Daily Links for Friday, January 20

by Andy Boron on Jan 20, 2012 6:01 AM EST in Daily Links

"I'm Paul Gaustad, and I approved these links."

Happy Friday, there, folks. Today, I'm going to try something a bit different - there are only two links below, but they're two links that I think are well worth reading for any frustrated Sabres fans out there. This season has been a rough one to say the least, and there are a lot of reasons to be angry, frustrated, and fed up with the Sabres organization, but before you spiral too far down the rabbit hole I urge you to read these two pieces, both of which make well-reasoned, articulate points that struck me in a fairly profound way. If you're really desperate to read about yet another Sabres loss, try this, this, this, or this. But if you want to try and stay sane this hockey season, try these two posts. Regular links will return tomorrow.

SCHOPP: Allegiances Tested - WGR 550
An extremely well-thought out post by Mike Schopp that really struck a chord with me. An excellent read.

The Sabres Fan Survival Guide - The Willful Caboose
A post on how to make it through the rest of the season and not become a bitter curmudgeon.

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Comments

FailForNail

WOOOOOOOOOO Anaheim is on a winning streak!’

But even as bad as we are, Edmonton has been EVEN WORSE. This will take a talent at sucking unprecedented in NHL history.

OPERATION TANK IS A GO. It’s the only explanation for Mike Weber. He’s on a secret mission.

by Ubiquitous on Jan 20, 2012 9:40 AM EST reply actions

Agreed

In every colossal failure, there is tremendous opportunity. Last time we were this horrible, we drafted the (current) best player on the team.

by Philaster on Jan 20, 2012 10:04 AM EST up reply actions

If we want a top-6 forward, this is the way to go.

OPERATION TANK IS A GO. It’s the only explanation for Mike Weber. He’s on a secret mission.

by Ubiquitous on Jan 20, 2012 10:20 AM EST up reply actions

I want

some top 10 centers. Forwards are easier to find in FA.

flayed ones stealth mode

"Fleshling! Do not shoot! For I am one of you fleshy things. It is I. Your Uncle Stan. Can't you tell by the long strips of fleshy substances covered in bodily fluids? Trust me! I have fleeeeeeeeesh."

by mob16151 on Jan 20, 2012 10:29 AM EST up reply actions

Jason Pominville is apparently a first line center now, so the need isn’t critical (unless roy is sent to the tower of london for momentum-killing dumb penalties in consecutive games. Maybe he’s in on the secret mission as well.)

OPERATION TANK IS A GO. It’s the only explanation for Mike Weber. He’s on a secret mission.

by Ubiquitous on Jan 20, 2012 10:40 AM EST up reply actions

I don’t usually watch the games so I didn’t see it, but apparently there was quite the tiff between Roy and Ruff last night on the bench.

by Philaster on Jan 20, 2012 10:45 AM EST up reply actions

Taking momentum-killing dumb penalties that result in the game-winning goal against in consecutive games seems to make Ruff very angry. We might see Luke Adam in his spot on Saturday.

OPERATION TANK IS A GO. It’s the only explanation for Mike Weber. He’s on a secret mission.

by Ubiquitous on Jan 20, 2012 10:47 AM EST up reply actions

Roy also takes ill advised no chance at going in OR no chance at a rebound because no one is near shots to kill an offensive possession.

Go Sabres!

by drwho62 on Jan 20, 2012 11:27 AM EST up reply actions

Columbus is even worse than Edmonton.

Columbus has 13 wins and only 31 points. Thats who we gotta be gunning for!

I hate that I love Buffalo.

by bflo on Jan 20, 2012 11:12 AM EST up reply actions

Columbus is on a 50-point pace. They just signed BRETT LEBDA. No chance of catching them.

OPERATION TANK IS A GO. It’s the only explanation for Mike Weber. He’s on a secret mission.

by Ubiquitous on Jan 20, 2012 11:29 AM EST up reply actions

Haha, we'd literally have to forfeit every game

to even have a chance at catching them.

