mjd1001

The beauty of low expectations....people who actually watch the Sabres seem to be less upset with watching games like tonights...compared to how upset Bills fans get when they "only" win by 20 points when they thought they should have won by 30.

I think people are making a good point locally about the Jays. The Blue Jays used to be a lot bigger of a draw here, and it was the 'local' team with them being only 1-1.5 hours away, but ever since the big Dollar cable TV packages, WNY doesn't get the game on TV. While Yankee, Met, or Red Sox fans don't care much about that, it does have an impact that you can't see them anymore. Another thing related to the cable packages is, most of the games you CANNOT watch on TV without cable. That has been like that for a while now, but with more and more people (especially younger people) 'cutting the cord' and getting rid of cable, they simply aren't exposed to the game. As someone else said above, the league seems to be sacrificing a lot of future fans for current dollars. What needs to change? 1. Get the games sped up a LOT. Pitcher must get rid of pitch in 15 seconds or its a ball. Batter can only step out of Box 1 time per at bat. 2. Let viewers see local games streaming online. Maybe somehow get local games on TV and not on cable (probably not going to happen though) 3. Its summertime. Yes people work, but you need more afternoon games. Also, when an east coast team is visiting a west coast team during the week, make some of those west coast start times a bit earlier (an occasional 5:30 or 6 West coast start time would help a lot) 4. World Series. Start the games an hour eariler. A lot of the games might be great, but in my life I have been exposed to a lot more games that were dogs. I just don't feel like blocking out 3+ hours of time with the HOPE it might be a good game. Get most of the games down to 2 hours, and might be in.

I think you are 50% right. More profitable than ever? Yes. Highest ratings ever? No.

With the end of the world series approaching, just looking to see what others think. As a kid growing up, I watched over 100 baseball games a year once they were on cable, and watched EVERY playoff game I could regardless of who was in them. Starting a decade ago, I still watched some games, but maybe 15-20 a year, but still watched the World Series. This year, I haven't watched a playoff game yet. Just don't have the interest anymore. Some things to consider: -So far, this is on pace to be the lowest rated World Series EVER. -According to the ratings details, only 1 out of every 25 viewers of the World series is under 18. -The average age of a World Series viewer is now 55 years old. -The U.S. vs Portugal soccer match this past summer earned DOUBLE the ratings that game one of the world series did this year. On the other hand, 2 million kids play little league baseball, the number has stayed steady year to year, while the number of kids playing pop-warner football has declined, and about 10 TIMES as many kids play organized baseball as football (under the age of 12). So, what does everyone think, do you still watch baseball? Is the game doomed to be a 'fringe' sport within the next 5-10 years?

There are examples on both sides of things, but I wanted to bring up another example of a guy who is turning into a superstar who really didn't show much of anything until 3 years after he was drafted: Ryan Johansen from Columbus. Drafted 4th overall in 2010, but C-Bus didn't rush him. He didn't even play with the club until the 2011-2012 season, and only totaled 9 goals and 12 assists in mostly a full season. The next year (2 years after draft year), he had 5 goals in the 40 games of the shortened season. Simply looking by the numbers, a lot of people might have said he as a bust as the 4th overall pick with only 14 total goals since getting drafted 3 years ago. So what has he done since? We all know last year he came up with 33 goals and was a plus player for the first time in his NHL career. This year, he has 5 goals and 6 assists through 8 games (about a 50 goal, 110 point pace...although as with most hot starters he is not likely to keep that up) Just because a player is drafted in the top 5, doesn't mean instant success. It may take 3+ years from their draft time to start producing as you want them to.

As others have said, it really isn't the lack of shots that is the problem for the Sabres offense, it is the lack of any of those shots being QUALITY chances. We can't really tell if anyone on this team is talented enough to score until they get some quality chances.

A guy like Myers is always going to be viewed on how the team around him plays, regardless of how he plays. If he's on a team like the Sabres are now, many people are going to focus on his shortcomings and say he is average at best. If he is on a top 5-8 team in the league, he can play the EXACT same way, but if the team wins, he'd be viewed by many (including across the league) as one of the best D-men in the league.

