oh cool that got deleted, nice.

Edit: But seriously, why? Absurd.

Seriously that's not right.

Glad I didn't stay up to watch that.

I don't know that I've ever seen a team so bad at scoring. Yet somehow the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes are a pretty close behind.

Nolan is as much to "blame" for the sub-par roster as Ron Rolston was. He wasn't going to to turn this team around, but every coach should be expected to make his roster look like they have a clue. Neither Rolston nor Nolan have done that.

Like I said last year, the increased "effort" we saw in November/December was more about who wasn't behind the bench than who was.

Glad I didn't stay up to watch that.

I don't know that I've ever seen a team so bad at scoring. Yet somehow the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes are a pretty close behind.
- HonkFortheGoose

Canes have not won a game yet.

Canes have not won a game yet.
- cabin

I know. But they're also missing Eric and Jordan Staal. They really are better than we are, just not at the moment. I don't expect them to keep up their current pace. I think things will pick up for them once E. Staal is back. They've also played 2 less games than us.

I know. But they're also missing Eric and Jordan Staal. They really are better than we are, just not at the moment. I don't expect them to keep up their current pace. I think things will pick up for them once E. Staal is back. They've also played 2 less games than us.
- HonkFortheGoose

At the same time, the schedule gets easier for the Sabres as the year goes on. It's going to be a race to the bottom.

Nolan is as much to "blame" for the sub-par roster as Ron Rolston was. He wasn't going to to turn this team around, but every coach should be expected to make his roster look like they have a clue. Neither Rolston nor Nolan have done that.

Like I said last year, the increased "effort" we saw in November/December was more about who wasn't behind the bench than who was.
- buffalofan19

I agree but I'm still hesitant to book them as bottom 3. They've played some very good teams and 8 of their next 11 are against playoff hopefuls (not counting two against the leafs who could be).

Schedule gets significantly easier Jan/Feb, I think that will be more telling of this team. I didn't watch the full game last night but it sounds like they were in it till the end. That kind of performance probably gives them a chance to win against teams like Edm, Cgy, Nsh, Fla etc.

At the same time, the schedule gets easier for the Sabres as the year goes on. It's going to be a race to the bottom.
- buffalofan19

Are the flames a true bubble team? or is the west too strong?

I agree but I'm still hesitant to book them as bottom 3. They've played some very good teams and 8 of their next 11 are against playoff hopefuls (not counting two against the leafs who could be).

Schedule gets significantly easier Jan/Feb, I think that will be more telling of this team. I didn't watch the full game last night but it sounds like they were in it till the end. That kind of performance probably gives them a chance to win against teams like Edm, Cgy, Nsh, Fla etc.
- Sabresfan-365

I was listening to Hockey this Morning on XM and they were saying that they hung in there. Especially when you take into consideration that they played against a very tough opponent the night before as well.

Overall the play looks better. They're getting more shots on goal, they've cleaned up their play defensively a bit. They just can't seem to score. And it's not like they aren't getting chances, because I only watched the 1st period last night and there were several.

The way the west has developed teams (like nashville) the playoffs are going to be a war to get into. St louis and the avs may have troubles

I was listening to Hockey this Morning on XM and they were saying that they hung in there. Especially when you take into consideration that they played against a very tough opponent the night before as well.

Overall the play looks better. They're getting more shots on goal, they've cleaned up their play defensively a bit. They just can't seem to score. And it's not like they aren't getting chances, because I only watched the 1st period last night and there were several.
- HonkFortheGoose

Edit: on that point, I think the team lacks offensive identity/strategy. Sadly it's not something you can fix overnight so i figure it to be a common problem through out the season.

It's hard to imagine it right now (what with the lack of goals and all) but i think over 82 games this team will look better than last year. There's still some dead weight on this team, you sub them out for pysyk and grigorenko and it's a different story. I still think they'll be in Mceichel territory, but not on the scale that they were last year.

Like buff19 just said, it will be more of race right down to the wire this year rather than the massive lead we had last year.

I was listening to Hockey this Morning on XM and they were saying that they hung in there. Especially when you take into consideration that they played against a very tough opponent the night before as well.

