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Sabres Management and Coaching Thread

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dotcommunism

dotcommunism

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Aug 16, 2007
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This thread is for discussing Tim Murray and Dan Bylsma and assessments of their respective jobs. The point is to keep every other thread from devolving into a referendum about one or the other, or both.

So if you wish to talk about how you think Tim Murray has ruined the team's future, or how you think he always gives up too much in trades, this is the thread for that. If you want to talk about how you think Dan Bylsma is single-handedly stifling this team's talent, and no true assessments can be made of it as long as he remains coach, this is the thread for that. If you want Murray and/or Bylsma fired, this is the thread to discuss that.

If you disagree with any of those viewpoints and wish to discuss it, this is the thread for that too.
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Being positive to start this.

Bylsma & staff have done a good job with the power-play this season, even had Moulson contributing during the early season injury rash.

Still like the Okposo signing, like the thinking behind the Kulikov trade (addressed a need by trading extra RHD, placeholder until Guhle plugs in) and that he attempted to bring in veteran presences.

Also, something Bulldog mentioned that actually showed some insight. Murray tried to protect the ego's of players he didn't trade; that is equally as important as listening to Gionta requests. Just shows some basic human decency and respect, might be a locker room but it's still workplace psychology. Hard to console the person that didn't get a promotion, sometimes need a fluffer.
 
For me, my view of Tim is largely based on what he chooses to do with Dan this off-season. I still believe the roster is better than what they've shown for the majority of this year, and I want to see them under a new coach. If Tim makes some moves to improve the defense and brings in a new head coach, I'll still support him. If he chooses to go into next season with Dan still behind the bench he's going to start losing my support.
 
Aladyyn said:


Maybe Murray should coach ;)
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Murray kind of talked about it on WGR. He didn't go into details but said he told them he has confidence in them.

I really do think he wants to show everyone this group of players and coach can win. I wouldn't be shocked if that's why he didn't sell.
 
Myllz said:
For me, my view of Tim is largely based on what he chooses to do with Dan this off-season. I still believe the roster is better than what they've shown for the majority of this year, and I want to see them under a new coach. If Tim makes some moves to improve the defense and brings in a new head coach, I'll still support him. If he chooses to go into next season with Dan still behind the bench he's going to start losing my support.
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From listening to Murray last night it sounds like he feels not getting the D this team needed is on him. My take is that Murray brings in some D during the offseason and if the team is still in the same place in the standings he will fire Bylsma at some point during the season next year.
 
aceface33 said:
From listening to Murray last night it sounds like he feels not getting the D this team needed is on him. My take is that Murray brings in some D during the offseason and if the team is still in the same place in the standings he will fire Bylsma at some point during the season next year.
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Yeah, I certainly got the sense that he was saying, both, that he hamstrung the roster a bit with this defense corps and that the team should still be better than it is. But in acknowledging that his roster is at least part of the problem, he probably doesn't feel it's appropriate to fire the coach at this time. But he's going to improve the blueline and results must follow - or else.

Absent a death spiral these last 18 games, it's pretty safe to assume that Bylsma starts next season as the head coach.
 
aceface33 said:
From listening to Murray last night it sounds like he feels not getting the D this team needed is on him. My take is that Murray brings in some D during the offseason and if the team is still in the same place in the standings he will fire Bylsma at some point during the season next year.
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Yeah, that's entirely possible. As a fan it's going to be tough starting the season with Dan behind the bench, though. Even if the defense is improved, he knocks a lot of wind out of the excitement sails.
 


I'm guessing it went something like, "If I see anybody coasting for this final stretch of the season, I'm buying them a one-way ticket to Las Vegas. Anybody want to play on a first year expansion team? Didn't think so..."
 
Myllz said:
For me, my view of Tim is largely based on what he chooses to do with Dan this off-season. I still believe the roster is better than what they've shown for the majority of this year, and I want to see them under a new coach. If Tim makes some moves to improve the defense and brings in a new head coach, I'll still support him. If he chooses to go into next season with Dan still behind the bench he's going to start losing my support.
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Couldn't of said it better myself! I'm exactly where you're at.
 
