Their is absolutely no reason they should still have their job. None. Ruff is running them into the basement, I don't want to hear we don't have talent. 3 30 goal scorers, Vezina goalie, Calder trophy winner, 3 defenseman who have scored 10+ goals in a season, he is a joke
- sbroads24

I agree. Its not the talent, its the system. We've seen this team compete and own the NHL last year. They can do it. They arent being unleashed. Way too passive of a system. Passive forecheck. Passive in our zone.

When you dont possess the puck and you allow the other team to possess it, you're not going to win games.

The Grigorenko thing is getting blown out of proportion IMO. Taking him out against Boston was fine. It was supposed to be a physical game and he doesn't bring that yet. Plus they worked him harder in practice.

I want him to get more ice time because I'm excited to watch him play. But his time will come. I don't hate the approach Lindy is taking with him.

The only thing that really sticks out is putting Ellis in for an offensive zone faceoff late in a tied game. Grigorenko was playing well that night. Give him a chance to win the game. Don't be afraid of him losing it.
- keptupl8

It just doesn't make sense to me the way Grigorenko is being handled
He plays 2:44 in the 1st two periods against the Isles
Why?
Does Ruff not trust him?
He hasn't really made many mistakes that I've noticed
Then Ruff actually decides to play him in the 3rd period and he plays a huge part of the GWG

That would've said to me, hey, the kid came through, maybe he should get more icetime...
But how is he rewarded?
By sitting the next game in the Press Box

There's some ways I'll defend Lindy,
Bc I think ppl are going very overboard

But the way he's handling Grigorenko is ridiculous to me
ESP when it seems his development is being held back bc of all the icetime freaking Hecht is getting

I agree. Its not the talent, its the system. We've seen this team compete and own the NHL last year. They can do it. They arent being unleashed. Way too passive of a system. Passive forecheck. Passive in our zone.

When you dont possess the puck and you allow the other team to possess it, you're not going to win games.
- theblueandgold

I totally agree but I guess the Islanders game is the exception that proves the rule

Neither are ours except for Stafford!
Every team has guys struggling on the score sheet...
That's not our problem

We are scoring plenty

The problem is we are giving up WAY too many goals bc our defense is a joke
- jdfitz77

Our defense is not a joke, their game plans are a joke. We have talent, we lack execution and strategy, why is it so easy for other teams to clear the zone against us yet our D keeps cycling it down low and self inflicting turnovers? The Forwards are too low in the defensive end which leads to wide open point shots and slow exits out of the zone. It's a coaching issue, not a talent issue

One positive thing I will say about the coaching is that I LOVE that Vanek isn't just always parked in front of the net like he used to be, he's actually been able to create a lot of his own offense this year and it's becoming quite apparent that he is an exeptional passer as well.
- shanekern03

NOt sure if the coaching has anything to do with the year he is having.

One thing I will say he looks much stronger than years past.

I'm back to the team concept on clearing the zone. Too many times the defensemen gain control and have no where to go with the puck. Forwards aren't giving them options. Our transition game needs to be simplified. Again, I think that's coaching.
- keptupl8

One positive thing I will say about the coaching is that I LOVE that Vanek isn't just always parked in front of the net like he used to be, he's actually been able to create a lot of his own offense this year and it's becoming quite apparent that he is an exeptional passer as well.
- shanekern03

He is becoming one heck of a "playmaker"
Let's not give Ruff any credit for the good things on this team though
The only things he's responsible for are the negatives

Our defense is not a joke, their game plans are a joke. We have talent, we lack execution and strategy, why is it so easy for other teams to clear the zone against us yet our D keeps cycling it down low and self inflicting turnovers? The Forwards are too low in the defensive end which leads to wide open point shots and slow exits out of the zone. It's a coaching issue, not a talent issue
- sbroads24

NOt sure if the coaching has anything to do with the year he is having.

One thing I will say he looks much stronger than years past.
- hubie

Well I won't argue that he's going on a tear because of our coaching but I think he's healthy and strong because he isn't getting knocked around as much in front of the net as he used to. He's being used as more of a skilled guy rather than a Franzen. Not that he isn't skilled but different type skill I guess.

He is becoming one heck of a "playmaker"
Let's not give Ruff any credit for the good things on this team though
The only things he's responsible for are the negatives
- jdfitz77

I forgot I guess

Edit: I'm in no way defending the Sabres coaching. Either the players are sick of hearing the same garbage and not listening or the system is stale, my vote is on the latter

I'm back to the team concept on clearing the zone. Too many times the defensemen gain control and have no where to go with the puck. Forwards aren't giving them options. Our transition game needs to be simplified. Again, I think that's coaching.
- keptupl8

Fair point
But is Lindy's coaching this year all of the sudden different?
I really don't know the answer

I'm not sure anyone, incl Ruff, does...
Maybe that's everyone's point though

Like I've said a bunch of times...
I'm OK w firing Ruff
I think we need some personnel changes too though if a new coach is going to make a major difference

It just doesn't make sense to me the way Grigorenko is being handled
He plays 2:44 in the 1st two periods against the Isles
Why?
Does Ruff not trust him?
He hasn't really made many mistakes that I've noticed
Then Ruff actually decides to play him in the 3rd period and he plays a huge part of the GWG

That would've said to me, hey, the kid came through, maybe he should get more icetime...
But how is he rewarded?
By sitting the next game in the Press Box

There's some ways I'll defend Lindy,
Bc I think ppl are going very overboard

But the way he's handling Grigorenko is ridiculous to me
ESP when it seems his development is being held back bc of all the icetime freaking Hecht is getting
- jdfitz77

he's still participating in NHL pratices, which i think are much better than beating up on teenagers in the CHL. i think lindy was protecting grigorenko from boston. everybody thought their was gonna be blood this game.