Overall the play looks better. They're getting more shots on goal, they've cleaned up their play defensively a bit. They just can't seem to score. And it's not like they aren't getting chances, because I only watched the 1st period last night and there were several.
- HonkFortheGoose

I think Enroth has been playing rather well from what I've seen. When you face 40+ shots a night, you will eventually reach that point where you mentally lapse. The team in front of him put up 29 last night, I think that's our season high. I think we are chasing guys too much and too many players seem to avoid holding the puck too long. I don't know where the scoring comes from though, I think it has a lot to do with confidence. That last second thought right before you shoot it that changes the directory or momentum. If you don't believe your shot will go in, you'll have a hard time putting it in, even with a lucky bounce.

Nolan is as much to "blame" for the sub-par roster as Ron Rolston was. He wasn't going to to turn this team around, but every coach should be expected to make his roster look like they have a clue. Neither Rolston nor Nolan have done that.

Like I said last year, the increased "effort" we saw in November/December was more about who wasn't behind the bench than who was.
- buffalofan19

Chris Stewart had 7 shots last night. There are some players playing well, others aren't.

I think Enroth has been playing rather well from what I've seen. When you face 40+ shots a night, you will eventually reach that point where you mentally lapse. The team in front of him put up 29 last night, I think that's our season high. I think we are chasing guys too much and too many players seem to avoid holding the puck too long. I don't know where the scoring comes from though, I think it has a lot to do with confidence. That last second thought right before you shoot it that changes the directory or momentum. If you don't believe your shot will go in, you'll have a hard time putting it in, even with a lucky bounce.
- DynamicThreads

Enroth has always been streaky though. He's playing well right now, but he's going to have a couple spells where many of us are going to want to trade him yesterday. That's how it always is with him. You are correct in saying that the fatigue from getting outshot this badly also plays a role though.

Nolan is as much to "blame" for the sub-par roster as Ron Rolston was. He wasn't going to to turn this team around, but every coach should be expected to make his roster look like they have a clue. Neither Rolston nor Nolan have done that.

Like I said last year, the increased "effort" we saw in November/December was more about who wasn't behind the bench than who was.
- buffalofan19

your hatred for Nolan has been stated already............move on

your hatred for Nolan has been stated already............move on
- SABRES 89

You're free to ignore and not respond.

You're free to ignore and not respond.
- buffalofan19

Yea but I want to, why people are complaining I have no idea this is what everyone wanted and they are getting it.

Chris Stewart had 7 shots last night. There are some players playing well, others aren't.
- sbroads24

As soon as I saw this article in the Buffalo News this morning, I thought you must be cringing.

http://www.buffalonews.co...ities-with-bills-20141024

Yea but I want to, why people are complaining I have no idea this is what everyone wanted and they are getting it.
- SABRES 89

My main complaint/fear is it won't last

Yea but I want to, why people are complaining I have no idea this is what everyone wanted and they are getting it.
- SABRES 89

I'm not complaining about this team being bad. I'm refuting the notion that Nolan was going to "get" to certain players.

You're free to ignore and not respond.
- buffalofan19

I didn't realize but its nice to know I'm not the only one accused of hating people I never specifically said I hated.

As soon as I saw this article in the Buffalo News this morning, I thought you must be cringing.

http://www.buffalonews.co...ities-with-bills-20141024


- buffalofan19

I don't hate the guy, but the mentality of playing him over a proven player like Williams bothers me.

IMO there was a reason he was cut by 3 other teams, and frankly I'm not sure I trust the Bills judgment over any other 3 NFL teams.

If he continues to play well, hey i'll be on board

Edit: on that point, I think the team lacks offensive identity/strategy. Sadly it's not something you can fix overnight so i figure it to be a common problem through out the season.

It's hard to imagine it right now (what with the lack of goals and all) but i think over 82 games this team will look better than last year. There's still some dead weight on this team, you sub them out for pysyk and grigorenko and it's a different story. I still think they'll be in Mceichel territory, but not on the scale that they were last year.

Like buff19 just said, it will be more of race right down to the wire this year rather than the massive lead we had last year.
- Sabresfan-365

I'm undecided about whether I want them to bring Pysyk back. I think he deserves to be in the NHL, but at the same time this team is so bad I'd rather keep him with the team that's going to have a decent amount of success this year.

I'm not complaining about this team being bad. I'm refuting the notion that Nolan was going to "get" to certain players.
- buffalofan19

He will, this won't last all season. But if trades are made and the team get's "better" then once again people will flip out because we may have a chance at moving up in the standings and not getting anyone one of the "SAVIOR'S" in the next draft. Can't win for losing.

Chris Stewart had 7 shots last night. There are some players playing well, others aren't.
- sbroads24

I had 4 shots and 6 beers. I was doing well too