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They actually didn't. A year to year agreement with the Sabres is not out of the question. A 10 year agreement on naming rights doesn't provide any stability for the org in Buffalo. In fact, I would argue that making a gigantic deal about the naming rights without releasing any info about long term plans for the actual franchise and/or the building they play in should be a warning sign that the franchise isn't commited to the region at all. Pegula tends to telegraph his moves with the Knight Hawks, Amerks/BCA with a bit of gaslighting, I am struggling to see this as any different. (at the moment)

October 2025

Even without the edit, this looks like the lamest, most unimaginative corporate BS ever. To call it cookie cutter would be an insult to cookies and cutters. It looks like what would happen if I asked AI "can you show me two rich white guys unveiling something" this is exactly what you would get. I've seen vanilla ice cream less vanilla than this *****. Yes, I know it doesn't matter. It is just amusing to me.

I hope there is video of this. I see reports of pyrotechnics and terry in a keybank hockey helmet.

I'd love to get him at $5-5.5M AAV, but he's got the skills and track record where $7M AAV a year is justifiable because he's the type of player that plugs a major hole on the Sabres roster. His on ice performance alone pprobably won't justify a $7M AAV in the final two years of the contract, but having guys like Kadri, Zucker, Tuch, and Dahlin around these young players over the next 2-3 years would be a huge help in the development of these young skaters and continue to drive the "change in the room" Lindy is preaching.

I hope they're not changing the colors again just to match the Key logo on the away helmets.

It’s practically another well.

For starters, and I'll say it even when he's winning Vezinas for the Sabres... it's right there in his surname. But the reason he's been poorly regarded as a product is that his performance was awful and he had some injuries along the way. If you look at Leinonen's years in the lower Liiga circuits, he's never dominating. There are a few blips of .900+, but it's rare. Ullmark (in SHL, but a 6th round pick) by comparison got into the .900s early in his J18-J20 life and stayed there, whether playing for Modo in the SHL or at the lower levels. Leinonen finally had a good (not great) season last year, but it was in Allsvenskan - 2nd tier level. His Liiga career thus far is an awful 1-10-4 with .844 sv% and 3.90 GAA. Leinonen could still become great, but he has a long way to go. For direct comparison, Niklas Kokko - the 2nd goalie taken in the 2022 draft (17 picks later by SEA) has +.900 % in almost every league he's been in (Mestis, Liiga - in 34 games, and .913 in 33 AHL games last season). His performance is that of a top goalie chosen in a draft.

AI gave me the same thing roughly

It just tells you they already know how they're going to handle the arena going forward. It's business.

Another spin on... what's the worst that could happen? Remember, no LTIR will be used because that would mean you could bring in another player (and his salary), which isn't happening. Note: This "worst that could happen" is feasible, I think, by... December 1st. Benson - McLeod - Tuch Zucker - Kulich - Thompson Krebs - Östlund - Doan Malenstyn - Danforth - Rosén IR: Norris (UBI), Greenway (UBI), Quinn (LBI) Lost to waivers: Kozak Dahlin - Kesselring Byram - Timmins Bryson - Johnson IR: Samuelsson (UBI), Power (LBI) Lost to waivers: Jones Levi UPL Lost to waivers: Lyon

I imagine the Sabres and PEG will assume full control of the arena. The lease between the city and county expired. When does the lease between the Sabres and the arena end?

I’m curious how often it’s actually happened. I remember hearing Pesce blocked one. Necas and Ehlers declined to extend but that’s not the same thing. Google is telling me 70% of NHLers do not have NTCs. https://www.thefourthperiod.com/no-trade-clauses#google_vignette

The city is in financial ruin. The only involvement they have is that the arena is located within the city limits. Their is no way they will be making any financial commitment towards the arena.

I do wonder how much money Key Bank provides for the stadium name, the home and now the road decal per season. Is it enough to pay for Greenway? Only Benson? Skinner's continuing payout? Does a road decal cover a goaltender?

A sponsorship from Waste Management would be more believable.

When the Texas Rangers built their new stadium (with a roof), the plan was to raze the previous stadium. It still stands, though, and is home to an XFL team and an MLS farm team.

Instead of the concept of Kassian we have the: Supposition of Samuelsson

We'll just have to see how things will shake out regarding who is responsible for paying for maintenance and upgrades. I just don't know. Someone get a hold of @Brawndo and have him inform us of who is responsible for the upkeep costs. He's our designated insider.

I feel like I'm taking crazy pills. We have a 10 year named sponsor for an arena whose lease/future is in limbo? How Sabres-y If this is true, what an absolute joke.

Is the city now responsible for upgrades and maintenance? What are the owner's responsibilities regarding the arena?

Zach Benson is fine.