My Lowest Point of Sabres Fandom

[CallawaySabres]

Even after all those years of no playoffs, I still clung to a little bit of hope. There was always something to hold on to entering the season to make me think that this could be the year the playoff drought ends. 

I have never had such little interest entering a Sabres season in many decades. I look at this roster and to me, there seems to be a group of players that has little to no excitement about it. I suppose if the improved defense and goaltending take a major jump, they could be in the mix for the 8 spot, but man, I just don't see it. 

My friends viewed me as one of the biggest fans out there, watching every single second of every single game. My mood was down when they lost, and I would be thrilled to seem the team victorious. If this organization could take a fan like that and now paint me with apathy, what can the average fan be thinking. 

It would not take much to get me back on board, but again, looking at this roster, I see no end in sight. I really hope they turn it around some day and bring the joy back to a beyond tortured fanbase that deserves so so much more.

Edited 5 hours ago by CallawaySabres

[Weave]

[That Aud Smell]

I use terms like “dormant” and “latent” for my Sabres fandom.

It’ll come roaring back once the team’s back on solid footing.

This presumes Pegula doesn’t obliterate the franchise before that can occur.

[CallawaySabres]

3 minutes ago, That Aud Smell said:

I use terms like “dormant” and “latent” for my Sabres fandom.

It’ll come roaring back once the team’s back on solid footing.

This presumes Pegula doesn’t obliterate the franchise before that can occur.

Dormant is the perfect word.

[Drag0nDan]

35 minutes ago, CallawaySabres said:

Even after all those years of no playoffs, I still clung to a little bit of hope. There was always something to hold on to entering the season to make me think that this could be the year the playoff drought ends. 

I have never had such little interest entering a Sabres season in many decades. I look at this roster and to me, there seems to be a group of players that has little to no excitement about it. I suppose if the improved defense and goaltending take a major jump, they could be in the mix for the 8 spot, but man, I just don't see it. 

My friends viewed me as one of the biggest fans out there, watching every single second of every single game. My mood was down when they lost, and I would be thrilled to seem the team victorious. If this organization could take a fan like that and now paint me with apathy, what can the average fan be thinking. 

It would not take much to get me back on board, but again, looking at this roster, I see no end in sight. I really hope they turn it around some day and bring the joy back to a beyond tortured fanbase that deserves so so much more.

Last seasons 13 game losing streak was probably when i hit an all-time low.  Like 11-9-1 isn't a hot start, but you can work and build on that.  11-19-4 and the season was over before Christmas.  Watching UPL get chased in back to back games on the 11th and 12th of the losing streak was also the absolute nail in the coffin - I have 0 faith in the player anymore and his ability to elevate his performance when needed.  

[Taro T]

40 minutes ago, CallawaySabres said:

Even after all those years of no playoffs, I still clung to a little bit of hope. There was always something to hold on to entering the season to make me think that this could be the year the playoff drought ends. 

I have never had such little interest entering a Sabres season in many decades. I look at this roster and to me, there seems to be a group of players that has little to no excitement about it. I suppose if the improved defense and goaltending take a major jump, they could be in the mix for the 8 spot, but man, I just don't see it. 

My friends viewed me as one of the biggest fans out there, watching every single second of every single game. My mood was down when they lost, and I would be thrilled to seem the team victorious. If this organization could take a fan like that and now paint me with apathy, what can the average fan be thinking. 

It would not take much to get me back on board, but again, looking at this roster, I see no end in sight. I really hope they turn it around some day and bring the joy back to a beyond tortured fanbase that deserves so so much more.

Yeah, heading into this season, hope is as low as it's been on at least 4 occassions.  When they went austerity after having only a couple of seasons before having had the 3rd highest payroll in the league; canning Muckler and effectively canning Nolan; trading away Peca and Hasek; and Black Sunday (which while it was devastating didn't feel quite like the others as they'd been so good the previous year and they still had (or should've had) Zubrus, Connolly, and Roy to man the top 3 C spots and they still had Miller.  Yeah, they wouldn't be favorites to win but they still should've been good (guess not).

2 of those years, the team exceeded expectations.  One is was as bad as expected and the other it was worse.

