NHL 2024- 2025 Out of Town

GordonHowe

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Sep 21, 2005
17,727
19,375
Newton, MA.


The Sabres’ ongoing struggles have gotten insiders and analysts talking. Many question if Pegula’s meeting signals an impending coaching change, a big trade, or a vote of confidence for the current group. Regardless, this meeting could be a turning point for Buffalo’s season.

Why doesn't this guy just sell the team?

A fish rots from the head. Yet another GM or coaching change? Trading away players that become successful elsewhere? It's a mess and has been for many, many years.

I root for the Bills and I pity Sabres fans.

Yes I used to live next to Ralph Wilson's ex-wife.
 
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Alicat

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Jul 26, 2005
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Norman, OK
I know I may be alone here, but I have a lot of respect for Ruff. Was a head coach through good times and bad for many years, got let go, had a mediocre time in Dallas, got let go, put his time in as an assistant, got another up and down head coaching job in Jersey, then got let go amidst an injury plagued season, then went back to Buffalo to coach a team that can’t get out of the doldrums no matter the coaching and personnel moves.

I seriously doubt he “needs” to do this. The guy just wants to coach. I’ve given him plenty of shit for his propensity to whine to the media, but I’ve got respect for the fact that he does what he needs to do to continue pursuing his passion even in later years. Even when it looks like a pretty terrible time.
Huge fan of Lindy Ruff. Not many coaches can handle the extreme ups and downs he has in his coaching career. I've never heard a player speak ill of him.
 

MarchysNoseKnows

Big Hat No Cattle
Feb 14, 2018
10,012
20,134
Kaapo Kakko scratched tonight. He’s pissed.

I know folks will look at his stat line and conclude that he’s ineffective. But those people are wrong. He’s been one of the few Rangers who have been consistently very good.

I’d take him in a heartbeat.
I’d take Kakko.

But he’s been getting absolutely caved since Nov 1. Bailed out by goaltending. I don’t really care because of how bad the Rangers have been. Similar to how we should evaluate many of our non-core players IMO.
 

Mr. Make-Believe

The happy genius of my household
His stats actually aren’t that bad
They’re really not.

I think it’s an expectations thing. Second overall comes with the idea that he’d be a leader on offense and he hasn’t quite developed that part of his game since his 18 goal season.

But where he has developed is his three zone play, which is stellar. And his effort level on a nightly basis frankly shames the majority of his teammates right now. He’s right to be frustrated about the scratch. He hasn’t earned it.

Would love to target him in a deal. He’d be a great fit.
 

TCB

Registered User
Dec 15, 2017
13,296
23,686
North Of The Border
They’re really not.

I think it’s an expectations thing. Second overall comes with the idea that he’d be a leader on offense and he hasn’t quite developed that part of his game since his 18 goal season.

But where he has developed is his three zone play, which is stellar. And his effort level on a nightly basis frankly shames the majority of his teammates right now. He’s right to be frustrated about the scratch. He hasn’t earned it.

Would love to target him in a deal. He’d be a great fit.

 
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Blitzkrug

Registered User
Sep 17, 2013
27,938
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Winnipeg
They’re really not.

I think it’s an expectations thing. Second overall comes with the idea that he’d be a leader on offense and he hasn’t quite developed that part of his game since his 18 goal season.

But where he has developed is his three zone play, which is stellar. And his effort level on a nightly basis frankly shames the majority of his teammates right now. He’s right to be frustrated about the scratch. He hasn’t earned it.

Would love to target him in a deal. He’d be a great fit.
You're not wrong about the expectations part at all but i think it's a bit rich coming from the Rangers when a) they're a good part of the reason why Kakko never had a chance to develop his offensive toolbox considering they rushed him into the lineup when he got drafted and b) they're benching him for doing his best when you have absolutely ugly efforts such as;
1734474146786.png

Is he not living up to expectations? sure, but 12 points + elite two way play in 30 games while the Rangers outscore opponents 22-9 with him on the ice is far from what i call bench worthy.

I don't blame Kakko for being pissed. He's been dicked around essentially his entire time as a Ranger and this is the first time he's actually spoken up about it. I'd be furious if i was doing what i could and i got a sadsack like Zibanejad making more money than me to stink harder than i do.

I would absolutely love if the Bruins took a shot on this guy.
 

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