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Man when Jordan Philips was signed I joked Poyer and Hyde were next.

Well the Big Boat Guy did have enough insight to interview Zito, and he made the final two. Terry was swayed by Boterill's pedigree (NCAA champ, former Sabres, etc.) and the Pittsburgh connection. Would Terry have let Zito be who he is? Zito hired Dudley when he first got to Florida, would Terry have let that happen? Boterill had no senior advisors on his staff. Terry plays that role. Prior to Boterill, Terry had a bloated top end in his organization (Terry, LaFontaine, Murray, Black, Patrick, Batista, ...). My point is that Duds was right there in WNY and might have been a helpful asset in the FO. Moving forward, we have Lindy and Adams both in the last year of their contracts.

From Rachel Lenzi in the Buffalo News: As much as people say they’re ready for change, they’re also inherently resistant to it, or the possibility of being changed. That’s not a knock on the Sabres or their players, but something that has been studied on scientific, psychological and organizational levels. Ruff didn’t have a good chunk of time to implement his own philosophies under the proverbial and physical roofs of training camp in Buffalo. The Sabres began training camp Sept. 18, then traveled to Europe in a matter of days, to prepare to open the 2024-25 season against New Jersey in Prague. That’s a lot of logistics to juggle, from Ruff’s standpoint, from a player’s standpoint and from an organizational standpoint. Now, in NFL parlance, throw in a four-inch-thick playbook of entirely new concepts to learn, and there’s a lot to manage and absorb. I think the team looked poorly coached last year. How much of that was due to what Lenzi mentions: transition from Granato and lack of prep time? Will we see a more cohesive, together team this year as a result of those obstacles being removed?

The rate of Canadian attendance will also be down for weekend games. I don't blame them for not wanting to deal with the foolishness and patronize businesses on the other side of the border. When you treat people disrespectfully the negative reaction shouldn't be a surprise.

I just read the link you posted. What's obvious is that in the Florida organization there is a coherency related to the type of players they want. Dudley noted that the coach preferred a player profile that accentuated size and gritty style of play. And if one examines their roster that is exactly how the roster is composed. It's impressive how everyone in the organization from the HC, GM, advisors and scouts are all following and implementing the same script. What our big boat owning owner never got right is the proper way to structure and staff the organization. If you compare how Florida operates and how the Buffalo operates it is like a Chihuahua fighting a Pit Bull. Our owner wanted to make sure that he structured and staffed the organization in a way that would allow him to inject himself into the operation whenever he wanted. The results have been disastrous.

Canadians Are Avoiding Buffalo Border Crossings: Agents Allegedly Asking Questions About Past Trips https://share.google/qNQ7GWzq3193ibJA5 No one in Fort Erie or St. Catherine's is going to risk this for a mid week Sabres game.

Almost had Zito. Terry hired Boterill instead, he listened to the Pittsburgers. Dudley has been our backyard the whole time. https://www.buffalohockeybeat.com/after-winning-second-stanley-cup-with-panthers-sabres-legend-rick-dudley-has-no-plans-to-retire/

The Sabres drafting the last 2 years in particular has been, very meh. Probably because because the GM ordered them to draft rhd with every other pick.

Lots of low points but I think this is my lowest. I'm truly numb and dead inside when I think about them. I see virtually no chance of this roster being any better than last year and the future isn't all that bright either. I can see that full prospect cupboard emptying out and amounting to very little as well. If Dahlin was serious with his comments last year demanding they do something to change things I really can't see him not asking for a trade sooner than later. They certainly didn't DO much of anything. Maybe even got worse.

My lowest point is coming to accept the inevitable mediocrity. Yes I want this team to make the playoffs but when fandom meets reality, reality wins. Looking forward to Sabres hockey. Here’s hoping that many improbabilities occur for this roster to break the drought. I blame the players but not solely. Agree about Tuch. Agree on TP and I hope you outlast garbage ownership. You will!

I’m here. I don’t blame any of the players. They have been an incompetent organization for a long time. Agree. Losing Tuch will kill a significant portion of the fan base. Terry Pegula is a really lousy hockey owner. I hope I can outlast him.

Taint. About as apt as it gets.

Each and every fine person posting here should be awarded a medal for all time fan support Not kidding love / hate: two sides of the same coin the fear is neglect. That’s the true darkness

I will always be a fan of the Buffalo Sabres as long as they exist and I exist. But damn, Terry is making it hard to believe in them. I pray that changes soon.

I can’t believe you dignified that with a repsonse, tbh. It’s willfully obtuse. Obviously anyone can understand it’s the low point because each year we miss is further removed from success, longer in the desert. Further disenfranchisement. Less belief you’ll actually care if they ever do win Defies logic to ask “why is it the lowest”? As if arguing you had one glass of water this week in the desert is better than last week when you had zero Exceptionally candid. Good post

That’s the rub Regardless of some of the potently passive aggressive, “I hear ya, but as a better fan nothing they can possibly do will ever taint my excitement!” responses you got

Eh, eventually he'll retire. And then we'll be freed from her tyranny. 😉

I agree. it seems a lot of people here are more interested in constructing lines based on 'fantasy hockey' or the NHL series video game than real life. Sometimes your '3rd best' winger might be a better fit, style wise, to play with your 'best' center. It might not always be about the best 3 players are 'first liners' and the next 3 best are '2nd liners', its about who fits best with who.

The issue with Tuch more likely is whether he wants to be here than does the organization want him. I'm watching how his contract situation plays out to get an inkling whether the players genuinely believe that this is a serious franchise. The experienced players have a realistic grasp as to how their team stacks up against the other teams. If it appears that he has no interest in signing entering his contract this year, then that will be an ominous sign that things haven't substantively changed.

If we re-sign Kevyn Adams we will never need to sign a GM again.

E-Rod was a top 6 player for Florida. Is E-Rod better than Benson? Just saying. How you construct your roster and how pieces fit together is more important than statistically analyzing individuals and placing them together based on numbers.

Oh yes the 2026 draft looks like a very good one but do we really want to tank for yet another draft? I think not. Sabres likely get a top 10 pick anyway but I certainly don't want to rebuild again (although I see it potentially happening)

Well, supporter implies a rationality. Fanatic implies an irrationality. At this point in time, other than @dudacek who's attempts at rationality actually hint at an irrationality 😉, can ANYONE here be labeled as fully rational? Sad truth is, we're FANS, not supporters. And though it was said of the Bills in the greatest football game ever played, am looking longingly towards the day the Sabres and their fans can have their own moment of "it is bedlam, it is pandemonium, it is fandemonium, it is fan-tas-tic." And know that should it happen at home, this kid will be there. (And after the fact, fully expect to have had 100k others there too; and heck, with the return of the party on the plaza; maybe we really will have 100k joining in the celebration in the moment.)

No surprise cuts so far. Another 24 hours to finalize the roster, post waivers and various designations.