No f's given, doesn't count on the cap.
- nfph

It's a way of life.

It's a way of life.
- TheSabresTaco

It is, but I for one give out many, many f's - just not here.

I think Buffalo is making a huge mistake. There is no evidence that Mike Babcock has the skill to take a very young team and develop them into a successful NHL contender. He took over a highly talented Red Wing team and has kept them competitive for a long time. But the Sabres development model is the exact opposite to the Red Wing approach. The Sabres are going with kids. The Reds Wings keep their kids in the minors longer than any other team. Babcock succeeds by getting great results from aging veterans. Why would the Sabres want to lock themselves into a long term deal at this point? Luke Richardson is a much better suited to the Buffalo story.
- spatso

great take...and, yes, it could be a huge mistake, but they're going for the best and there's really nothing wrong with that...

It is, but I for one give out many, many f's - just not here.
- nfph

In the modern era, only 1 NHL coach won cups with multiple teams


and he didn't win one when he was here



- homiedclown

great point,but wasn't he also gm, homie?...

No f's given, doesn't count on the cap.
- nfph

as much as new England cheated to help get to where they did, one thing the patriots did was pour tons of money into their coaching staff and front office personnel

If my memory is correct, wasn't Buffalo39 the poster that called the Kane trade the day before it happened? I think he had all of the pieces moving in either direction as well. Whether we believe it or not, I think the person is credible.

If my memory is correct, wasn't Buffalo39 the poster that called the Kane trade the day before it happened? I think he had all of the pieces moving in either direction as well. Whether we believe it or not, I think the person is credible.
- Watchtower62

The tallinder trade was far more impressive. I'm still shaking from it

as much as new England cheated to help get to where they did, one thing the patriots did was pour tons of money into their coaching staff and front office personnel
- Michael Pachla

I strongly believe that without brady they would have zero superbowl wins. They got lucky in drafting arguably the best "CHEATERRRRR" QB ever.

McCarthy is a pretty average coach and yet he has a ring because of Rodgers. Coaching is slightly overrated IMO.

The tallinder trade was far more impressive. I'm still shaking from it
- Sabresfan-365

forgot about that one. Again, the dude has Street Cred!

I strongly believe that without brady they would have zero superbowl wins. They got lucky in drafting arguably the best "CHEATERRRRR" QB ever.

McCarthy is a pretty average coach and yet he has a ring because of Rodgers. Coaching is slightly overrated IMO.
- Smittyx36

I could argue either side, remember he did take over a pretty good team. WHo knows who they could have drafted or picked up later. Maybe Rodgers dosent slide down the draft for example. Yes they would not have won with Michael Bishop soley, but Bledsoe could have got them through a few more years.

The team was still playoff caliber

I strongly believe that without brady they would have zero superbowl wins. They got lucky in drafting arguably the best "CHEATERRRRR" QB ever.

McCarthy is a pretty average coach and yet he has a ring because of Rodgers. Coaching is slightly overrated IMO.
- Smittyx36

am of the opinion that in a salary cap world, pouring resources into scouting, player development and coaching will give a team an edge

would brady and the pats have been as good against st. louis in the superbowl if they'd not taped the rams' plays?...we'll never know, but if you build a strong, well-coached team, you can always be a contender

I strongly believe that without brady they would have zero superbowl wins. They got lucky in drafting arguably the best "CHEATERRRRR" QB ever.

McCarthy is a pretty average coach and yet he has a ring because of Rodgers. Coaching is slightly overrated IMO.
- Smittyx36

I strongly disagree. I think without Belecheck they have zero super bowls. Without Brady, Cassell gave them an 11-5 record, and he is not a good qb. Give them any good qb and Bill B will take them far.

I could argue either side, remember he did take over a pretty good team. WHo knows who they could have drafted or picked up later. Maybe Rodgers dosent slide down the draft for example. Yes they would not have won with Michael Bishop soley, but Bledsoe could have got them through a few more years.

The team was still playoff caliber
- hubie

All I'm saying is good coaching is almost always tied to having elite talent. Definitely in football. You have the best QB in the game and you're gonna have a good shot at winning a cup. Many people think Bylsma was average at best and he has a cup on his resume.

forgot about that one. Again, the dude has Street Cred!
- Watchtower62

6 mil is one thing, im curious to know how many years

The tallinder trade was far more impressive. I'm still shaking from it
- Sabresfan-365

I dunno, the Kane trade was pretty impressive too. There was a lot of fluid parts in there and he basically nailed all but one of them I think.

I strongly disagree. I think without Belecheck they have zero super bowls. Without Brady, Cassell gave them an 11-5 record, and he is not a good qb. Give them any good qb and Bill B will take them far.
- adambuffalo

With Brady they wen't 18-1... He is a 2x superbowl MVP for a reason. Not saying Belichek isnt one of the best coaches of all time but I think they still win a superbowl or 2 with another coach as long as they have brady.

I dunno, the Kane trade was pretty impressive too. There was a lot of fluid parts in there and he basically nailed all but one of them I think.
- TheSabresTaco

I'm mainly thinking the reaction. Like when he first mentioned it we all thought he was crazy and ripped him. Then the deal comes through and it's like being in the presence of a rumour demi-god.

All I'm saying is good coaching is almost always tied to having elite talent. Definitely in football. You have the best QB in the game and you're gonna have a good shot at winning a cup. Many people think Bylsma was average at best and he has a cup on his resume.
- Smittyx36

OH I do agree with that, you could put any coach in there and they would have won. He failed at what 2 other stops with lack luster talent. Dont forget the coaches that came from under him havent been world beaters

I dunno, the Kane trade was pretty impressive too. There was a lot of fluid parts in there and he basically nailed all but one of them I think.
- TheSabresTaco

39 seems to have the inside track on what's transpiring. Hopefully he is right again. Whether it's $6 million or $16 million per year, I don't care. As someone astutely pointed out, it doesn't count towards the cap. To me, it looks like we are getting the best coach in the NHL - bar none. Who knows if all of these moves (big trades, tanking for McEichel, hiring Babcock etc) will result in the Sabres getting to the promised land (Lord Stanley's Cup)? All I know is that it is great to support a team that has an owner and management group that is doing everything in its power to win a Stanley Cup. Hope is a wonderful thing and the moves by the organization have given me hope for the future.

I only have three more things to say before I get back to work: 1) "Thank you Mr. Pegula", 2) "Keep doing a great job Mr. Murray" and 3) "Welcome to Buffalo Mr. Babcock"

I dunno, the Kane trade was pretty impressive too. There was a lot of fluid parts in there and he basically nailed all but one of them I think.
- TheSabresTaco

Only guy in here that actually called things, not just made a guess along with 100s of other bloggers and then claimed they had inside knowledge. if he says Babcock is coming to buffalo I'm believing him

You can take that to lloyds TACO truck bank. Pegula wanted rex and he wants Babcock, hearing around 6 million a year.
- Buffalo39

That ought to adjust any issues Ms. Babcock has with living in Buffalo.

great point,but wasn't he also gm, homie?...
- Michael Pachla

one more flag



I am all for bringing in babcok as long as he does not get too much control and if the plan is not working in 3 years, a switch is made

one more flag



I am all for bringing in babcok as long as he does not get too much control and if the plan is not working in 3 years, a switch is made
- homiedclown

hey now, it's only 95%

Marc Crawford has a cup

He may be the worst coach ever to win one