Thanks for this thread. A few posters want to talk about how GMTM sucks in every possible thread. Hopefully it's enforced as it should make the board more enjoyable
 
Bylsma's system ruined Girgs and Bogo. KBC didn't fix the damn door after a couple of pre-season games where it was obviously a problem and basically destroyed Kulikov's career because of it. I don't blame that on Murray. He can be blamed for not trying to make a hockey trade 2 months ago with a forward for a defenseman. But massive PK minutes going to Grant and Gionta is all on Bylsma. Awful usage of our players throughout the season is on Bylsma. This stretch pass awfulness and rely on your defenseman to win you games nonsense is on Bylsma. Unless this team makes a heroic run into the playoffs, Bylsma better be gone at the end of the season.
 
agree girgs and bogo don't fit whatever the system is.

As for the TD...

I am fine holding onto Kulikov and resigning hm potentionally after expansion draft.

I don't see Franson coming back next year so I probably would have traded him. I think he should have gotten a 3rd.
 
makeitburn said:
Bylsma's system ruined Girgs and Bogo. KBC didn't fix the damn door after a couple of pre-season games where it was obviously a problem and basically destroyed Kulikov's career because of it. I don't blame that on Murray. He can be blamed for not trying to make a hockey trade 2 months ago with a forward for a defenseman. But massive PK minutes going to Grant and Gionta is all on Bylsma. Awful usage of our players throughout the season is on Bylsma. This stretch pass awfulness and rely on your defenseman to win you games nonsense is on Bylsma. Unless this team makes a heroic run into the playoffs, Bylsma better be gone at the end of the season.
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I was listening yesterday or the day before on WGR for some reason and they were talking about Bylsma. They said he goes through every possible situation with players and gives them a lot of information. Its possible players that dont think game fast enough like Bogo and Girgensons would struggle with a lot of information. They then overthink every situation. Could be why we saw Girgensons and Bogo play better under Nolan.

I really don't think its a system thing, its more the players seem hesitant, especially in their own end.
 
I have no problems with Murray with the trades he made or the Okposo signing. For me, the Moulson and Ennis contracts are the ones that are hamstringing this team. Maybe he can dump one of them this offseason.

I still think the Pittsburgh crew that surrounds Pegula were the main drivers of the Bylsma signing.

They put a system in place for both the Sabres and Amerks and both teams have underachieved related to roster. The passivity when they have a lead is so frustrating and may have ultimately cost them a playoff spot this year. The 5 year contract makes it more difficult to see Bylsma canned this year. If it was a 3 year deal and they were only eating the final year then I could see it happening but not with 3 years to go when the injuries card can be played for this season's wows.

The need is for a top young NHL dman and if ever there was a time where a couple may be available it will be this summer with the expansion draft and a flat cap.

If Murray can grab that needed dman and somehow shed a couple of Ennis, Gorges, Moulson and give this team a little more flexibility as well as opening up a couple spots up front for the kids then that is a successful offseason in my books. Next year is a playoffs or bust season.
 
Sabre Dance said:
I was listening yesterday or the day before on WGR for some reason and they were talking about Bylsma. They said he goes through every possible situation with players and gives them a lot of information. Its possible players that dont think game fast enough like Bogo and Girgensons would struggle with a lot of information. They then overthink every situation. Could be why we saw Girgensons and Bogo play better under Nolan.

I really don't think its a system thing, its more the players seem hesitant, especially in their own end.
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Eh

Bogo is taught to make a pass before he hits his blueline to a stagnant winger on the opposing blueline. He used to excel as someone who would skate it further into the neutral zone.

You may be sort of right about Girgs, he is 'giving up' on plays way too often so that he is never burnt by the other team's breakout, and he doesn't forecheck his point because Bylsma has the players all so low in the zone when defending. Girgs is a brute-force player.


Kind of same token with Larsson though, once he learned to play the 'lurk high and scan the area' Bylsma wanted he became his go-to match-up center. Larsson can play the game with his eyes and it fit Bylsma perfect.. though it took a season of doghouse before they got there.
 
Sabre Dance said:
I was listening yesterday or the day before on WGR for some reason and they were talking about Bylsma. They said he goes through every possible situation with players and gives them a lot of information. Its possible players that dont think game fast enough like Bogo and Girgensons would struggle with a lot of information. They then overthink every situation. Could be why we saw Girgensons and Bogo play better under Nolan.

I really don't think its a system thing, its more the players seem hesitant, especially in their own end.
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That was the knock on Paul MacLean at the end on in Ottawa: too much information, too much to process, players got stiff and mechanical, etc.
 
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