Jason Botterill Discussion 2

[Chainshot]

We need Reinhart to drive his own line. Im not saying he can't but he has to be given the chance with decent linemates.

Sam's splits with Mitts make Mitts go vs. Mitts without... with almost nary a dip in Jack's production offensively.

 

[OkimLom]

I mean if the GM was that bad then how in the world do you know if Housley is that bad? It's not like Housley took over a playoff team and then destroyed it.

Because there are aspects of coaching from Housley that are by his own doing. Most of which are decisions in his lineups, his line construction. His lack of any form of adaptation through his whole coaching career, and the team not being prepared for teams. My want of Housley needing to be fired has nothing to do with the players he's given by Botts or wins/loss results. If he was hired to make the team more happy, then he should've been hired as an PR Events Coordinator, not a head coach.

 

[KeyserSoze81]

I mean if the GM was that bad then how in the world do you know if Housley is that bad? It's not like Housley took over a playoff team and then destroyed it.

Very true, it is difficult to isolate and allocate blame with this situation. Perhaps a new coach would bring out the talents of the roster more. Maybe Botterill handcuffed Housley with some of his personnel decisions. But at the end of the day, Housley still had a lot of talent to work with, and his results are on par with the tank years. I do not see a scenario where he is not run out of town after locker clean out.

Botterill will likely stay on and get a chance to right the ship. But does he deserve that chance?

 

[Sabre Dance]

No, he took over an 80-point team and made it appreciably worse in almost every way, with the roster additions made by the current GM. So yeah, Phil's bad. We see him regularly not ice his best lineup (matchups, use, pairings, lines) which is basic competence for an NHL coach.

78 point team. A team that finished 7-14-2, so in other words a team falling fast.

Why do people act like Botterill and Housley walked into a great situation?

 

[Icicle]

78 point team. A team that finished 7-14-2, so in other words a team falling fast.

Why do people act like Botterill and Housley walked into a great situation?

He walked into the Moulson and Okposo contracts and no depth anywhere. People expect Rome to be built in a day though.

 

[Zip15]

78 point team. A team that finished 7-14-2, so in other words a team falling fast.

Why do people act like Botterill and Housley walked into a great situation?

A team that quit on its coach for the final three weeks to get him fired.

 

[Zip15]

He walked into the Moulson and Okposo contracts and no depth anywhere. People expect Rome to be built in a day though.

Is there anything you won't excuse Botterill for?

Your shtick that, two years later, this is still Murray's and Bylsma's mess is tired. And wrong.

 

[Sabre Dance]

A team that quit on its coach for the final three weeks to get him fired.

They started the next year terrible after getting a new coach. We can blame the coach some, but the players play the game. Coach isn't going to make a team last to playoffs alone.

 

[Zip15]

They started the next year terrible after getting a new coach. We can blame the coach some, but the players play the game. Coach isn't going to make a team last to playoffs alone.

I agree that the players are part of the problem, too. But Phil has not done anything, in two years, to indicate that he should be the coach going forward. That being the case, I don't see the point in proceeding with him as the coach.

 

[Zip15]

It took the two luckiest things that can happen to a GM (winning the lottery when a generational talent is on the board AND having a top line player say your team is the only place he'll go)... to mask how truly terrible Botts is, and even with that most people could see through it.

I would add that he was also fortunate that SJS re-signed Kane. Else that return would be looking pretty awful right now.

 

[Sabre Dance]

I agree that the players are part of the problem, too. But Phil has not done anything, in two years, to indicate that he should be the coach going forward. That being the case, I don't see the point in proceeding with him as the coach.

I've been calling for an experienced head coach for 3 years. I'm 100% behind a coaching change, especially before dumping Ristolainen and/or Reinhart.

 

[Sabre Dance]

I would add that he was also fortunate that SJS re-signed Kane. Else that return would be looking pretty awful right now.

Looks awful regardless. Danny O'Regan? Are you kidding me

 

[Jame]

Very true, it is difficult to isolate and allocate blame with this situation. Perhaps a new coach would bring out the talents of the roster more. Maybe Botterill handcuffed Housley with some of his personnel decisions. But at the end of the day, Housley still had a lot of talent to work with, and his results are on par with the tank years. I do not see a scenario where he is not run out of town after locker clean out.

