LTS

I haven't seen the Coyotes play but I will assume like many teams with "lower" talent they will play a hard checking, fast paced game... something the Sabres do not handle well. I have low expectations for this game.

I have been out of town for the past few days but my Dad texted me asking if I knew why Howard Simon had taken over Duff's spot... and I realized, Duffer has been missing for a bit. I couldn't find any information.. Does anyone know? Did I just miss something obvious? (Forgive me if they said on the pre-game show.. it's hard to watch the Sabres these days).

No, I am not scared. I said, a lot of people I know won't go, that's not debatable unless you know the people I know. I did not make a mass sweeping statement that "People don't want to go to Rochester." So please do not misquote me. Crime rates, especially homicide had been increasing and peaked in 2021. They have declined in the past two years but it has an impact. Meanwhile, car theft has skyrocketed, especially this year. it doesn't paint a great picture of the city. The problem with Rochester is that it's not built for people to visit. Parking is a pain in the ass. Everything is spread out. The East End used to be a coo place but it's seriously taken a step down. The Browns Race area used to be good, but nothing could stick. Park Ave? All the people who live in the neighborhood park on the street effectively keeping visitors from being able to easily access it. Going to the BCA constitutes driving in, parking in the Civic Center parking garage which then takes forever to get out of. There's little to do around the BCA. What, Dinosaur? It's a closet of a location unfortunately. The crime doesn't help, but it doesn't keep me from going. I do go into NOTA often enough. There are some redeeming spots in South Wedge, but not as much as it used to be. It's cool that you live there and like it, but you are the one who brought up the shoddy attendance of the Knighthawks. The Amerks don't draw much better. I'm merely providing one view point as to why. You can debate against it, but bottom line is that people don't attend those games like they used to. Perhaps my reason isn't the only reason, but among the people I know, it very much is a reason.

Okay. But that doesn't change why people don't want to go to the BCA.

Sure, the longevity of continued misery is his fault. But I blame the coaches and players. It's not that this team lacks talent, it lacks heart. It lacks dedication to succeed. You could go all the way to the top for it, certainly. But the players need to do something about now. Cozens comments are a joke. He's the second biggest cream puff out there. The only bigger one is the smallest 6'4 forward I have ever seen. Alex Tuch can sod off to Syracuse with his unwillingness to finish a check. Granted the whole team is pretty much like that, but he's 6'4... you don't let a 5'11 defenseman hit harder than you. Hell, I'm not even worried about a hard check, just finish the check. The whole team plays poke check hockey... it's gotta stop. Yeah. Easy to get to Nashville, great to pair with a little time off and the arena is amazing.

Genuinely curious, does anyone on here actually get tired of repeating themselves? I don't know how some of you do it. For me it's easier to just not pay attention to the calamity. if the organization doesn't want to put in the effort and energy, why should we?

A lot of people I know don't want to venture into the city any more. I think that plays into it quite a bit. The city has no identity and seems to be getting more and more crime-ridden. I dislike going into the city. I might do it once or twice to go to an Amerks game, but even then it's drive in and drive out.

This is one of those where the Sabres pull off one of those irritating nights and win and everyone says.. WTF, why can't they do that every night. Or they get killed. Either way, I am glad I am free to turn the game off. I got lucky going to the Pittsburgh game that they turned it around in the 3rd because the 1st and 2nd were awful and I really really wanted to leave. At home it's just a quick press of a button and I am spared debacles like last night.

I don't think he'll beat the record playing in Washington. They've slumped pretty good and I think it's a year or two before they turn it around. Curious if he goes to a higher scoring team or is content with being #2.

What are your type of games? I don't have my PS5 any longer (gave it to my son). For single player, adventure, type stuff. Horizon Zero Dawn might be one of the best games I've ever played. It's got a great story. People raved about Spider-Man as well. I was also a big fan of God of War.

Lots of good ones.. let's see.. in person though. Jan 23, 1994 - My GF and I bought tickets to the Bills/KC game sitting very high up. The crowd singing at the end of the game for what seemed like an eternity. Sadly the Bills followed up that great moment with a dazzling defeat in the SB. That said, my GF then is my wife now, so it offsets the Bills SB loss. March 29, 1996 - Attending the Sabres game with a mixed group of Flyers and Sabres fans sitting off the right of Garth Snow's crease when Barnaby goes down. Going nuts during the ensuing madness on the ice and watching Snow tap Barnaby with his stick and having Barnaby go absolutely medieval on Snow. I don't like Barnaby, but I loved that moment. My group was yelling back and forth at each other, then we all high-fived. April 24, 2006 - Suite tickets to the Sabres vs. Flyers Round 1 game. Having the Sabres destroy the Flyers 8-2 in the game. Sitting next to the suite that had relatives of the Flyers players (wives included) and just watching their absolute deflation at the Flyers that day. I don't think I had a voice for a very long time afterward. Mar 5, 2020 - My son's 16th birthday and we are going to the Sabres vs. Penguins. One week before the NHL suspended play due to COVID. We brought along 3 of his friends to the game. On the way in they get approached by Sabres personnel to be the first intermission entertainment in bubble hockey. Having them wear the bubble "suits" and laying each other out on ice during the intermission was incredible. It provided a lasting memory for what was about to become a very rough time for everyone, especially teenagers. Lots of other memories too... so many non-professional with my kids and their sports or even my own days.

