Kris and Matthew are making it clear what we're all sensing at some level, that these players are mostly run and gun finessed offensive guys being asked to be grinders and puck possession guys. Our Gm is out of his depth. No shade to lindy but this ain't working🦬
Never enough talk about Terry Pegula. A little bit sure, but not nearly enough. He is and HAS BEEN the issue for 15 fucking years. If he won't sell the team, then our only hope is for him to drop dead. Only way out of this is for him to be gone.
A live morning show. If you announce it in advance I'd wake up for it. This franchise needs a reboot. We need a minority owner that has played the game. Then that minority owner can convince Terry your doing it wrong! Then you fire the coaches gm you trade deadline weight players like upl, Mattias, Greenway, Norris, Quinn, Krebs and Power You find out if tage, tuch dahlin and byram want to be here or you trade them suffer for 2 more years. Give Bettman a million bucks to rig the draft lotto in favor of the sabres. Start fresh just like franchise mode in nhl 2025! This franchise is being laughed at and I cant wait to see the empty seats. I will continue to support the show but I will not invest any of my hard earned money into going to see them at all!
Adams and others in the organization have used the phrase, "plays the game the right way" on many occasions. I'd like to hear what they actually mean by that statement because it seems like the players that they draft or acquire don't seem to know the "right way" once they've arrived in Buffalo.
Please enough of Zach Benson. I will give you he works hard but come on . Give me more playoff team from the last few years where Zach Benson plays on the first line.? Or Kulich is in the top 9? So we we talk about guys like those 2 players like they are difference makers. This team has not one forward who can carry the puck to create offense zone puck control. Those are 3 easy ones to pick out.
Tage just came off winning a world championship, so to get the start that we've seen so far, it's got to be so disheartening to be in his shoes right now. I am so disgusted as a fan since 1970, to see how bad that these guys are playing. We know that they have the talent, they just seem to have their heads up their asses. Of course, the fact that ownership has zero sense of urgency over the tenure of Adams, it's another layer of a negative focus towards the overall situation of the once proud franchise.
You guys touched on everything I’ve been thinking about and writing about on diebytheblade – always on point and always the best Sabres content around, please keep it up it’s appreciated
You guys covered everything. The only thing I'll add is I can't imagine going through what Dahlin is going through. With his fiance, her health, being away from her, trying to lead this completely dysfunctional franchise. Talk about mission impossible. I hope his teammates at least check in on how he's doing this year. Hang in there Rasmus.
Ruff not being allowed to hire his own staff and continuing with Bales/Wofford/Appert and the smallest hockey ops department in the entire NHL has a cascading effect that has trickled down into how the team plays. Although I disagree with some of the Granato commentary, MF's point is spot on – the poor decisions by Pegula about GM/hockey ops/coaches sank this version of Ruff's Sabres before it started. When Granato was let go, the entire staff should have been replaced and a hockey ops department hired.
understand injuries don't undertand lack of effort, urgergency, depseration whtever you want to call it. I would ok with losing if i say th ecaring and effort and willingness to go through a wall for the team
Here we go again! In Don Granato's 2nd full season the Sabres scored a ton of goals. They gave up a ton of goals. They finished with 91 points. Missed the playoffs by 1 point to Florida. It was decided for the next season that they needed to give up fewer goals to be successful and make the playoffs. They started off poorly. They were giving up fewer goals but they weren't scoring as they had before. They were losing games. They missed the playoffs by 7 points. They regressed from the season before. Granato was fired and Lindy Ruff was brought back as head coach. They picked up their scoring. But they gave up more goals than the year before. They continued their regression, missing out on the playoffs last season by 12 points. The talk after the season was, again, that they needed to get better defensively and give up fewer goals. With the start of this season they again aren't scoring goals and while the goals against hasn't been terrible so far (a couple of empty net goals against and very good play by Alex Lyon) they are 0-3-0 and looking horribly lost. At what point does anyone realize that the style of play for this team's make-up…a defensive, hard to play against style with more hitting and fewer goals against…is not working. It is not their identity. They were a team that won or lost games 4-3, 5-4, or similar scores. They didn't, and don't, win many games by 3-2, 2-1 scores. This team needs to play an offensive style that showcases their talent and if they win and lose games by 4-3 or 5-4 scores then so be it. At least it would be entertaining hockey and would seemingly give them a better chance to win more hockey games than they lose. The only thing they really needed to win more games going, back to the 2002-23 season, was higher caliber goaltending. The defensive style they've been trying to institute just doesn't fit the players on the team. And that is terribly frustrating to see all their talent being wasted.