I hate that I love Buffalo.

by bflo on Jan 20, 2012 11:30 AM EST up reply actions

Hmmm….to the suggestion box!

by Frank Reich Revolution on Jan 20, 2012 12:14 PM EST up reply actions

Stupid hot start.

by Philaster on Jan 20, 2012 12:16 PM EST up reply actions

Don’t need to catch them, its a lottery.

"If we needed any more motivation to win a Cup sooner than later, we've got one now," Black said. "I really want to listen to the game that RJ calls when he finally gets to shout out, 'Buffalo wins the Stanley Cup.'"
"Do it or Die Trying."

by FloridaBuffalo on Jan 20, 2012 3:08 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

A lottery which the last place team has a 50% chance of winning.

OPERATION TANK IS A GO. It’s the only explanation for Mike Weber. He’s on a secret mission.

by Ubiquitous on Jan 20, 2012 3:39 PM EST up reply actions

I thought it was a weighted lottery, but I wasn’t 100% sure.

"We’re gonna win the Stanley Cup. Then, you know what, we’re gonna win it again,"
-Terry Pegula

by bgred105 on Jan 20, 2012 4:00 PM EST up reply actions

it is, but the main reason is that a team that wins the lottery only goes up 4 spots so if anyone 6-14 wins it they don’t pick first overall.

OPERATION TANK IS A GO. It’s the only explanation for Mike Weber. He’s on a secret mission.

by Ubiquitous on Jan 20, 2012 4:03 PM EST up reply actions

Gotcha.

I do recall something like that.

OT:
Referring to an old sig of yours….I have been looking at a lot of adv. stats today (GVT, QoC, Relative Corsi) and it looks like Matt Ellis might be having a better year than Ville Leino. I am looking into this…but this team is really bad right now.

"We’re gonna win the Stanley Cup. Then, you know what, we’re gonna win it again,"
-Terry Pegula

by bgred105 on Jan 20, 2012 4:23 PM EST up reply actions

That was the point, Just have to get into the bottom 4 to have a chance at number 1. Sure it would be best to completely hit rock bottom, but it’s not necessary.

by FloridaBuffalo on Jan 21, 2012 11:55 AM EST up reply actions

Nothing like being at a annual convention in San Antonio with a bunch

of season ticket holders from Winnipeg. I would have never believed at the beginning of the season that the Jets would own the Sabres. Boy did I lose a very big bar tab last night. Now I have a terrible headache, poorer, and laughed at by Canadians with blue socks and sandals on. Damn you Sabres, damn you.

by 2010bulls on Jan 20, 2012 10:42 AM EST reply actions

Canadians with blue socks and sandals on

UGH…what a visual…sir,some of us are eating…PLEASE!

by boonies191 on Jan 20, 2012 1:28 PM EST up reply actions

Thank god for my son

he’s helping keep me sane

flayed ones stealth mode

by mob16151 on Jan 20, 2012 10:52 AM EST reply actions

In his chat yesterday, Bucky said that originally there were two Sabres who had apparently tuned out Lindy and wanted him gone, and that now that group has grown to 5 or 6.

by Philaster on Jan 20, 2012 10:59 AM EST reply actions

I'd put money on

One of those 5 or 6 is bucky.

OPERATION TANK IS A GO. It’s the only explanation for Mike Weber. He’s on a secret mission.

by Ubiquitous on Jan 20, 2012 10:59 AM EST up reply actions

Another is Sully.

"We’re gonna win the Stanley Cup. Then, you know what, we’re gonna win it again,"
-Terry Pegula

by bgred105 on Jan 20, 2012 11:00 AM EST up reply actions

Derek Roy seems to be playing like he’s already been traded (THANKS SULLY)

OPERATION TANK IS A GO. It’s the only explanation for Mike Weber. He’s on a secret mission.

by Ubiquitous on Jan 20, 2012 11:01 AM EST up reply actions

Whether he plays with heart or determination...

