PromoTheRobot

Just spitballing but maybe PSE had to overbid by a lot to get over reticence of having Buffalo host. Anyone attending the 2003 Frozen Four in Buffalo would have been appalled. Even though it's better now (though not that much better judging from takes I've read...and even then, I wonder how much effort was made to find places,) that lingering perception might have been a significant hurdle. You can bet there won't be another Buffalo Frozen Four.

Just heard on WGR that ticket prices are set based on the bid made by the host city. So Russ Brandon might have overbid to get the Frozen Four assuming fans would show up no matter what.

Flyers fans take on their new coach. https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/flyers/flyers-fans-explode-social-media-over-new-coaching-hire

Cale Makar gets his first NHL goal. Bravo.

JT Compher. That's a name I recognize.

The Frozen Four, supposedly, has a built-in following. At least that was the story I was told when I went to Tampa a few years back. Tickets were bought every year because fans didn't want to lose access to the event. If that was the case I wouldn't blame the Pegulas for trying to land this event. I was also at the last Buffalo Frozen Four (under Golisano/Quinn) when all that out of town fans saw coming to the MMA was a windswept parking lot and a hole in the ground. I recall out of towners looking lost wondering where they could get some food or a drink. Things were pretty desolate at the foot of Main in those days. (Could that lingering image of Buffalo be a reason?) So I'd love to know did this event crash this year or was attendance falling before? Did the NCAA (or whoever sets ticket prices) get greedy? Or does Buffalo still have such a bad rep no one wants to come here in April? I honestly don't believe the Sabres performance has anything to do with this. Frozen Four is supposed to be an event for college hockey fans everywhere.

Taylor but I suppose Keefe too.

https://www.watchtheahl.com/#/pricing

I'm having Sabres withdrawal so I think I'll sign up for this. Also want to see how our potential new Sabres coach does his job under playoff pressure.

Remember when Rochester was getting an MLS franchise?

That's one nice thing you can say about Gary Bettman. He loathes franchise moves.

As was mentioned up thread, Buffalo is only a city with major pro sports because we got our teams long ago. We'd never get them now. If we lost either team they would never be replaced.

Yes but we scoff at ticket prices that other markets typically pay. That's the rub.

Why no salute to the Bisons?

The mountain UB would have to climb is taller than supporting an MLB team. As long as you are outside the Power conferences, you will be a minor league program feeding the big guys. Not to mention convincing WNY fans to support college sports, which depends on donations. UB's greatest season went up in a puff of smoke the moment Alabama poached our coach and recruiting class. Local fans only just woke up to this team and it's been cut off at the knees, having to regroup and rebuild. We have enough heartburn with the Bills and Sabres. I don't think fans could deal with a cycle of one good season and 3 years of rebuilding.

Honestly I think Taylor would be a good choice. He's done a great job with the Amerks. Why not let him coach his charges in the NHL? I feel like trying to land a big name coach will only lead to more embarrassment.

Did you know that MLB offered the Expos to the Rich family and they said no? Fact is WNY can't possibly support a third major franchise, much less one in a sport with no salary cap dominated by a handful of huge revenue teams. Never winning big and always losing your best players to the money teams would get old real fast.

My old boss had a saying. "Pigs get fat. Hogs get slaughtered."

I feel like I can't be disappointed in the Leafs-Bruins series. Either team loses I'll be happy.

There's a house in Grand Island on the Niagara River available.

Pretty sparse crowd at Key Bank Center.

Remember, it can always be worse.

But at least with the Sabres, you can say "the franchise was a mess" and they'd believe you.

And the downside? A 3-year, multi-million dollar paid vacation? The horror.

"We have a better pick than the Sabres!"