I am very postitve about the direction of this team since an actual GM has taken over. But no, that happening hasnt changed how below average Zach Bogosian is.

There is a difference between being negative, and being critical. I was negative when I knew the previous GM was a tire fire that would be axed eventually.

Right now, i'm positive we're heading in the right direction, but still critical of the underperformers, because they haven't earned any benefit of the doubt
- sbroads24

While I agree that Bogo is not the Second Coming, it is not guaranteed that he's inevitably getting hurt. Just like Goose said, Bogo and a LOT of players get thrown back before they are at least close to 100% and the team suffers....I hate that about almost every pro coach, but when healthy and playing second-pair minutes Bogo has actually had some good stretches. That, to me, is enough benefit of doubt in his case at least.
Now that we have at least a little better team depth on D, I'd hope Risto doesn't get played to death and nobody has to get ratcheted to 27 minutes if there is an injury. DD was playing ROR and Risto sooo much, it still makes me cringe to think about it.

E.g. Edmonton
- chilliard77

But they have two

I'm sure it's a legit factor but you guys seem to avoid the real issue, and that we s you don't have enough players good enough to make up a core of a playoff team. Until, that hAppens, it won't matter who's coaching, playing back up goalie or making up the 4th line.
- Larsson_fan

not bad for a potato

the north south system should help

dish the puck and focus on D
- homiedclown

Gerbe's got that poop on lockdown.

I choose to look at the positive IFs rather than speculate on half our defense getting injured at the same time, or assume that player-x is going to miss 40 games because he's been hurt before.

You are dangerous.

not bad for a potato
- Sabresfan-365

True, but very meager for a human being.

While I agree that Bogo is not the Second Coming, it is not guaranteed that he's inevitably getting hurt. Just like Goose said, Bogo and a LOT of players get thrown back before they are at least close to 100% and the team suffers....I hate that about almost every pro coach, but when healthy and playing second-pair minutes Bogo has actually had some good stretches. That, to me, is enough benefit of doubt in his case at least.
Now that we have at least a little better team depth on D, I'd hope Risto doesn't get played to death and nobody has to get ratcheted to 27 minutes if there is an injury. DD was playing ROR and Risto sooo much, it still makes me cringe to think about it.
- LandlordTom

This is NOT what I said. What I said is that when he does come back from injury, it takes him FOREVER to get back up to game speed. Even if he's 100% healthy. His timing is off and he looks like he has no clue what he's doing out there.

While I agree that Bogo is not the Second Coming, it is not guaranteed that he's inevitably getting hurt. Just like Goose said, Bogo and a LOT of players get thrown back before they are at least close to 100% and the team suffers....I hate that about almost every pro coach, but when healthy and playing second-pair minutes Bogo has actually had some good stretches. That, to me, is enough benefit of doubt in his case at least.
Now that we have at least a little better team depth on D, I'd hope Risto doesn't get played to death and nobody has to get ratcheted to 27 minutes if there is an injury. DD was playing ROR and Risto sooo much, it still makes me cringe to think about it.
- LandlordTom

I imagine this will change but im not sure it will result in any sort of improvement.

Bylsma genuinely wanted to reduce risto's minutes but that plan lasted all of 2 periods in the home opener.

A tired corsi destroyed ristolainen gave them a better shot at winning than a fresh bogosian. He was screwed. Im hopeful the additions made this year at least gives them some sort of balance on the blueline. Not ideal but should give everyone a shot at playing in areas they're strongest in without burning them out by game 30.

Biron joining Sabres broadcast

Best news all summer

This is NOT what I said. What I said is that when he does come back from injury, it takes him FOREVER to get back up to game speed. Even if he's 100% healthy. His timing is off and he looks like he has no clue what he's doing out there.
- HonkFortheGoose

This has been the knock against him since his atlanta days, injured or otherwise.

Top pair talent and physical attributes. fringe AHL decision making.

