How many GMs have missed the playoffs 4 years in a row and still had a job.

Serious question.
- sabresfan69

Got me. Can't be many.

This thought will cause rage among some, but does it almost seem like they used these last few games to get looks at more guys in pressure situations. Kinda Like a mini camp to make decisions on a few guys as to who they might trade as they look towards plans for next season?
- Ratsreign

No, not at all.

Who are the more guys? Its the same guys playing.

Got me. Can't be many.
- Lunaion

Gonna go out on a limb without checking and say zero but its possible 1 or 2 squeaked by.

But we were still very much in contention
for a playoff spot
- lulags

I know, I’m just wondering from afar about the lineup changes that were being questioned by many here.

I’m with you there.

I came into this season expecting them to ultimately fall short but play meaningful games down the stretch, mission accomplished.

The last two games, and the Dallas game, are inexcusable though.
- Swedish_Jesus

They barely made it to the stretch before imploding.

Isn't it a giant red flag that they're not just losing to end the season, but they're totally collapsing yet again to close a season?

They're not even competitive.

Remember all the good will the end of last season engendered?

That's all out the window now.

Which could be rationalized up until this point.

Even the people who can see the vision, know it’s time to make his moves.

I think everyone on here agrees he’s got to make the playoffs next year
- Swedish_Jesus

Couldn't have said it better myself. Rationalizing is what you do when you (frank) up, but try and convince everyone, and maybe more importantly yourself, that's what you intended to do the whole time.

Sitting Jost (and he's no savior, but at least you know you're going to get the effort) over a few of these guys is just a bizarre decision.
- Powerslave

The lineup decisions re: getting Olofsson and Hinostroza in when they were already teetering on collapsing, and Granato's subsequent bullpoop explanation for those decisions were maddeningly mystifying, and infuriating.

No, not at all.

Who are the more guys? Its the same guys playing.
- sabresfan69

Maybe it was more juggling lines around when they were going good that was being questioned.

The modern day JP Dumont or Ales Kotalik. Gets his goal (never an assist, though, and why?) and then floats the rest of the game.

He can go, too.
- Powerslave

He can go right ? Dudes terrible and soft.

What you thinking , maybe a 1st and a prospect?

Sam got us a late 1st and a 7th round phenom goalie (2 years out)

They barely made it to the stretch before imploding.

Isn't it a giant red flag that they're not just losing to end the season, but they're totally collapsing yet again to close a season?

They're not even competitive.

Remember all the good will the end of last season engendered?

That's all out the window now.
- kingcong39

It’s confusing because these are the same people who say momentum doesn’t exist and hitting doesn’t help win and veteran leadership is over rated and all the other things the numbers people (including myself for the most part with the stuff above) never give credence to.

But somehow, “meaningful games in March” is some important magical benchmark we hit this season

Change your tune on a Dahlin extension? Benching VO was the last straw?
- Lunaion

Sumpen' ain't rite

Dahlin specifically: is night and day different the last 8 games since injury / shift in play and point production.

Just isolate our best player. 0 points in the last 8 games?

What's up mr. Questions?????

I nEEd ANSwErs

Sumpen' ain't rite

Dahlin specifically: is night and day different the last 8 games since injury / shift in play and point production.

Just isolate our best player. 0 points in the last 8 games?

What's up mr. Questions?????

I nEEd ANSwErs
- Boss34

Pretty clear he isn't 100%, right?

He can go right ? Dudes terrible and soft.

What you thinking , maybe a 1st and a prospect?

Sam got us a late 1st and a 7th round phenom goalie (2 years out)
- Boss34

I think we need to do better, that's all. Players that are harder to play against, not ones that wilt. They'll have enough players that can score.

