Keep blaming the players for this teams failures, maybe in another 15 years they can find another Chris Drury for everyone to get a man crush on and Lindy can get us to the ECF. It's so obvious what needs to be changed
- sbroads24

Lindy can't go into the corners to win the puck, or back-check to break up an odd-man situation. Lindy isn't the one who whiffs on checks or passes or shots. Lindy isn't the one who decides whether or not to block a shot, even if it means a potential injury.

Don't get me wrong, there are players on this team with HEART. Vanek has been playing hard every shift, going into corners, winning loose pucks, stealing it from opponents. Kaleta puts in the effort every shift, and does his job the best way he knows how. Ott clearly exudes heart and determination. Pominville consistently puts in the effort. Ehrhoff is clearly the best of our defensemen. And Weber has played his butt off.

But for the rest of them, the lapses are so obvious, you have to question their heart and desire on every shift of every game. Don't get me started on Stafford, who clearly only displayed any sense of heart and desire in a contract year. Myers' play comes and goes, so he has the talent, but does he have the heart and desire to really be the best? Even Miller, who shows a lot of heart and desire in his play, lapses when things go wrong in front of him.

I don't need Chris Drury back, but I would like to get back to the hardest working team in hockey, where each player held them self accountable for putting the heart and determination into every shift of every game.

Ennis has a .66 ppg average, O'Reilly is running at .45, and taking out last year he is at .33. He's also unsigned and hasn't played in the league in several months now. Ennis straight up for O'Reilly would be risky - throwing in Psysk or McNabb on top would be a poor bet.

I'm all for improving the team and would like to see O'Reilly suit up for the Sabres, but that would be a desperation trade and I feel we might end up being disappointed in what we got back this year.
- nfph

I'm confused why people don't think Ennis is a good player. He has not even played a full 2 seasons in the NHL and is a good 2nd line player. O'Reilly has had 1 good year and he was playing with decent linemates. There is a reason COL is not in too much of a hurry to give him a big payday

Whats to blog about?
I don't see what all the hoopla is about, what has he done in his NHL skates?
- 7xTippet

He's only the Chuck Norris of the NHL man.

Karlsson was the leagues MVP in my opinion right now, not just the Sens.

It's a terrible loss and I wish the best for his recovery. This league is better with guys like him in it.

Karlsson was the leagues MVP in my opinion right now, not just the Sens.

It's a terrible loss and I wish the best for his recovery. This league is better with guys like him in it.
- Scruffton

This is the Sabres blog, the Sens are 17 blocks to the right.

Lindy can't go into the corners to win the puck, or back-check to break up an odd-man situation. Lindy isn't the one who whiffs on checks or passes or shots. Lindy isn't the one who decides whether or not to block a shot, even if it means a potential injury.

Don't get me wrong, there are players on this team with HEART. Vanek has been playing hard every shift, going into corners, winning loose pucks, stealing it from opponents. Kaleta puts in the effort every shift, and does his job the best way he knows how. Ott clearly exudes heart and determination. Pominville consistently puts in the effort. Ehrhoff is clearly the best of our defensemen. And Weber has played his butt off.

But for the rest of them, the lapses are so obvious, you have to question their heart and desire on every shift of every game. Don't get me started on Stafford, who clearly only displayed any sense of heart and desire in a contract year. Myers' play comes and goes, so he has the talent, but does he have the heart and desire to really be the best? Even Miller, who shows a lot of heart and desire in his play, lapses when things go wrong in front of him.

I don't need Chris Drury back, but I would like to get back to the hardest working team in hockey, where each player held them self accountable for putting the heart and determination into every shift of every game.
- GoinFiveHole

IMO you are confusing a lack of heart with them being confused. Vanek's "heart" comes and goes along with everyone else in the NHL. Does Steve Ott all of the sudden lack heart? He was invisible for a good 3 games. This team has no clue what they are doing half the time, look at their PP, they might be the most poorly coached team in the NHL. When you're 4th line 35 year old concussion prone retread is getting more ice time than top 6 forwards, I don't blame them for not showing "heart".

IMO you are confusing a lack of heart with them being confused. Vanek's "heart" comes and goes along with everyone else in the NHL. Does Steve Ott all of the sudden lack heart? He was invisible for a good 3 games. This team has no clue what they are doing half the time, look at their PP, they might be the most poorly coached team in the NHL. When you're 4th line 35 year old concussion prone retread is getting more ice time than top 6 forwards, I don't blame them for not showing "heart".
- sbroads24

Everyone on this team has talent . otherwise they wouldn't be on a team. It's the coaches job to get this train wreck on track.

IMO you are confusing a lack of heart with them being confused. Vanek's "heart" comes and goes along with everyone else in the NHL. Does Steve Ott all of the sudden lack heart? He was invisible for a good 3 games. This team has no clue what they are doing half the time, look at their PP, they might be the most poorly coached team in the NHL. When you're 4th line 35 year old concussion prone retread is getting more ice time than top 6 forwards, I don't blame them for not showing "heart".
- sbroads24

I have no problem blaming Lindy for line combinations and game management, but GARTH's blog was about getting back to fundamentals. I am trying to point out that no matter what Lindy tries to do to get back to fundamental hockey, the players have to have the heart and determination to want to play that way, and play that way every shift of every game.

