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Forums :: Blog World :: Hank Balling: On Moral Victories
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robz228
Buffalo Sabres
Location: NY
Joined: 07.07.2010

Nov 17 @ 9:43 AM ET
I've been a Granato fan since the moment he was promoted but this stretch has me testing my patience

I think he's the only person left in the world who thinks pairing Power and Dahlin is a good idea

Instead of sheltering Olofsson with defensive linemates, the line has been with Krebs and Mittlestadt for a while now. AND THEY'RE GETTING D ZONE STARTS? Insanity. (Mittlestadt has had a few good games in a row imo, otherwise this would look even more sickening)

And he's questioning the team's effort, when a lot of the damage is his lineups? Bizarre stuff.
Hank Balling
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 05.18.2021

Nov 17 @ 9:44 AM ET
good to see we're all having a good time.
- TheSabresTaco


I'm trying to decide if I'm mad or dead inside

Dead inside is currently in the lead. Another cup of coffee could change the math
lulags
Buffalo Sabres
Location: St Louis
Joined: 02.24.2007

Nov 17 @ 9:46 AM ET
I've been a Granato fan since the moment he was promoted but this stretch has me testing my patience

I think he's the only person left in the world who thinks pairing Power and Dahlin is a good idea

Instead of sheltering Olofsson with defensive linemates, the line has been with Krebs and Mittlestadt for a while now. AND THEY'RE GETTING D ZONE STARTS? Insanity. (Mittlestadt has had a few good games in a row imo, otherwise this would look even more sickening)

And he's questioning the team's effort, when a lot of the damage is his lineups? Bizarre stuff.

- robz228

I’ve been questioning his coaching for a while now. They seem lost, we are far too soft, he makes terrible in game decisions on a regular basis. I’m ready for a new coach
Buff36
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 10.13.2019

Nov 17 @ 9:52 AM ET
I’ve been questioning his coaching for a while now. They seem lost, we are far too soft, he makes terrible in game decisions on a regular basis. I’m ready for a new coach
- lulags

You coach what you're given. Very hard to build a team when you are given 8 forwards play the same cream puff game. Need a few players that aren't afraid to get dirty. Really would like to see Rousek and Kulich called up. Seen enough of Sheahan and his 5min and Bjork with his 8 or so min.
ImThatGuy
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I AM MY OWN DAMN SOURCE!, NY
Joined: 11.04.2010

Nov 17 @ 9:52 AM ET
I’ve been questioning his coaching for a while now. They seem lost, we are far too soft, he makes terrible in game decisions on a regular basis. I’m ready for a new coach
- lulags


Sadly he’s here for a long time with his extension.

Granato as head of player development. Fine I guess. Still not really seeing the development plan they have.

Granato as coach. Patience growing thin.
TheHank
Location: Yawn.
Joined: 01.11.2017

Nov 17 @ 9:53 AM ET
Ironically enough, in this hockey buzz world
You are the guy yelling, Shoot!

- Ratsreign

😆 🤣 😂 truth is funnier than fiction
robz228
Buffalo Sabres
Location: NY
Joined: 07.07.2010

Nov 17 @ 9:53 AM ET
I'm not going to complain about the players they have available, too soft, not enough finishers, whatever. They clearly didn't plan to win this season. They had to take on ghost contracts to meet the cap floor ffs.

What I am mad about is how they're using the players they have available.

Clague/Power was their best pair without Dahlin, and then Clague gets waived so Lybushkin can come back and play half injured (?) and be absolutely terrible.

Bjork getting a call up instead of Rosen or Rousek

And the powerplay is hilarious. Teams just crowd Thompson's side of the ice and they don't know what to do
ImThatGuy
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I AM MY OWN DAMN SOURCE!, NY
Joined: 11.04.2010

Nov 17 @ 9:58 AM ET
I'm not going to complain about the players they have available, too soft, not enough finishers, whatever. They clearly didn't plan to win this season. They had to take on ghost contracts to meet the cap floor ffs.

What I am mad about is how they're using the players they have available.

Clague/Power was their best pair without Dahlin, and then Clague gets waived so Lybushkin can come back and play half injured (?) and be absolutely terrible.

