Pretty cool the sabres get yet another top 5 pick this year.

Housley was terrible in that respect...and he couldn't figure out what to do on the road when he didn't have last change, hence the 11-24-5 road record and their current 14-game losing streak (0-12-2)
- Michael Pachla

The bigger issue I would think on the road is only having one line that teams need to really worry about. I got criticized by many suggesting a 2nd line of Skinner, Mitts and Sam while moving Sheary and another winger up with Jack. You take some talent off the top line, but they should still have some decent production with Jack, but you have a 2nd line teams would really need to gameplan for. I brought this up in December and again in January. Oh well, hindsight whatever.

--he was on the sheary line vs. det
--was on that line again at nyi before gum-chewer juggled him to a line with larry and Olofsson in the third period
--played on the larry/gus line against clb and nsh
- Michael Pachla

Yeah I simply don't count the CLB and NSH games against him at all. 7:24 and 9:29 of icetime with the brick hand duo won't get you far.

Beyond that though, he only played 11:58 vs DET. I'd argue he has 4 pts in 9 games. I'd throw out the NSH, CLB and DET games out personally.

Once acclimated, I'd hope he can bring about a half point per game, which in terms of usage, if he's playing in the top6 (or even better getting some PP1 time) that's what it looks like we might be able to get.

Housley was terrible in that respect...and he couldn't figure out what to do on the road when he didn't have last change, hence the 11-24-5 road record and their current 14-game losing streak (0-12-2)
- Michael Pachla

Good observation, tough guy, just try me I will flag your post

I was given 4 200 level tickets for free... I am taking my son to the Bisons game instead. That's where I am as a fan right now.
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

I would just walk into the game, get my bobblehead, and walk out.

Pretty cool the sabres get yet another top 5 pick this year.
- Pet.m.d.

It’s how Cup contenders are built. I’m not ashamed at all. The same people complaining about “tanking” and missing the playoffs would be the same ones complaining about having a consistent playoff team that can’t get by
the 2nd round. Whether we miss the playoffs and pick top 5 or are this decades version of the St.Louis Blues the last time I checked we have the same amount of cups.

Housley was terrible in that respect...and he couldn't figure out what to do on the road when he didn't have last change, hence the 11-24-5 road record and their current 14-game losing streak (0-12-2)
- Michael Pachla

if this in itself doesn't get him fired i don't know what to think about JBotts anymore.. i get that we have had way too many coaches lately, but this experiment has not gone well and we need to start over. I believe if they lose the next two games the sabres will have made an nhl first by being the first team to ever have both a 10 game winning and 10 game losing streak in one season.. what a great distinction..

It’s how Cup contenders are built. I’m not ashamed at all. The same people complaining about “tanking” and missing the playoffs would be the same ones complaining about having a consistent playoff team that can’t get by
the 2nd round. Whether we miss the playoffs and pick top 5 or are this decades version of the St.Louis Blues the last time I checked we have the same amount of cups.
- Pegullaville

i don't mind getting the picks but they need to fix coaching and management.. something isn't right..

Housley was terrible in that respect...and he couldn't figure out what to do on the road when he didn't have last change, hence the 11-24-5 road record and their current 14-game losing streak (0-12-2)
- Michael Pachla

While I have my issues with how he used certain players, I don't pin that all on Phil. JB and his staff are no doubt part of those decisions. When it comes to road games, he really doesn't have the tools. Anything he does is easily countered.

Beyond that though, he only played 11:58 vs DET. I'd argue he has 4 pts in 9 games. I'd throw out the NSH, CLB and DET games out personally.

- RhinoFan

Fair enough, but if you're taking out the Det game it's only fair to take out the STL game (2 assists) and TOR game (1 goal), because he played less than your 11:58 benchmark. So that gives him 1 point in 7 games.

Let's not worry about his -6 in the last 4 games.

Does Jack Eichel’s bobblehead also hate to lose?

Does Jack Eichel’s bobblehead also hate to lose?
- poopstash

Yes but he will still lose. Now go and win your last two for us wouldya!

While I have my issues with how he used certain players, I don't pin that all on Phil. JB and his staff are no doubt part of those decisions. When it comes to road games, he really doesn't have the tools. Anything he does is easily countered.
- Lunaion

How?

He is the coach

He sets the lineups and says who plays when

Botts gives him a roster and Phil picks who plays and sits

How hard is it to see that putting your 4th line out right after a goal does more harm than good?

How hard is it to see that playing young talent with Girgensons and Larsson doesn't help that player?

Edit: I am not saying Botterill doesn't shoulder some of the blame as far as how the season went, I was just specifically pointing out Housley's terrible usage of players.

Olofsson-Eichel-Reinhart
Sheary-Mittelstadt-Reinhart
Skinner-Rodrigues-Okposo
Girgensons-Larsson-Pominville

Double shifting Sam poor guy....