Had they simply made a few FO and coaching moves, would be much higher on where they are now.  How will it turn out?  Well, still have tix because am still interested in watching it play out.  Hoping for all our sakes this team plays well enough to get you bought back in.

[bob_sauve28]

I'm really excited about the season and looking forward to seeing our boys soon. Don't want the summer to end, but it will be fun having the Sabres back on the ice

 

Go Sabres! 

[CallawaySabres]

1 minute ago, bob_sauve28 said:

I'm really excited about the season and looking forward to seeing our boys soon. Don't want the summer to end, but it will be fun having the Sabres back on the ice

 

Go Sabres! 

There is no room for positivity around here 🤣...

[dudacek]

Completely understand and I feel bad for you.

Me — regardless of what my pragmatic brain knows to be true — I still get impatient for September training camp reports to start rolling in and the puck to drop on opening night.

• Rasmus Dahlin is worth my subscription: so ***** good. 
• I'm excited to see if Kesselring plays with the same kind of wild stallion energy i saw in my limited Utah viewings.
• I'm curious if Doan has the selfless, grinding energy touted in his press clippings
• I wonder if Owen Power's balls dropped, or Mule's, and if either can consistently show the games they have given us glimpses of.
• Is Norris what we need? Can Byram take another step?
• Can Jack Quinn bounce back, because i loved that kid's game prior to last year.
• Can Zach Benson add production to what is truly a delightful style of game?
• Will this finally be the year Levi emerges?
• What does Kulich have in store for us?
• I like watching Alex Tuch play hockey
• Can Tage ride his Olympic dream to a 50-goal season?

Lots of things I'm curious about, lots of of hopium available should I choose to inject it.

I don't really care if that makes me a glutton for punishment. There's a pretty good chance they'll give me plenty of reason to be depressed and frustrated during the season. I'm going to take advantage of the preseason while I still can.

 

Edited 4 hours ago by dudacek

[JoeSchmoe]

1 hour ago, CallawaySabres said:

I have never had such little interest entering a Sabres season in many decades. I look at this roster and to me, there seems to be a group of players that has little to no excitement about it.

Barring a miracle in net, this team isn't good enough to make the playoffs. That said, last year was the low of lows. Our offense sucked two years ago, and by losing Skinner and Mittelstadt, we made it worse. Everything was bad and there was nothing to hope for.

Last year our offense was okay. Losing JJP hurts, but there's reason to believe we could make that up with some growth from the kids. 

Moreover, we added some good expected goal % players while getting rid of some really, really bad ones (Clifton, Cozens, and Lafferty). Our defense is a lot better and it will be nice to see Mule in a highly reduced role.

With surprise goaltending and growth from Benson and Peterka (and a full season from Norris, Dahlin, and Thompson), there's a way into the playoffs this year. At the beginning of last season, there was no possible path no matter how you sliced it.

Edited 4 hours ago by JoeSchmoe

[SwampD]

I feel like you have posted this thread before.

Not saying this one isn't true, as well, just that they keep making new lows.

It's really quite astounding.

[Eleven]

I feel like this is a nearly annual post from @CallawaySabres.

[CallawaySabres]

I think the real issue is that I can't believe it gets worse every year. I mean, how can it possibly get any lower next year is my thought. And yet, here we are, lowest of the low.

[Eleven]

12 minutes ago, CallawaySabres said:

I think the real issue is that I can't believe it gets worse every year. I mean, how can it possibly get any lower next year is my thought. And yet, here we are, lowest of the low.

I hear ya.

[JP51]

Each day I feel like it is impossible to feel lower... each day I am corrected in my assumption.. pretty latent now that nothing is going on... although I was hoping that we would do a bit more... but clearly Kevyn doesnt think that is necessary and is happy to run this group back... so I have plateaued a bit... but I could see things going badly, fans not showing up and major players revolting... that would certainly knock me either lower... or just off the care wagon... 

[dudacek]

29 minutes ago, CallawaySabres said:

I think the real issue is that I can't believe it gets worse every year. I mean, how can it possibly get any lower next year is my thought. And yet, here we are, lowest of the low.

Why is lower now than say 2021, when Eichel was sitting out for a trade and every other “good” veteran on the previous team was gone?

