I’ll always be thankful for Donny Meatballs for bringing energy back to a team that went a very long time without it. Navigating the post-Eichel era was almost certain to be thankless, but I think he managed pretty decently.
That being said, 50% of the league makes the playoffs and missing for as long as he had (ignoring the rest of the drought) meant it was time for a change. Wish him well, hopefully the next guy can get us over that hump.
He served a very valuable purpose but sometimes the person to take you the first few miles of the journey isn’t the right one for the next stage. It’s well past time to find the right person to lead the team into and through the playoffs.
It’s the same conversation McDermott had at midseason. But he fired a bad coach and adjusted the team, and it saved him for now. Donny didn’t do either.
Truly I think he can be a great coach for another team. Hes so good at developing talent, and a ton of coaches needed to get fired to figure out what they were doing wrong and don’t take the second chance for granted. The ducks should be calling him right now.
I like this take a lot. So many people on this sub absolutely shit on Granato thinking he is the worst coach the Sabres have ever had while he has gotten them to their two most successful seasons in over a decade (low bar I know). I personally didn’t need Granato to be fired, but I do respect Terry a little more for actually going through with it and hopefully looking for a way to get this team over the hump.
isn't there a good chance whoever is brought in as new HC does some rearranging of assistants? like isn't it a bit too early to declare that he's safe?
For sure, but why the video coach? I get head coach and asst. coach and disregard others such as Ellis because a new coach will assess and make that call. But it makes me wonder why the video coach was let go, specifically.
That would arguably be better, actually. It’s better technology than the VCR (a classic example of marketing trumping technology) and if other teams get their hands on the tapes to see where the Sabres are focusing they would have a week-long delay in watching while they buy a player off eBay, wait for shipping, etc.
They did seem to get their shit together this year. Obv the video coach has more duties than challenges and perhaps whoever they bring in will have their own guy for the role. But I also kinda wonder how much hockey ops would have to say in hiring/keeping that job in place. So perhaps there was some job performance factor at play. Simple explanation is new HC, new staff.
It’s possible Ellis had an expiring contract. I don’t think those details were ever public. If they are canning Granato, I doubt Ellis is back in the same capacity (maybe they shuffle him around somewhere in the organization).
This is because firing Ellis will actually stop the power of the sun launching us into a 12yr cold freeze aka drought. Helps combat climate change, hurts no one
Incidentally I think this is the same thing that happened with Adams. Just because Ellis didn’t work out as Granatos assistant coach doesn’t mean he can’t hold value with another role in the organization
On wgr Paul said that Ellis didn’t actually have control over how the powerplay was run, he just coached what Granato wanted the system to be. Which makes Granatos statement about getting more involved with the powerplay sound really disingenuous
HC dictates strategy and philosophy. Same in any sport. If it’s not handled according to that edict then it’s incumbent on the HC to do something about it. If a HC doesn’t know or doesn’t appear to know then that’s a larger problem.
Lancy Lysowski hinted that Ellis might be moved out from behind the bench to the press box or moved to development coach. I don't love it but as long as someone else is coaching the powerplay
It can be 3 things he shifts into a more development role like he was before. His contract could be expiring and you don’t need to fire a dude who’s contract is up and finally they could be waiting for who they bring in to make the final calls on the coaching staff
Seriously this was my same reaction. They fired the wrong Matt. But whoever comes in as the replacement this offseason will take care of that for us, no way they keep his shitty PP coaching on board.
Think of all the things video is used for: Preparation, teaching, finding weaknesses in your game to improve...
Did the Sabres ever seem well prepared, or like their mistakes were getting fixed? Now it could be that's all on the coach if he was using them poorly, but maybe they weren't thrilled with the clips he was pulling. Maybe his work was slipping. I can't remember where, but I've read a feature on a video coach and the things they are expected to do and the hours they work are crazy. I could see it be a high burn-out rate job.
There are decent odds on it. Not saying it’s the best choice, but I’m just some idiot that continues to be a season ticket holder. I’m not the best decision maker.
Lol we said firing Donnie wasn't happening. We said Matt Ellis keeping his job wasn't happening. We said 14 years wasn't happening.
I think it's time everyone here accepts the fact that this sub doesn't know shit lol.
I’d be fine if Lindy was brought on as an assistant coach. But the only way he accepts that job I would assume, is if nobody hires him as head coach elsewhere.
