msw2112

I'm bummed out/disappointed that the Sabres suck, but it doesn't really impact my life that much. For me, it's a little bit more than entertainment, as I played hockey and grew up attending and watching Sabres games (with my father, grandfather, brothers, and friends), so there are some sentimental ties to the team that I wouldn't have to an actor or movie, but I still enjoy my life, my job, and my family and just accept that my favorite hockey team is terrible.

I wonder what Lindy thinks about it now....

I agree with what you are saying. In my post, I said that Buffalo is a great place to live "for a lot of people." I did not say it was a great place to live "for all people" or "for everyone." I also went on to say why some NHL players might like playing in Buffalo based on where they are from or where they are in life. The quote in the article was one NHL player saying that other NHL players love playing in Buffalo, so for those that do love it, I was speculating as to why. But, yes, in sports, winning tops everything else.

Buffalo is a great place to live for a lot of people. Most hockey players come from northern US states, northern parts of Europe, or Canada. Buffalo being a smaller US market has a similar feel to where many of these guys grew up, so they feel comfortable. Southern Ontario is very close by, and Quebec not far, so it's close to home for these guys and it's easy for their families to come and see them play. The winter weather is familiar, so a non-issue (as it might be for NFL players). Since Eichel's departure, most of the guys on the team seem like good guys, and Granato, Ruff, and Adams (and even Pegula too) seem to be good people who treat the players with dignity and respect. They have a nice locker room and with Harbor Center, great facilities. Regardless of why, the Sabres pay their players pretty well, overpaying for many. As stated above, being a small market, hockey is big and the players enjoy some level of celebrity that they may not have in other markets, and I'm sure this doesn't hurt for the single guys on the team. For the married guys/guys with families, it's a great community to raise a family. Great real estate is affordable and commutes are short. For all of these reasons, I can see why players like to play in Buffalo. The only thing that's an issue - and it's a big one - is the losing. Aside from all that, the comments about Ruff are pretty sobering. I've always been a huge fan of his, both as a player and a coach, but I wasn't high on re-hiring him this time around. The game may have passed him by a bit. When seeing him in the bench, he just doesn't look as engaged/confident/in tune with the game has was in the past. The results so far seem to support this notion. That said, the 4-game winning streak is nice and let's see if they can build on it. Nobody would be happier than me if they can turn it around with Ruff at the helm.

Maybe the success Kulich has had recently is behind the decision to give Rosen another look. It seemed like their development cycles have been tracking each other's the last few seasons. For what it's worth, despite being picked several spots later in his draft that Rosen was in his draft, I've always thought Kulich was the better prospect. And I agree with those above that unless there's an injury forcing Rosen to get called up to play, let the kid enjoy his All-Star experience and call him up in 3 days. If he ultimately sticks with the Sabres this season or next, Rosen is not likely to be seeing any more All-Star experiences in his career. If his NHL career pans out, he'll likely be a middle-six winger and those guys are not playing in All-Star games.

I saw the game and have read the posts above and have several thoughts. For those who don't like long posts, the key points are in bold: 1. I buy into the notion that the other players on the ice may not have seen the hit. Based on what I saw, they looked confused after the whistle. It didn't look like they know what happened. 2. I'm not familiar with the Devils player who made the hit and whether he's a dirty player. I don't know what his intent was on the hit - intentionally dirty, clean aggressive hit, or accidental. 3. Regardless of #1 and #2, I still think the Sabres should have responded. If not on that shift (giving them the benefit of doubt that the guys on the ice didn't see it), then on an upcoming shift. Even if you don't go after the same guy, fight SOMEBODY. Not only send a message to the Devils, but also to the Sabres own team and own fans. 4. Sure, retaliation COULD HAVE cost the team the game. It doesn't matter. This team is very far out of the race. PLUS, the benefits of team chemistry and firing up the team/crowd likely outweighs the downsides of taking a penalty. If they retaliated, maybe the Sabres and Devils player both go off, with the Sabres getting an extra 2 minutes for instigating. Well worth it. 5. I did not think the hit on Kulich was dirty or intentional. The other player was Lazar and he wasn't even looking at Kulich. It was just two guys playing aggressive but clean hockey making contact near the board and Kulich fell awkwardly. I don't think that one warranted any kind of response. 6. I did not see or hear the press conference, but I understand why Ruff might have been sending mixed messages. Either he consciously told them not to retaliate and he's defending his decision, or he wanted the guys to retaliate and is pissed about it, but doesn't want to air that dirty laundry in the media. He may want to address it internally. 7. The season has been a failure so far, but have to give some kudos for 3 straight wins, including against decent competition. Better than running for the bus.

