Solution?

Hustle on a few more drills.
- Powerslave

To paraphrase Michael Bolton from Office Space, "Why should I change? He's the one who sucks."

That sounds like the prevailing attitude for both parties

To paraphrase Michael Bolton from Office Space, "Why should I change? He's the one who sucks."

That sounds like the prevailing attitude for both parties
- jcragcrumple

Yes, but Jeff won't win.

Apparently there is a " rift " so to speak between Skinner and Krueger, Krueger does not like Skinners practice habits. They say he's slow and lazy in practice and doesn't seem to want to change. Krueger feels that Skinner should be ready and hustle even though it's practice but it seems this is not changing. Just another reason why he doesn't get " rewarded " I guess you can say on game days. Skinner doesn't look happy.
- SABRES 89

I went to the Sabres road crew last night. Place was packed. Biron, Ray, Robert, Luce, Fuhr, Leopold & Warrener were there. Observations:

Biron is a big dude. Always assumed he was a little guy.
Jerseys all spelled correctly
Plastic straws, and plenty of them

Need a win tonight
- Chris16

love the straw update

Yes, but Jeff won't win.
- Powerslave

In the short term, yeah, his ice time suffers. But jeffy boy has 7 years left on his contract. Ralph will be going on year 2 with a GM on his second coach. If things turn to poop, well... jeff still gets paid for 7 years. Ralph would have more time to write Niederlagen zum Erfolg 2.

Realistically I'm sure it's much ado about nothing. All this nonsense goes away once he starts scoring again

If Skinner had 19 goals he could point to the quality of linemates, the coach, etc.

But he has 12 goals, he's just totally sucked. Last year he had more than 12 goals where no one did anything, he just took the puck and blew into the zone past defenders and scored all on his own.

It's 100% on him.

That said, Skinner isn't suffering for it. he's making his 9 mil and will make it again next year. If he had 15 more goals this is probably a playoff team. It's up to Botts and Ralph to figure out how to wake him up. It's also on Botts that he hasn't been able to find one NHL center in 3 years, and traded one away for nothing.

There's a borderline obsession with every player needing to be a quality player defensively, but it's not reality.

Yes, I should have clarified: he goes all out when attempting to produce offense.
- kingcong39

Hockey is a team game, nothing new here, lol.
The concept that a core player can loaf-off in practice, while others are expected to work hard doesn't build team commoroderie.
If this is true on Skinner, then...Be a leader, lead by example, especially when you are the 2nd highest paid on the team, representing an over-payment at that, viewed as a part of The Core while producing at a substandard rate.

Grow-up Jeffy, the $9m isn't only for games.

Hockey is a team game, nothing new here, lol.
The concept that a core player can loaf-off in practice, while others are expected to work hard doesn't build team commoroderie.
If this is true on Skinner, then...Be a leader, lead by example, especially when you are the 2nd highest paid on the team, representing an over-payment at that, viewed as a part of The Core while producing at a substandard rate.

Grow-up Jeffy, the $9m isn't only for games.
- IonSabres

Skinner is going to do whatever he feels like. He has $63m guaranteed over the next 7 years. That's the reality

Skinner is going to do what he wants. He has $63m guaranteed over the next 7 years. That's the reality
- jcragcrumple

As is the reality that not ever player busts his ass during practice.

After 3 decades in sports at various levels, it doesn't work that way.

Each player has their own regimen that they follow, and their own routines.

I've known plenty of practice superstars who sucked when the lights are on. Hell, I was one.

I've also known even more players that practiced at 50% effort and played great during games.
- kingcong39

I get that king, but there's that old saying you practice the way you play, Skinner is a good hockey player, but practice is used to work on the little things. Skinner has things he needs to work on, and that is what practice is for. He is supposed to show the young guys what hard work can do for you, Krueger doesn't need the young players seeing Skinner being lasidasical.

As is the reality that not ever player busts his ass during practice.
- kingcong39

If we were winning it wouldnt be an issue

If Skinner had 19 goals he could point to the quality of linemates, the coach, etc.

But he has 12 goals, he's just totally sucked. Last year he had more than 12 goals where no one did anything, he just took the puck and blew into the zone past defenders and scored all on his own.

It's 100% on him.

That said, Skinner isn't suffering for it. he's making his 9 mil and will make it again next year. If he had 15 more goals this is probably a playoff team. It's up to Botts and Ralph to figure out how to wake him up. It's also on Botts that he hasn't been able to find one NHL center in 3 years, and traded one away for nothing.
- matty12345

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BkIh1R5utY

I get that king, but there's that old saying you practice the way you play, Skinner is a good hockey player, but practice is used to work on the little things. Skinner has things he needs to work on, and that is what practice is for. He is supposed to show the young guys what hard work can do for you, Krueger doesn't need the young players seeing Skinner being lasidasical.
- Buff36

From my experiences, that saying is a lot of bullpoop.

The true greats have massive abilities and practice extremely hard.

As far as talented players with ability go, that is the exception and not the norm.

This must be satire as the Hawks cannot be serious.

