- washedup20

Stop Hate. End Racism. Choose Love.

So we're hoping we see the version of Lindy Ruff when he had his best roster?
- buffalofan19

I do not see a hasek on the roster, so yes

worst thing that can happen is adams sits on his hands this summer with a few minor signings

How long do you think it will take Ruff to implement his new system?

What do you think Ruff will want to remove and add to the roster?

Ideally where do you want him to focus majority of his attention?

Best case ontario, where do you see Ruff getting the team to in the standings?
- washedup20

Implementation - of Lindy's system will take a good portion of the year until the collective of players are playing it right... Say 3/4 of the season... so say into February. Case in point was exactly what the Panthers went through last season ('22-'23). And Tampa as well a couple years before (season after they lost to CBJ in PO's)

Adds - 1) Sabretooth9 is going to love this... Grit and hard to play against guys, 2) dependable leadership guy or two (I. E. Like bringing in Mike Greer to help Drury and Briere lead with his on-ice play.
Subtractions - guys who cheat the system ... Skinner will be one.

Focus - 1) being tougher collectively to play against... Purposeful physicality, 2) Power Play, 3) Defensive play in front of their own net (HDCA's)

Expected Finish - 1 of 2 WC's.. largely due to time to implement system

No problem with 112pt new jersey ruff
- ieetbred

they had a better roster though

How would we measure this (re)hiring a success? Would making the playoffs 2 years in a row with a 1st round exit be considered "success"?
- Buffalo--Sabres

Ruff was brought in to take over the Devils in 2020 in order to get the franchise back on track, but New Jersey finished in seventh place in the Metropolitan Division in each of his first two seasons at the helm.

It’s been a different story so far in 2022-23. The 62-year-old has lifted the Devils to the top of the Metropolitan Division standings with 24 points — four points better than the second-place New York Islanders. The team is currently riding a nine-game winning streak, the third-longest in franchise history.

Young players like Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes are leading the way and have become the top three point scorers on the team. Underlying metrics show the hot start is not a fluke, either.

The Devils will try to extend their winning streak to 10 games on Tuesday when they travel to Montreal to take on the Canadiens.

https://sports.yahoo.com/...B0OmJDZqcpYg4zKtwjG4BT0Qi

let's hope it's the 2006 ruff

not the drop pass ruff

or the mair with vanek ruff

or the luke adam is our first line center ruff
- homiedclown

So you want to keep Ralph Kruger or Granato?


Berube was interviewed

bruce boudreau, Todd Mclellan type coaches don’t even want to interview for the Sabres head coach job.

Peca - the dude would be another Granato or Ralph when it comes to head coaching experience

Alpert is very similar to Granato. He’s a good developmental coach. Not what the Sabres need

FWIW: your hockey talk was better when you had a source a few years ago

I do not see a hasek on the roster, so yes
- homiedclown

Top to bottom, that 2006 team (and 2007 for that matter) had a better roster than the 1997 and 1998 teams. The difference between Hasek and Miller, while wide, was a lot narrower than the skaters on those teams.

So you want to keep Ralph Kruger or Granato?



- Sabretooth9

what the hell are you sniffing

Implementation - of Lindy's system will take a good portion of the year until the collective of players are playing it right... Say 3/4 of the season... so say into February. Case in point was exactly what the Panthers went through last season ('22-'23). And Tampa as well a couple years before (season after they lost to CBJ in PO's)

Adds - 1) Sabretooth9 is going to love this... Grit and hard to play against guys, 2) dependable leadership guy or two (I. E. Like bringing in Mike Greer to help Drury and Briere lead with his on-ice play.
Subtractions - guys who cheat the system ... Skinner will be one.

Focus - 1) being tougher collectively to play against... Purposeful physicality, 2) Power Play, 3) Defensive play in front of their own net (HDCA's)

Expected Finish - 1 of 2 WC's.. largely due to time to implement system
- IonSabres

Quick question: Are you watching the nhl playoffs? Your mike Grier aka Jordan greenways get lost in The shuffle of the pace of the game.

That’s when your skill players start to bang bodies annd get chippy. Tampa does it. Bruins do it. Panthers do it

Leafs don’t they fake it though

they had a better roster though
- homiedclown

Im firmly in the adams needs to improve this roster no excuses camp(like last year should have been) Maybe ruff has enough gravity to get adams moving, good or bad will be determined

The roster as is can be good enough to make the playoffs with UPL and Levi. I dont see any way ruff isn't a massive upgrade on granato. Bringing in quality assistants alone will make a big difference

Top to bottom, that 2006 team (and 2007 for that matter) had a better roster than the 1997 and 1998 teams. The difference between Hasek and Miller, while wide, was a lot narrower than the skaters on those teams.
- buffalofan19

given the roster in that era

I am shocked satan gets ignored when listing the better sabres all time

the teams had to prepare for him and a bunch of bottom 6 guys and he still produced

Washington Philly islanders(despite the late season run) and Pittsburgh are all bad and none of them are getting any better

If the sabres can't find a playoff spot next season the whole roster needs to be blown up again

I can't confidently tell you whether or not the Sabres should have made room for him.

