Speculation: 2015 Coaching Search: Who will be the next head coach of the Buffalo Sabres?

[ZZamboni]

I have a feeling a good chunk of Buffalonians will take it personally and turn to HATE Babcock if he dares to choose a different team than the Sabres. I like him now, I'll like him if he goes elsewhere

But, some are happiest hating.

 

[Moskau]

I found it to be pretty smooth considering the circumstances. Nowhere near as tense or awkward as I expected.

It made me hate Babcock to be honest. His talking style makes me long for Ted Nolan.

 

[DazedandConfused]

It made me hate Babcock to be honest. His talking style makes me long for Ted Nolan.

He definitely has a unique kind of tone/presence. But, he's also pretty confident in his abilities and for good reason. I never want to hear an interview where compete is used as a filler for any possible dead air.

 

[Sabretip]

Give me a guy that can work with young players and when the next actual top guy hits the market I can snag him with my improved roster that's going to happen naturally anyway. And hey...who knows...that new coach might even be good.

I give you Jeff Blashill who can not only work with young players but grow to be a winning NHL coach as they grow into winning NHL players.

Bringing in a lame duck for 1-2 years to "teach" and "develop" only to dump them again does more damage IMO to the core's development than having a coach that can stick through some of the remaining learning curve as well as take the team to the next level once they all mature.

I think he's leaning towards leaving. I doubt he would have had to go home to talk with his family if he was staying in Detroit. Leaving is a more serious conversation, and if staying in Detroit was his first choice, this thing would be done. His family still may talk him into staying, but I doubt it's what he really wants.

Very astute and compelling take on things - it makes a lot of sense to me!

So I'm curious... Theorizing that Babcock does jump over to the Sabres, what type or types of player are most likely to thrive or sink under his style?

I mean the roster will have a lot of fresh faces even without any more trades/moves, and whether a new addition or a returning player, the roster looks to be stuffed with guys who have something to prove, spots throughout up for grabs, etc.

So like what type of player or character are most likely to be a fit for Babcock's type of team?

The same type as what Murray likes: guys not afraid to engage physically, compete hard and give solid efforts on every shift. I suspect Hodgson will be FedExed out of town if Babcock is hired because he certainly doesn't qualify under that description. Thankfully, Murray's purged most of the roster of those half-hearted, perimeter players. I can see Babcock adoring Girgensons just as much as Nolan did, and I can also see Babcock becoming just as frustrated and impatient with Zadorov's ups and downs.

One thing's also a given - if Babcock is the next coach, it will really be put-up-or-shut-up time for Kane and Moulson. I have a feeling that Babcock won't give a lot of slack to his high-paid star players if they don't show up.

 

[RoofIt5hole]

I give you Jeff Blashill.

One thing's also a given - if Babcock is the next coach, it will really be put-up-or-shut-up time for Kane and Moulson. I have a feeling that Babcock won't give a lot of slack to his high-paid star players if they don't show up.

IMO Blashill is the ideal candidate. New coach will be able to teach and work with the you g guys and grow with them as well. In lieu of Babcock he'd be a great fit.




As for the Kane thing, I think that's a fairly common misconception of Evander Kane. He's never quit. He goes out there and busts his ass. His work ethic on the ice isn't an issue. His "Off ice issues" have been exaggerated and overblown. I could see Babcock loving Kane just as much as Girgensons.

 

[Bps21*]

I give you Jeff Blashill who can not only work with young players but grow to be a winning NHL coach as they grow into winning NHL players.

Bringing in a lame duck for 1-2 years to "teach" and "develop" only to dump them again does more damage IMO to the core's development than having a coach that can stick through some of the remaining learning curve as well as take the team to the next level once they all mature.

Did you miss the part where the coach could turn out to be good? In which case you keep them. IMO the worst thing we can do is lock into the third best person available just because they're the third best person available and the top 2 are gone. I'd rather have someone who specialized in player development that I can fire and upgrade like literally every other team has done on their way to the cup then be stuck with a guy like Bylsma because he won once somewhere even though better coaches could be sitting there when the roster is ready to take the big step. The record is going to improve the next few years whether you or me or anyone is the coach. I'd rather it happen with either a guy who you know is going to be a top flight coach or a guy to focus on development now while I wait to see whether they are that guy...or I can easily move on from when that guy is out there again.