Great blog Hank, what you wrote is the exact truth about the Pegulas. They have lied the entire time and all the fans who have purchased tickets were played. There is absolutely no intention of ever winning a Stanley Cup, or Super Bowl for that matter, when you make your wife the President of the team who has absolutely no knowledge of hockey or football whatsoever. This whole thing has been a freaking waste of everyone's time and money. If these f'ers were serious about winning, they would fire the development coach Donnie, and his horrific defense and goalie coaches, and hire a seasoned veteran like Quenneville who has some baggage, however, he has paid his dues like the Boston coach. And look what Montgomery has done with the Bruins. The fans have waited long enough. Granato has showed us what he can do when it really matters, and that is watch his team get obliterated. Enough is enough. Make some real moves and make this a better team. The team is rebelling against this crap by losing and not even trying. It is quite obvious that the team has lost all confidence in Granato so send him packing and get someone good. It is the same old playbook every year. Fire a coach and then get some nobody that belongs in the minors and needs to stay there.

I know, I’m just wondering from afar about the lineup changes that were being questioned by many here.
- Ratsreign

In
Skinner tage tuch
Quinn cozens peterka
Krebs #12
Dahlin
Samuelsson
Power
Boosh

Maybe : mitts / jost / joker

Out:

Olofsson
Okposo
Girgensons
Jost
Vinny hinny
Clague
Stillman
Bryson
Comrie
Anderson

That's 10 current players out the door. Surely 6 or 7 gone

This thought will cause rage among some, but does it almost seem like they used these last few games to get looks at more guys in pressure situations. Kinda Like a mini camp to make decisions on a few guys as to who they might trade as they look towards plans for next season?
- Ratsreign

How does the above make sense when he put Olofsson and Hinostroza back in and sat Peterka and Jost?

There's still some kind of mystery around players like Olofsson and Hinostroza?

Couldn't have said it better myself. Rationalizing is what you do when you (frank) up, but try and convince everyone, and maybe more importantly yourself, that's what you intended to do the whole time.
- Wetbandit1

🙋‍♂️

You'll appreciate this:

Lot's of complaining among season ticket holders, early save 10% next season was due this morning. 😀

Plenty of regrets..... not here, of course

What’s your offers for provorov and hart? Low ballers welcome

What’s your offers for provorov and hart? Low ballers welcome
- Just5

Olofsson and 2 2nds for Hart and Noah Cates

What’s your offers for provorov and hart? Low ballers welcome
- Just5

Upl
Rosen
2024 protected 1st
Joker

* pick 3 deal

Ok, or what?

Does his vision include only having forwards in the prospect pool?
- sabresfan69

I mean when it comes to the draft the rationale should be to take the best player available.

Can always move forwards for defence

It’s confusing because these are the same people who say momentum doesn’t exist and hitting doesn’t help win and veteran leadership is over rated and all the other things the numbers people (including myself for the most part with the stuff above) never give credence to.

But somehow, “meaningful games in March” is some important magical benchmark we hit this season
- sbroads24

Being an average to above average hockey team for the first time in over a decade.

Mostly being led by the youth/core that should be here for the next decade.

Holds some merit

They barely made it to the stretch before imploding.

Isn't it a giant red flag that they're not just losing to end the season, but they're totally collapsing yet again to close a season?

They're not even competitive.

Remember all the good will the end of last season engendered?

That's all out the window now.
- kingcong39

I’ve seen enough from Dahlin, Power, Tage, Tuch, Skinner, Cozens, Quinn, Peterka to like where this next decade of Sabres hockey is going.

Levi, Kulich, and Savoie dominated/are dominating the levels they are currently playing at and look like core pieces soon enough.

UPL giving up 7 goals when an average goalie gives up 3 today doesn’t deter me from the good that is going on here

Gonna go out on a limb without checking and say zero but its possible 1 or 2 squeaked by.
- sabresfan69

The lineup decisions re: getting Olofsson and Hinostroza in when they were already teetering on collapsing, and Granato's subsequent bullpoop explanation for those decisions were maddeningly mystifying, and infuriating.
- kingcong39

If you want to get Olofsson and Vinny in, Peterka and Jost sure as heck weren’t the ones that should have been coming out.

I’m with you on that