As mentioned in the previous blog, Stan should look to move Kubalik at the draft. He should learn from his mistakes with Gustafsson and trade players at their peak value. If Stan can turn a 5th round pick into a 2nd (and maybe a 4th) that would be some solid asset management.

Hockey is a team game, nothing new here, lol.
The concept that a core player can loaf-off in practice, while others are expected to work hard doesn't build team commoroderie.
If this is true on Skinner, then...Be a leader, lead by example, especially when you are the 2nd highest paid on the team, representing an over-payment at that, viewed as a part of The Core while producing at a substandard rate.

Grow-up Jeffy, the $9m isn't only for games.
- IonSabres

There are actual reasons why he isn't better, and as long as the coach wastes time talking about effort, you don't solve anything.

1. Skinner's ice time is down over 2 minutes a night, and more like 4-6 minutes in the last month
2. His shooting percentage is the lowest of his career
3. He is taking 10% less shots per game
4. His offensive zone starts are down over 16%?
5. His powerplay time is also down

On the other hand, even while he is being used in his own zone way more, his GA/60 are down from 3.3 to 3.0, even though our goalies save percentage when he is on the ice has gone down over 20 points from last season. So he's actually been better defensively, which is the one thing you can control with effort.

The point is he's having a miserable season offensively, but it's not effort related. The least the coach could do is give him one of Eichel and Reinhart and 17 minutes a night for five straight games to see what happens.

Skinner is going to do whatever he feels like. He has $63m guaranteed over the next 7 years. That's the reality
- jcragcrumple

I realize that as well. He could do whatever he likes.
This is where the Captain and his A's need to step in and "hold each other accountable", if that doesn't work, then time for the GM to step in, if that doesn't work...healthy scratches for say 5 games...or dress him, and not play him..hell, he ain't contributing sh!t now.
Progressive approach. Hopefully his sense of being a good respected teammate and professionalism overrides his pride when Jack and company sign him down.
Again, IF all of this us true.

As is the reality that not ever player busts his ass during practice.
- kingcong39

Yeah

Yeah
- jcragcrumple

The scene in Rudy where the offensive lineman tells Rudy he's making everyone look bad with how hard he is working compared to the other more talented players is far closer to reality than many know.

I see it all the time: a player's talent level is often directly related to how hard they need to work, meaning players often only work as hard as they need to in practices related to their overall skill level, and many save their top effort for games.

- navinrjohnson

LOL

I was waiting for this!!

So the Colorado game was great. Sam isn't doing it for me at all. Buffalo cannot give him more than 5-6 max per year. I don't see him making any impact other than playing with Jack. If he was on the second line, I see the second-line woes continuing forever. Especially if he gets 7.5. Skinner rode Jack to the bank last year.

What is the vote on trading him to Ottawa for their second-first round pick and their last 2nd round pick. Ottawa gets an immediate player and we get potentially top 6 pick. I just don't see Sam as a top 4 core player that will lead them to the Cup. He is good, but he seems like a role player which can be swapped. Victor is so much more noticeable than Sam.
- Tragically Buffalo

One of the most slanderous posts i've read on this site

I realize that as well. He could do whatever he likes.
This is where the Captain and his A's need to step in and "hold each other accountable", if that doesn't work, then time for the GM to step in, if that doesn't work...healthy scratches for say 5 games...or dress him, and not play him..hell, he ain't contributing sh!t now.
Progressive approach. Hopefully his sense of being a good respected teammate and professionalism overrides his pride when Jack and company sign him down.
Again, IF all of this us true.
- IonSabres

Never going to happen. Scratching him makes management look foolish.

As does pretty much any remotely successful business in the world. I don't see what the issue is here. Some customers will pay almost anything if they get the product/perks they want. Others are more cost conscious. We'll see how it turns out, but this actually seems like a sound plan.
- buffalofan19

So you have a pair of seats around friends you've made over the 25 past years

Pairs of tickets in 121 , 101, 109, 113 went from 4,700 to 6,000.

No issues here?

Wait until the Sabres are good, see how much season ticket holder want for their tickets.

My seats went up, not enough to quit. Sucks for the true fans.

Especially the Sabres bucks dropping from 2.5% to 2%

So you have a pair of seats around friends you've made over the 25 past years

Pairs of tickets in 121 , 101, 109, 113 went from 4,700 to 6,000.

No issues here?

Wait until the Sabres are good, see how much season ticket holder want for their tickets.

My seats went up, not enough to quit. Sucks for the true fans.

Especially the Sabres bucks dropping from 2.5% to 2%
- Boss34

Did they go up that much? I didnt look deep into it but in sec 100 seemed like it only went up like a buck a game

But im with you how much are they worth. How long do i wait for them to be good

Make the morning skate optional and say "you dont have to come, Jeff, but if you do, you go 100% the entire time. And if you don't come, you'll be held to a higher standard during games"

Problem solved
- jcragcrumple

What if you paid someone $9 million per year.

The guy is having a terrible season.
Krueger hasnt coached skinner prior.

Looks like skinner isnt taking it seriously, threw Krueger's eyes. The young guys are looking at him, a nhl veteran, not given %100

This is on skinner who has become irrelevant

Tonight is going to be a tall task, but I will be there and i'm sure i'll be pissed off.