 

[Sabre Dance]

That interview was one of the weirdest things I've ever seen.

 

[SabresFanNorthPortFL]

If we get Babcock, it's not just bringing in a top 3 coach, it's bringing in a top 3 coaching staff. Awesome.

The young guys will be coached and mentored just fine.

As per Kane n Moulson, wouldn't you be the happiest, young, hockey player in the world if you were "rescued" from a bad situation and before you played a game with your new franchise, they acquired one of the mst exciting, elite center prospects in years, and the top coach in the game???

Kane is doing cart wells for joy if Babcock gets to buffalo. Again, legitamizes entire franchise, including players. Omg, the Sabres organization, and the entire city of buffalo will be electric with anticipation if this happens!?,?,

 

[old kummelweck]

you really should have done a grille.

 

[Afino]

yeah, this is going to turn into a "I Hate Babcock" thread really quick

 

[OkimLom]

yeah, this is going to turn into a "I Hate Babcock" thread really quick

I agree. Posters will take it personally if he turns us down. Depending on who he goes to, the level of hatred will fluctuate.

If he stays on Detroit, hopefully people won't be too down, but they'll focus on the whole "DRW will be going through a transitioning phase, we're on the upswing portion" issue when the choice was probably due to other things.

If he goes to Philly people will make claims that he'll have 3-4 years tops to do anything and how Philly doesn't have many young prospects.

If he goes to Toronto, well, prepare for def con 9 level of hatred.

 

[Zman5778]

If he goes to Philly people will make claims that he'll have 3-4 years tops to do anything and how Philly doesn't have many young prospects.

Him going to Philly might actually be best for us, now that I think about it.

Yes, he could win there. He might also not. And if he doesn't, he'll get canned in 3-4 years.......just when we're ready to really start competing seriously.

We could just hire him then.

 

[Karate Johnson*]

There are positives and negatives to going anywhere. Babcock going to Toronto would be fine but obviously I would root for him to fail.

It really comes down to that. It's totally natural to root against a guy who turns you down, to show that he made a bad decision.

I would be surprised if he went anywhere but Detroit or Buffalo.

Toronto is a mess, they need to rebuild, and they haven't even started trading off major pieces yet.

Philly is probably the best option to win in 2015-16 but they aren't a cup contender and don't have much flexibility.

Edmonton is gunning for McLellan.


If he leaves Motown Buffalo makes the most sense. The hard part of the rebuild is over, we have a ton of young talent, assets, and cap flexibility as well as an owner who is willing to give him what he needs. His relationship with Murray is also a plus.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

Just listened to that interview...well part of it until I got bored. Sounded like an episode from Days Of Our Lives.

 

[Karate Johnson*]

I made it just past the advertisement before the interview and realized it was really long.

 

[Sabretip]

IMO Blashill is the ideal candidate. New coach will be able to teach and work with the you g guys and grow with them as well. In lieu of Babcock he'd be a great fit.

You and I share the same view, roof

As for the Kane thing, I think that's a fairly common misconception of Evander Kane. He's never quit. He goes out there and busts his ass. His work ethic on the ice isn't an issue. His "Off ice issues" have been exaggerated and overblown. I could see Babcock loving Kane just as much as Girgensons.

I'm not putting a lot of stock or worry in Kane's past but he's obviously a strong-minded individual and the friction he had with a former coach (Noel) was real. I think he'll do well with a strong-willed, established coach like Babcock.

Did you miss the part where the coach could turn out to be good? In which case you keep them. IMO the worst thing we can do is lock into the third best person available just because they're the third best person available and the top 2 are gone. I'd rather have someone who specialized in player development that I can fire and upgrade like literally every other team has done on their way to the cup then be stuck with a guy like Bylsma because he won once somewhere even though better coaches could be sitting there when the roster is ready to take the big step. The record is going to improve the next few years whether you or me or anyone is the coach. I'd rather it happen with either a guy who you know is going to be a top flight coach or a guy to focus on development now while I wait to see whether they are that guy...or I can easily move on from when that guy is out there again.