7-6 Ottawa

Yes but he will still lose. Now go and win your last two for us wouldya!
- TheHank

I’m givin’er all she’s got captain!

Pretty cool the sabres get yet another top 5 pick this year.
- Pet.m.d.

Stick around, should get it the next 2 years, maybe by the time they develop we should get another top 10.

Olofsson-Eichel-Reinhart
Sheary-Mittelstadt-Reinhart
Skinner-Rodrigues-Okposo
Girgensons-Larsson-Pominville

Double shifting Sam poor guy....

7-6 Ottawa
- Slapjackzack

Wilson is on the second line

THATS gross

Fair enough, but if you're taking out the Det game it's only fair to take out the STL game (2 assists) and TOR game (1 goal), because he played less than your 11:58 benchmark. So that gives him 1 point in 7 games.

Let's not worry about his -6 in the last 4 games.
- adambuffalo

STL and TO he was playing top line. That's kind of my point, if you use him properly he's fine and will score about a half point per game. Give him 10m a night average in the bottom 6 he's not going to produce as like the rest of the chumps we have playing those roles.

And while I already said that the -6 in 4 games stat was disconcerting, the team is a dumpster fire. To put that in perspective, Girgs is -5 in the last 2 games.

Stick around, should get it the next 2 years, maybe by the time they develop we should get another top 10.
- SABRES 89

That many early picks on one team will eventually bloom into an all star team, then dismantled because of the cap. I'd be stoked picking early this year..

The Athletic article on Moulson is worth a read. Just reinforces the kind of guy he is, and someone who the epitome of profession/salary/skill doesn't define the person. Here's an interesting excerpt regarding Disco and Raw Deal.

https://theathletic.com/9...-his-enjoyment-of-hockey/

“The darkest time was that first year in Buffalo under Dan,” Moulson said. “I had a terrible year. I didn’t have many answers from the Sabres when I was looking for them.

“Maybe he thought I was a different type of player than I was. I’m not sure. I don’t really know. I never really got an answer out of him.”

Interviewed separately, Alicia called the first year under Bylsma the lowest point of her husband’s career. Matt’s ice time plummeted in 2015-16 by six minutes from the season before. He recorded eight goals, two on power plays, and 13 assists.

Moulson claimed Bylsma was aloof and unwilling to give specifics for the decreased role.


“He had a situation where he wasn’t getting the opportunity that he felt he deserved, that he had worked for,” Okposo said recently. “It’s tough to not point fingers, but I think he did a really good job of accepting once he realized it was out of his control. He put his head down and tried to be the best teammate he could be.”

One of the Moulsons’ few pleasures in 2015-16 was boarding Eichel, and not just for two minutes.

Moulson was paying forward a favor. When he started with the Islanders, captain Doug Weight let Moulson and Tavares live in his guesthouse like a couple of skating Kato Kaelins.

“To open your house up to a young kid you don’t really know at all and treat him like family?” Eichel said. “That right there says enough about what kind of people Matt and Alicia are. It was an amazing year for me in terms of enjoying life and getting a chance to live with them.”

On the ice, Moulson was a mess. He had four goals and two assists through his first dozen games. Then he scored zero goals in the next 44 games and one goal in 63 games, frequently logging less than 10 minutes a night.

A month before the season ended, Moulson fumed further. Murray declared on the team’s flagship radio station that the veteran winger hadn’t been in proper shape.

“Tim said I didn’t train, and that really pissed me off,” Moulson said. “He didn’t say it to me. That was everything I based my career on. I never was the most skilled guy. I got the job done by being smart and working hard out there.

“I don’t care how much you get paid. It was a tough year.”

Moulson rebounded somewhat with a followup season of 14 goals and 18 assists for another last-place team.

Buffalo fired Murray and Bylsma together in April 2017. Bylsma, now a Detroit Red Wings assistant, declined an interview request through a spokesman. Murray didn’t return a message to talk about Moulson’s career.

Wilson is on the second line

THATS gross
- Stripes77

That many early picks on one team will eventually bloom into an all star team, then dismantled because of the cap. I'd be stoked picking early this year..
- Pet.m.d.

Yea, 47 years of nothing, i'm thrilled.

- homiedclown

I bought a fresh pack of gum today.

STL and TO he was playing top line. That's kind of my point, if you use him properly he's fine and will score about a half point per game. Give him 10m a night average in the bottom 6 he's not going to produce as like the rest of the chumps we have playing those roles.

And while I already said that the -6 in 4 games stat was disconcerting, the team is a dumpster fire. To put that in perspective, Girgs is -5 in the last 2 games.
- RhinoFan

Not trying to bag on him at all. Look at my response to Pach. I said maybe he was playing too well at this juncture. Any games we win now really don't help us.
That being said, I do hope that they do win tonight for the fans that still show up and for Pommers as it may be his last home game in Buffalo.

I bought a fresh pack of gum today.
- SABRES 89

god help us if they bring him back