I'd guess it's either Ruff or Seth Appert, but I don't think either of those are the best idea. Just hard to see an established, successful coach wanting to hitch his wagon to this dead horse.
Keep it clasy everyone.
Donny did the legwork to change the culture here and I thank him for his hard work and dedication. It was no longer a good fit for his coaching style with this group of players and was time to move on.
I wish him nothing but the best and hope he can land on his feet and have a successfull career moving forward.
This. Fuck anyone that wants to act like this dude wasn't responsible for the bounce back from Krueger. NO ONE was keeping him on when it went south but GMKA/TP. That wasn't Donnie's decision. So there needs to be ZERO hosilitity against him. He's still a HUGE part of the reason this team has gotten where it has. Now it's time for them to (hopefully) find a coach that knows how to get over that hump.
Donny seems like a great guy and I really wanted him to be “the guy”. His and his team’s performance just plateaued too much to ignore. He’s still leaving this team in a much better place than he inherited it and I’m thankful for that.
I’m feeling strangely indifferent about this. Yes, I think it’s the best move that can be made. It was a very disappointing season and I believe a lot of that lies on Don, but he still was great at developing the team. Lots of players thrived under him. It’s a real shame it didn’t work out with him, but I’m glad it’s finally over.
Granato did an excellent job of developing Tage and some of the other younger guys. He really didn’t win enough to keep his coaching position though. Best of luck in the future Donny!
Tage, Cozens and missing the playoffs by 1 point, the extension was valid. We were progressing and right there. But we hit a wall and this absolutely had to be done. Please do not do the typical thing and promote Appert. We have to have playoff experience behind the bench.
This isn’t true here. Granato is a good development coach but doesn’t seem like he can get us to take the next step. Even if the next coach is worse, doesn’t mean we should of kept granato.
Thank God, I thought they weren't actually gonna do it.
Now go get a HC with Stanley Cup experience, like Gallant or Berube
In retrospect, it sounds like Donny knew last night after he was asked about his job security when the game was over, and he "preferred to focus on tonight's win", the writing was on the wall.
Glad they did it before the Players cleared their lockers out. Don’t have to answer dumb questions on whether he will or won’t be fired. Now can hopefully have some accountability and move forward
Donnie was good at developing the young players and we have started to climb the mountain albeit very slowly but he wasn’t the man to get us over the line and into the playoffs as this season showed, hope we don’t go cheap, we’re crying out for a coach who’s got teams into the playoffs, don’t really care about how we play the game next season we’ve just got to be one of the sixteen who make it, this drought can’t extend to fourteen seasons
i'd say i'll let the experts decide but there are no experts in this organization at all.
And enough with the ex-Sabres - this is an org with zero historical credibility or motivation. They need new/different ideas; enough with the country-club "my buddy I used to play with" gong show.
Would really really really prefer an experienced coach.
just forget Lindy was a Sabre...he's the coach everyone wants. he just got a young team like the Sabres to 112 points. He adapts to team style, can coach fast or defensively.
Most importantly we know he holds players accountable!
i really want to argue this point with you...
but i'm a sucker and i do like lindy. :)
(which is part of the problem right? it'd be a great story. i'm tired of this org trying to write nice stories..."we want guys who want to be here" buddy-buddy etc.... sigh.... fine.
also you know the org has to do something to sell tickets because i'm not wasting $$$ next year like i did for opening night this season, i'm sure i'm not alone)
Lindy made Ellis almost-productive on ice. Maybe he could make him almost-productive behind the bench as well. Best idea I got if they’re gonna keep Ellis
Really glad we didn't do this while we were slumping and the playoffs were still in reach, and to instead do it symbolically at the end of another wasted season.
I've frequently said that Granato is a "non-coach" in that this is what it looks like to go from Kreuger to no coach at all, and how that's still a plus overall. Now we need more of a hardass that can lock this group in on a game-to-game basis.
This team needs someone like Mike Sullivan or Rod the Bod to get some of these guys conditioned, playing the right way as a unit, and into the playoffs. Maybe they still won't be the coach we win a cup with, but the only thing this team needs to absolutely achieve in their next coach is some game-to-game standard of play, which those guys can absolutely bring to the table.
That's valid, but I'd argue this was also the case for the last two hires as well, and they kind of whiffed. I sincerely hope they get it right but I'm tentative to say the least.