While I'm not a big fan of fracking, I largely agree with the comment above. Snyder is a giant a-hole and the NFL couldn't wait to get rid of him. Pegula is a good guy who has done a great job with his football franchise and a lousy job with his hockey franchise. When he ultimately finds the right management team for the hockey team, that team will be fine. It's been a long wait and the wait continues, but he'll eventually get it right, even if by blind luck.

It's not that bad. He can sing and leave. He's not being forced to stay and watch the game.

As usual, I'll replay the game with the sound on later tonight as I'm doing other things and will peek in if I hear there's a goal, power play, or fight. At this point, it's just not worth my time to actually sit down and watch with full attention. It's too bad, because I really enjoy watching hockey and really enjoy watching my team (the Sabres) in particular, but it's really just not very enjoyable right now.

I'm a Buffalo fan through and through, so not a whole lot of luck with pro sports. I am a Yankees fan and they've won a few in my lifetime, but it's just not the same as my hometown team (and a small market team) winning it all. I lived in Chicago during the Michael Jordan era, so I was there for all 6 titles, plus one for the White Sox and 1 for the Blackhawks before I moved away. I was not a fan of those teams, so while it was fun to be there, it didn't mean that much to me. I graduated from Michigan, so they've had a NCAA basketball championship, two additional final four appearances, and two football championships in the time I was there/since I graduated. Their hockey team also won it one year, but college hockey just isn't as big as the other two sports. I really enjoyed those victories, but again, they didn't mean as much to me as a Buffalo team getting to the top of the mountain would. Still holding out hope for the Bills and Sabres to get one in my lifetime. Obviously, the Bills are close and the Sabres are about as far away as could be imagined.

Done.

The sad thing is that the Sabres did play a pretty good game (outside of the abysmal PP), until the inevitable meltdown the 3rd period, and I would call it a meltdown. It started when Calgary scored the 3rd goal and completed during the power play when the goalie was pulled, resulting in the inevitable empty net goal (the first one, that is). They hustled, battled, scrapped, etc. during the 1st and 2nd periods and entered the 3rd tied 2-2 with a realistic chance to win. Then the wheels came off, as they so often do. I have NEVER seen a team give up so many odd-man rushes on the power play. I'm pretty sure that Calgary had significantly more scoring chances during the Sabres' power plays than the Sabres did. Has anyone here ever seen anything like it at the NHL level?

McLeod's production was pretty good when he was playing with Zucker and Greenway and he also produced when he got a couple of games on the top line. He has blazing speed and seems to be one of the guys that's a bit more responsible defensively and has some hustle to his game. His speed and hustle was what resulted in the empty net goal that sealed the win against Carolina. I see him as a good bottom-6 NHL player who can play up in the lineup on occasion when needed and a "young veteran" of the type that the Sabres need. There are a lot of problems on this year's Sabres roster, but I don't see McLeod as one of them.

I don't know if the premise of the original post has legs after only a game or two, but hey, given the miserable season that we're all experiencing, I'm OK with someone expressing a little optimism about some aspects of the Sabres. Kulich has looked good. Quinn has been scoring the last couple of weeks, after being left for dead earlier in the season. Zucker has played well and Kozak has shown that he may have a future as a hard-working bottom-six player. The Sabres won a game last night, with a third period comeback, and didn't give up a goal in a 6 on 5 situation. At this point, with the playoffs pretty much out of reach, and some of us masochists still watching all the games, why not enjoy at least the occasional positive? It doesn't mean that the Sabres don't need a major organizational shakeup sometime between now and the beginning of next season.

For one night, anyway.

You knew...it was inevitable.

What this says to me, is that, along with the arguably positive acquisitions of Zucker, McLeod and Malenstyn, that Adams did fine with the moves he DID make. The issue was the moves that he DIDN'T make. For what it's worth, I didn't like the Byram trade at the time, but it's aging well. The glaring lack of veteran DEFENSIVE defensemen is still the biggest problem with the team and went unaddressed by Adams.

I think it's mental. They've squandered so many leads that they mentally lose their focus and start running around like chickens with their heads cut off in their own zone, making passes directly to the other team, etc. rather than doing what they were coached to do. They panic. It really starts earlier in the third-period (pretty much when the 3rd period puck is dropped) and the mental issues are exacerbated when the opposing team pulls their goalie. Being the youngest team in the league without enough steady-handed and steady-minded veteran players, particularly on defense, also contributes to the problem.