Gerbe's got that poop on lockdown.
- Wetbandit1

Always

Marty Biron joins Sabres' broadcast team; Brad May out

Edit... damn I'm too slow

While I agree that Bogo is not the Second Coming, it is not guaranteed that he's inevitably getting hurt. Just like Goose said, Bogo and a LOT of players get thrown back before they are at least close to 100% and the team suffers....I hate that about almost every pro coach, but when healthy and playing second-pair minutes Bogo has actually had some good stretches. That, to me, is enough benefit of doubt in his case at least.
Now that we have at least a little better team depth on D, I'd hope Risto doesn't get played to death and nobody has to get ratcheted to 27 minutes if there is an injury. DD was playing ROR and Risto sooo much, it still makes me cringe to think about it.
- LandlordTom

I agree Bogosian CAN be better under Housley. How much better is the question.

If Bogo only played for Bylsma, I could see a ton of optimisim. But he's had multiple NHL coaches before this, and the same bad decision making has always been there

Scandella seems to miss around 8-10 games per year, but thankfully that's on the left side, and would slide Guhle into the lineup somewhere, but if Risto got hurt.....Oh boy.

Bogosian playing top line RHD is scary
- sbroads24

Good god please no

Bogo reeks

Biron joining Sabres broadcast

Best news all summer
- GERBE!!!75PTS

Meh, at least we could laugh at May

Bogo reeks
- 22sabresQ

ALL the D-men stunk last year because our team D stunk as a whole. if Housley can improve our overall team D by 25-30% we will be a playoff team. Our goalies faced just about more rubber then any other set of goalies in the league and still posted save percentages of .920 & .923, goalie's not a problem (except in the damn S.O). We have a solid addition of Scandella, a looks to be good Antipin and wild card of Beaulieu... Pommer will help out on team D and will add 40-50 points. I for one am cautiously optimistic...

I agree Bogosian CAN be better under Housley. How much better is the question.

If Bogo only played for Bylsma, I could see a ton of optimisim. But he's had multiple NHL coaches before this, and the same bad decision making has always been there
- sbroads24

Wasn't one of those Paul Maurice though?

Meh, at least we could laugh at May
- chilliard77

Amateur couldn't handle his booze on air.

This is NOT what I said. What I said is that when he does come back from injury, it takes him FOREVER to get back up to game speed. Even if he's 100% healthy. His timing is off and he looks like he has no clue what he's doing out there.
- HonkFortheGoose

Sorry for mistaking your meaning. But to me it's the same thing...coming back when "healthy" but the timing is not right means the player should be given more time off to get it right, or go to Rochester for a conditioning stint.
EXample: I remember when Tallinder was trying to come back from one of his fractured arm injuries, and I was really impressed to read how Ruff worked him for several days with extra drills before putting him back in, even though Hank said for days he "felt 100%". Ruff wouldn't put him in until he saw the timing was there.

seriously no coach in the nhl has that much impact on a players abilities positively or negatively
- Sabresfan-365

disagree...

you can always point to the roster being a driving force as well, which is true, but if a coach doesn't have that much of an impact on the players, why bother having one?

I agree Bogosian CAN be better under Housley. How much better is the question.

If Bogo only played for Bylsma, I could see a ton of optimisim. But he's had multiple NHL coaches before this, and the same bad decision making has always been there
- sbroads24

And if Bylsma had shown for the last 2 years a knack for putting players in good spots that maximize their talents and Bogo still sucked, then I would have less confidence a coaching change will benefit nearly every player we have. Asking a Dman whose (admittedly) only real strength being skating the puck to make stretch passes day after day is one example of many that I have offered of how this team will be much improved if the new coach has a franking clue.

WetBandit die

disagree...

you can always point to the roster being a driving force as well, which is true, but if a coach doesn't have that much of an impact on the players, why bother having one?
- Michael Pachla

im not saying they are useless. Their impact specifically on the standings is well over-exaggerated particularly in hockey.

Good and bad coaches are often classified based on how they use the talent that is already there. Bylsma is bad because he either chose not to adapt or didnt know how to.

We predict housley to be successful here because we suspect he will be able to get the best out of these guys. Thing is, if you're ceiling isnt very high, it doesn't really matter who the coach is does it?

Bylsma was a bad coach, but he did not instruct bogosian to fall asleep on certain plays, or for franson to not keep up with forwards. Thats a talent issue.