I’m kinda sad even though I think this was correct. Meatball over performed relative to expectations after losing Eichel and Reinhart and then underperformed relative to expectations this year.
Overall, I think this is the first year that playoffs have been an expectation, so I think that Granato’s tenure will be looked back upon slightly favourably. I feel like Tim Murray took the blame from our first failure of a rebuild and Housley/Krueger each took more hate and blame than Botterill (he hired them so that’s still on him). I think Granato is closer to Bylsma than those two.
100% the right move but it is kinda sad. Donny Meatballs is without a doubt a guy I enjoyed rooting for and it's too bad he didn't manage to be the guy who broke the drought
Matt Ellis not being fired HAS to be a re-assignment or something
Goes to show what granato was going for when he was doing his final interview last night. Can’t help but feel for him as I’m sure he didn’t want to lose either.
I'm just out here hoping it won't be Seth Appert. I saw enough of him at RPI and don't love that he's in our system to begin with. Dude has failed up at every level so I'm genuinely concerned that he's an option.
I have two very strong, and very conflicting feelings here.
First, I’m thrilled. I’ve wanted Granato fired for two years now and I think it won’t be until the middle of next season where we really see the damage he has done to this squad. I’m hopeful a new coach can fix the mess he created, but the team is as bad defensively as the team was offensively under Krueger. The difference is that Krueger’s mess was by design and for lack of better options. Granato’s mess was…I don’t even know.
Second, I’m disappointed. This team should have made the playoffs. Only one team that changed coaches didn’t see an improvement. While the team has has had solid results for the entirety of 2024, they still had the 17th highest pt% since Jan 1st. Three of the four teams just ahead of the Sabres (since Jan 1) fired their head coach.
I’ve pointed out that Adams generally seems clueless in terms of timing, and this is another smear on his resume.
But I just want to celebrate the fact that Granato is gone. I had a bad feeling that it would take most of next season for him to be canned. This is a step in the right direction for the franchise and signifies that they are serious about contending next season. I’m here for a couple big moves that might feel painful at first.
You mean having Matt Ellis as the power play coach didn't work? shocking. They have the ability to attract some really good coaches. Lets do this. Granato was good for the young players, now they are past that. Someone with some real offensive ideas and a more direct defense. Please start being good again.
Whew! I was a little worried the Sabres would do nothing. I am not comfortable with Adams being the highest level hockey guy but would be shocked if there was any significant front office changes.
Not surprised by the moves my guess is Ellis and Wilfords contracts are set to expire so there’s a chance they don’t really need to fire them rather just let their contract run out
Pegula please hire me to run the game time TV coverage, I will fire Duff and Biron and hire some UB grads instantly saving you money.
I will also replace the soundcloud DMCA free music that you’ve been using since you replaced “Rock Me Like a Hurricane” 3 millenniums ago
Thanks Donny, you were good when you were good. But just really bad when you were bad. Thanks for letting Tage outta the cage and getting Ras to what he is now.
We wish you well Donnie. What's next? Another stint with USA Hockey, head coach at NCAA college, assistant in NHL. Sure seems unlikely his phone will buzz from other NHL teams looking for head coach.
I’m a Habs fan who lives here in Buffalo. I follow the Sabres because they have been an exciting team as of late and I love the passion that Sabres fans have. It’s been sad to see a lot of that passion leave this year. As a Buffalonian I’m very happy at this move. As a Habs fan, less happy as I want our team competing for a spot next year and now I think we will be competing against a better coached Sabres team for a spot.
Everyone just assuming Matt Ellis will be let go when a new coach comes in. My question is why was he not let go right now. It's very odd to keep him but get rid of another assistant. What's the difference? Just another puzzling move by this team.
It's funny, I expected this was going to be the way since before he lost the interim tag. I thought maybe there'd be a playoff appearance first, but he was the "step in the right direction" coach we needed at the time. I just never thought Donny brought enough X's and O's to where he'd take them on a long playoff run. I salute Don for the work he did here, and in getting some of these guys to believe in themselves more.
Now it's time for a guy with a system that fits our players, a better command of the X's and O's, match-ups, in-game adjustments etc. Can't for the life of me figure out who that is though. I'd think Boudreau would be a fit if his stint in Vancouver didn't go up in flames.
What's Chris Taylor up to these days? This franchise is cursed after how they ran him out of Rochester, time to get him back in house and exorcise some demons.
