so how long did you play for?
- derekjd

Exactly.

Hell google Image Konopka and youll see hockey player
- hubie

Haaaah! I did the same thing and thought the same thing.

The "guys that are good in the room" also have another quality that helps even more: they can actually play the game and not look out of place. Nick Saban once said: "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people". People who think that a talentless hack like John Scott should stick around because "his teammates like him", fall into the "mediocre people" category. And "mediocre people" rarely win championships.
- buffalofan19

every team has mediocre players along with skilled players, the trick is to get the chemistry right to get them all functioning togther as a monster....

American football is def not hockey, not one player on a football team could play 10-20+ minutes a game with both offensive and defensive talent.....

While I agree, the problem with that thinking is that regardless of how bad at hockey he is, there is some "need" for him. That's is not how a good team thinks. Mentally fragile teams who get their goalies run over and do nothing feel that they need him. Not a winning organization

Just an opinion
- sbroads24

While part of this convo may have been about John Scott, I didn't specifically name him.

My thinking was in general terms.

By no means should we keep a guy who sucks as a hockey player on the ice, but is "Joe-nice-guy" off it. But I would certainly take a 20 goal scorer who is an awesome teammate and friend over a 30 goal scorer who is a complete d!ck that only 3 people get along with. That just causes more problems.

Remember the story of, I think it was, Derek Roy. When he got hurt, the team was stinking up the place. Then it came out that 1/2 the dressing room said "just watch us go now!", with him out of the lineup. They went on a tear. It's a story that was verifiably true.

I heard the same went for Satan. Word is that Drury and Briere couldn't wait to kick him out the door.

What happens in the dressing room has an effect on the ice.

I'm so sick of hearing about how guys are "good in the room". It might be the 2nd biggest myth in hockey (next to "the code"). For all the guys the Sabres have kept around because they're "good in the room", it sure hasn't turned into many wins.
- buffalofan19

My saying as a coach, if I hear another coach say "great lockeroom guy"....


Than that just means he should stay in the lockeroom!!

Im not talking about disrespecting the linesman, Im talking about sense of urgency and body language. Our guys get booted on an offensive zone draw and skate away like "I didn't want to be in there anyways let someone else lose it". Steve Ott being the exception.
- Buffalo-Sabres

I know but Ott has been in the league longer than anyone on this team that takes a regular faceoff. He can voice his displeasure. The others have to earn that right. This coming from a ref. Trust me there are things we let upperclassmen get away with that a freshmen wouldn't dream of pulling. It's all apart of the relationships that are build on that rink. Between players of the same team, players of opposing teams, and players with the refs and linesmen.

Using a football coaches quote to debate a hockey player debate is useless. Football teams are made up of 53 players at the pro levels and much more at the college level. Team chemistry is only important between a QB and his center and a QB and his RB. The rest if each person does their job the rest will fall into place for that 5 seconds the play is actually going.

In hockey team chemistry is MUCH more important as its a reactionary sport. Also people who think John Scott is a talentless hack should ask his teammates what the think of John Scott and ask them if he is a talentless hack. Just because you think he is a talentless hack is fine but I am pretty sure not everyone in that locker room agrees with your expert assessment. So your myth of being a good guy in the room argument is just as useless as you think John Scott is.
- Stripes77

You really don't need to ask anyone though. You can google his statistics. You can see that a championship team like Chicago with star players actually worth protecting found him "uncessesary".

Haaaah! I did the same thing and thought the same thing.
- seedy

HOw can you not love a guy with a pet bunny?

Using a football coaches quote to debate a hockey player debate is useless. Football teams are made up of 53 players at the pro levels and much more at the college level. Team chemistry is only important between a QB and his center and a QB and his RB. The rest if each person does their job the rest will fall into place for that 5 seconds the play is actually going.

In hockey team chemistry is MUCH more important as its a reactionary sport. Also people who think John Scott is a talentless hack should ask his teammates what the think of John Scott and ask them if he is a talentless hack. Just because you think he is a talentless hack is fine but I am pretty sure not everyone in that locker room agrees with your expert assessment. So your myth of being a good guy in the room argument is just as useless
- Stripes77

His teammates that don't think he's a talentless hack, and like him, were on pace for the league's worst record just a month ago. They're still not very far off from that. I want to know what a championship team thinks about the need for a player like John Scott.

