Now people can understand why I said Bylsma Did not win a cup

Hoping for a joint Bills/Sabres press conference Sunday evening to announce the firing of both head coaches.
- Pope of Pucks

Bills are 3rd in the league in point differential... But yeah, fire the coach, the bum.

Now people can understand why I said Bylsma Did not win a cup
- GERBE!!!75PTS

Except he did. He's got as many rings as Babcock, and you can't tell me those Wings teams weren't stacked. The best defenseman in the era, Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Osgood was very underrated...

Edit: Those were 2 of the most evenly matched teams in the SCF in a very long time. There's a reason they went head-to-head in 2 straight years and played 13 total games.

Except he did. He's got as many rings as Babcock, and you can't tell me those Wings teams weren't stacked. The best defenseman in the era, Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Osgood was very underrated...
- Wetbandit1

That's a weak argument. I don't think anyone will dispute Babcock >> Bylsma when it comes to coaching ability.

That's a weak argument. I don't think anyone will dispute Babcock >> Bylsma when it comes to coaching ability.
- chilliard77

How is it a weak argument? Those Wings teams were just as stacked as the Pens teams. Since that's often the "only reason" Bylsma won. It stands to reason that's the only reason Babcock won. No?

I'd just really hope after the "suffering" we'd end up being a really good/maybe even great team. If we come out an "eh" team then the rebuild was a failure.
- chilliard77

Well...
I love the look of the guys up front going forward
But the defense is a huge question
Murray took what potentially looked something like
Zadorov-Ristolainen
McCabe-Myers
McNabb-Pysyk
and wildly switched all that up

While what we did have was no sure thing,
What we have now is certainly a concern

I'd rather have Catenacci over Deslauriers or Grant. I think we'd get better results with Nylander, Baptiste, Catenacci or even Paajarvi in the lineup
- chilliard77

I'm ok wit him any of that except Nylander
No need to rush him
We aren't gonna contend for the Cup this year,
so bring him along at a good pace & develop him right

That's a weak argument. I don't think anyone will dispute Babcock >> Bylsma when it comes to coaching ability.
- chilliard77

I agree most ppl would say Babcock over Bylsma...
but is Babcock's Rep really deserved?

If anything,
He should've done more with those Detroit teams
Then he bailed when Lidstrom, Datsyuk & Zetterberg were either done or pretty much done
I'd put that trio up against any trio we've seen for that past 15yrs or so

And my grandma could coach team Canada to success

How is it a weak argument? Those Wings teams were just as stacked as the Pens teams. Since that's often the "only reason" Bylsma won. It stands to reason that's the only reason Babcock won. No?
- Wetbandit1

I tend to agree. I think Babcock is a fine coach but his team was stacked when they won the cup and Detroit was mediocre at best his final seasons there. He kinda did what Pete Carroll did with USC, jump ship before the wheels fall off. And I get that he has won gold medals coaching Team Canada, but Rolston or Nolan could have done the same with those teams.

How is it a weak argument? Those Wings teams were just as stacked as the Pens teams. Since that's often the "only reason" Bylsma won. It stands to reason that's the only reason Babcock won. No?
- Wetbandit1

Saying they're equal because they both won cups with stacked teams.


edit: maybe you weren't saying they were equal. If that's the case disregard that message lol

Well...
I love the look of the guys up front going forward
But the defense is a huge question
Murray took what potentially looked something like
Zadorov-Ristolainen
McCabe-Myers
McNabb-Pysyk
and wildly switched all that up

While what we did have was no sure thing,
What we have now is certainly a concern
- jdfitz77

I don't think it's too late to be fixed, but it does need to be fixed. I hope Murray recognizes that.

If Lehner doesn't have a good season,
I would not be opposed to going after Bishop
What's he cost per season though...
Something around 6.5mil maybe?
- jdfitz77

He makes 6 now. He'll probably get close to 7n in FA.

That and I don't think he has the winning mindset. You can't win playing a slow defensive game. It's fast-paced possession hockey that wins
- chilliard77

If they are in major trouble after the 20 game mark Murray should dismiss Bylsma, but he won't. He could appoint Terry Murray as interim HC for the balance of the season.

That's a weak argument. I don't think anyone will dispute Babcock >> Bylsma when it comes to coaching ability.
- chilliard77

Bylsma had numerous top 2 picks to be fair. I don't even know if Mike had a 1st rounder to work with.

cal petersen Will save us
- GERBE!!!75PTS

In 3 years.

If they are in major trouble after the 20 game mark Murray should dismiss Bylsma, but he won't. He could appoint Terry Murray as interim HC for the balance of the season.
- mhp

Usually I'd be more patient with slow starting teams. But I feel like we've already seen all the cards Bylsma holds, and the sooner the better.

In 3 years.
- mhp

probably longer than that, if ever. Im a huge Cal Petersen fan and a big ND hockey fan but its so hard to project goalies, and who knows, he may never be great at the NHL level.

Found something out about 2 nights ago but with the blog being tense the last few days I didn't say anything. The Stars called about Ennis due to the injuries they have, don't know any other names coming or going or if this will move forward.

Usually I'd be more patient with slow starting teams. But I feel like we've already seen all the cards Bylsma holds, and the sooner the better.
- chilliard77

Murray has previous HC experience so it's not outlandish.

probably longer than that, if ever. Im a huge Cal Petersen fan and a big ND hockey fan but its so hard to project goalies, and who knows, he may never be great at the NHL level.
- doppelthat

If we could hit on a #1 out of Ullmark, Johnasson or Peterson, all the better.

Found something out about 2 nights ago but with the blog being tense the last few days I didn't say anything. The Stars called about Ennis due to the injuries they have, don't know any other names coming or going or if this will move forward.
- SABRES 89

I wonder what we could get from them that would help the team now and going forward. Unless we just want to dump him for a 2nd rounder.

Found something out about 2 nights ago but with the blog being tense the last few days I didn't say anything. The Stars called about Ennis due to the injuries they have, don't know any other names coming or going or if this will move forward.
- SABRES 89

Thanks 89. I have no issue with moving Ennis. They only have $1.6M in cap space so they would have to send something back.

Thanks 89. I have no issue with moving Ennis. They only have $1.6M in cap space so they would have to send something back.
- mhp

I looked at that as well when I found out, doesn't look like it will work IMO.

Thanks 89. I have no issue with moving Ennis. They only have $1.6M in cap space so they would have to send something back.
- mhp

They could put Hemsky on LTIR

I wonder what we could get from them that would help the team now and going forward. Unless we just want to dump him for a 2nd rounder.
- chilliard77

Hard to say but i'm on board with just dumping his contract and maybe with his history that may happen.