Bjork getting a call up instead of Rosen or Rousek

And the powerplay is hilarious. Teams just crowd Thompson's side of the ice and they don't know what to do

- robz228

Teams are letting Dahlin handle the puck up high. It poses almost no threat as no one else moves.

https://twitter.com/yolo_...&t=oTMQn8cxoaZI124kI02jBw
Buff36
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 10.13.2019

Nov 17 @ 9:58 AM ET
There 6yr Evaluation plan on some of these players could really hurt the 20 other prospects about to hit the system. Better up it to 8yrs, by the time they get any D depth.
DirtyDan
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Why aren't more people interrigent? Rike Me? , ON
Joined: 02.03.2021

Nov 17 @ 10:00 AM ET
Funny we have a line of Krebs, Mitts, Olof... the 3 guys we should be getting rid of ASAP
robz228
Buffalo Sabres
Location: NY
Joined: 07.07.2010

Nov 17 @ 10:00 AM ET
Anyways Skinner has looked phenomenal. He still has it.

Boss34
Buffalo Sabres
Location: BUFFALO , NY
Joined: 12.03.2015

Nov 17 @ 10:06 AM ET
Right now there is correlation to losing.
Discussed.

- IonSabres


"This isnt 1970's hockey......"

"Sabres are not soft..."

"Colordo was soft and they won"

Slumpbuster
ImThatGuy
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I AM MY OWN DAMN SOURCE!, NY
Joined: 11.04.2010

Nov 17 @ 10:09 AM ET
https://theathletic.com/3...source=emp_shared_article

Cool article how Perrault was Gretzky influence.
ImThatGuy
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I AM MY OWN DAMN SOURCE!, NY
Joined: 11.04.2010

Nov 17 @ 10:18 AM ET
I'm trying to decide if I'm mad or dead inside

Dead inside is currently in the lead. Another cup of coffee could change the math

- Hank Balling

I felt myself getting heated/angry last night.

Then I laughed and said this team isn’t worth it.

It’s now apathy, if they don’t care or try to at least be competitive, why should I care if they win or lose.

I’d bet the overwhelming majority is apathetic to this team and by mid-late season you’ll again see attendance in the 6-8k range.
QuinnFan
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Formerly Visionville, Now Purgatory
Joined: 07.29.2021

Nov 17 @ 10:33 AM ET
Right now there is correlation to losing.
Discussed.

- IonSabres


If Statmuse is up to date, the top 10 in hits per game this year is as follows:

Predators (7-8-1)
Rangers (8-6-3)
Sens (6-9-1)
Philly (7-6-3)
Pitt (6-7-3)
Islanders (11-6-0)
Caps (7-9-2)
Flames (7-6-2)
Jets (9-4-1)
Oilers (9-8-0)

Outside of the Islanders and I guess the Jets, the top10 teams in hits are mostly middling. Meanwhile Jersey, Colorado, Florida and Carolina are all in the bottom 10 in hits. Jersey is 2nd last in hits and yet leading their division. I'd argue there is no correlation at all between wins and hits tbh. The data doesn't support it anyways.
Ratsreign
Florida Panthers
Location: Mo can stay awhile, FL
Joined: 10.27.2017

Nov 17 @ 10:36 AM ET
If Statmuse is up to date, the top 10 in hits per game this year is as follows:

Predators (7-8-1)
Rangers (8-6-3)
Sens (6-9-1)
Philly (7-6-3)
Pitt (6-7-3)
Islanders (11-6-0)
Caps (7-9-2)
Flames (7-6-2)
Jets (9-4-1)
Oilers (9-8-0)

Outside of the Islanders and I guess the Jets, the top10 teams in hits are mostly middling. Meanwhile Jersey, Colorado, Florida and Carolina are all in the bottom 10 in hits. Jersey is 2nd last in hits and yet leading their division. I'd argue there is no correlation at all between wins and hits tbh. The data doesn't support it anyways.

- QuinnFan


Might not correlate to wins, but the bottom 10 in hits probably are top 10 in puck possession and maybe expected goals for?


lulags
Buffalo Sabres
Location: St Louis
Joined: 02.24.2007

Nov 17 @ 10:45 AM ET
You coach what you're given. Very hard to build a team when you are given 8 forwards play the same cream puff game. Need a few players that aren't afraid to get dirty. Really would like to see Rousek and Kulich called up. Seen enough of Sheahan and his 5min and Bjork with his 8 or so min.
- Buff36

We are way too soft. Tuch isnt giving us shat. Thompson prime years will be wasted. Move on from 1/2 of this lineup. I agree with giving several AHL guys a look.
QuinnFan
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Formerly Visionville, Now Purgatory
Joined: 07.29.2021

Nov 17 @ 10:48 AM ET
Might not correlate to wins, but the bottom 10 in hits probably are top 10 in puck possession and maybe expected goals for?
- Ratsreign


