GDT: #18 – Sabres at Leafs – Thu Feb 21 – 7:00PM ET – TV: MSG-B – Radio: WGR-AM

[Zip15]

First home game after a road trip for the Leafs. First game under a new coach for the Sabres. I actually think we should win that game. I'll guess a 4-2 win.

Ennis
Pominville
Grigorenko
Gerbe (EN)

Kessel
Grabovski

 

[Chainshot]

Anyone remember the last time we were going into a game with a new coach? I was about 2 years old so I have no idea what to expect

Considering this is only the sixth coach to take the helm in the last 25 years here, it's going to be unusual for a lot of people.

 

[MacOfNiagara]

I fully expect a lackluster effort tomorrow. Not for any other reason that I bet the players on this team will have a hard time wrapping their heads around what happened today. I think it may take a couple games before they settle in and we see what a Lindy Ruff-less team has to offer.

I dont get this. Sure seemed like most / many of the players were dying for this to happen. I understand the disappointment that it wasnt working out anymore and a sympathy to Ruff leaving. BUT, there seems to be this facade of shock and horror that he is gone. It's what you were asking for. You can be sympathetic to Ruff and the situation without the BS of false shock and grief.

 

[MacOfNiagara]

Probably! I am dying to get this one started. I can't wait to find out what they look like.

Either these guys are going to be transformed, or they aren't. We'll know which it is in 5 minutes.

I expect the most exciting game of the season (from a drama standpoint) to be one of the last few games where we are looking at drafting top 3, or with a few meaningless wins, drafting 10-12.

 

[Ace1963]

Considering this is only the sixth coach to take the helm in the last 25 years here, it's going to be unusual for a lot of people.

Unless I'm mistaken, this guy is the first interim coach in Sabres history.
He gets to interview before the other candidates. The team is such a mess, that if he can perform a miracle, he may have a shot at getting hired as head coach.
Usually with interim coaches, the players perform well at first; then fall into their old habits.

 

[Ace1963]

I dont get this. Sure seemed like most / many of the players were dying for this to happen. I understand the disappointment that it wasnt working out anymore and a sympathy to Ruff leaving. BUT, there seems to be this facade of shock and horror that he is gone. It's what you were asking for. You can be sympathetic to Ruff and the situation without the BS of false shock and grief.

I think the players have the fear of God in them now after seeing a legend get tossed out the door. Anyone of them could get traded to Winnipeg tomorrow. And should.

 

[Mit Yarrum]

Given I started watching the Sabres seriously in maybe 1992, most of my time as a Sabres fan has seen Lindy behind our bench. It's going to be weird.

Go Sabres.

 

[Dubi Doo]

I think the players have the fear of God in them now after seeing a legend get tossed out the door. Anyone of them could get traded to Winnipeg tomorrow. And should.

There's no more excuses. Ruff took a majority of the criticism from the fans and media. It's all on the players now.

 

[Woodhouse]

Watch the #TMLtalk GameDay Skate right here: http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/v2/ext/live/

(They've touched on Sabres in past ones, but right now the Leafs are on the ice.)

Bump .. Sabres are coming out now for their skate.

 

[OkimLom]

There's no more excuses. Ruff took a majority of the criticism from the fans and media. It's all on the players now.

I was thinking this, then another question crept in: At what point does Darcy take responsibility? I can see the only way Darcy is gone is if he steps down.

 

[Ace1963]

I don't understand what that Bucky guy is trying to say? Hope he wins a cup and bucky will be there to see it? Lifeless team? Take a ****ing hike, the sabres just let go him because they needed a change and this guys all upset about.

This team has a lot of players that laid down while the chief was going up in flames; that's lifeless, and they need to be shown the door soon. Everyone knows who. Guys like Vanek and Miller and Pomminville gave full effort, even if they didn't like the guy, because they're professional. We all know who laid down. Think tall guy who skates with a purse.

 

[SabresFan26]

Sabres are on Leafs practice cam right now

 

[Imagining Defeat]

Sabres are on Leafs practice cam right now

It's taking forever to load...oh well it'll get there I'm sure.

 

[MacOfNiagara]

There's no more excuses. Ruff took a majority of the criticism from the fans and media. It's all on the players now.

Dont think so. I anticipate that blame and heat now will be directed at DR, and then after that Pegula. I think the players have escaped most of the criticism.

 

[Woodhouse]

Leopold's watching, per Hoppe and Snow .. Porter's not on the ice, per Hoppe.

Bill Hoppe ‏@BillHoppeNHL
#Sabres Jordan Leopold's sitting in the stands and not on the ice for some reason. #Buffalo

Link: https://twitter.com/BillHoppeNHL/status/304630357217648640

Kevin Snow ‏@kwsnow
Jordan Leopold not skating; watching the skate from the seats near Sabres bench.

Link: https://twitter.com/kwsnow/status/304631469945540608

Bill Hoppe ‏@BillHoppeNHL
Kevin Porter is not on the ice. #Sabres

Link: https://twitter.com/BillHoppeNHL/status/304630709266546688

 

[McCauleyChirps]

Where's the practice cam located at? Can't find it on NHL.com?

 

[Chainshot]

Regier is already taking some heat from the hockey press for the collection of misfits he's assembled.

 

[Woodhouse]

Where's the practice cam located at? Can't find it on NHL.com?

I've watched the last 85 minutes at: http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/v2/ext/live/

Edit: Or NHL.com > Videos > Channel: Press Room > Game Day Morning Skate - 02/21/13

 

[McCauleyChirps]

Thank you. :bow

 

[MacOfNiagara]

The Leafs practice / game day skate cam feature is amazing. I knew it existed but I had never tuned in before.

- Professional layout
- Quality video / audio feeds
- Stats and tweets
- Interviews
- On ice and high up arena cams

Someone forward this to Ted Black. Tremendous feature.

well done Leafs

 

[vcv]

Wouldn't expect Porter to be on the ice yet. McCormick has to clear waivers or get claimed, which will be at 12pm. They can't call up Porter until McCormick is off the roster. So, if someone claims him OR (he clears AND they assign him)

 

[McCauleyChirps]

The Leafs practice / game day skate cam feature is amazing. I knew it existed but I had never tuned in before.

- Professional layout
- Quality video / audio feeds
- Stats and tweets
- Interviews
- On ice and high up arena cams

Someone forward this to Ted Black. Tremendous feature.

well done Leafs

Not bad at all. Is this all on the LeafsTV through cable/satellite providers in Canada?

 

[vcv]

Sekera is on the ice. Did he practice yesterday too?

 

[Woodhouse]

Orr left with a LBI and is out tonight, per Carlyle's presser:

Paul Hendrick ‏@HennyTweets
Colton orr will not play tonight. (Lower body). #tmltalk

Link: https://twitter.com/HennyTweets/status/304633065370710016

Michael Traikos ‏@Michael_Traikos
No word yet on if the #Leafs will recall anyone. My guess is Steckel comes in and McClement joins Kadri and MacArthur on 3rd line.

Link: https://twitter.com/Michael_Traikos/status/304633474059481089

Jonas Siegel ‏@jonasTSN1050
Dave Steckel goes in for Orr.

Link: https://twitter.com/jonasTSN1050/status/304633492610887680

 

[vcv]

Porter is on the ice now.

But practice is ending now...