His stats show he is a bargain. Trading him for a 3rd round pick would be a crippling move.

"We’re gonna win the Stanley Cup. Then, you know what, we’re gonna win it again,"
-Terry Pegula

by bgred105 on Jan 20, 2012 11:02 AM EST up reply actions

The only person we should trade is Hecht (because he’s worth a second, at minimum. We can re-sign him after the season)

OPERATION TANK IS A GO. It’s the only explanation for Mike Weber. He’s on a secret mission.

by Ubiquitous on Jan 20, 2012 11:07 AM EST up reply actions

I read you saying, “Do a Tkachuk,” or something along those lines, and I like that idea. Get something to help us in the draft, then maybe resign him next off-season.

"We’re gonna win the Stanley Cup. Then, you know what, we’re gonna win it again,"
-Terry Pegula

by bgred105 on Jan 20, 2012 11:09 AM EST up reply actions

Also, he’ll be 35 next year, so if we want to we can give him a 1 year contract with a playoff bonus like the sabres seem to usually to give out. (say 2 million salary and 1 million playoff bonus)

OPERATION TANK IS A GO. It’s the only explanation for Mike Weber. He’s on a secret mission.

by Ubiquitous on Jan 20, 2012 11:37 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Wouldn't the same apply to Brad Boyes??

"Starting today, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence will be to win a Stanley Cup" - Terry Pegula

by willgarr15 on Jan 20, 2012 3:15 PM EST up reply actions

And Leo (although we can't re-sign him).

Save Jenrry Mejia!
2012 Amazin' Avenue Offseason Plan: 2nd place

by Ogre39666 on Jan 20, 2012 3:22 PM EST up reply actions

I disagree about Leopold

He is an asset that should be kept and at $3M, he isn’t breaking our bank to keep.

"Starting today, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence will be to win a Stanley Cup" - Terry Pegula

by willgarr15 on Jan 20, 2012 3:24 PM EST up reply actions

If we can get a 2nd rounder

I’d pull the trigger.

Save Jenrry Mejia!
2012 Amazin' Avenue Offseason Plan: 2nd place

by Ogre39666 on Jan 20, 2012 5:57 PM EST up reply actions

I liked Schopp's piece.

Lots of fans just want answers now, and since there are none, they get angry and come up with their own solutions to the problem. I wish anyone had that exact answer as to what the Sabres should do to become a Cup contender….but does anyone know what they need to do? Seriously, it has been an awful year with injuries and poor production from many key players and/or top six forwards. Our off-season looked like a big win, yet only Regehr seems to be the most consistent performer from that group. Would a blow-up solve the season and future? Or a coaching change? How about a GM change? If we were to make a blow-up, who is going and who is staying? Are we worried about value, or is it just “Sell Baby, Sell?” (channeling my inner Palin :p).

I do not have the correct answer. I do not think the fanbase has the correct answer. I do not think the message is “stale” or that this team can lack “heart”. Does anyone remember years past? We ALWAYS have had teams who play like they play now for a stretch of time. The stretches may have not been for so long, but this does happen. Was Ruff’s message stale in the past when that happened, and then it suddenly refreshed itself again? Maybe?

The problems here seem insurmountable in their current state…but instead of cleaning house, why don’t we just pick up most the pieces, glue them back together and see if they work next year? This was a good team at some point this season, and they are not the perfect team, but they are also not a last place team in the NHL. A few changes can be made, but I have faith in Pegula/Black to analyze and make those changes with more time than 10 1/2 months.

"We’re gonna win the Stanley Cup. Then, you know what, we’re gonna win it again,"
-Terry Pegula

by bgred105 on Jan 20, 2012 11:14 AM EST reply actions

I think the guys are frankly sick of each other

I know they want to turn it around, but they don’t have the wherewithal to. It comes down to the other players and how much you care about them and the team. I think that is where the Sabres are lacking.

by Philaster on Jan 20, 2012 12:19 PM EST reply actions

Schopp Must have Been Listening to My Dad and I yesterday..

