Friedman says that they talked. If they did, Botts could talk to him again over at the WC. I fully expect he'll be the next Sabres coach. And since Gronborg and Hakstol are long time friends, it's a no brainer to hire him as well.
- mhp

Good post MHP.
I certainly hope so, everytime I read about him I'm more impressed...now after listening to him, even more so .

Friedman says that they talked. If they did, Botts could talk to him again over at the WC. I fully expect he'll be the next Sabres coach. And since Gronborg and Hakstol are long time friends, it's a no brainer to hire him as well.
- mhp

So you’re a fan of Hakstol who couldn’t get anything out of the young talent in Philly ? Philly has underachieved with that roster for the last few years. The second he gets fired they make a late season dash and almost claim a playoff spot. Grönborg yes, Hakstol is a big no from me.

Good post MHP.
I certainly hope so, everytime I read about him I'm more impressed...now after listening to him, even more so .
- IonSabres

I'm sold.

Friedman says that they talked. If they did, Botts could talk to him again over at the WC. I fully expect he'll be the next Sabres coach. And since Gronborg and Hakstol are long time friends, it's a no brainer to hire him as well.
- mhp

He seems very self-confident, he has a vision, he seems to already be familiar with some players in Buffalo. I think the "culture shock" argument can be put to bed. The guy speaks flawless English and clearly understands the differences between NA and Sweden

Just hire this guy already

So you’re a fan of Hakstol who couldn’t get anything out of the young talent in Philly ? Philly has underachieved with that roster for the last few years. The second he gets fired they make a late season dash and almost claim a playoff spot. Grönborg yes, Hakstol is a big no from me.
- Pegullaville

I think Hakstol is a good fit because if Gronborg gets hired, both of them are familiar with each other. I also think it's important to get a coach with NHL HC experience behind the bench.

A few weeks ago I asked Bill Meltzer in the Flyers blog about Hakstol. To summarize, he said he is a strong development coach who just needs more experience at the pro level. He is very bright and has a good work ethic who relies on conditioning, systems and battle drills were part of his TC practices and then drills in-season to re-emphasize specific things. He also said although he came from a college background, got the rep of a vet oriented coach.

Hakstol did make some changes to Berube's system in Philly, specifically forward responsibilities and maybe that hurt him there. He played the hot hand in goal. They were streaky during his time in Philly. He got credit for moving Giroux to wing and was the first Flyers coach to give Couturier time at the top of the lineup, which paid dividends.

There were negatives- didn't use his timeouts well and a little too trusting on defensive responsibilities and could have employed a more aggressive approach.

Overall, there were some good things Hak did and some things he can learn from.

This comes from Bill Meltzer.

He seems very self-confident, he has a vision, he seems to already be familiar with some players in Buffalo. I think the "culture shock" argument can be put to bed. The guy speaks flawless English and clearly understands the differences between NA and Sweden

Just hire this guy already
- jcragcrumple

He has a masters degree, educated in the USA at St Cloud State and sounds like a winner imo. He speaks well, very smart and if he's hired and surrounds himself with good assistants, win-win.

I'm still trying to understand, sincerely so, who would be a good fit for Dahlin.
I was using the tables on Evolving Hockey to try to ID a good pairing...more of a shut-down RhDman. Exceedingly difficult as most are LhD.

In the past I advocated for Stralman, but this past season was not good for him. He may be at the end of his career.
- IonSabres

I meant to answer this before Ion but got caught up on the Gronborg. I think Montour was traded here specifically to be Dahlin's future D partner. Maybe they will both play together at camp, get familiar with each other and start the season as the #1 pair. This pushes Risto (if he's not traded) to the 2nd pair with more manageable minutes.

Just my $.02

Girard was one of those useless 2nd rounders
- sbroads24

I was a bit disappointed when he was traded from Nashville.

He has a masters degree, educated in the USA at St Cloud State and sounds like a winner imo. He speaks well, very smart and if he's hired and surrounds himself with good assistants, win-win.
- mhp

I loved the part where he was talking about how coaches were considered "trainers" in Sweden. He said something to the effect of "we in Sweden were really good at training, but not so much at coaching. I think I've changed that"

Dude has more swagger than Housley and Bylsma combined

See my location.

DuBois is a little poop stirrer. I love it.
- Wetbandit1

Sam is a little poop too. He stands in front of the net.

.Tom Wilson must be too big of a poop, to love it?

If Risto's advanced stats increase with reduced TOI down to the 18 minute range, and giving him more OZS by reducing his DZS, and by playing him on the PP...I get that it would benefit him and by extension the Sabres as a whole. Great.

:
- IonSabres

His advanced stats would improve from playing less with Jack and Skinner indeed. Quite often it's like playing short handed with those two in the defensive zone. Your blind hatred for Risto is well documented as is your love of analytics. What's lacking is your ability to see that Risto is not the problem. You could put Hedman, Karlsson, Burns or Doughty in Risto's position and they too would have bad analytics.