I hate when Lindy puts Hecht out there when the Sabres are down 2 with 2 minutes left. Heck, I'd love to see Lindy send the first line out there every time there is a faceoff in the offensive zone after an icing. For that, sure I blame Lindy for the way he manages the game.

But the fundamentals that GARTH speaks to mean nothing if the players don't put in the effort, and don't want to. And for that, it is more about the players than it is the coach.

Ennis has a .66 ppg average, O'Reilly is running at .45, and taking out last year he is at .33. He's also unsigned and hasn't played in the league in several months now. Ennis straight up for O'Reilly would be risky - throwing in Psysk or McNabb on top would be a poor bet.

I'm all for improving the team and would like to see O'Reilly suit up for the Sabres, but that would be a desperation trade and I feel we might end up being disappointed in what we got back this year.
- nfph

I said this in the other blog... I think at this point I would take Ennis and Hodge over ROR... even with ROR being known for being a better all around guy... plus ROR wants like 5M for 5 years is the word on the streets.

wow.. JVince thanks for the video... That looks very painful.. feel bad for the guy..
- BuffaloKyle

painful huh...

I said this in the other blog... I think at this point I would take Ennis and Hodge over ROR... even with ROR being known for being a better all around guy... plus ROR wants like 5M for 5 years is the word on the streets.
- JVince11

staff and leo for him straight up

a big F-U to wgr for getting the o'reilly's auto parts jingle stuck in my head!!!

I said this in the other blog... I think at this point I would take Ennis and Hodge over ROR... even with ROR being known for being a better all around guy... plus ROR wants like 5M for 5 years is the word on the streets.
- JVince11

Why do we have to choose? Are the Avs asking for a center back, because last time I checked they have 2 really good ones, and another waiting in the wings.

Give the guy a shot and make him push the others to be better. Isn't that what it is all about?

...the emotional and physical gauntlet of gutting out 14 games in 24 days. Thanks to the NHL lockout, the Sabres had to play the cards that they were dealt

So did 29 other teams.

No excuses.

These are professional athletes.

So did 29 other teams.

No excuses.

These are professional athletes.
- Powerslave

but they aren't very professional

This is exactly why the Sabres never improve...we ALWAYS proceed cautiously.
- flyingvv

Right on the mark. Perfect.

Sick of this GM.

No balls.

Show us that you have a set, Darcy "missionary position" Regier. Do something CRAYZEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

but they aren't very professional
- IndianaSabresFan

Truth.

Why do we have to choose? Are the Avs asking for a center back, because last time I checked they have 2 really good ones, and another waiting in the wings.

Give the guy a shot and make him push the others to be better. Isn't that what it is all about?
- GoinFiveHole

i read a CO blogger speak about how badly they need a puck moving d-man. they were soft so they went out and remade their d core, but went too far in the other direction- and now are looking to balance the d out...

Karlsson was the leagues MVP in my opinion right now, not just the Sens.

It's a terrible loss and I wish the best for his recovery. This league is better with guys like him in it.
- Scruffton

100% agree I fele really bad for them first Spezza now Karlsson

Why do we have to choose? Are the Avs asking for a center back, because last time I checked they have 2 really good ones, and another waiting in the wings.

Give the guy a shot and make him push the others to be better. Isn't that what it is all about?
- GoinFiveHole

that is a good point.. Duchene and stastny are staying...

They need help on the wings with Hejduk a relic, landeskog hurt, etc..

STAFFORD!!!!

a big F-U to wgr for getting the o'reilly's auto parts jingle stuck in my head!!!
- battelmt

Try a Matchbox 20 song for days on end. You'll want to put a white hot soldering iron in your ears.

Darcy is great on draft day and god awful every other day.

I have no problem blaming Lindy for line combinations and game management, but GARTH's blog was about getting back to fundamentals. I am trying to point out that no matter what Lindy tries to do to get back to fundamental hockey, the players have to have the heart and determination to want to play that way, and play that way every shift of every game.

I hate when Lindy puts Hecht out there when the Sabres are down 2 with 2 minutes left. Heck, I'd love to see Lindy send the first line out there every time there is a faceoff in the offensive zone after an icing. For that, sure I blame Lindy for the way he manages the game.

But the fundamentals that GARTH speaks to mean nothing if the players don't put in the effort, and don't want to. And for that, it is more about the players than it is the coach.
- GoinFiveHole

I understand but it's the same movie every year and we know the ending. You give up on the coach before the players

Try a Matchbox 20 song for days on end. You'll want to put a white hot soldering iron in your ears.
- mes418

everyday have to listen to elavator music they try to pass off as jazz hours on hours

why did i get banned for posting a gif of a kangaroo dropkicking a rooster

that is not even fair