I'm not all that upset with this team yet. Sure, I'd like to see them lose 4-3 or 3-2 rather than 1-0, but not much more beyond that. I also don't think (yet) that this team is an absolute lock for last place and that they are going to as bad (or worse) than last year. ANY team, good or bad, that has a lot of changes from the start of one season to the next is going to take a while to 'gel', so to speak. On the top teams, you have a larger portion of the team that has played with each other for YEARS and know where each other will be on the ice (or at least the key players on the top line.) On the Sabres, it is going to be at least 20 games until that happens..and by the time it does, they will be into the 'softer' part of the schedule. What do I think that means? I think you might still be looking at a 60-70 point team, UNLESS further trades are made to strip this team early (Myers, Stewart, and Stafford gone by the end of the year.) What is puzzling to me is the constant talk of the 'lack of effort' game after game? Are even the 'experts' who are saying that confusing lack of effort for lack of talent? I just don't see how the biggest goal of the offseason was to purge this team of guys who didn't show any effort, who didn't want to be here, and yet that still seems to be a major problem? I don't get that. Maybe it is just human nature, even the guys who are normally 'effort' guys aren't going to go 100% everyday until they feel they have a legitimate chance to win a good number of games?

Actually, that is the best case scenario then. Juniors this year....hopefully some time at the end of the season with Rochester this year.....then next year a full offseason and full camp with Buffalo, and maybe the start of the season with Rochester. If he plays great there, he can then be a full time member of the Sabres in 13-14 months from now.

I said if he isn't ready, then that is the path. He's 18 now, why would it be insanity for a top prospect who is NOT a Sydney Crosby/Alex Ovechkin/Stamkos guy coming out of the draft....to expect them to contribute to your top 2 lines when he is 20 years old? Everything we have heard about him is that he projects to be a star but not a superstar...so I don't get how giving the kid seasoning until he is 20...if he needs it....how is that insanity?

A Myers deal is going to be a tough trade for any team to make. Why? Tim Murray is probably going to want a young star in the making...not a good player but a STAR...and I think Buffalo may be looking to throw in a prospect with Myers or a second round pick or higher. Why? The Sabres are loaded, and I mean LOADED with former and current first round picks..as well as young guys who look to be pretty decent second-liners. They also have a lot of future #2, #3, or #4 D-men. What they need is someone who is going to be a legit first liner. A top 50 forward in the league. For that, you are going to have to sweeten the pot with more than Myers...but this team has a lot of stuff to sweeten that pot with. There is no way the Sabres can take on any more "good but not great" prospects or future draft picks...they are getting to the point where in the future, they won't have spots for all of the ones they have already. Once again, If Myers gets moved, I think Buffalo throws in somethingthing extra to get a young STAR forward.

I agree with you totally. Although I do not think Zadarov is being rushed. What I hope is to see him play through 9 games then go back to Junior....get some time with the Amerks at the end of this year, and then give him a SHOT to make the team next year. Best case scenario for him is he plays well enough to possibly make the team next year but gets sent to Rocheter for at least a couple months...then 'works' his way into the lineup. As for the others, I agree. Next one up should be Larson, give Grigorenko at least a half season in Rochester, and a full season wouldn't be bad for him. As for Renhart, I don't think you want him in Junior this year AND next year, but if I could get away with it, I would have him in Junior, this year, Next year, then the following year spend at least part of a Season with Rochester......of course with the caveat that he can play with the Sabres earlier if he forces your hand. Prove he is one of the top 6 forwards on the team. Until he can do that, it is Juniors or Roch.

I'm NOT all for dirty play at all. Hits in hockey, sure. Stick work or any other kind of play that is on the edge of the rules..needs to go. I'd be just as excited to go to that Amerks game and see the 5 goals, especially how nice some of the goals where...when you see that kind of scoring, I don't need any of the other stuff.

Auto....all cars, all the time. I bought one manual mitsu Eclipse turbo years ago....falling into the thinking of thinking of "sporty cars are meant to be driven with a manual"....but i didnt get that feeling when i had it, Ease of use, comfort, and with todays tech, I'll take also the added performance and efficiency of the Auto over the manual (most Auto cars now out perform their manual equipped counterparts, espeically with DSG's and 6-8 speed autos). Also, if I had a performance car, I want to just hit the gas and enjoy the feeling of pure acceleration with my mind only on steering or modulating the gas to reduce wheel-spin...I don't need the extra 'sensation' of shifting gears to enjoy the acceleration.

On the other hand, you might want to keep players like him (and next years picks) developing even if they take 3-5 years to reach potential. You put together a very good, competing team with what you have now as the current young players come into their own (Risto, Girgensons, Grigo, etc.) Then in 3-5 years, as they come up for contract, or older players like Ennis, Stewart, etc come up for a BIG contract, you have to worry less about overpaying them because you have the next set of young guys who are ready for the NHL to plug in. I personally like that idea the best. I'm not even big on trading prospects for top players, I'm more of the mind of always developing your prospects and when they are ready (if even 3+ years after they are drafted), to plug them in then.

Was at the game last night, saw him play for the second time and I watched him most of the game. He didn't look awful, but really didn't do anything special at all. I always said I'd want him here only if he looks like he is a top 6 forward right now....and while not terrible, he does NOT look close to being a top 6 forward even on this team. I haven't seen anything to make me think he looks bad, but everything I see says he shouldn't make the team this year for the whole year.

