My god that is so dumb, agree. You always play the hot goalie and that isn't even debatable. Botts needs to clean house at the end of the season.
- mhp

Sabres lose 1-0.

Obviously the goalies fault.

Housely needs to go, and fast.

The ship is sinking with him.

Sabres lose 1-0.

Obviously the goalies fault.

Housely needs to go, and fast.

The ship is sinking with him.
- ImThatGuy

I was at the game Friday.... watching him on the bench made me want to lose my mind. After the second period he stood on the bench by himself looking at the tablet for a good 5 minutes after the last player left the ice. Your entire team including staff are in the locker room while you sit there holding your knee and chewing your gum. Clearly someone took charge in the locker room while he was not in there because they came out hot. He is in way over his head IMO.

On WGR this morning Housley said that the reason he went back to Hutton after the Dallas game was because the Sabres didn't win in Dallas. If that is in fact true then he definitely needs to be fired. Ullmark played lights out in that game. His mindset scares me!
- soljor09

I'm not there yet in terms of wanting him fired.
This team, albeit earlier this year had played much, much better in his system than I have seen a Sabres team play in 4 - 5 years. I generally agree with his North - South, 5 man unit approach in having an active Defense join the rush, and an equally active Offense play 200' game to regain puck possession.
I have seen rather dramtic improvement in passing and in D-zone breakouts ... not sure if Smith or Housley or both are responsible, I tend to think a majority of it is Smith's Defensive teaching/coaching acumen, but it is Housley's system so he gets full credit as well.
It is noticeable to me that their vim and vigor on the backcheck has wanned, causing many more high-danger shots and generally leaving their goalie's out to dry. Clean that up, and I think they get back to .500+ hockey vs the .367- they have turned into.

Botteril's lack of player movement since late December is as much, if not more to blame than Phil IMO. I believe JBotts inaction however to be by design:
A) to allow the players on the roster to find the way to win from within each player..to develop/redevelop those winning habits as a learning/growth opportunity, and
B) to keep the prospects down on the farm longer for their own development...both how to play from a sysyem/skill perspective but also for developing an insatiable thirst to play in the NHL so it is earned not given
I support what JBotts is doing as long-term it is the right approach for players and the organization.

That said, Phil has ample room for improvement...many of the criticism leveled at him is justified...hopefully he is learning...it is still early in his head coaching career.
Also, JBotts needs to take action and find ways to unload big contracts of those not producing without cripling the organizations future assets. Tough assignment, but that is why there are only 31 positions in the world...figure it out!

His Uncle has a connection in the organization. He has called some Big deals before and just provides intel if he hears it. Some people read too much into it and are complete douche bags if he says something that doesn't happen. Him, Homie and Homer from back in the day are the only ones to call actual trades on the Sabres page.
- soljor09

appreciate the help guys! interesting to hear

can someone tell me what the significance of Sabres 89 is?
- cas(e5)y_mitts

He is world champion of bad pizza ingredients.

He is world champion of bad pizza ingredients.
- Der Kaiser

In other news, Sabres 2016 4th Rd pick Brett Murray is leading the USHL in scoring.

https://www.ushl.com/view...ayer/7195/67/brett-murray

On WGR this morning Housley said that the reason he went back to Hutton after the Dallas game was because the Sabres didn't win in Dallas. If that is in fact true then he definitely needs to be fired. Ullmark played lights out in that game. His mindset scares me!
- soljor09

I agree it’s stupid, but he wouldn’t be the in the first 50 NHL coaches to operate this way

In other news, Sabres 2016 4th Rd pick Brett Murray is leading the USHL in scoring.

https://www.ushl.com/view...ayer/7195/67/brett-murray
- Sabre_Tooth

6.05 / 235lbs
That is a big dude.

In other news, Sabres 2016 4th Rd pick Brett Murray is leading the USHL in scoring.

https://www.ushl.com/view...ayer/7195/67/brett-murray
- Sabre_Tooth

Weird to see a prospect make the jump from USHL to college, then go back to the USHL.. Didn't think that was allowed.

6.05 / 235lbs
That is a big dude.
- jochfr

You seem a little turned on....

6.05 / 235lbs
That is a big dude.
- jochfr

Hes "YUGE!"

Weird to see a prospect make the jump from USHL to college, then go back to the USHL.. Didn't think that was allowed.
- SDSabre

Something weird... cause he was Penn St. but is now committed to Miami for 19/20 season.

Weird to see a prospect make the jump from USHL to college, then go back to the USHL.. Didn't think that was allowed.
- SDSabre

I think he is allowed to do it as a transfer. Because the big stipulation is they cant make money, in the USHL they don't actually make anything for playing.

I had been hoping that Okposo would realize his game is no longer worthy of the contract and he would consider retiring...maybe pull a Berglund without the mental anguish.

However, he recent comment shut that thought process down...
"Yeah, anytime that you get to play with him, you’d like to take advantage of that opportunity. I’m just looking to go play my game, play hard. I feel like I’ve been going pretty good here the last 15 games, and I like where my game’s at.”

if I remember correctly, he was WAY WAY WAY WAY ahead of everyone when we traded FOR Evander Kane
- RippedFuel

I think Sabres39 was as well. However he hasn’t been around since he completely blew the Price debacle.

He is world champion of bad pizza ingredients.
- Der Kaiser

Haha

I know that the buffalo fan base is notorious for calling for the coaches heads way too soon. But for (frank)s sake House looks lost

I know that the buffalo fan base is notorious for calling for the coaches heads way too soon. But for (frank)s sake House looks lost
- feetontheair22

I'm a Lindy fan.
Maybe to a fault?

But I hear ya.

I think that the itchy trigger fingers have to do with all the years of losing.

Ek just keeps slingin’ it ! Pens in on Dutch. How ? Kessel and/or Malkin goes the other way and that’s just not happening..

Ek just keeps slingin’ it ! Pens in on Dutch. How ? Kessel and/or Malkin goes the other way and that’s just not happening..
- Pairo11

Seeing if it sticks on the wall🤷‍♂️

I think Sabres39 was as well. However he hasn’t been around since he completely blew the Price debacle.
- Pegullaville

He paid the PRICE

You seem a little turned on....
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

I finished

I finished
- jochfr

Quitter

Suck it haters