Disagree...the 06-07 team was an offseason embarrassment expected to finish last. Nolan lent credibility and had that team playing way, way over its head every night. It was simply a nightmare for other teams' scorers to go up against the Hunter, Sillinger, Hilbert line...and it wasn't because of the amazing skills of Hunter, Sillinger and Hilbert. They, and the team, were just ready to leave it on the ice every night. That's at least in part due to coaching.
- UIF

last seasons team was expected to finish last too. The prognosticators rarely have a decent gauge on those things. That said, that Isles roster, while not great, was okay enough to challenge for a spot. Let's remember that while the isles had missed the playoffs the previous season, they had made the playoffs for three consecutive seasons prior to that. They weren't exactly running on empty. It took a damn fine performance by DP (his only decent season) that year and some excellent work by Dubie to get us there.
That team still had Yashin, Zhitnik, Satan, Ryan Smyth, a newly signed Witt, Blake and Kozlov. While a few of those guys were streaky players, the bottom line was they were considered solid productive players. It wasn't near the feat IMO that Cappy accomplished last year.

The thing I wonder about with Nolan is that he gets plenty of credit for the players that produce under his stystem, but little mention about some of the players who experience career lows under him as well.

I don't see the guy as a failure of a coach, but I think he may get a little more credit than he's due based on 4 seasons of work, 2 of which had modest results.

The sabres are playing 4 teenagers, they are like the titanic. They are staying at the bottom of the Atlantic
- Dan Petriw

its a shame no one acknowledged this because it is pretty funny.

its a shame no one acknowledged this because it is pretty funny.
- LetsGoIsles

Thankfully we have you to spell it out for us

Both Vanek and Tavares are skating this morning. Could be game time decisions.

last seasons team was expected to finish last too. The prognosticators rarely have a decent gauge on those things. That said, that Isles roster, while not great, was okay enough to challenge for a spot. Let's remember that while the isles had missed the playoffs the previous season, they had made the playoffs for three consecutive seasons prior to that. They weren't exactly running on empty. It took a damn fine performance by DP (his only decent season) that year and some excellent work by Dubie to get us there.
That team still had Yashin, Zhitnik, Satan, Ryan Smyth, a newly signed Witt, Blake and Kozlov. While a few of those guys were streaky players, the bottom line was they were considered solid productive players. It wasn't near the feat IMO that Cappy accomplished last year.

The thing I wonder about with Nolan is that he gets plenty of credit for the players that produce under his stystem, but little mention about some of the players who experience career lows under him as well.

I don't see the guy as a failure of a coach, but I think he may get a little more credit than he's due based on 4 seasons of work, 2 of which had modest results.
- keaner17

Like who? Tambellini? He couldn't figure it out under any coach, hence he's not in the NHL. i don't think he's even in the AHL, he's over in Europe, I believe.

Nobody is saying he's Al Arbour, but Nolan is a solid coach. His players play for him. He only coached four years or whatever, but he never had a locker room tune him out or players gripe about him. Quite the contrary. Lots of former players sing his praises. Brendan Witt called him his best or favorite coach on Twitter the other day.

Both Vanek and Tavares are skating this morning. Could be game time decisions.
- keaner17

Lets decide now. I say they're a go!

Like who? Tambellini? He couldn't figure it out under any coach, hence he's not in the NHL. i don't think he's even in the AHL, he's over in Europe, I believe.

Nobody is saying he's Al Arbour, but Nolan is a solid coach. His players play for him. He only coached four years or whatever, but he never had a locker room tune him out or players gripe about him. Quite the contrary. Lots of former players sing his praises. Brendan Witt called him his best or favorite coach on Twitter the other day.
- Jethro09

Dominik Hasek might disagree, considering he was very outspoken in saying he was better off without Nolan as coach.

