Michael Pachla: It would be surprising if Phil Housley's head wasn't on the chopping block

Scrap the rebuild?

If the Moulson demotion wasn't enough wake the team up, then perhaps it's time.

Housley is too " laid back " I was told, " hit him on the head with a hammer and he points out how that shouldn't be done, in a nice tone of voice". Torts ways of coaching is starting to get old in but it works..........still. It would be a PR DISASTER if they fired him now, it would make this organization look like even more of a joke. Housley is in way over his head but the blame doesn't completely full on him as we all know.

Murray canned Nolan due to he didn't want to give Nolan " control" , Murray didn't want to take a back seat to anyone and he knew Nolan was a fan and the players favorite here.

They looked so lost yesterday and not just the players but the coaches were lost also, the game plan falls apart almost every game.

Definitely bad optics firing Housley, getting it right is more important. Bring back Teddy ballgame..f what people think

Housley is too " laid back " I was told, " hit him on the head with a hammer and he points out how that shouldn't be done, in a nice tone of voice". Torts ways of coaching is starting to get old in but it works..........still. It would be a PR DISASTER if they fired him now, it would make this organization look like even more of a joke. Housley is in way over his head but the blame doesn't completely full on him as we all know.

Murray canned Nolan due to he didn't want to give Nolan " control" , Murray didn't want to take a back seat to anyone and he knew Nolan was a fan and the players favorite here.

They looked so lost yesterday and not just the players but the coaches were lost also, the game plan falls apart almost every game.
- SABRES 89

I'd love to have Torts. I've wanted to hear him tear into the Buffalo media for a while now. Hell I know he had to go but I miss Lindy now.

I'd love to have Torts. I've wanted to hear him tear into the Buffalo media for a while now. Hell I know he had to go but I miss Lindy now.
- Pope of Pucks

Lindy was a good coach, it was Darcy that was the problem. Find out a while back that players Lindy wanted to add to the team, Darcy wouldn't have it.

Botterill knows that we can't keep canning coaches,players and rebuilding every year, we aren't moving forward we are continuing to move backwards.

Lindy was a good coach, it was Darcy that was the problem. Find out a while back that players Lindy wanted to add to the team, Darcy wouldn't have it.

Botterill knows that we can't keep canning coaches,players and rebuilding every year, we aren't moving forward we are continuing to move backwards.
- SABRES 89

I agree, but if the team is moving backwards with this coach, then what's the difference?

Michael Pachla: It would be surprising if Phil Housley's head wasn't on the chopping block
- Michael Pachla

But I thought it was all bylsma's fault and Phil was the defence whisperer?


He's safe, just like Bednar was for the Avs. Even if he's a bad coach, this ain't on him.


Swiss cheese in defence, beach ball salesmen( as 89 likes to call it) in net and a woefully underachieving 2nd overall pick.

No coach is fixing that.

Lindy was a good coach, it was Darcy that was the problem. Find out a while back that players Lindy wanted to add to the team, Darcy wouldn't have it.

Botterill knows that we can't keep canning coaches,players and rebuilding every year, we aren't moving forward we are continuing to move backwards.
- SABRES 89

So he's just going to ride it out?

I agree, but if the team is moving backwards with this coach, then what's the difference?
- Michael Pachla

you are putting way too much stock in coaching effects.

So he's just going to ride it out?
- Pope of Pucks

It seems he will with Housley but not the players, he has to change the roster.

you are putting way too much stock in coaching effects.
- Sabresfan-365

we'll have this dispute from now 'til the end of time

It seems he will with Housley but not the players, he has to change the roster.
- SABRES 89

absolutely

If the Hawk's don't make the playoffs and they get rid of coach Q, bring him in. In terms of PR optics, who cares. We are already the laughing stock of the league. We need to stop tanking and start building a positive winning culture and it must start next year.

As a Sabres fan since their inaugural season in 1970 , i have to say that that this stretch of brutal hockey over the past 5-years is really starting to wear on me. None of us fans signed up for being this pathetic 5-years into the tank for McEichel (2013/14). The Pegula's own this 100%. Terrible leadership and ownership. Decision after decision have been wrong.

The only salvation is to burn this thing to the ground one more time and build around Jack, Mitts, Ullmark, Guhle, Risto and hopefully our 2018 1st. Everyone else can p_ss off as far as I am concerned.

End of rant.

I agree, but if the team is moving backwards with this coach, then what's the difference?
- Michael Pachla

Housley was Botterill's hire if he wasn't, I could see him canning him. I think he's going to wait. You know the Sabre way...........injuries..............etc, etc, etc

we'll have this dispute from now 'til the end of time
- Michael Pachla

and there is the problem

we'll have this dispute from now 'til the end of time
- Michael Pachla

I don't know how you're defending it though. we're the perfect team to model that point. we've had how many different coaches with how many different styles from how many different coaching backgrounds?