First question, does anyone know if any Amerks games will be on TV in the Buffalo market this year? Second item, and maybe a bit longer of one we can revisit from earlier in the year....now that Pegula will own the Bills and the Sabres, AND it looks like he is getting involved in a lot more (possible new stadium, all the stuff at the harborcenter, etc), do you think it is looking any MORE likely we might get a regional cable sports network in the next few years? Think of the programming. All the Sabres games (exce,pt national ones), Amerks games, an Expanded Blue and Gold. Any NFL content about the Bills that is allowed by NFL rules (player shows,t extened pre and post game shows, etc.) Bandits games. A possible Buffalo based Traverse city type preseason tournament. Bandits games. I'm sure I'm mising a lot. The thing is we always talk about the expense of a network, but you might only be looking to get it on in Buffalo, Rochester, and MAYBE Syracuse and southern Ontario. And what seems to be different about Pegula that we aren't used to, he seems willing to spend (or lose) a bit of money to reach a longer term goal..to market a product. The possibilities of what can be done with a WNY sports network with him owning 4 teams in the area seem pretty good.

I really think Reinhart will be a very good to great player (not based on my expert scouting, but just what I have heard), but what I do feel VERY strongly about is the timeline for him to contribute to this roster should be starting with the 2016-2017 season. If he comes banging down the door before then, then great. The only thing is, the optimal situation in my mind would be onre more year in Junior and then one year with the Amerks....but NHL rules say he won't be eligible for a full year in the AHL until 2 more full years in Junior, correct?

I don't like that he dismissed it so quickly. But he is the coach, he is not putting the team together. I CAN be OK with it if the guys picking the players (Murray and scouting staff) are at least using it to a certain extent.

As of right now, I think the same that I did a few months ago, that 2nd overall pick this year would have been in the 5-7 range in 2013. So what does that mean? He is not going to be a 20-30 goal guy or a 60-70 point guy this year, or next year, or maybe even in 3 years. I'm guessing he is likely to be a 15 goal, 40-50 point guy by the time he is 21 years old (yes, 3 years from now), and his 'peak' may be 25 goals, 70 points....and that may not be for 5 more years. To all those who are thinking he is our 'star' and we need him on the Sabres this year, maybe seeing this little reality check of how long a potential 'star' (not superstar) needs to get used to the NHL is needed. Who we should be looking for signs to be excited about is Risto, Grigorenko, and Armia....we are more likely to see things to get excited about from them THIS YEAR.

I think I remember those comments (or at least reading someone reference them on here), but then there we also comments either from Murray or Nolan that when the season DOES start, it is likely he'd be 'protected' a bit (meaning maybe a day off on road games where you can't get the matchups you want, and in home games only being played in certain situations.) As I said in a previous post, I am in a way hoping he goes back to Junior....as it will be his first time playing in junior after a 'taste' of NHL camp and real NHL competition. But if he stays, I wonder if the fans are going to be prepared for him to get some nights off, and when he does play to only be getting 10 minutes of ice time a game, and sometimes playing in the 3rd period, and other time be glued to the bench by Nolan in tight games in the third until he GRADUALLY gets the chance to be put it. Remember, Girgensons last year seemed really ready for the NHL, yet he got very little, if any, Powerplay time the entire year (even spot duty on the 2nd unit, it didn't happen)

The more I think about it, the more I am agreeing with you. Even if he is one of the 'top 6' forwards on this team right now (which I don't know if he has much of a chance to do that), do you really need him here? Some will say he won't get better in Junior anymore, but I disagree with that. If he goes back to Junior, he will do so after a FULL TRAINING camp with the Sabres, he will know a LOT better what he will need to improve on to be a player with the Sabres. I'm sure he will go back to Junior with a workout plan and a "skills improvement plan" generated by the Sabres. Basically, if he goes back to Juniors, he should have a much more productive year preparing for the NHL than last year because the Sabres will be bringing him along all the way. I guess unless he looks like he will put in 25+ goals (which even McKinnon didn't do), I'd probably want him back in Juniors after his 9 game exposure to the NHL.

Keep him with the Sabres no matter what? Juniors no matter what? Personally, I'd like to see him with the Sabres only if it is CLEAR he is ready now, and a top six guy right now.

Maybe, but over the last 5 years or so, the average number of 30+ goal scorers per team is less than 1 player per team.

I agree with you, just wish it was on TV, or even viewable on the web. I'm an equal Bills and Sabres fan, but....while the happenings with the Bills lately have everyone elated, I kinda need a break from the Bills. I'm happy for everything going on, but I'm on Bills overload now.