What I can say with almost certainty is that there was zero reason to employ Jason Christie beyond 2021.

And another thing. Mike Weber received the same job as Mike Peca. Why doesn't anyone seem to mind that he left?
- TheSabresTaco

People try to forget Mike Weber.
Michael Peca was loved by all and admired for the stance he took with Cheap Darcy.. he was a living folk-hero around these parts
Lindy played and coaches for the team and was very, very well liked by 99% of the fan base. At the end people turned on him for the sake of change.. they really wanted Darcy gone, but Darcy fired him instead.

Nobody is crying for Smelik to return in any capacity. Most people are in the same lane... iMO of course.

Some people just like the watch the world burn. Asked washedup and buff36. 😢
- Sabretooth9

WHAT ? Fitz you are a Idiot. No I just want the Sabres to Win and don't hide behind HOPE and RAINBOWS thinking it's gonna happen.

Implementation - of Lindy's system will take a good portion of the year until the collective of players are playing it right... Say 3/4 of the season... so say into February. Case in point was exactly what the Panthers went through last season ('22-'23). And Tampa as well a couple years before (season after they lost to CBJ in PO's)

Adds - 1) Sabretooth9 is going to love this... Grit and hard to play against guys, 2) dependable leadership guy or two (I. E. Like bringing in Mike Greer to help Drury and Briere lead with his on-ice play.
Subtractions - guys who cheat the system ... Skinner will be one.

Focus - 1) being tougher collectively to play against... Purposeful physicality, 2) Power Play, 3) Defensive play in front of their own net (HDCA's)

Expected Finish - 1 of 2 WC's.. largely due to time to implement system
- IonSabres

If Skinner remains on the roster, do you think Ruff has full control of the situation?

Washington Philly islanders(despite the late season run) and Pittsburgh are all bad and none of them are getting any better

If the sabres can't find a playoff spot next season the whole roster needs to be blown up again
- ieetbred

Took Ruff and Fitzgerald two years to turn the Devils into a playoff team.........

Yes. I would argue they don't even have to win a playoff game for it to be a success
- Hank Balling

Does that make this kind of a no-win situation of a hire?

Im firmly in the adams needs to improve this roster no excuses camp(like last year should have been) Maybe ruff has enough gravity to get adams moving, good or bad will be determined

The roster as is can be good enough to make the playoffs with UPL and Levi. I dont see any way ruff isn't a massive upgrade on granato. Bringing in quality assistants alone will make a big difference
- ieetbred

What does Ruff do to break the easily (and early) acceptance of defeat in this group?

Took Ruff and Fitzgerald two years to turn the Devils into a playoff team.........
- washedup20

Year 1 team https://www.hockeydb.com/...ons/teams/0093322021.html

https://www.hockeydb.com/...ons/teams/0093322022.html
Year 2 a bit better roster, still no goalie, team was playing well then Hughes got hurt IIRC.

He doesnt have to wait for 19 year old top player to get better. He already has his #1-3 D-men. He actually has a goalie now.

https://www.nhl.com/sabre...-41ab-9a4c-12866180dd75-1

Lindy Ruff photo Op

Lindy coming back to mixed reviews of the fans. Here is my hot take.

First off, the nostalgia is heartwarming. Seeing him back in here is amazing. He loves this city, he lives here and seeing him in interviews is awesome.

Secondly, I do think its the right hire in my opinion. Two year contract is really low risk high reward. The writing is on the wall that its playoffs next year or bust.

I got a good feeling that Adams will listen to Lindy Ruff, Adams will bring in the guys needed to win(Hopefully) and this town is ready to get behind Lindy.

Win Lindy and there will be a statue of you at city hall.

What does Ruff do to break the easily (and early) acceptance of defeat in this group?
- washedup20

I recall a team that rarely quit when they were scoring all the goals in 22-23. Earned the nickname comeback kids from Dunleavy in parts of that season

Its in there

Year 1 team https://www.hockeydb.com/...ons/teams/0093322021.html

https://www.hockeydb.com/...ons/teams/0093322022.html
Year 2 a bit better roster, still no goalie, team was playing well then Hughes got hurt IIRC.
- DirtyDan

How would you compare the Sabres to the 2nd season team?

Eh. I think he gets a 1x1 to be a specialist.
- TheSabresTaco

Our of curiosity, what is Olofsson's specialty?

Playing entire games without ever being hit?

I recall a team that rarely quit when they were scoring all the goals in 22-23. Earned the nickname comeback kids from Dunleavy in parts of that season

Its in there
- ieetbred

What was the result of the season for the comeback kids?