.. because that was our argument, for over an hour. He’s the guy who harps on how useless the team is, and how nothing can be done, and he wants to punish them and scold them, etc., while I kept saying it’s psychological and that the team is not playing w/ confidence is all.

And he’s like “are you telling me they are gonna win when they play w/ confidence?” and I said “Yes”. He just can’t believe it, while I can’t believe he has missed such an important part of team sports.

Go Sabres, I am not giving up. They will still make the playoffs!

by joeysimms on Jan 20, 2012 2:19 PM EST reply actions

I could not agree more

Attitude and confidence and other psychological factors certainly play into things. If people don’t think that is the case, they have obviously never played team sports for a very long time.

"Starting today, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence will be to win a Stanley Cup" - Terry Pegula

by willgarr15 on Jan 20, 2012 3:26 PM EST up reply actions

I get what your saying

but the Sabres have the feeling of a team, that it’s to late for. Which was a vibe they didn’t give off last season.

flayed ones stealth mode

by mob16151 on Jan 20, 2012 10:22 PM EST up reply actions

The team doesn’t seem any worse than any other time when they’ve been slumping… or really any slumping team I’ve watched.

1. Nobody has any confidence
2. Because of 1., the mindset becomes “don’t fuck up and make a mistake”
3. Mistakes are made because 2. is the recipe for making them
4. We don’t get a break or a bounce and the team gets all “oh no, here we go again”

Rinse, repeat.

The good news is, they can’t lose out the entire season. Some game soon they will win. From there they can work at getting healthy and getting some confidence going, and ditch the loser mentality that drags an entire organization down. Hopefully that loser attitude is being discussed without the “cammeleri bounceback” hanging over players’ heads. People should absolutely be wondering aloud why the fuck they are beating themselves silly over a bad stretch, and at least lose giving it all and standing up for one another, ala McCormick last night after the hit on Roy.

by joeysimms on Jan 20, 2012 10:44 PM EST up reply actions

1. Nobody has any confidence
2. Because of 1., the mindset becomes "don’t fuck up and make a mistake"
3. Mistakes are made because 2. is the recipe for making them
4. We don’t get a break or a bounce and the team gets all "oh no, here we go again"

The problem with that is, is there playing like that even when they take leads. And if your still a headcase, when your winning a game…….your boned IMHO.

flayed ones stealth mode

by mob16151 on Jan 20, 2012 10:46 PM EST up reply actions

read the kevin m response to Schopp's article.

+1.

Rookies are like teabags...you don't know what you're gonna get until you put them in hot water. -Harry Neale

by weswed51 on Jan 20, 2012 11:42 PM EST reply actions

Confusing post.

Besides seemingly comparing a past experience of his to a situation he can only observe from the outside, he makes this odd claim:

Maybe Lindy can shake up the team by taking Pominville’s C and giving it to a player the team can rally around.

Why would the team respond positively to Ruff taking away the captaincy from one of the few players who is preforming well? Talk about a mixed message. If anyone should have their letter taken away it’s Roy.

Save Jenrry Mejia!
2012 Amazin' Avenue Offseason Plan: 2nd place

by Ogre39666 on Jan 21, 2012 12:17 AM EST up reply actions

What was confusing about it?

I agree with taking Pommer C away won’t help, I thought the rest of it was a good look at any number of reasons why this group has started to crash.

Rookies are like teabags...you don't know what you're gonna get until you put them in hot water. -Harry Neale

by weswed51 on Jan 22, 2012 11:56 AM EST up reply actions

The whole taking the C away form one of the few players who's preforming is really confusing.

Maybe I should have called it illogical instead? If he things that’s a good idea, to me it kind of invalidates anything that guy has to say about leadership (especially in a situation where we can only observe from the outside).

Save Jenrry Mejia!
2012 Amazin' Avenue Offseason Plan: 2nd place

by Ogre39666 on Jan 22, 2012 3:19 PM EST up reply actions