The kids weren’t any better than the current group - Mittelstadt, Tage and Dahlin all looked like ***** the previous year, Power wasn’t coming - and the team’s record was almost as bad as the tank years.

Personally that was my low point,

Not arguing anything here - your low point is your own - just curious.

The Sabres have literally had a dozen teams with worse records. Five of those came in the last decade and those five don’t include the tank.

Edited 3 hours ago by dudacek

[CallawaySabres]

I'm just gonna throw this out there for my preview to my post next year at this team. How will this bar be lowered next year? Dahlin and Tuch will be gone but we will have the best bottom 6 in the entire NHL.

[CallawaySabres]

1 minute ago, dudacek said:

Why is lower now than say 2021, when Eichel was sitting out for a trade and every other “good” veteran on the previous team was gone?

The kids weren’t any better than the current group - Mittelstadt, Tage and Dahlin all looked like ***** the previous year, Power wasn’t coming - and the team’s record was almost as bad as the tank years.

Personally that was my low point,

Not arguing anything here - your low point is your own - just curious.

The Sabres have literally had a dozen teams with worse records. Five of those came in the last decade and those don’t include the tank.

My response to that is that i refuse to believe this team will ever get any better. Hope is non-existent and I don't trust management to find any solutions.

[Mustache of God]

It's your lowest point of Sabres fandom...yet.

It was about 5 or 6 years ago I discovered that rock bottom isn't a place, it's a state of mind, and this team will always find a way to plunge further down into they abyss. 

 

Anyways, go Sabres!

[mjd1001]

For me, I view this topic differently than many others.

Now, I'm not saying I am happy with the team the past decade plus. I'm not saying losing is better than winning. I want wins, and I want this team to not be viewed as one of the NHL doormats.

However, I have more fun as a fan in any sport when 'my team' is going through the building process. I like the discussion about the moves being made. I like following the development of players.  "Whats next" is just as important to get me to follow a team as the ultimate record.

I understand once you get to the point where the Bills are with Josh Allen, or the Oilers are with McDavid and Draisaitl....that there are a lot more wins.  I understand you have the 'core' and its just a matter of tweaking around the edges.  Ultimately, you are closer to the big goal of a championship....but that just doesn't draw me into the day-to-day, the conversations about the team...as much.

[LabattBlue]

At the risk of repeating myself, Pegula has ruined my Sabres fandom which dates back to 1970. 😡

 

Clueless fuggin’ buffoon.  

[PASabreFan]

At least troops are not in the streets, prelude to never having another election.

[CallawaySabres]

7 minutes ago, mjd1001 said:

For me, I view this topic differently than many others.

Now, I'm not saying I am happy with the team the past decade plus. I'm not saying losing is better than winning. I want wins, and I want this team to not be viewed as one of the NHL doormats.

However, I have more fun as a fan in any sport when 'my team' is going through the building process. I like the discussion about the moves being made. I like following the development of players.  "Whats next" is just as important to get me to follow a team as the ultimate record.

I understand once you get to the point where the Bills are with Josh Allen, or the Oilers are with McDavid and Draisaitl....that there are a lot more wins.  I understand you have the 'core' and its just a matter of tweaking around the edges.  Ultimately, you are closer to the big goal of a championship....but that just doesn't draw me into the day-to-day, the conversations about the team...as much.

Wait until the remaining core is all but gone by July 2026. It's arguable that the most important year this franchise has seen is upon us. If they miss the playoffs again, the last of the exodus will take place. Any returns from the tank years will have vanished and it will all be for nothing. 

[GoPuckYourself]

1 hour ago, CallawaySabres said:

I think the real issue is that I can't believe it gets worse every year. I mean, how can it possibly get any lower next year is my thought. And yet, here we are, lowest of the low.

I think we’re about to find out.

[pi2000]

To me, being a fan means standing by them through every high and low, even during long stretches of disappointment.

It’s about loyalty that isn’t tied to wins, but to the identity and community the team represents.

Supporting the Sabres requires patience, resilience, and faith—finding joy in small victories, appreciating the effort, and valuing the connection with fellow fans who share the same unwavering passion.

In the end, being a fan is about love for the journey, not just the destination.