Hey, I've been saying Blashill is a better candidate for those very reasons than anyone else - and I'd rather see someone the Sabres youth can relate to and have them grow with him. Maybe I misunderstood your post as endorsing hiring someone for a defined short-term just to develop the players and bide time til the team becomes a winner, afterwhich that coach gets dumped for a more veteran name coach - which I don't think makes sense.

 

[mikemcburn]

The same type as what Murray likes: guys not afraid to engage physically, compete hard and give solid efforts on every shift. I suspect Hodgson will be FedExed out of town if Babcock is hired because he certainly doesn't qualify under that description. Thankfully, Murray's purged most of the roster of those half-hearted, perimeter players. I can see Babcock adoring Girgensons just as much as Nolan did, and I can also see Babcock becoming just as frustrated and impatient with Zadorov's ups and downs.

One thing's also a given - if Babcock is the next coach, it will really be put-up-or-shut-up time for Kane and Moulson. I have a feeling that Babcock won't give a lot of slack to his high-paid star players if they don't show up.

Interesting. Thanks.

Who couldn't adore Girgensens?

I'd be satisfied if the put-up/shut-up was applied across the board, but outright thrilled for a coach that pulls out the best in every guy whether he's "talented", "grinder", young, old, doesn't matter. There's room for it all without gift-wrapping the "talent" with premier roles or stuffing grinders in as the 1C to prop up hard-working grinders.

Moulson is a good example, I mean, I'm not a fan of his by any stretch, but there's room for all types so whatever. If a coach can pull out his best and that puts him in the top 6, sweet. But if he doesn't bring enough to warrant it then at least let's have a coach willing to plug him into the 3rd, regardless of resume and contract value.

Zads is a totally different story as he's still really in development. Takes more than a season to develop a youngster and we'll never know if Nolan's approach with him would prove to work or not over the long run. Hopefully his next coach pulls out the best.

Re: Hodgson, I remain of the take that this last season under Nolan could end up having been a good for the kid. Nolan himself may have lost him, but Hodgson did show spurts of having a stronger defensive and physical game, so if he's taken Nolan's droning to heart for his future, then under anyone not named Nolan I can see him finally developing into more of the stronger two-way guy he was scouted to be. Time and circumstance will tell, but for now he's just 25 so I'm still holding out on the hope and expectation.

All in, I just keep thinking that next year's roster is gonna have a big mix of guys who play hard and fast, just hard, just fast, with talent or who grind it out, who haven't quite hit their stride reliably, with "character issue" reps to over come, raw rookies, aged vets...

I don't expect every coach, even one with Babcock's resume, to be able to reach/develop every player, just kinda hoping whoever is selected for the job is generally able to reach/develop most types of players.

 

[RoofIt5hole]

Say Babcock signs. How much does that accelerate the rebuild?

Would that make next year a playoff bubble season & then the year after a serious contending year? I'm assuming that if Babcock signs, Murray will be even more motivated to make a few big splashes this offseason. ROR, Goalie, LHD immediately come to mind. I'm just curious what impact he'd have on the overall timeline...

 

[Karate Johnson*]

Say Babcock signs. How much does that accelerate the rebuild?

Would that make next year a playoff bubble season & then the year after a serious contending year? I'm assuming that if Babcock signs, Murray will be even more motivated to make a few big splashes this offseason. ROR, Goalie, LHD immediately come to mind. I'm just curious what impact he'd have on the overall timeline...

I think it has the potential to expedite the process because it could make Buffalo a more enticing destination for a free agent.

Ted Nolan wasn't going to help in that regard (a factor in his dismissal that wasn't really discussed. But something the "Ted deserves another year" crowd never thought about).

 

[Rhett4]

Say Babcock signs. How much does that accelerate the rebuild?

Would that make next year a playoff bubble season & then the year after a serious contending year? I'm assuming that if Babcock signs, Murray will be even more motivated to make a few big splashes this offseason. ROR, Goalie, LHD immediately come to mind. I'm just curious what impact he'd have on the overall timeline...