Botterill will likely stay on and get a chance to right the ship. But does he deserve that chance?

The guy who hired Phil Housley and Traded ROR deserves nothing more than a pink slip. Tolerating f***ups of that magnitude is the culture problem

 

[Sabre Dance]

The guy who hired Phil Housley and Traded ROR deserves nothing more than a pink slip. Tolerating ****ups of that magnitude is the culture problem

Opening statement from Kim Pegula right there. Although it will never happen because she likely hired Phil Housley and approved the trade.

 

[5 Minute Major]

Opening statement from Kim Pegula right there. Although it will never happen because she likely hired Phil Housley and approved the trade.

I’m curious as to why you think Kim Pegula is behind either. It is quite clear that the Bills are her baby. Terry seems to be the Sabres guy in the family.

 

[sabremike]

They started the next year terrible after getting a new coach. We can blame the coach some, but the players play the game. Coach isn't going to make a team last to playoffs alone.

I know of a team that missed the playoffs by 17 points the prior season, saw their franchise player leave for nothing, hire the right coach and not only are they playoff bound there is an excellent chance they finish with a better record than the anointed preseason cup champions they lost their franchise player to. COACHING MATTERS.

 

[Sabre Dance]

I know of a team that missed the playoffs by 17 points the prior season, saw their franchise player leave for nothing, hire the right coach and not only are they playoff bound there is an excellent chance they finish with a better record than the anointed preseason cup champions they lost their franchise player to. COACHING MATTERS.

It all matters.

 

[Buffaloed]

I know of a team that missed the playoffs by 17 points the prior season, saw their franchise player leave for nothing, hire the right coach and not only are they playoff bound there is an excellent chance they finish with a better record than the anointed preseason cup champions they lost their franchise player to. COACHING MATTERS.

It's more than coaching. It comes down to leadership. The Sabres have a weak coach, weak GM, and weak ownership. They're a conductor short of an orchestra.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

I know of a team that missed the playoffs by 17 points the prior season, saw their franchise player leave for nothing, hire the right coach and not only are they playoff bound there is an excellent chance they finish with a better record than the anointed preseason cup champions they lost their franchise player to. COACHING MATTERS.

This is where it’s at. Even the 2015 team never had a stretch as bad as this year’s squad.

If the team as built is truly worse than 2015 it needs to be liquidated immediately and rebuilt around Dahlin.

A GM who needed to provide leadership to the players would either be stepping on the toes of his coach, or cutting his legs out from under him.

 

[Icicle]

Is there anything you won't excuse Botterill for?

Your shtick that, two years later, this is still Murray's and Bylsma's mess is tired. And wrong.

In a 2021 mindset all is well

If he doesn’t fire Housley then I’ll have a problem with him.

 

[toomuchsauce]

perp e t u a l r e b u i l d m a c h i n e

 

[kirby11]

In a 2021 mindset all is well

If he doesn’t fire Housley then I’ll have a problem with him.

The Botterill plan: just say the future will be better without much proof you know what you're doing

 

[SabresFan26]

Really hope people eat crow in another year or two when Botterill’s patience starts to show. Olofsson is developing as others are who are going to be a big part of the future. We’re another year closer to Okposo’s contract being done as well as Bogosian. We are free of Berglund, Pominville, Moulson, and a few more after this season. This off-season is paramount. Really curious to see how Botts handles coach situation.

 

[Sabretooth]

Can you imagine where this team would've been if some lottery balls didn't bounce our way and we didn't land Dahlin?

Probably would've feel like we were somewhere about where Arizona was after 2015 draft... And look where they are and where Edmonton and us are... What I'm trying to say is, doesn't seem to matter who we draft, we're good and f***ed until we get good management and coaching

 

[Jame]

Botts paid more for Montour then he got for Kane... it’s ok, it’s all gonna work out he just needs more time to evaluate and let Murray’s pipeline hit the NHL....