**edit..for the record, both Rob Ray and Mathew Barnaby have gone on record as not being fans of Nolan either.

Again, we're calling the guy a solid head coach because he did well 50% of the time. Frankly I was very unimpressed by Buffalo's performance in that series against the Flyers years ago. He decided to use Barnaby as a lock on Lindros which was downright laughable. Were it not for Hasek that year, that team would likely have been well out of playoff contention. It took DP's best career season along with a great final five games from Dubie to get the Isles in.

I don't doubt that players love Nolan because he gets guys going. He's a good leader, but it takes more than that to be a good coach and in my eyes the jury is still out on Nolan.

Lets decide now. I say they're a go!
- Cptmjl

Yahtzee!

Dominik Hasek might disagree, considering he was very outspoken in saying he was better off without Nolan as coach.

Again, we're calling the guy a solid head coach because he did well 50% of the time. Frankly I was very unimpressed by Buffalo's performance in that series against the Flyers years ago. He decided to use Barnaby as a lock on Lindros which was downright laughable. Were it not for Hasek that year, that team would likely have been well out of playoff contention. It took DP's best career season along with a great final five games from Dubie to get the Isles in.

I don't doubt that players love Nolan because he gets guys going. He's a good leader, but it takes more than that to be a good coach and in my eyes the jury is still out on Nolan.
- keaner17

He'd probably disagree due to Nolan banging his wife? Kind of makes him biased.

Thankfully we have you to spell it out for us
- Cptmjl

your welcome

your welcome
- LetsGoIsles

you're

Poulin starts tonight! Whoo hoo!

He'd probably disagree due to Nolan banging his wife? Kind of makes him biased.
- Cptmjl

A lot of rumors about that but no one knows if it's true. It's like the "Mikey at poprocks and soda and died' rumor. The same rumor existed in Philly about Lindros and another player.

The major issue Hasek had with Nolan, to my knowledge, was that he felt like he was left hung out to dry too often.

It should be noted that both Mathew Barnaby and Rob Ray have stated they don't think Nolan should be rehired.
Barnaby's biggest reason was that he felt Nolan lacked the temperment to be an NHL coach and pointed at the fact that he had tried to get multiple GM's fired.

Poulin starts tonight! Whoo hoo!
- ISLES1119

nice! What's the rest of the line up since I don't know as usual!

A lot of rumors about that but no one knows if it's true. It's like the "Mikey at poprocks and soda and died' rumor. The same rumor existed in Philly about Lindros and another player.

The major issue Hasek had with Nolan, to my knowledge, was that he felt like he was left hung out to dry too often.

It should be noted that both Mathew Barnaby and Rob Ray have stated they don't think Nolan should be rehired.
Barnaby's biggest reason was that he felt Nolan lacked the temperment to be an NHL coach and pointed at the fact that he had tried to get multiple GM's fired.
- keaner17

It's true. Read a couple Nolan and Hasek inteviews when they touched on the subject. I knew someone who was playing in their system at the time. It was true. Not that i needed him to tell me it after a few of the interviews I saw/heard. Pretty facked up. Imagine being a player and the coach banging your wife? Wow


When Nolan says, "I'm not going to comment on it but what happened with Dominic's wife it was bad, real bad. After I'm done in the NHL it'll be in my book" kind of gives it some credibility.

A lot of rumors about that but no one knows if it's true. It's like the "Mikey at poprocks and soda and died' rumor. The same rumor existed in Philly about Lindros and another player.

The major issue Hasek had with Nolan, to my knowledge, was that he felt like he was left hung out to dry too often.

It should be noted that both Mathew Barnaby and Rob Ray have stated they don't think Nolan should be rehired.
Barnaby's biggest reason was that he felt Nolan lacked the temperment to be an NHL coach and pointed at the fact that he had tried to get multiple GM's fired.
- keaner17

Ted seemed to have issues with goalies. I thought I remember he made some comments about DP that year as well?