Cozens, Gilbert and a freaking second for a guy that can’t stay in the lineup. They let Bernard Docker, a right handed d-man, walk in favor of keeping Jacob Bryson. Bryson is a five foot nothing 175 lb bad penny we can’t get rid of, astounding mismanagement.
As Pittsburgher married to a buffalo fan, this team reminds me so much of the Pittsburgh pirates in how they are run and the lack of winning culture and continual questions and directions. I’d say pegula is a better owner than nutting at least!
Watch the Amerks play. Fast and aggressive. Out of the D zone fast and tenacious on the forecheck. Speed (not just skating, but moving the puck fast) makes a team lacking enforcers tough to play against.
30 Comments
Kris and Matthew are making it clear what we're all sensing at some level, that these players are mostly run and gun finessed offensive guys being asked to be grinders and puck possession guys. Our Gm is out of his depth. No shade to lindy but this ain't working🦬
Never enough talk about Terry Pegula. A little bit sure, but not nearly enough. He is and HAS BEEN the issue for 15 fucking years. If he won't sell the team, then our only hope is for him to drop dead. Only way out of this is for him to be gone.
You guys were on fire with this one. Therapy session indeed. Great show and thanks for just telling it like it is.
A live morning show. If you announce it in advance I'd wake up for it.
This franchise needs a reboot. We need a minority owner that has played the game. Then that minority owner can convince Terry your doing it wrong! Then you fire the coaches gm you trade deadline weight players like upl, Mattias, Greenway, Norris, Quinn, Krebs and Power
You find out if tage, tuch dahlin and byram want to be here or you trade them suffer for 2 more years. Give Bettman a million bucks to rig the draft lotto in favor of the sabres.
Start fresh just like franchise mode in nhl 2025! This franchise is being laughed at and I cant wait to see the empty seats. I will continue to support the show but I will not invest any of my hard earned money into going to see them at all!
Adams and others in the organization have used the phrase, "plays the game the right way" on many occasions. I'd like to hear what they actually mean by that statement because it seems like the players that they draft or acquire don't seem to know the "right way" once they've arrived in Buffalo.
Please enough of Zach Benson. I will give you he works hard but come on . Give me more playoff team from the last few years where Zach Benson plays on the first line.? Or Kulich is in the top 9? So we we talk about guys like those 2 players like they are difference makers. This team has not one forward who can carry the puck to create offense zone puck control. Those are 3 easy ones to pick out.
Dahlin and Thompson comments are cop outs.
Jarmo sounds like a no nonsense kinda guy, he commands a room. I don't see him as an owners yes man. Kevin is the exact opposite
Now you have lost me. Come on Don Granato! He’s the NHL coach who told his players not to play the body because it was a waste of energy!
Tage just came off winning a world championship, so to get the start that we've seen so far, it's got to be so disheartening to be in his shoes right now. I am so disgusted as a fan since 1970, to see how bad that these guys are playing. We know that they have the talent, they just seem to have their heads up their asses. Of course, the fact that ownership has zero sense of urgency over the tenure of Adams, it's another layer of a negative focus towards the overall situation of the once proud franchise.
Thank God for you guys telling it like it is. I'd be going completely crazy without it.
