Yet, people will act surprised by this, or infuriated.
I'm not really either one of those. But at the same time, I hope they realize that another one of these seasons will mean the door.
At this point, I think Darcy's job this offseason will shape the 12-13 season more than Ruff's will. Ruff is Ruff. If you're not going to change the coach, change the players. And that's on DR.
I would like to put knee-jerk over-reaction fans like you in charge. That will work.
Yes, an evaluation of Ruff or Regier based on their 14 year history as coach and GM is very much a kneejerk reaction.
Let's all remember that Ted Black's knowledge of this organization/team was zero before he got his current gig. I think he was last running a TV station or some such.
Pegula may be a long time fan, but if I was running a multi-billion dollar business, I probably wouldn't be paying really close attention to what the Sabres are doing beyond the odd game you can catch or box score. He's been distracted.
Pegula and Black will need time to come to realize they have to start over.
Miller referenced this year as a "lost season" in his locker room cleanout.
We likely have a few more on the way before things change.
Black and Pegula made it clear that Regier and Ruff were being given a clear slate and would be judged solely on their performance since Pegula.
And in that time, the Sabres have gone from being a division-winning team the season just prior to Pegula taking over, to barely squeaking in as a 7th seed in Pegula's first season, to missing the playoffs entirely in his 2nd.
I understand the clean slate concept, but it's not exactly as if Regier/Ruff have set the team on a stellar trajectory even just taking the last couple years into account.
Black and Pegula made it clear that Regier and Ruff were being given a clear slate and would be judged solely on their performance since Pegula. It was also made clear that they would show patience and not make rash decisions.
Yet, people will act surprised by this, or infuriated.React how you want, but the plan was to give them at LEAST 2 years from the beginning.
Not surprised, not infuriated. Just followed by apathy...
Doesn't mean I stop rooting for and/or following them. Just plan to be quietly skeptical.
And in that time, the Sabres have gone from being a division-winning team the season just prior to Pegula taking over, to barely squeaking in as a 7th seed in Pegula's first season, to missing the playoffs entirely in his 2nd.
I understand the clean slate concept, but it's not exactly as if Regier/Ruff have set the team on a stellar trajectory even just taking the last couple years into account.
Yet Black says the franchise is "moving in the right direction".
I get the feeling we have Dan Snyder NHL version on our hands here. Just throw money at players and the problem goes away.
no one should be surprised.
just like you shouldnt be surprised when Roy is here next year too
QFT. LET'S GO, STATUS QUO!
I have 2 main thoughts on this.
1: Giving Darcy/Lindy more time under current ownership with less restrictions to see if they get results is a reasonable idea. If they don't meet standards, they'll get booted to the curb eventually. Fair enough.
2: How the **** has no one around Black/TPegs pointed out this team is still suffering from a bunch of problems (lack of center depth, lack of toughness, lack of winning mentality/being weak mentally, inability to close out games or finish teams off) that have been here since 2008? The problems that (along with injuries) caused the sabres to miss the playoffs this year? Yeah, I think management needs to go when some of these problems are universally recognized...just kidding, let's keep these dudes, not like they constructed the roster this way
I doubt either has a lot of breathing room at this point. Should the season start poorly, changes may happen.
Pretty much this. Give them one more season, and then if we still don't make the playoffs next year, or get bounced in the first round, fire both of 'em.
The question rolling forward now becomes: "Just exactly what has to happen for one or both of the Dynamic Duo to be fired?"
What if we miss the playoffs the next 10 years?
What if Darcy is discovered to be running a human slavery/drug trafficking ring?
What if Lindy dies of a heart attack on the golf course? Would we have a new coach then? Or would Terry have a wax replica of Lindy constructed and placed behind the bench at all games, accurately attired in a distasteful assortment of Lindy's usual mis-matching cheap suits, shirts, and ties?
Is there ANY scenario in which one or both of these guys is/are fired?
In fairness, it's hard to know what management should make of this team. How do you evaluate a team that winds up in the basement by January, and then had one of the best records in the entire league over the last 40% of the season? Seriously, it's not that easy to explain, and people will have many different theories (injuries, coaching, lack of mental toughness, coincidental slumps, etc.).
Personally, I think that is partially a coaching issue and partially an attitude issue. The latter issue should be addressed by bringing in a couple of mental "winners" this summer.
What if Lindy dies of a heart attack on the golf course? Would we have a new coach then? Or would Terry have a wax replica of Lindy constructed and placed behind the bench at all games, accurately attired in a distasteful assortment of Lindy's usual mis-matching cheap suits, shirts, and ties?
You're killing me with this stuff........ we could go to Disneyworld and borrow the animatronics for Lincoln and stuff them in the portable Lindy!
No wait, all we need is to be able to mimick the famous Lindy Ruff arms folded position!
In fairness, it's hard to know what management should make of this team. How do you evaluate a team that winds up in the basement by January, and then had one of the best records in the entire league over the last 40% of the season? Seriously, it's not that easy to explain, and people will have many different theories (injuries, coaching, lack of mental toughness, coincidental slumps, etc.).
Personally, I think that is partially a coaching issue and partially an attitude issue. The latter issue should be addressed by bringing in a couple of mental "winners" this summer.
It's also possible that while many fans in Western, New York were planning the cup parade last summer that they had far more modest expectations internally.
I know I would have had more modest expectations if I had known Roy had a 2 year recovery period ahead of him and that it was the Sabres who were selling Leino on being a center; not the other way around.
followed by apathy...
I like that characterization!