It's true. Read a couple Nolan and Hasek inteviews when they touched on the subject. I knew someone who was playing in their system at the time. It was true. Not that i needed him to tell me it after a few of the interviews I saw/heard. Pretty facked up. Imagine being a player and the coach banging your wife? Wow
- Cptmjl

Even thought it's a new owner and players, I never thought Buffalo would hire Nolan again.

Even thought it's a new owner and players, I never thought Buffalo would hire Nolan again.
- ses111

He was a great coach for them but I'm kind of shocked by it too? He had problems with everyone from the top to the bottom. I think it was a reflex action almost. Probably should've thought it through a little more.

He was a great coach for them but I'm kind of shocked by it too? He had problems with everyone from the top to the bottom. I think it was a reflex action almost. Probably should've thought it through a little more.
- Cptmjl

I think the guy can coach but he would not be my first pick. Too much baggage. I'll take Lavy or maybe even take a chance on Weight instead.

It's true. Read a couple Nolan and Hasek inteviews when they touched on the subject. I knew someone who was playing in their system at the time. It was true. Not that i needed him to tell me it after a few of the interviews I saw/heard. Pretty facked up. Imagine being a player and the coach banging your wife? Wow
- Cptmjl

Yeah, I've heard a few stories from guys who knew his son etc etc but still, those things take on a life of their own. Hasek was a 2nd degree blackbelt and I'm thinking if this had really happened Nolan might have been at least a little scraped up In addition, Ted has remained married to the same women for many years.
As I said, the exact same rumor existed about Lindros and a teammate around that SAME time. That was the rumor, Lindros' concussion wasn't really sustained on the ice'.
Simply put, it's messageboard fodder and I still have my doubts.

Yeah, I've heard a few stories from guys who knew his son etc etc but still, those things take on a life of their own. Hasek was a 2nd degree blackbelt and I'm thinking if this had really happened Nolan might have been at least a little scraped up In addition, Ted has remained married to the same women for many years.
As I said, the exact same rumor existed about Lindros and a teammate around that SAME time. That was the rumor, Lindros' concussion wasn't really sustained on the ice'.
Simply put, it's messageboard fodder and I still have my doubts.
- keaner17

I'm telling the facking truth you will believe me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!





When Nolan says, "I'm not going to comment on it but what happened with Dominic's wife it was bad, real bad. After I'm done in the NHL it'll be in my book" kind of gives it some credibility

I read in Newsday that JT might not play tonight and that he's real sore following that crash into the boards. Staple also said it doesn't look serious, no more than a couple of days rest needed. If he has to sit tonight, so be it. He'll be back by the weekend (hopefully with Vanek).
- Jethro09

i saw it on pointblank. yes it not serious. just seems with the run in the boards he was just alttle banged up.
I will only be a night.

Besides Cappy will and slot in NHL superstar Steve Regin with a 91 jersey and you;ll think JT is still in the line up.

i saw it on pointblank. yes it not serious. just seems with the run in the boards he was just alttle banged up.
I will only be a night.

Besides Cappy will and slot in NHL superstar Steve Regin with a 91 jersey and you;ll think JT is still in the line up.
- Spartiarti

Hopefully Poulin is in net again.

Yeah, I've heard a few stories from guys who knew his son etc etc but still, those things take on a life of their own. Hasek was a 2nd degree blackbelt and I'm thinking if this had really happened Nolan might have been at least a little scraped up In addition, Ted has remained married to the same women for many years.
As I said, the exact same rumor existed about Lindros and a teammate around that SAME time. That was the rumor, Lindros' concussion wasn't really sustained on the ice'.
Simply put, it's messageboard fodder and I still have my doubts.
- keaner17

Rumoar are Lindros banged Rod Brindamours wife, and Nolan did hasek. Both seem quite possible.
Think about it Nolan got removed from Buffalo after having a great season.

Hopefully Poulin is in net again.
- ses111

Poulin is in net tonight. getting his 3rd straight start.

I dont think Poulin is our answer in net but has outplayed Nabby bigtime.