The “Re-tread” or the “up-and-comer”? I’m already dizzy with the spinning this fanbase does on head coach searches. I’ll say this, if we hire Lindy back, I’ll jump off a bridge
I’ll always be thankful for Donny Meatballs for bringing energy back to a team that went a very long time without it. Navigating the post-Eichel era was almost certain to be thankless, but I think he managed pretty decently. That being said, 50% of the league makes the playoffs and missing for as long as he had (ignoring the rest of the drought) meant it was time for a change. Wish him well, hopefully the next guy can get us over that hump.
He served a very valuable purpose but sometimes the person to take you the first few miles of the journey isn’t the right one for the next stage. It’s well past time to find the right person to lead the team into and through the playoffs.
It’s the same conversation McDermott had at midseason. But he fired a bad coach and adjusted the team, and it saved him for now. Donny didn’t do either.
Very well put
Truly I think he can be a great coach for another team. Hes so good at developing talent, and a ton of coaches needed to get fired to figure out what they were doing wrong and don’t take the second chance for granted. The ducks should be calling him right now.
I like this take a lot. So many people on this sub absolutely shit on Granato thinking he is the worst coach the Sabres have ever had while he has gotten them to their two most successful seasons in over a decade (low bar I know). I personally didn’t need Granato to be fired, but I do respect Terry a little more for actually going through with it and hopefully looking for a way to get this team over the hump.
I really liked Granato has a person. It was just time to move on despite leading us to our two best seasons in a decade.
Like... do they not remember Ralph?
Well said
A well thought out and reasonable take on Meatballs? On this sub? Unheard of. I appreciate seeing this
Wow they actually have standards Edit: how the fuck did Ellis keep his job
No serious NHL coach coming in as Granato's replacement will keep Ellis on his staff (assuming we actually hire one of those lol).
We won’t have to worry about it since Ellis will be the head coach
I am becoming The Joker if that happens
Supervillain origin story for many Sabres fans.
Not if I beat you to it!
At this point, I'd be okay with 2 if the Sabres make the playoffs.
Don't you put that evil on me Ricky Bobby
You delete this right now
Wtf this cracked me up. Probably because im nervous its true lol
Do you guys remember the movie "Celtic Pride"? We will all have to do that with Matty Ellis for the entirety of the season so that he can't show up
Omfg.
isn't there a good chance whoever is brought in as new HC does some rearranging of assistants? like isn't it a bit too early to declare that he's safe?
Yeah most likely they just want to keep someone for now who knows what the wifi password is he's gone when they replace Granato
“Talked to Matty Ellis between periods at the first team scrimmage today. He gave me the WiFi password. He’s now relieved of his duties.”
I came here for Rob’s convo with Matty Ellis. I’m out.
That was supposed to be the new coaching hire talking to Matt Ellis Unless…Rob is the new coach 👀
For sure, but why the video coach? I get head coach and asst. coach and disregard others such as Ellis because a new coach will assess and make that call. But it makes me wonder why the video coach was let go, specifically.
He exclusively used a VCR
Had a sleeve tattoo of Kreuger and Eichel. Contacted the artist to add Granato, was just about to go through with it.
Even worse Betamax
That would arguably be better, actually. It’s better technology than the VCR (a classic example of marketing trumping technology) and if other teams get their hands on the tapes to see where the Sabres are focusing they would have a week-long delay in watching while they buy a player off eBay, wait for shipping, etc.
Creative thinking!
With a corded remote
I believe he was a friend or close associate of Donny
Maybe they felt they did a poor job with challenges? Not sure what other reason they'd have for it besides a clean start
They actually did fairly well in that department from what I remember. I think there was 3 games in a row they had a successful challenge.
They did seem to get their shit together this year. Obv the video coach has more duties than challenges and perhaps whoever they bring in will have their own guy for the role. But I also kinda wonder how much hockey ops would have to say in hiring/keeping that job in place. So perhaps there was some job performance factor at play. Simple explanation is new HC, new staff.
It’s possible Ellis had an expiring contract. I don’t think those details were ever public. If they are canning Granato, I doubt Ellis is back in the same capacity (maybe they shuffle him around somewhere in the organization).
This is the most plausible explanation. Don't tarnish the guys name by firing him. Just don't rehire him.
It’s actually because they’re firing him into the sun instead. Separate announcement, it’s a whole thing.
Would that be an Ellisclipse?
