You just keep lumping everybody into the same bunch. You say if the Sabres win we feel this way and if they lose, we feel this way. You haven't gotten how I feel in spacific situations correct.

I know you're trying to come off as a know-it-all but you're far from it. And no, I don't think everything I say is correct either. I just don't look down at everybody just because they have a different opinion than I do
- RayHatesDomi

Apparently, I am coming off as a know it all, but I assure you, that is not my intent.

What I am trying to do is point out the sheer volume of panic being posted after every loss.

Think I'm lying? Think I'm being a dbag? Please, prove me wrong.

My point, plain and simple, is that everyone needs to relax.

The 'Fire Ruff' movement has been in full swing for 3+ years.

Apparently, the upper management of the Sabres organization are not heeding our wishes.

He's not going anywhere, and these trades that keep being put up by everyone are not going to happen.

You want me to explain myself so I'm not a knowitall?

If they were going to make one these panic move trades, it would have had some rumblings that would have surfaced at this point. Instead, there's nothing but fan speculation.

How do I know Ruff isn't getting fired?

Darcy just got his contract extension.

If ANYTHING I've said thus far, in any of my posts, has been unfounded or untrue, please, feel free to post the truth.

And, I'm sorry, because I'm not fully omnicient enough to forsee that you specifically are not one of the 85% of posters here who react the same way, you're right. I will go ahead and specifically omit you from my generalizations from here on out.

not referring to last season when only had spot duty then virtually no duty (dont know why any backup goalie would EVER sign with the sabres- i know enroth had n choice- just sayin) - but the season before when he and the team closed out the season with a flurry with miller out with a concussion.

i actually really like both- but feel the same about miller as i do with ruff- subtract one/both from the equation and there would be a huge exhale by this team...
- battelmt

I dont like Enroth at all and I dont think he is capable of being a starting goalie in the NHL.

But the way ruff handles backup goalies is a joke. He is terrible at it because his whole career he has had that top number 1 goalie that could play just about every game.

I said that the other day. Vanek is one of my favorites but if moving him makes the team better in the long run I'm game! But the return HAS to be amazing
- Smittyx36

I understand that it must be tough to finally see Vanek put it all together like he has recently and talk about trading him. But he is playing like Lemieux and the Sabres are still losing games and looking bad doing it.