Sabres Management and Coaching Thread

[oldgoalie]

A great read and perspective for a person who watched Byslma regularly from his other stint and how eerily similar things are playing out on both teams.

https://twointhebox.com/2017/03/09/bylsmas-shortcomings-arent-exactly-new/

thanks for the link.

great read, indeed.

 

[truthbluth]

A great read and perspective for a person who watched Byslma regularly from his other stint and how eerily similar things are playing out on both teams.

https://twointhebox.com/2017/03/09/bylsmas-shortcomings-arent-exactly-new/

I mean, yeah. In some ways, this is a nice bit of validation for things we've been saying, (and things we've been shouted down about from a certain contingent of people on these baords), but does Timmy get it? If he didn't see how abysmal Bylsma's been before, why would we expect him to suddenly see it now?

Somehow this article has made me both more certain that Bylsma's the problem, and more certain that he'll be here to begin next season.

 

[AustonsNostrils]

A great read and perspective for a person who watched Byslma regularly from his other stint and how eerily similar things are playing out on both teams.

https://twointhebox.com/2017/03/09/bylsmas-shortcomings-arent-exactly-new/

All been written on this board and on the Pens board but I agree it's a good summation. He's simply not an elite NHL coach, we tanked and suffered to get elite player talent. Why would you settle for mediocre coaching talent?

Bylsma's NHL coaching career is an accident, he had less than a season in as an AHL head coach when the Penguins axed Therrien and he was the most convenient solution, at that late stage of the season the only solution. Teams play better after a coaching change, especially when the team has two of the top 5 players on the planet. They went on to win a Cup and Bylsma rode that into a full time job and fame. USA Hockey selected him to coach the USA Olympic team which performed poorly and uncharacteristically without much passion or determination. According to Pens fans he was outcoached in every playoff series following the Cup run. Until he had lost the team and he was fired. He got lucky once again when Babcock at the last minute rejected Buffalo's money and went to Toronto. The Pegulas panicked I think and told Murray to hire a big name coach, Bylsma was the biggest name on the market.

 

[OkimLom]

I mean, yeah. In some ways, this is a nice bit of validation for things we've been saying, (and things we've been shouted down about from a certain contingent of people on these baords), but does Timmy get it? If he didn't see how abysmal Bylsma's been before, why would we expect him to suddenly see it now?

Somehow this article has made me both more certain that Bylsma's the problem, and more certain that he'll be here to begin next season.

Because he didn't fire him in a season where he lost a good portion of man games to injuries? That would look bad to other coaches if he was let go with the amount of injuries we had for the poor season.

I think this last batch of games with a pretty much healthy lineup, should give Murray enough reason along with the multiple times Murray has called out the players. The players have responded pretty well(except vs Philly) and they are still losing. I think he's gone after the player exit interviews where he can have a sit down with his franchise player and find out where his head is at.

 

[Jame]

A great read and perspective for a person who watched Byslma regularly from his other stint and how eerily similar things are playing out on both teams.

https://twointhebox.com/2017/03/09/bylsmas-shortcomings-arent-exactly-new/

In summary, everything I warned this board about when carrying the "anyone but Bylsma" torch.

 

[Myllz]

What annoys me the most is that all his talk about how he learned so much in his year off was clearly just a sales pitch.

 

[joshjull]

Jack Eichel didn’t seem too concerned about Dan Bylsma's criticism of him after the Philadelphia game. The Sabres head coach was angry that Eichel tried to beat three Flyers and turned the puck over leading to the first goal. Bylsma benched Eichel for a shift, but Jack is fine, “No I try to play the same all 60 minutes. The team asks me to make that play, so I’m going to try to make it. If it works it works, if it doesn’t it doesn’t.”

“It’s tough when it ends up in the back of your net and you’ve got to pick and choose your spots, but it’s my game. I think I said this a little earlier in the year, it’s tough to put handcuffs on you and they expect you to create offense and I’ve got to play with the puck on my stick during the game, so I know I’m going to turn the puck over at some point and it’s important to be careful where you do it and when you do it.”

“I’m an offensive player that creates stuff for our team, so I’m going to continue to make plays.”

Bylsma agreed on Thursday that he is tougher on younger players. I asked Eichel if that makes things tougher on him or Sam Reinhart and I got a terse, “No, not at all.”

Safe to say Jack could care less about what Disco does or says. He's going to play the way he feels he needs to. Sorry Disco, he wasn't inspired to play with more passion due to your 1 shift benching.

Interesting that Jack said the team asks him to play that way. As opposed to saying the coach does. I may be reading too much into it. But it seems safe to say Jack isn't a Disco fan.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

I'm SOOO bored with sifting through Dufus' issues. I just want him gone, and I really don't have the will to keep watching this team while he's behind the bench.

Just canceled DirecTV, no more Center Ice, and I couldn't care less.

 

[Zip15]

All been written on this board and on the Pens board but I agree it's a good summation. He's simply not an elite NHL coach, we tanked and suffered to get elite player talent. Why would you settle for mediocre coaching talent?