Dahlin is a great hockey player and likely the best on the team. I personally did not see him as the best choice for captain. While he's an aggressive player, he comes across to me as more of a quiet guy that's not too vocal with the team. (That said, I have no idea how he is behind the scenes in the locker room, at practice, etc.) Tuch seems to me to be more of a guy who has a captain-like personality. In the past, I thought Cozens had captain-type vibes in his future, but with his drop-off in play the last couple of seasons, he's no longer viable. The bottom line, however, is that they gave the "C" to Dahlin and they have to live with it. To rip the "C" off of his chest at this point would embarrass and alienate the team's best player and would ruin whatever chemistry remains in the group. You only remove the "C" if you intend to trade the player and the Sabres would be fools to trade their best player (unless it was a Lindros-like haul in return). Captain or not, Dahlin is the type of player you build a team around, not one you trade away.

You may have failed to comprehend what I have written. I fully agree with you that Pegula has been an abject failure, to date, as a hockey owner. Looking at his record, how can one say otherwise? My position is that given a few factors, I believe that Pegula will eventually get the Sabres right and I strongly prefer him having the opportunity to do that rather than risk him selling to an outsider who could move the team to another market. These are the factors: 1. He has committed to the Buffalo and WNY markets and kept both pro sports franchises in the market. (Fact) Many other owners would not have done that. (Opinion) 2. He has been successful with another professional sports franchise. Even if it was by blind luck, it happened. (Fact) If it happened once, it could happen again. (Opinion) 3. He has very deep pockets. Deep enough to kept the team in Buffalo, despite low attendance, and deep enough to keep it there until things turn around. (Fact) 4. He is on record as being a long-time fan of the team. (Fact) In my opinion, he very badly wants the team to succeed. He's not simply looking it as a business venture. (Opinion) I have an opinion that I believe is well-reasoned. If you disagree, that's fine. You are entitled to have a different opinion.

The only thing we can do is stop buying tickets, stop watching games, and stop buying merchandise. We really don't have much say in the matter. We really don't "give him" time. But I'd personally give Adams and Ruff the rest of this season and then reassess. If the team ends up out with a losing record and out of the playoffs, a change in management is required.

Not to denigrate your post, but I didn't read it that carefully. Based on my very quick read, I thought you were making a legitimate criticism of the author. Apologies for my sarcasm meter being off. I noticed this inaccuracy in the article yesterday and was going to post something, but decided it wasn't that significant to warrant a post. Then I saw a pointing out an "inaccuracy" in the article, so it seemed to open the door to another one. Just another indicator that I need to get off the Sabres message board and get back to work!

So he was able to find the right coach & GM combination with the Bills in ONLY 3 YEARS, which speaks more favorably to Pegula than if it had taken him 17. With the Sabres, he's made SO MANY bad hires (over a long, painful 14 years) that maybe he'll try something different and get it right the next time. But you're right, there's no guarantee. In my opinion, which is heavily disputed on this board, his commitment to the City of Buffalo and Western New York, his success with the Bills (even if by pure luck), his deep pockets, and his previously expressed love for the Sabres give him the leeway to take another shot at getting it right. Note that that doesn't mean I think he's done a good job as the Sabres' owner. He's been terrible. I feel like some of those who have been critical of my position are missing that part of it.

One other error is that it says that Zucker has been on the Sabres' first line for most of the season and that's incorrect. He spent most of the season on the 3rd line with Greenway and McLeod and they played really well together. After that, I think Zucker moved around a bit as Lindy shuffled lines trying to find some thing that would work. It's only recently that Zucker was promoted to the 1st line and I suspect it was because a) Peterka was in a slump and b) because the Quinn-Cozens-Peterka line was very productive in the past and they tried to recapture that magic. So the writer was a bit lazy in her research, but overall, the article was decent and accurate.

Why would the argument be lost? If Beane has a "free hand" it was given to him by his boss, Terry Pegula. Why can't a POHO or GM be hired by the Sabres that has the same "free hand" given by the same boss? Based on past history, I think it's very realistic that if a competent person is hired, that would be part of the deal. Maybe a Rick Dudley or a Ken Holland? As to Allen, you're not wrong that he's a generational player. That said, the Bills made the playoffs BEFORE Allen was drafted and have built a great culture into which Allen fits perfectly. The Bills without Allen would be structured differently, but would probably be a good team, whereas Allen makes them a great team. At this point, most of us would take a good team for the Sabres. Plus, Barkov, Tkachuk, and Reinhart are all excellent NHL players, but they're not McDavid, Ovechkin or Crosby level guys (not Josh Allen level guys) and they just won a Stanley Cup. A well-run hockey team can be a playoff team and contend for the Stanley Cup without a generational player on the roster. The 49ers went to the Super Bowl last year and nearly won the damn thing with Brock Purdy as their QB. But, first things first, let's just get a competent front office in place for the Sabres so they can become a playoff team. I love a good debate as much as the next guy, but I need to get back to work!