It's all about Lindy day

Bucky Gleason has his take on Lindy Ruff in today's Buffalo News.

The Sabres Edge Blog at The Buffalo News.com has a poll on whether Lindy should return.

The Willful Caboose has a break down on Lindy.

With almost 85% of the 755 votes in the poll in favor of bringing Lindy back, it would appear that most fans are on the same page as Bucky Gleason.

Personally, this team needs change. I am with Bucky in pointing the finger above Lindy for the bulk of the team's issues. However, I don't think that Ruff's performance over the past 7 seasons has been enough to warrant bringing Ruff back if management doesn't go about the roster changes that are needed.

We've seen it in pro sports all the time where a good head coach is let go because a change is needed. The best example where both the fired coach and the team got a ring is Tony Dungy being let go by Tampa Bay. The Bucs won a Super Bowl with Jon Gruden and the Colts won with Dungy.

Personally, I have doubts that management (from Golisano through Regier) will be willing to make the needed changes where bringing Ruff back will get the team to the level where a playoff spot is a reasonable expectation.

Right now, I think the Sabres are once again a coin toss with regards to making the playoffs. They've finished 10th in back to back seasons and missed the playoffs by 4 pts in 2007-08 and 2 pts this season.

So, it is not a stretch to say that the team could make the playoffs next season with minor tweaks.

But, that is not what I want. I want the team to make the 4 to 5 changes that can get this team from just outside the playoffs to a team that is at worst going to make the playoffs and at best is fighting for the division or a 4 seed in the East.

This team doesn't need to be blown up. But, it needs more than a minor tweak to get where I want it to be next season, as well.

Pirates roll in Game 1 versus Providence

Jhonas Enroth and the Portland Pirates shut out Providence 3-0 last night in Game 1 of the their 1st Round AHL playoff series.

Marek Zagrapan scored the GWG and the empty netter to seal the deal, Mark Mancari set up both of Marek's goals, and Felix Schutz scored an unassisted goal early in the 3rd.

Also, Paul Baier and Marc-Andre Gragnani were both +3 on the night with Marc-Andre getting the secondary assist on the GWG.

Matt Generous was the loan ATO player in the lineup for the Pirates.........