Bylsma's NHL coaching career is an accident, he had less than a season in as an AHL head coach when the Penguins axed Therrien and he was the most convenient solution, at that late stage of the season the only solution. Teams play better after a coaching change, especially when the team has two of the top 5 players on the planet. They went on to win a Cup and Bylsma rode that into a full time job and fame. USA Hockey selected him to coach the USA Olympic team which performed poorly and uncharacteristically without much passion or determination. According to Pens fans he was outcoached in every playoff series following the Cup run. Until he had lost the team and he was fired. He got lucky once again when Babcock at the last minute rejected Buffalo's money and went to Toronto. The Pegulas panicked I think and told Murray to hire a big name coach, Bylsma was the biggest name on the market.

Oh look, a repackaged "Murray didn't really hire the coach" argument.

 

[CatsforReinhart]

All been written on this board and on the Pens board but I agree it's a good summation. He's simply not an elite NHL coach, we tanked and suffered to get elite player talent. Why would you settle for mediocre coaching talent?

Bylsma's NHL coaching career is an accident, he had less than a season in as an AHL head coach when the Penguins axed Therrien and he was the most convenient solution, at that late stage of the season the only solution. Teams play better after a coaching change, especially when the team has two of the top 5 players on the planet. They went on to win a Cup and Bylsma rode that into a full time job and fame. USA Hockey selected him to coach the USA Olympic team which performed poorly and uncharacteristically without much passion or determination. According to Pens fans he was outcoached in every playoff series following the Cup run. Until he had lost the team and he was fired. He got lucky once again when Babcock at the last minute rejected Buffalo's money and went to Toronto. The Pegulas panicked I think and told Murray to hire a big name coach, Bylsma was the biggest name on the market.

Come on man, these aren't children. Pegula is a multi billionaire who ran oil companies. you make it sound like this

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

Come on man, these aren't children. Pegula is a multi billionaire who ran oil companies. you make it sound like this

I don't think it's the biggest stretch, considering the awful name-grab hiring of Rex Ryan for the Bills. Maybe it isn't about a name grab, but it sure is some awful judgement on coaching hires. I'm not even suggesting the Pegulas had the biggest influence in the decision, but they certainly had a significant voice in the process, or gave too much faith into people that made a poor decision on their behalf.

I just think it's impossible to discount any scenario since we were never in the room when these decisions were made. Blame can go in any direction and in any amount, as far as I'm concerned...until anyone ever confirms something.

 

[wunderpanda]

Oh, we're back to protecting Murray by blaming Pegula? No. Bylsma is not the brash frat boy personality Pegula has hired; Nolan, Lafontaine, Rex, Murray all fit a personality type that Bylsma doesn't fit. Bylsma does fit the submissive role, like Sam, ROR & Moulson. It's more likely Pegula wanted Babs and Bylsma was Murray's choice.

 

[sabres1212]

Bylsma needs to go ASAP. 1 win in 9 games during what was the most important stretch for the sabres is pathetic. I still have hope for Murray because he acknowledged that he NEEDS to get a good blueliner. Bylsma never really seems to put any blame on himself and his system is atrocious (In Buf and Roch). Bylsma needs to go before Eichel wants to get out of here.

 

[ThunderD]

Oh, we're back to protecting Murray by blaming Pegula? No. Bylsma is not the brash frat boy personality Pegula has hired; Nolan, Lafontaine, Rex, Murray all fit a personality type that Bylsma doesn't fit. Bylsma does fit the submissive role, like Sam, ROR & Moulson. It's more likely Pegula wanted Babs and Bylsma was Murray's choice.

I don't think it's about personality types. It's more about splashy big moves. This even goes back to when Pegula first bought the team. He wanted the biggest and best that money can buy so he and Kim flew out to Calgary to get Regehr, signed Ehrhoff and long before there were Rex and Disco there was Ville Leino. If anything it is Murray who doesn't fit the m.o. of everyone else. It also is not like one wanted Babs while the other didn't. It's safe to say they both wanted him. Once he was gone Bylsma was the next biggest, flashiest name on the merket with his Stanley Cup and Pens experience.

 

[truthbluth]

I'm typically a Murray apologist, because he orchestrated and pulled off the tank despite stiff competition from Toronto and Arizona (which major media conveniently forgets), but you have to consider the following:
Murray is now 3 years on the job with a good chance that each of
Sabres
Amerks
Jackals

Finish dead ****ing last in their conferences.

Ignoring everything but results, he has been an abject failure.

I don't know that he'll be fired, but if he isn't, Pegula is forgiving failure.

Caveat, I love Tim Murray's personality, and I think he's a great evaluator of amateur talent. But I also think he deserves to be fired.

 

[hizzoner]

I believe that continued failure should have consequences.

 

[Aladyyn]

If you think a GM should be fired 2 years after fielding the worst non-expansion team in history on purpose based PURELY ON RESULTS, you should take a walk because you need some fresh air.