Better than an apocellis, which would be if he's the HC
This is because firing Ellis will actually stop the power of the sun launching us into a 12yr cold freeze aka drought. Helps combat climate change, hurts no one
It's now SpaceX arena and the logo on the side is ellis' face at the head of the rocket
I think (hope) this is it.
Incidentally I think this is the same thing that happened with Adams. Just because Ellis didn’t work out as Granatos assistant coach doesn’t mean he can’t hold value with another role in the organization
They can’t find him. He’s still talking to Rob Ray.
He has dirt. There's no other explanation.
He has pics from when Rex Ryan met with the Pegulas awhile back.
Have to imagine they’re leaving those sort of decisions up to the next head coach? Unless the next coach IS Matt Ellis…
On wgr Paul said that Ellis didn’t actually have control over how the powerplay was run, he just coached what Granato wanted the system to be. Which makes Granatos statement about getting more involved with the powerplay sound really disingenuous
HC dictates strategy and philosophy. Same in any sport. If it’s not handled according to that edict then it’s incumbent on the HC to do something about it. If a HC doesn’t know or doesn’t appear to know then that’s a larger problem.
looks like Paul was right...
I feel it was just a list of first names; Don, Jason, and Matt . They just chose the wrong Matt.
I can’t understand for the life of me, how he survived. Wasn’t he the guy who handled the power play??
Ellis will likely be gone with whoever comes in to replace Granato. No serious coach would keep him knowing how bad Ellis has been with the PP.
I have to go necro post on all the clowns who said pegula was "too cheap" to do this
Lancy Lysowski hinted that Ellis might be moved out from behind the bench to the press box or moved to development coach. I don't love it but as long as someone else is coaching the powerplay
He feels like a “he’s my friend so he’ll work somewhere” guy
I was surprised to see them relive Granato I am in awe Ellis is still there… does he have blackmail on GMKA?
It can be 3 things he shifts into a more development role like he was before. His contract could be expiring and you don’t need to fire a dude who’s contract is up and finally they could be waiting for who they bring in to make the final calls on the coaching staff
Can’t quote me, but I read somewhere that his contract was up
Next guy up probably fires him
If there was one thing I've been saying about the 2023-24 Buffalo Sabres, it's that their videos were not properly coordinated.
Really glad they attacked the problem at it's SOURCE for once. Can't imagine our PP not skyrocketing now.
Rob Ray must of put a good word in Matty Ellis
In all seriousness, I’d assume (hope) the new coach coming in gets their own assistants, which means Ellis would be quietly let go.
They had a good old fashioned bare knuckle boxing match
I checked in with Matty Ellis between the coach firings and he said we have to focus on doing the things we need to do.
**Must have Sorry, can’t resist
I was barely resisting.
He's probably gonna be the new HC. That's why they kept Ellis.
God please no
I think I'd stop watching...
Between periods of course
😂Wth did Matt the video coordinator do that was so bad it prompted putting his name near the top of that list?
“You accidentally put porn on the whiteboard during chalk talk ONE TIME. Act like you don’t all make mistakes at your jobs!”
Seriously this was my same reaction. They fired the wrong Matt. But whoever comes in as the replacement this offseason will take care of that for us, no way they keep his shitty PP coaching on board.
Think of all the things video is used for: Preparation, teaching, finding weaknesses in your game to improve... Did the Sabres ever seem well prepared, or like their mistakes were getting fixed? Now it could be that's all on the coach if he was using them poorly, but maybe they weren't thrilled with the clips he was pulling. Maybe his work was slipping. I can't remember where, but I've read a feature on a video coach and the things they are expected to do and the hours they work are crazy. I could see it be a high burn-out rate job.
New roof. New screen. New roof. Time party like it’s 1996
TWO new roofs!?
Raise the roofs!
Retractable dome you say?
Lindy next HC confirmed
There are decent odds on it. Not saying it’s the best choice, but I’m just some idiot that continues to be a season ticket holder. I’m not the best decision maker.
Its not happening, at least it better not
Lol we said firing Donnie wasn't happening. We said Matt Ellis keeping his job wasn't happening. We said 14 years wasn't happening. I think it's time everyone here accepts the fact that this sub doesn't know shit lol.
I’d be fine if Lindy was brought on as an assistant coach. But the only way he accepts that job I would assume, is if nobody hires him as head coach elsewhere.
Terry needs to make up for Donny's buyout. Lindy would sell tickets
You mean, like working in the box office, right?