Totally absurd embellishment call on Tuch, he was tripped and fell perfectly normally under the circumstances. Very suspicious call if you ask me.
why bother with this crap franchise
You guys touched on everything I’ve been thinking about and writing about on diebytheblade – always on point and always the best Sabres content around, please keep it up it’s appreciated
You guys covered everything. The only thing I'll add is I can't imagine going through what Dahlin is going through. With his fiance, her health, being away from her, trying to lead this completely dysfunctional franchise. Talk about mission impossible. I hope his teammates at least check in on how he's doing this year. Hang in there Rasmus.
Put Barnaby in there & the season would turn around instantly
Ruff not being allowed to hire his own staff and continuing with Bales/Wofford/Appert and the smallest hockey ops department in the entire NHL has a cascading effect that has trickled down into how the team plays. Although I disagree with some of the Granato commentary, MF's point is spot on – the poor decisions by Pegula about GM/hockey ops/coaches sank this version of Ruff's Sabres before it started. When Granato was let go, the entire staff should have been replaced and a hockey ops department hired.
understand injuries don't undertand lack of effort, urgergency, depseration whtever you want to call it. I would ok with losing if i say th ecaring and effort and willingness to go through a wall for the team
Mathew absolutely cooking, spot on.
Here we go again! In Don Granato's 2nd full season the Sabres scored a ton of goals. They gave up a ton of goals. They finished with 91 points. Missed the playoffs by 1 point to Florida. It was decided for the next season that they needed to give up fewer goals to be successful and make the playoffs. They started off poorly. They were giving up fewer goals but they weren't scoring as they had before. They were losing games. They missed the playoffs by 7 points. They regressed from the season before. Granato was fired and Lindy Ruff was brought back as head coach. They picked up their scoring. But they gave up more goals than the year before. They continued their regression, missing out on the playoffs last season by 12 points. The talk after the season was, again, that they needed to get better defensively and give up fewer goals. With the start of this season they again aren't scoring goals and while the goals against hasn't been terrible so far (a couple of empty net goals against and very good play by Alex Lyon) they are 0-3-0 and looking horribly lost. At what point does anyone realize that the style of play for this team's make-up…a defensive, hard to play against style with more hitting and fewer goals against…is not working. It is not their identity. They were a team that won or lost games 4-3, 5-4, or similar scores. They didn't, and don't, win many games by 3-2, 2-1 scores. This team needs to play an offensive style that showcases their talent and if they win and lose games by 4-3 or 5-4 scores then so be it. At least it would be entertaining hockey and would seemingly give them a better chance to win more hockey games than they lose. The only thing they really needed to win more games going, back to the 2002-23 season, was higher caliber goaltending. The defensive style they've been trying to institute just doesn't fit the players on the team. And that is terribly frustrating to see all their talent being wasted.
REALLY enjoyed this episode. Fairburn is truly well spoken and it was really enlightening hearing his take. Great show guys 👍
Cozens, Gilbert and a freaking second for a guy that can’t stay in the lineup. They let Bernard Docker, a right handed d-man, walk in favor of keeping Jacob Bryson. Bryson is a five foot nothing 175 lb bad penny we can’t get rid of, astounding mismanagement.
Enjoyed the morning show!
Great back and forth as always guys!
If Justin Danforth is on your power play it's time to shut the whole thing down.
I said it 2 years ago, adams has no plan, he does what the owner and/or head coach wants. That's it
This was one of Matt's best episodes. Hit all the nails.
As Pittsburgher married to a buffalo fan, this team reminds me so much of the Pittsburgh pirates in how they are run and the lack of winning culture and continual questions and directions. I’d say pegula is a better owner than nutting at least!
Watch the Amerks play. Fast and aggressive. Out of the D zone fast and tenacious on the forecheck. Speed (not just skating, but moving the puck fast) makes a team lacking enforcers tough to play against.
Probably should redo this. Everything stated was wrong. Everyone played their ass off against Ottawa.
They missed Benson big time.