 

[Sabre Dance]

If you think a GM should be fired 2 years after fielding the worst non-expansion team in history on purpose based PURELY ON RESULTS, you should take a walk because you need some fresh air.

He gets 1 more year to show the roster is heading in the right direction.

 

[AustonsNostrils]

Caveat, I love Tim Murray's personality, and I think he's a great evaluator of amateur talent. But I also think he deserves to be fired.

This is where I'm at too now, I really like the guy and want him to be a great GM but the facts so far aren't pointing in that direction. People on here seem to brush past the disaster that Rochester has been under him. Take Eichel, Reinhart and Ristolainen out of the picture, Murray had nothing really to do with them - Risto was here when he was hired and a Labrador retriever could have been trained to take an envelope on stage with Eichel and Reinhart's names in them.

So what are his real contributions to the organization - O'Reilly, Kane, Bogosian, Lehner, Okposo, Kulikov, Moulson, Gionta, Gorges. Did we come out ahead on his trades? The 1st round picks we gave up were used to select Roslovic and Colin White - we're doing the prospect poll on here now, both those players would be in our Top 3 prospects now, other names available were Boeser, Konecny, Samsonov. Myers had value, it's been reported we tried to get Mantha or Larkin for Myers, no luck but I do think we could have done better than Bogosian.
We lost Pysyk for nothing. That hurts. JT Compher would also be among our top 5 prospects, he's had a good rookie season in the AHL.

Anybody who thinks Tim has done better than a mediocre/incomplete job is wearing rose colored glasses. The majority on here believe the Bylsma hire was his, not the Pegulas, so that's another mistake.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

I am absolutely NOT a TM apologist, but turning the team around from DFL to a contender isn't supposed to take 3 years. It's likely to take 5+ years, and there's a lot of moves on the table for him this summer that will go a long way in my overall evaluation. My only hitch is the Dufus hire. I'm convinced that decision has cut the legs out from under the short term improvement of this roster. I don't think this team, even after a bang up job my TM this summer, has a chance at a SC under Dufus. So no matter what TM does with the roster going forward, he (or any-freaking-body) has to can his tail and find someone with a clue...or everything else is all for naught. That might all be on TM as well.

 

[truthbluth]

If Murray were fired, who'd be the top candidate to replace him?
The guy who reportedly came in second to Murray has a job (Jim Benning).

I'd be up for either of Jason Botterill or Paul Fenton.

 

[truthbluth]

I am absolutely NOT a TM apologist, but turning the team around from DFL to a contender isn't supposed to take 3 years. It's likely to take 5+ years, and there's a lot of moves on the table for him this summer that will go a long way in my overall evaluation. My only hitch is the Dufus hire. I'm convinced that decision has cut the legs out from under the short term improvement of this roster. I don't think this team, even after a bang up job my TM this summer, has a chance at a SC under Dufus. So no matter what TM does with the roster going forward, he (or any-freaking-body) has to can his tail and find someone with a clue...or everything else is all for naught. That might all be on TM as well.

If that's what you believe, then using your entire stockpile of premium assets to acquire Evander Kane, Zach Bogosian, Ryan O'Reilly and Robin Lehner makes NO GODDAMN SENSE! Hell, lump Pysyk in there. He tossed a controlled asset for a UFA to be. If you aren't planning on being a contender, then none of that **** makes a lick of sense. I'm sorry, but this argument has worn thin on me. We have been patient with Tim Murray, and he has built arguably the worst performing organization, from top to bottom, in the entire league. Enough is enough.

 

[Sabre Dance]

I am absolutely NOT a TM apologist, but turning the team around from DFL to a contender isn't supposed to take 3 years. It's likely to take 5+ years, and there's a lot of moves on the table for him this summer that will go a long way in my overall evaluation. My only hitch is the Dufus hire. I'm convinced that decision has cut the legs out from under the short term improvement of this roster. I don't think this team, even after a bang up job my TM this summer, has a chance at a SC under Dufus. So no matter what TM does with the roster going forward, he (or any-freaking-body) has to can his tail and find someone with a clue...or everything else is all for naught. That might all be on TM as well.

Assuming DFL means dead freaking last it doesn't take 5+. Every last place team since 2000 has made the playoffs by year 4 except Edmonton, which took 6 years (assuming they make it this year). Next year will be 4 years since the Sabres finished last. Most teams do it faster than 4.

 

[JThorne]

1-6-2 in their last 9. Let's go for 1 out of 10!

FIRE BYSMAL!

 

[AustonsNostrils]

If Murray were fired, who'd be the top candidate to replace him?
The guy who reportedly came in second to Murray has a job (Jim Benning).

I'd be up for either of Jason Botterill or Paul Fenton.

I want to raid the Leafs organization and hire Kyle Dubas and Sheldon Keefe as GM and coach. Both young progressive guys who've had nothing but success on their way up the ladder - a ladder that they can't climb any higher with Lamoriello and Babcock there.