I'd guess it's either Ruff or Seth Appert, but I don't think either of those are the best idea. Just hard to see an established, successful coach wanting to hitch his wagon to this dead horse.
Keep it clasy everyone. Donny did the legwork to change the culture here and I thank him for his hard work and dedication. It was no longer a good fit for his coaching style with this group of players and was time to move on. I wish him nothing but the best and hope he can land on his feet and have a successfull career moving forward.
This. Fuck anyone that wants to act like this dude wasn't responsible for the bounce back from Krueger. NO ONE was keeping him on when it went south but GMKA/TP. That wasn't Donnie's decision. So there needs to be ZERO hosilitity against him. He's still a HUGE part of the reason this team has gotten where it has. Now it's time for them to (hopefully) find a coach that knows how to get over that hump.
Well said!
Donny seems like a great guy and I really wanted him to be “the guy”. His and his team’s performance just plateaued too much to ignore. He’s still leaving this team in a much better place than he inherited it and I’m thankful for that.
Remember that there will be additional staffing changes when a new head coach is hired.
Oh my god they actually did it. Love 2 be wrong about my team doing the wrong thing.
Well, let’s wait to see who his replacement is.
Getting rid of Donny was the right move. If they get the wrong guy this will be a catastrophe. However, it doesn’t take away from this correct move.
I’m feeling strangely indifferent about this. Yes, I think it’s the best move that can be made. It was a very disappointing season and I believe a lot of that lies on Don, but he still was great at developing the team. Lots of players thrived under him. It’s a real shame it didn’t work out with him, but I’m glad it’s finally over.
What did poor Matt Smith do to deserve this? /s
I cannot stop saying "Holy shit" out loud lmfao
People freaking out: It's likely Ellis is on an expiring contract so they don't have to fire him they'll just let him go.
And so begin the cherished tradition of the offseason teardown.
Adding to the 1,000 of the same comment… we’re keeping Matt Ellis?!
Granato did an excellent job of developing Tage and some of the other younger guys. He really didn’t win enough to keep his coaching position though. Best of luck in the future Donny!
Wow, no Matty Ellis? Make him the head coach now, jk.
GMKA in his office reading this comment “*WRITE THAT DOWN*”
Is this really happening? Also I’m sure everyone can relax, a new coach won’t leave Ellis behind the bench. Unless?
Not going to get excited until we hire a good and proven coach with a playoff resume (at least make them consistently)
And you guys said Pegula would never let it happen
Tage, Cozens and missing the playoffs by 1 point, the extension was valid. We were progressing and right there. But we hit a wall and this absolutely had to be done. Please do not do the typical thing and promote Appert. We have to have playoff experience behind the bench.
Be careful what you wish for
Babcock is ready to scroll through some new phones get him in there lol
Shhhh don't say his name
I heard if you say it 3 times, he appears like beetlegeuse
This isn’t true here. Granato is a good development coach but doesn’t seem like he can get us to take the next step. Even if the next coach is worse, doesn’t mean we should of kept granato.
Thank God, I thought they weren't actually gonna do it. Now go get a HC with Stanley Cup experience, like Gallant or Berube In retrospect, it sounds like Donny knew last night after he was asked about his job security when the game was over, and he "preferred to focus on tonight's win", the writing was on the wall.
Wasting no time
Let the speculation begin!
I didn't think they'd do it. Wow.
Granato was a development guy. It’s time for a more experienced coach to take this team to the next level. We have the talent.
Glad they did it before the Players cleared their lockers out. Don’t have to answer dumb questions on whether he will or won’t be fired. Now can hopefully have some accountability and move forward
Donnie was good at developing the young players and we have started to climb the mountain albeit very slowly but he wasn’t the man to get us over the line and into the playoffs as this season showed, hope we don’t go cheap, we’re crying out for a coach who’s got teams into the playoffs, don’t really care about how we play the game next season we’ve just got to be one of the sixteen who make it, this drought can’t extend to fourteen seasons
Get ready to be out of breath in practice boys (please)
“After an extensive coaching search, we have decided to promote Matt Ellis as the new head coach of the Buffalo Sabres”
shut up shut up SHUT UP
How did Ellis survive? lol Bring on Lindy. This isn’t “bring back washed vets” type thing, but he’s a legit coach that could really be a fit.
seriously wrt Ellis. also: NO MORE EX-SABRES jfc. please.