My two biggest issues... The sound system is terrible and makes my ears hurt (not because it's loud, but because the sound quality is absolutely horrible) The ceiling is so low that the air circulation systems are inevitably felt and it dries out my contacts something fierce. This happens at Sabres games but to a far lesser extent.

The stache is a November thing right? It's all gone in a few days. Go get a W. that's all.

Why might a player in Kane's situation sign a 1 year deal over something longer? He's not tied to a team should he have misread how close to success they are. He has the ability to get paid more next season, should he be successful this season. Kane already has money. He can afford to take the gamble that he plays well this season and then signs for even more money next season.

Or.. I gave 3 goalies a chance to demonstrate who gets to stay and who gets to go. Comrie was out injured and Levi would have been on the roster anyway during that time and in the time that he's had to evaluate the goalies it makes sense, at this point in time, to move Levi to Rochester. No decision is known when it is made. People use the information they have (or believe they have) and make a decision. It's not like any possible decision on goaltending would have assured success. Did anyone project that Johansson would be successful in Tampa while Vasi was out? Nope. But yet he did. Brisebois made a decision and it worked out. So, do we go back and hang all the people who said he was an idiot? No, but if it hadn't worked out people would be tearing him apart. Same here. Adams had a plan. This is how it shook out and eventually the time was right to adjust to the current situation.

Thompson will be out longer, I have no doubt. Not that we know for certain what happened, but I think we can all safely say it was wrist or hand. In those situation the two biggest impacts are the ability to put all the force on the stick for shots and being able to tolerate the vibration in the stick on slapshots and stick-checking. I'd love it to be sooner, but Dec 2 would be pretty amazing.

I wouldn't decide anything on Benson yet. He looks good now. Cozens looked great last year. Until a player can string together a few seasons of excellence it's far too early to make any decree. Yes, it's great how Benson looks at the moment. That much is certain. 🙂

I think if he used a little tenderizer on his glove it might improve even more. No analytics but it seems a lot of pucks go in and out of that glove before he gets it closed. I think he's been playing well so I'm not trying to refute anything.

So the presumption is that because it hasn't improved the team that it's not helpful? But, what if without the team was even worse?

Yeah.. minus Lucic. I forgot about the Benn's. It was a topic.. somewhere in here. Not for long.. not much need to talk about that guy.

I was in the 300's.. 302 in fact. I just recall the audio be much clearer and louder last year. There were times when certain audio was loud, but overall it seemed off. Perhaps its the acoustics in that area? Whatever.. moving on. Cannot wait for the upgrades next season. The "jumbo" tron is certainly anything but. Could be.. but unsold minimum ticket prices earn $0 revenue. Not arguing with you, of course. I have this unbridled fascination with the concept of pricing versus capacity. Everyone has to wear a visor except a few who still manage to have grandfathered status from before the mandate.

The deluded Energizer Bunny. I think half your total forum posts must be in this thread. Clearly engaging someone with your unique analytical skills is not possible. So I won't bother. You win. in your head.

This is where an extra vet leader or two come into play. Erik Johnson was a good addition for that reason. They just need one more. KO knows he's hanging on, he's not naive. But, glad he got them going last night.

I am a huge fan of MAF. The NHL forbade him from wearing this and he did it anyway. The NHL is doing a great job of making itself a laughing stock with it's "Old White Guy" policies. Jesus. Just let players express themselves. They won't fine him. They can't. He called their bluff, just like Travis Dermott called them on the pride tape ban. Great job MAF, keep being a beaut.

Thank you for the enhanced explanation. Perhaps my fault for not taking each of the players he listed and not pointing out just how out of touch he was with them. Which I was hoping I could group into a shorter post. Since you replied there have been others that have pointed out the reality of the names that were posted. That's my problem with the post. Pegula, objectively, has failed to put this team in the playoffs and that's not a good sign. But when you trot out Ristolainen as state's evidence.. c'mon.. Bruh? Wow. Ooookay. So I guess I need to break it down Barney style for you. ROR, who forced his way out of Colorado.. who then lost his love of the game in Buffalo because the thought the fans didn't love him. Yes, that guy who had lightning strike in the mid-season coaching change of Mike Yeo (never gonna do anything good) with Craig Berube (hasn't done anything since) and Jordan "Off his F'ing Rocker" Binnington (also has not done anything since)... that ROR? The one who was just traded last year from the Blues to the Leafs because he's so invaluable.. and then does not sign with Toronto in the off-season because.. oh damn... he feels too much pressure... and was losing his love of the game.. Again? That ROR? Yeah.. he's a real asset. Eichel - asked to be traded. He was on his way out. It happens when you eat ROR's sour grapes. By all account Jackie Boy was super psyched to be in Buffalo in the beginning. He was dating the daughter of one of the owners of Basil Auto dealers. Who knows where it all went wrong but he quickly became a Jack ass. He was a locker room menace. (Straight words from a player in the locker room at the time). So.. no Eichel was on his way out. Risto - please. He's a joke. Ullmark - debated on this board numerous times. It's a bit of a toss up but you take either of those goaltenders out of Boston right now and they aren't putting up the numbers they are today. Montour - performing better than his entire career before being dealt. I still wouldn't mind him, but he ain't changing this team. Reinhart - perhaps the best example. I was a Reinhart fan, but if he did not want to be here then he would never perform at the level he is today. Though, it took a few more years to get there. And... I'm out. No more to be said. Pegula has not been a great owner, but the team positioned now for better success than it's ever been before. It took a few too many tries to get something meaningful. That sucks, but you aren't perfect and neither is he. Moving on.