The only common denominator has been a weak ass on ice product. No coach can make bogo less injury prone or dumb in his own end.

no head coach is going to stop lehner from giving up gift rebounds

No head coach is going to make forwards better skaters or passers. They draw up plays, not attributes.

I don't know how you're defending it though. we're the perfect team to model that point. we've had how many different coaches with how many different styles from how many different coaching backgrounds?

The only common denominator has been a weak ass on ice product. No coach can make bogo less injury prone or dumb in his own end.

no head coach is going to stop lehner from giving up gift rebounds

No head coach is going to make forwards better skaters or passers. They draw up plays, not attributes.
- Sabresfan-365

talent is a necessary ingredient, but coaches make a difference one way or another

But I thought it was all bylsma's fault and Phil was the defence whisperer?


He's safe, just like Bednar was for the Avs. Even if he's a bad coach, this ain't on him.


Swiss cheese in defence, beach ball salesmen( as 89 likes to call it) in net and a woefully underachieving 2nd overall pick.

No coach is fixing that.
- Sabresfan-365

Slightly different situation. Being named HC of a team in at the end of August. something like 4 weeks till training camp starts, had to inherit all Roys staff and roster.
(never mind that 7 of his core guys were all gone at World Cup and missed training camp with him)

He had 0 chance for success that 1st season with all that mess.

Housley could have the same in the roster isnt tailored to what sort of style of he wants to play...however he was named in June and him and Botts should have been on the same page on how to fix this roster that puts him in the best potential to succeed
.

Slightly different situation. Being named HC of a team in at the end of August. something like 4 weeks till training camp starts, had to inherit all Roys staff and roster.
(never mind that 7 of his core guys were all gone at World Cup and missed training camp with him)

He had 0 chance for success that 1st season with all that mess.

Housley could have the same in the roster isnt tailored to what sort of style of he wants to play...however he was named in June and him and Botts should have been on the same page on how to fix this roster that puts him in the best potential to succeed
.
- DDM-Coga

It's the exact same. He had no chance of accomplishing anything with this roster. And they both know the only way to fix it is the draft and time.

Michael, nice write up..., unfortunately I agree with you, and I wanted Housley. But he has made and continues to make horrible decisions behind the bench. And i’m Tired of hearing him say the players won’t listen, or won’t do something. If that is the case then you have to start sitting guys no matter who they are.
What happened yesterday was a complete joke, who even wants to watch this team any more. Even in the tank year I watched, now i’m Finding myself caring less and less.

It seems like we go through this at this point in time every year, the annual screaming of, "DO SOMETHING!!!!" The only thing that needs to be done is the selling off of players who are not part of GMJB's long term plan.

Firing Hously might be something that is needed, but not until the off season, we don't need to be shaking this team up and compiling pointless wins. We need a top 3 pick! We need a scoring winger for Jack or a franchise Dman, and we'll get one with a top 3 pick.

Stay the course, tank, move out 1/3 of this roster by draft day, load up on picks and prospects, regroup for next season.

I only want to see 4 more wins for this remaining season. (frank) the Leafs!

It's the exact same. He had no chance of accomplishing anything with this roster. And they both know the only way to fix it is the draft and time.
- Sabresfan-365

Not really. Housley had the chance to pick his own coaching staff and he was hired as coach while they brought in Beaulieu, Pominville, Scandella,Redmond, Wilson, Pouliot, Johnson. He has a summer to get to know his players, etc etc

Bednar legitimately had 0 chance. The roster was set and the coaching staff was set. He was asked to try to take all that and ice a team. He showed up and met some of his players for the 1st time at training camp bc thats how late in the summer it was

I think the Sabres can fix this but the band-aid trades and signings need to stop. I dont know what style of coach Housley is, but if the roster isnt tailored to how he wants this team to play...then start purging

Michael, nice write up..., unfortunately I agree with you, and I wanted Housley. But he has made and continues to make horrible decisions behind the bench. And i’m Tired of hearing him say the players won’t listen, or won’t do something. If that is the case then you have to start sitting guys no matter who they are.
What happened yesterday was a complete joke, who even wants to watch this team any more. Even in the tank year I watched, now i’m Finding myself caring less and less.

- gordong

Hey guys...why don't we just face the facts. This team is over rated and over paid. Unfortunately, no matter how poor they play, the players still get their pay cheques. Housley can not teach the players to have heart, it comes from within. You either have or you don't.