And Nick Saban didn't say that quote just about football. It can go for just about anything you try to achieve in life. This is going to sound incredibly cliched, but the only way great things happen is if you aspire for them. You need to surround yourself with the best people and the best resources you can possibly come up with. If John Scott is the best this team can do, then it has serious problems from top to bottom.

You really don't need to ask anyone though. You can google his statistics. You can see that a championship team like Chicago with star players actually worth protecting found him "uncessesary".
- sbroads24

Then they went and got Danny Carcillo..... just saying.....

While part of this convo may have been about John Scott, I didn't specifically name him.

My thinking was in general terms.

By no means should we keep a guy who sucks as a hockey player on the ice, but is "Joe-nice-guy" off it. But I would certainly take a 20 goal scorer who is an awesome teammate and friend over a 30 goal scorer who is a complete d!ck that only 3 people get along with. That just causes more problems.

Remember the story of, I think it was, Derek Roy. When he got hurt, the team was stinking up the place. Then it came out that 1/2 the dressing room said "just watch us go now!", with him out of the lineup. They went on a tear. It's a story that was verifiably true.

I heard the same went for Satan. Word is that Drury and Briere couldn't wait to kick him out the door.

What happens in the dressing room has an effect on the ice.
- Powerslave

Oh agreed. However the way some people are thinking is that John Scott is the only guy that can hold them together during this tough time. Which is just ludicrous. There are hundreds of bottom 6 guys out there that would be better on the ice and just as good off of it. Unfortunately the Sabres arent there yet

Oh agreed. However the way some people are thinking is that John Scott is the only guy that can hold them together during this tough time. Which is just ludicrous. There are hundreds of bottom 6 guys out there that would be better on the ice and just as good off of it. Unfortunately the Sabres arent there yet
- sbroads24

Oh, you're absolutely correct. But, for now, he is our bottom 6 guy.

#1 pick, here we come!

Irrelevant because I'd bet you were always that kid that got picked last in gym class and in the neighborhood playground.
It's not irrelevant.
That's what annoys me about you.
You know nothing about this but yet you still try to come off like a expert on the matter.
- BuffaloHardHat

I was not the kid picked last in gym class. I wasn't great at sports, but I wasn't terrible either. I was simply "okay". I have played at competitive levels, though not at elite ones, but to say that the principles of achieving greatness at any level change simply because of the level of talent are around you quite frankly insults my intelligence. As much as the media likes glorify it with all sorts of mind-numbing cliches, achieving greatness in sports is not that much different than achieving greatness in any other walk of life. The basic principles are the same, always have been, and always will be.

You really don't need to ask anyone though. You can google his statistics. You can see that a championship team like Chicago with star players actually worth protecting found him "uncessesary".
- sbroads24

You can bring up your statistics all you want. When this team is ready to compete for a championship John Scott will not be here. I know that you know that everyone knows that. Chicago went through all of those growing pains that we are going through. Also just to add after Chicago won the Cup they signed Scott. Wonder why?

While part of this convo may have been about John Scott, I didn't specifically name him.

My thinking was in general terms.

By no means should we keep a guy who sucks as a hockey player on the ice, but is "Joe-nice-guy" off it. But I would certainly take a 20 goal scorer who is an awesome teammate and friend over a 30 goal scorer who is a complete d!ck that only 3 people get along with. That just causes more problems.

Remember the story of, I think it was, Derek Roy. When he got hurt, the team was stinking up the place. Then it came out that 1/2 the dressing room said "just watch us go now!", with him out of the lineup. They went on a tear. It's a story that was verifiably true.

I heard the same went for Satan. Word is that Drury and Briere couldn't wait to kick him out the door.