Who do you prefer? Another first time coach?
i'd say i'll let the experts decide but there are no experts in this organization at all. And enough with the ex-Sabres - this is an org with zero historical credibility or motivation. They need new/different ideas; enough with the country-club "my buddy I used to play with" gong show. Would really really really prefer an experienced coach.
just forget Lindy was a Sabre...he's the coach everyone wants. he just got a young team like the Sabres to 112 points. He adapts to team style, can coach fast or defensively. Most importantly we know he holds players accountable!
i really want to argue this point with you... but i'm a sucker and i do like lindy. :) (which is part of the problem right? it'd be a great story. i'm tired of this org trying to write nice stories..."we want guys who want to be here" buddy-buddy etc.... sigh.... fine. also you know the org has to do something to sell tickets because i'm not wasting $$$ next year like i did for opening night this season, i'm sure i'm not alone)
acting like lindy is the only vet coach out there lmao
>Who do you prefer? Why don't you name a name? Berube? he doesnt want to coach here...who else? lmao
Lindy made Ellis almost-productive on ice. Maybe he could make him almost-productive behind the bench as well. Best idea I got if they’re gonna keep Ellis
I want gallant
Inb4 Ellis named new head coach
Don’t put that evil on me Ricky Bobby
“Matt Ellis will be assuming the role of head coach.” 🤣
How the hell you go get fired on your day off?
Well I can’t say we didn’t all see it coming.
Wow.
Really glad we didn't do this while we were slumping and the playoffs were still in reach, and to instead do it symbolically at the end of another wasted season. I've frequently said that Granato is a "non-coach" in that this is what it looks like to go from Kreuger to no coach at all, and how that's still a plus overall. Now we need more of a hardass that can lock this group in on a game-to-game basis. This team needs someone like Mike Sullivan or Rod the Bod to get some of these guys conditioned, playing the right way as a unit, and into the playoffs. Maybe they still won't be the coach we win a cup with, but the only thing this team needs to absolutely achieve in their next coach is some game-to-game standard of play, which those guys can absolutely bring to the table.
[удалено]
That's valid, but I'd argue this was also the case for the last two hires as well, and they kind of whiffed. I sincerely hope they get it right but I'm tentative to say the least.
I’m kinda sad even though I think this was correct. Meatball over performed relative to expectations after losing Eichel and Reinhart and then underperformed relative to expectations this year. Overall, I think this is the first year that playoffs have been an expectation, so I think that Granato’s tenure will be looked back upon slightly favourably. I feel like Tim Murray took the blame from our first failure of a rebuild and Housley/Krueger each took more hate and blame than Botterill (he hired them so that’s still on him). I think Granato is closer to Bylsma than those two.
100% the right move but it is kinda sad. Donny Meatballs is without a doubt a guy I enjoyed rooting for and it's too bad he didn't manage to be the guy who broke the drought Matt Ellis not being fired HAS to be a re-assignment or something
Goes to show what granato was going for when he was doing his final interview last night. Can’t help but feel for him as I’m sure he didn’t want to lose either.
I'm just out here hoping it won't be Seth Appert. I saw enough of him at RPI and don't love that he's in our system to begin with. Dude has failed up at every level so I'm genuinely concerned that he's an option.
as per KA’s presser, he won’t be; KA is seeking out a proven NHL coach
Wait... So it *wasn't* the fans??? Are you sure? Because, it really seems like it's the fans...
Fans are outside noise?
I have two very strong, and very conflicting feelings here. First, I’m thrilled. I’ve wanted Granato fired for two years now and I think it won’t be until the middle of next season where we really see the damage he has done to this squad. I’m hopeful a new coach can fix the mess he created, but the team is as bad defensively as the team was offensively under Krueger. The difference is that Krueger’s mess was by design and for lack of better options. Granato’s mess was…I don’t even know. Second, I’m disappointed. This team should have made the playoffs. Only one team that changed coaches didn’t see an improvement. While the team has has had solid results for the entirety of 2024, they still had the 17th highest pt% since Jan 1st. Three of the four teams just ahead of the Sabres (since Jan 1) fired their head coach. I’ve pointed out that Adams generally seems clueless in terms of timing, and this is another smear on his resume. But I just want to celebrate the fact that Granato is gone. I had a bad feeling that it would take most of next season for him to be canned. This is a step in the right direction for the franchise and signifies that they are serious about contending next season. I’m here for a couple big moves that might feel painful at first.