He is becoming one heck of a "playmaker"
Let's not give Ruff any credit for the good things on this team though
The only things he's responsible for are the negatives
- jdfitz77

How many good things are associated with a 5-7-1 record after missing the playoffs last year, you want me to give him credit because 1 player who was a top 5 draft pick is living up to his enormous contract?

It just doesn't make sense to me the way Grigorenko is being handled
He plays 2:44 in the 1st two periods against the Isles
Why?
Does Ruff not trust him?
He hasn't really made many mistakes that I've noticed
Then Ruff actually decides to play him in the 3rd period and he plays a huge part of the GWG

That would've said to me, hey, the kid came through, maybe he should get more icetime...
But how is he rewarded?
By sitting the next game in the Press Box

There's some ways I'll defend Lindy,
Bc I think ppl are going very overboard

But the way he's handling Grigorenko is ridiculous to me
ESP when it seems his development is being held back bc of all the icetime freaking Hecht is getting
- jdfitz77

I want to see him get effective ice time, not just log minutes. For the most part he's been out there with slugs and grinders. Maybe if there is a top 6 injury he will get to play more with guys with some offensive skill. Or maybe if Stafford stays in the dog house, Grigorenko can play with Ennis and Foligno. Gerbe didn't do much for me on that line.

I think he will get more minutes as the season wears on. At least I hope so. Until then I'd rather see him get limited minutes than play half a game back in the Q.

I want to see him get effective ice time, not just log minutes. For the most part he's been out there with slugs and grinders. Maybe if there is a top 6 injury he will get to play more with guys with some offensive skill. Or maybe if Stafford stays in the dog house, Grigorenko can play with Ennis and Foligno. Gerbe didn't do much for me on that line.

I think he will get more minutes as the season wears on. At least I hope so. Until then I'd rather see him get limited minutes than play half a game back in the Q.
- keptupl8

maybe some PP time........

derrick brassard for drew stafford?

what do people think?

might be better/cheaper than an O'reilly trade that people want to see.

Our defense is not a joke, their game plans are a joke. We have talent, we lack execution and strategy, why is it so easy for other teams to clear the zone against us yet our D keeps cycling it down low and self inflicting turnovers? The Forwards are too low in the defensive end which leads to wide open point shots and slow exits out of the zone. It's a coaching issue, not a talent issue
- sbroads24

Disagree
Which of our Defensmen would be in the top4 of a good team
Myers and Ehrhoff, that's it
Everyone else is either...
-past their prime... Regehr
-never had a prime... Leopold
-just haven't developed into anything better than a bottom pair defenseman... Everyone else

Sekera has shown flashes, but still wildly inconsistent

When u only have TWO "top4" quality guys...
And SIX guys that should be getting "bottom pair" minutes...

Maybe coaching is a problem also... I'm ok with that assessment...
But I don't see guys like Leopold, etc. becoming good enough to play 20+ min no matter who his coach is

maybe some PP time........
- joshs

Definitely.

Again, maybe Stafford's minutes for a while

Disagree
Which of our Defensmen would be in the top4 of a good team
Myers and Ehrhoff, that's it
Everyone else is either...
-past their prime... Regehr
-never had a prime... Leopold
-just haven't developed into anything better than a bottom pair defenseman... Everyone else

Sekera has shown flashes, but still wildly inconsistent

When u only have TWO "top4" quality guys...
And SIX guys that should be getting "bottom pair" minutes...

Maybe coaching is a problem also... I'm ok with that assessment...
But I don't see guys like Leopold, etc. becoming good enough to play 20+ min no matter who his coach is
- jdfitz77

They are playing like AHL defenseman right now. The system is a problem, we are the worst defensive team in the NHL, do you really think we are the least talented blue line in the NHL?

he's still participating in NHL pratices, which i think are much better than beating up on teenagers in the CHL. i think lindy was protecting grigorenko from boston. everybody thought their was gonna be blood this game.
- joshs

But why play him less than 3min in the 1st two periods against the Isles?
I don't know about this "protecting him" theory either
Didn't we get Scott and Ott to prevent/deal with teams like Boston?
We gotta let the kid play

Useless stats:

Gerbe led all forwards in even strength ice time (over 17 mins) last night. Only Ehrhoff had more 5 on 5 time.

shocking...

Gerbe led all forwards in even strength ice time (over 17 mins) last night. Only Ehrhoff had more 5 on 5 time.

shocking...
- keptupl8

Gerbe is pound for pound our best player

Gerbe is pound for pound our best player
- sbroads24

so it's a weight problem

How many good things are associated with a 5-7-1 record after missing the playoffs last year, you want me to give him credit because 1 player who was a top 5 draft pick is living up to his enormous contract?
- sbroads24

Living up to their potential...
Vanek, Pominville, Miller, Hodgson, Ennis, Foligno, Ott, Kaleta, Ehrhoff, Weber, Sekera
Falling short...
Stafford, Myers
Have no real potential to begin with...
Everyone else

Do u think any of our defensemen would be in the top4 of a good team?
Besides Myers & Ehrhoff... I do not

so it's a weight problem
- keptupl8