What happens in the dressing room has an effect on the ice.
- Powerslave

The locker room is a big factor in the team. Yes. All sports, hockey even more. But.. it doesn't just happen. Chemistry follows talent. Exceptions to every rule because you get the jerk with talent and big head. Yes teammates probably love Scott because he is the first to stick up for him. But who are guys more likely to make a scene and stick up for a guy? If someone takes a run at Vanek (the whole Toronoto preseason debates) or if someone takes a run at Ellis? I'm sure both get protected but not the same. Scott can be valuable but I don't think we have that need right now. The superstar is protected more. You also build chemistry better with superstars because they make your play better. On ice connections work off of off ice and visa versa. Chemistry works off of talent when most effective.

Then they went and got Danny Carcillo..... just saying.....
- derekjd

Who they also ... no longer have.

Not to mention he's scored more goals in a month than Scott has in his career.

HOw can you not love a guy with a pet bunny?
- hubie

I missed that picture.
Are we talking about a rabbit or a woman in a bathing suit and bunny ears?

You can bring up your statistics all you want. When this team is ready to compete for a championship John Scott will not be here. I know that you know that everyone knows that. Chicago went through all of those growing pains that we are going through. Also just to add after Chicago won the Cup they signed Scott. Wonder why?
- Stripes77

Bingo. Which means he's not neccessary.

His teammates that don't think he's a talentless hack, and like him, were on pace for the league's worst record just a month ago. They're still not very far off from that. I want to know what a championship team thinks about the need for a player like John Scott.

And Nick Saban didn't say that quote just about football. It can go for just about anything you try to achieve in life. This is going to sound incredibly cliched, but the only way great things happen is if you aspire for them. You need to surround yourself with the best people and the best resources you can possibly come up with. If John Scott is the best this team can do, then it has serious problems from top to bottom.
- buffalofan19

Just like in life in hockey you have to change your attitude about things. This team needed to change its accountability for the Miller Lucic incident. Enter John Scott. This team was going through the motions under Reiger and Rolston enter Teddy and Patty. Its an evolving process. This team needed to become tougher to play against. It did on one side now they need to add top 6 guys that will go in the corners do the dirty work. It all filters down. John Scott being on this team is the least of this teams problems. It starts with guys like Leino, Ehrhoff, and Vanek. They took care of one. Those other two would be next in my book. Then you can look at getting rid of Scott if you want. This is exactly why I think Ott should be resigned.

I missed that picture.
Are we talking about a rabbit or a woman in a bathing suit and bunny ears?
- seedy

He also has a pet rabbit, Hoppy, and maintains a Twitter account for his pet, who has relocated with him since 2006. Konopka told Fox Sports North that he never wanted a rabbit as a child, but a friend suggested one as Konopka is allergic to cats and dogs. "I can't help that I fell in love with the little guy ... the guy's pretty cool. He just chills around, has his litter box, does his business there and he's pretty soothing to come home to."

#1 pick, here we come!

- Powerslave

That's what I think a lot of fans are forgetting....that we're still on that plan. The GM just isn't blatantly telling the fans to deal with it and the coach realizes that if we're going to lose, we may as well make it entertaining most of the time.

My saying as a coach, if I hear another coach say "great lockeroom guy"....


Than that just means he should stay in the lockeroom!!
- Irish 14

During the game?

Bingo. Which means he's not neccessary.
- sbroads24

Eventually he isn't. Read the whole statement. You obviously just want to bash Scott and that's fine. But AFTER Chicago won the cup they went out and signed Scott. Care to explain that one to me please?

I missed that picture.
Are we talking about a rabbit or a woman in a bathing suit and bunny ears?
- seedy

I was not the kid picked last in gym class. I wasn't great at sports, but I wasn't terrible either. I was simply "okay". I have played at competitive levels, though not at elite ones, but to say that the principles of achieving greatness at any level change simply because of the level of talent are around you quite frankly insults my intelligence. As much as the media likes glorify it with all sorts of mind-numbing cliches, achieving greatness in sports is not that much different than achieving greatness in any other walk of life. The basic principles are the same, always have been, and always will be.
- buffalofan19

Blah blah blah blah and blah!
You know nothing about the ins/outs , do's/don't's of organized sports.
When you are degrading the value of what a guy means in a locker room that tells me you have no idea of what you speak.
I am done with this conversation with you.
It's always you that agitates me.