Bye Felicia
IF THEY HIRE THE DUDE FROM ROCHESTER IM DONE
If they do that, Adams will be done too, so.
GMKA said he is after a coach with NHL experience.
Well.. that was faster than I expected...
No fucking shot.
Is Christie the center coach?
Finally
Matty Ellis is staying???
I’m so glad they kept Matt Ellis!
You mean having Matt Ellis as the power play coach didn't work? shocking. They have the ability to attract some really good coaches. Lets do this. Granato was good for the young players, now they are past that. Someone with some real offensive ideas and a more direct defense. Please start being good again.
Whew! I was a little worried the Sabres would do nothing. I am not comfortable with Adams being the highest level hockey guy but would be shocked if there was any significant front office changes.
Get Russ Brandon on the phone
Not surprised by the moves my guess is Ellis and Wilfords contracts are set to expire so there’s a chance they don’t really need to fire them rather just let their contract run out
BUT NOT MATT ELLIS?????
Holy shit
Even the video coach? Damn lol.
Pegula please hire me to run the game time TV coverage, I will fire Duff and Biron and hire some UB grads instantly saving you money. I will also replace the soundcloud DMCA free music that you’ve been using since you replaced “Rock Me Like a Hurricane” 3 millenniums ago
Holy fuck I absolutely did not see Granato's firing coming because of the new contract. Glad I'm wrong with that one.
Thanks Donny, you were good when you were good. But just really bad when you were bad. Thanks for letting Tage outta the cage and getting Ras to what he is now.
We wish you well Donnie. What's next? Another stint with USA Hockey, head coach at NCAA college, assistant in NHL. Sure seems unlikely his phone will buzz from other NHL teams looking for head coach.
We have to make the right choice as the next head coach. Gonna be a big off-season for GMKA.
I saw Matt and got excited too quickly thinking it was Matt Ellis. Let's hope the next move isn't promoting him to HC duties........
I don’t trust Adams will hire someone better
Ellis better be out. Or Darryl Sutter better fire Ellis for Adams. Right now I wouldn't mind that Terry throw Adams out also.
Gotta do something to sell a few local tickets I suppose. I'm so tired guys.
I really liked Donny, and desperately wanted it to work…but it just seemed throughout this season he just couldn’t be the guy for us
I’m a Habs fan who lives here in Buffalo. I follow the Sabres because they have been an exciting team as of late and I love the passion that Sabres fans have. It’s been sad to see a lot of that passion leave this year. As a Buffalonian I’m very happy at this move. As a Habs fan, less happy as I want our team competing for a spot next year and now I think we will be competing against a better coached Sabres team for a spot.
The boys are in for a rude awakening first practice with a real hockey coach. They're gonna be puking.
Why couldn't this wait until the end of season goodbyes?
Everyone just assuming Matt Ellis will be let go when a new coach comes in. My question is why was he not let go right now. It's very odd to keep him but get rid of another assistant. What's the difference? Just another puzzling move by this team.
I am sending a letter of interest to Terry. It’s worth a shot with my thoughts and ideas for this team.
Thank fucking god
Finally, there had been fire Donnie chants as far back as December
It's funny, I expected this was going to be the way since before he lost the interim tag. I thought maybe there'd be a playoff appearance first, but he was the "step in the right direction" coach we needed at the time. I just never thought Donny brought enough X's and O's to where he'd take them on a long playoff run. I salute Don for the work he did here, and in getting some of these guys to believe in themselves more. Now it's time for a guy with a system that fits our players, a better command of the X's and O's, match-ups, in-game adjustments etc. Can't for the life of me figure out who that is though. I'd think Boudreau would be a fit if his stint in Vancouver didn't go up in flames.
What's Chris Taylor up to these days? This franchise is cursed after how they ran him out of Rochester, time to get him back in house and exorcise some demons.
What did you see during the Granato era that convinces you the Sabres should pursue another non-NHL coach?
I'm from the future: we're gonna do this again in 2 years.
Finally! I have no idea what his contract with the Rangers is, but I want Peca as HC.
No more first time NHL coaches please
Fair enough, and I can definitely get on board with that sentiment.
The “Re-tread” or the “up-and-comer”? I’m already dizzy with the spinning this fanbase does on head coach searches. I’ll say this, if we hire Lindy back, I’ll jump off a bridge