Haven't ever really dug into expected goals, but there does seem to be a correlation between the bottom10 hitters and high CF%. Think it depends on gameplan really, some teams are top10 in both (NYR/CAL)

Based on Stattrick for CF% at 5v5:

1) Carolina
2) Jersey
3) Florida
6) Sabres
10) Colorado

The Flames and Calgary are #4 and #5 respectively though, so it doesn't always hold true. But it's logical...the more time you spend possessing the puck, the less time you will have to hit opponents.
Boss34
Buffalo Sabres
Location: BUFFALO , NY
Joined: 12.03.2015

Nov 17 @ 10:50 AM ET
If Statmuse is up to date, the top 10 in hits per game this year is as follows:

Predators (7-8-1)
Rangers (8-6-3)
Sens (6-9-1)
Philly (7-6-3)
Pitt (6-7-3)
Islanders (11-6-0)
Caps (7-9-2)
Flames (7-6-2)
Jets (9-4-1)
Oilers (9-8-0)

Outside of the Islanders and I guess the Jets, the top10 teams in hits are mostly middling. Meanwhile Jersey, Colorado, Florida and Carolina are all in the bottom 10 in hits. Jersey is 2nd last in hits and yet leading their division. I'd argue there is no correlation at all between wins and hits tbh. The data doesn't support it anyways.

- QuinnFan



Good post and research.

👍
robz228
Buffalo Sabres
Location: NY
Joined: 07.07.2010

Nov 17 @ 10:57 AM ET
Haven't ever really dug into expected goals, but there does seem to be a correlation between the bottom10 hitters and high CF%. Think it depends on gameplan really, some teams are top10 in both (NYR/CAL)

Based on Stattrick for CF% at 5v5:

1) Carolina
2) Jersey
3) Florida
6) Sabres
10) Colorado

The Flames and Calgary are #4 and #5 respectively though, so it doesn't always hold true. But it's logical...the more time you spend possessing the puck, the less time you will have to hit opponents.

- QuinnFan


You don't really even need stats to make that logic bridge either. Just like the blocked shots boner. Whoever that edmonton guy was setting records for blocked shots every year. When you're always blocking shots it means you're always in your own zone lol.
robz228
Buffalo Sabres
Location: NY
Joined: 07.07.2010

Nov 17 @ 11:03 AM ET
I think the only "toughness" that matters is clearing the front of the net for D and sometimes centers, being able to not get cleared from the front of the net by the other team's D and centers, and to a slightly lesser extent, winning the puck along the boards.

I think systems, transitioning, and positioning are more important for battles along the boards though

Against vegas it was striking, sabres come up with the puck and have nowhere to go with it, vegas comes up with the puck and have an immediate outlet
Buff36
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 10.13.2019

Nov 17 @ 11:06 AM ET
If Statmuse is up to date, the top 10 in hits per game this year is as follows:

Predators (7-8-1)
Rangers (8-6-3)
Sens (6-9-1)
Philly (7-6-3)
Pitt (6-7-3)
Islanders (11-6-0)
Caps (7-9-2)
Flames (7-6-2)
Jets (9-4-1)
Oilers (9-8-0)

Outside of the Islanders and I guess the Jets, the top10 teams in hits are mostly middling. Meanwhile Jersey, Colorado, Florida and Carolina are all in the bottom 10 in hits. Jersey is 2nd last in hits and yet leading their division. I'd argue there is no correlation at all between wins and hits tbh. The data doesn't support it anyways.

- QuinnFan

Well could atleast put a body or get in the way, they don't even do that
lulags
Buffalo Sabres
Location: St Louis
Joined: 02.24.2007

Nov 17 @ 11:20 AM ET
Well could atleast put a body or get in the way, they don't even do that
- Buff36

Hitting is also a metaphor for tenacity. We don’t need to lead the league in hits, just play tougher and with more grit and tenacity
Lunaion
Joined: 05.23.2016

Nov 17 @ 11:24 AM ET
Well could atleast put a body or get in the way, they don't even do that
- Buff36


The alarming part isn't that they are 32nd, but how far they are from 31.

They are about half of the average, and they do seem to get doubled or worse every game.
jochfr
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Nashville , TN
Joined: 07.11.2009

Nov 17 @ 11:26 AM ET
4 free tickets popped up for the Bills game in Vettix but were claimed before I was able to get them.


Not that I could go but i could transfer them to someone that lives in NY.
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