I meant to answer this before Ion but got caught up on the Gronborg. I think Montour was traded here specifically to be Dahlin's future D partner. Maybe they will both play together at camp, get familiar with each other and start the season as the #1 pair. This pushes Risto (if he's not traded) to the 2nd pair with more manageable minutes.

Just my $.02
- mhp

Very logical.
I would prefer to spread Montour and Dahlin across the 1st and 2nd pairing myself.
But if they have magic together, I'm all for it.
I was thinking for his partner a more stay at home defensively reliable Dman, to free Dahlin to be creative.

Very logical.
I would prefer to spread Montour and Dahlin across the 1st and 2nd pairing myself.
But if they have magic together, I'm all for it.
I was thinking for his partner a more stay at home defensively reliable Dman, to free Dahlin to be creative.
- IonSabres

I would say Borgen or Fitzgerald, maybe Nelson would fit that idea. I would prefer Borgen to start next year in Rochester, get more development on the AHL level so when he's ready, he'll be ready.

I loved the part where he was talking about how coaches were considered "trainers" in Sweden. He said something to the effect of "we in Sweden were really good at training, but not so much at coaching. I think I've changed that"

Dude has more swagger than Housley and Bylsma combined
- jcragcrumple

Yeah, for a second there when he said trainer and was like woah dude lol.

See my location.
- LandlordTom

His advanced stats would improve from playing less with Jack and Skinner indeed. Quite often it's like playing short handed with those two in the defensive zone. Your blind hatred for Risto is well documented as is your love of analytics. What's lacking is your ability to see that Risto is not the problem. You could put Hedman, Karlsson, Burns or Doughty in Risto's position and they too would have bad analytics.
- adambuffalo

We see things much differently.
I see a guy running all over the ice in the Dzone, losing his man, unable to pick up the guy in front, horrible clearing passes.
Those are the analytics that matter more to me.
The Advanced Stats serve to back-up what the naked eye sees to the most objective observer.
Say nothing of spending $5m on a suggested 3rd pairing who needs to be sheltered so he doesn't absolutely destroy the team singlehandedly.

Yes to Jack needing more defensive awareness and responsibility for sure!

As others have told me straight up, Skiner is paid to score goals, not play D. Lol.
I say, at $8+m mi imum, he can and must do both.

But carry on.

Oh, and trade Risto for BADLY needed scoring punch up front

We see things much differently.
I see a guy running all over the ice in the Dzone, losing his man, unable to pick up the guy in front, horrible clearing passes.
Those are the analytics that matter more to me.
The Advanced Stats serve to back-up what the naked eye sees to the most objective observer.
Say nothing of spending $5m on a suggested 3rd pairing who needs to be sheltered so he doesn't absolutely destroy the team singlehandedly.

Yes to Jack needing more defensive awareness and responsibility for sure!

As others have told me straight up, Skiner is paid to score goals, not play D. Lol.
I say, at $8+m mi imum, he can and must do both.

But carry on.

Oh, and trade Risto for BADLY needed scoring punch up front
- IonSabres

Settle down Chicken Little. This suggestion only occurs within these threads. It does not exist in the real world.

Hire the Swede. I'm sold.

Settle down Chicken Little. This suggestion only occurs within these threads. It does not exist in the real world.
- Der Kaiser

Settle down Chicken Little. This suggestion only occurs within these threads. It does not exist in the real world.
- Der Kaiser

What’s considered the real world???


Am I right or what Beady?

What’s considered the real world???


Am I right or what Beady?
- washedup20

Lockport?

Hire the bum. I'm sold.
- Powerslave

ftfy

ftfy
- jcragcrumple

😂

I think Hakstol is a good fit because if Gronborg gets hired, both of them are familiar with each other. I also think it's important to get a coach with NHL HC experience behind the bench.

A few weeks ago I asked Bill Meltzer in the Flyers blog about Hakstol. To summarize, he said he is a strong development coach who just needs more experience at the pro level. He is very bright and has a good work ethic who relies on conditioning, systems and battle drills were part of his TC practices and then drills in-season to re-emphasize specific things. He also said although he came from a college background, got the rep of a vet oriented coach.

Hakstol did make some changes to Berube's system in Philly, specifically forward responsibilities and maybe that hurt him there. He played the hot hand in goal. They were streaky during his time in Philly. He got credit for moving Giroux to wing and was the first Flyers coach to give Couturier time at the top of the lineup, which paid dividends.

There were negatives- didn't use his timeouts well and a little too trusting on defensive responsibilities and could have employed a more aggressive approach.

Overall, there were some good things Hak did and some things he can learn from.

This comes from Bill Meltzer.
- mhp

Hakstol should of fell on the sword last year instead of Hextall. He might work out as an assistant, however the uninspired play from that team until he was fired raises alarm bells to me. The game that Philly came to buffalo and Larry scored a goal and fought someone the next whistle was an absolute joke. They were pathetic that night and the Sabres scored 4 goals before half the people in that building grabbed a beer.