The biggest impact is in credibility. It tells the league that the best coach thinks that Buffalo's rebuild process is complete and that they have one of the brightest futures of the 30 teams. That type of confidence that Buffalo can be a perennial contender will make it easier to sign both our drafted players and FAs.

 

[Chad Thundercock]

Yeah, that interview was weird. Returns odds to what I thought they were before. Likely that he stays in Detroit, and seeing how ridiculous the offers he can get elsewhere are.

I don't think Babcock accelerates the rebuild at all, outside of coaching ability, which I'm suspect doesn't matter much either. But, it doesn't hurt having one of the best coaches in the league, whereas it's possible, if not likely with Buffalo sports history, that they'd fine a dopey dud otherwise.

 

[Zip15]

The biggest impact is in credibility. It tells the league that the best coach thinks that Buffalo's rebuild process is complete and that they have one of the brightest futures of the 30 teams. That type of confidence that Buffalo can be a perennial contender will make it easier to sign both our drafted players and FAs.

Two things. First, I don't anticipate we'll have any issue signing our own drafted players. We never have had an issue getting them signed before losing them, and I don't think that changes, regardless of our coach. Second, who are the big UFAs who went to Detroit to be coached by Babcock? The last top free agent I remember them getting was Hossa as a one-year mercenary.

 

[Rhett4]

Two things. First, I don't anticipate we'll have any issue signing our own drafted players. We never have had an issue getting them signed before losing them, and I don't think that changes, regardless of our coach. Second, who are the big UFAs who went to Detroit to be coached by Babcock? The last top free agent I remember them getting was Hossa as a one-year mercenary.

I didn't say they would come specifically for Babcock. I said that him coming here would be a sign that he believes the Sabres will be a great team in years to come. If that helps convince someone else that Buffalo will be a great team, they become more likely to sign. It's not Babcock himself. It's the statement about the future of Buffalo.

 

[Djp]

Two things. First, I don't anticipate we'll have any issue signing our own drafted players. We never have had an issue getting them signed before losing them, and I don't think that changes, regardless of our coach. Second, who are the big UFAs who went to Detroit to be coached by Babcock? The last top free agent I remember them getting was Hossa as a one-year mercenary.

We also didn't have elite prospects in recent memory as well as a ton of recent picks joining the team at once.

Let's just look at the prospect pool of winger with Baptiste, Bailey, Fasching, Karabacek, Possler, Olofsson, etc.

Buffalo has 4 high forward picks in Eichel, Reinhart, Girgensons, and grigirenko
They have Kane who is still young who could be a long term signing...that is 5 of the top 9.

If buffalo was to go out and get a long term RW vet who would take a top 2 winger spots the players see buffalo will have at most 4 winger spots in the top 9. On top of similar prospects, you also have a few C shifting to wing as part of the competition.

There will be prospects who either refuse to sign and get redrafted or they go through college/Europe and then become UFAs.

The people this will affect are ones who know they aren't top line players but they see themselves as 2nd/3rd line players who see a situation where they could get lost in their development and not get the opportunity to perform ( the higher draft pick gets more opportunity to develop than a 4th round pick). and it damages their chances.

I see 2-3 prospects drafted in 2nd or later they currently have or drafted the next 2 drafts do this and just not sign. This mainly will be with forwards and potentially a goalie.

What will help this considerably would be to see buffalo do a trade of prospects for either a better prospect or a more established young player.

This will be less of an issue with picks from 2017 and beyond because when they are ready to get their chance in the NZhzl those players drafted during 2012-2016 either got a long contract or they have played enough fir buffalo to decide what they are. If they are ok but not a star buffalo could trade them for picks and replace them with thise drafted post 3017. It also helps in the fist control of contracts.

 

[dotcommunism]

Since when has a drafted prospect ever decided to not sign with a team because of their prospect depth, of all things, rather than because of their actual NHL level depth or, far more importantly, because of off-ice concerns, including issues during negotiation. This idea that prospects are going to suddenly refuse to sign because there are a bunch of other guys who haven't proven anything as professional players yet is getting way ahead of where things stand now and just looking for things to worry about.