My Lowest Point of Sabres Fandom

[That Aud Smell]

3 hours 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! 

I love this energy.

24 minutes ago, pi2000 said:

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.

Hear, hear.

This is an essential point to make and understand (and remember).

In Europe (including England, UK, Ireland), the term generally used instrad of “fan” is “supporter.”

I’ve posted that here in the past.

A supporter is a sight different than a fan(atic).

I’ll get back to work on being a supporter.

[CallawaySabres]

26 minutes ago, pi2000 said:

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.

There is patience and then there is the total failure of an organization. I don't blame the players, they were put in a terrible position from day 1. I will not reward an incompetent organization by continuing to burn money. They took that from me for decades until last year.

They need to earn my fandom/$$ back...and I hope they do.

[JustOutsideChicago]

I’m going to be extremely disappointed if they don’t extend Tuch by opening night. If he’s a trade deadline candidate, it’s (for me) a new rock bottom. Losing that guy would just be such an awful look.

[Taro T]

2 hours ago, CallawaySabres said:

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. 

And the possibility of this happening is why it is so important to get Tuch inked to a LT deal.  These players do seem to believe in each other (and have dating back to when that was a flat out unreasonable belief) and even if the season does go to heck in a handbasket again; that cloud might finally have the silver lining of a house cleaning in certain departments that seem relatively immune to such actions.  So, with the key players believing in themselves, and everybody except Greenway and Zucker being closer to or actually in their primes, could see them being willing to stick it out and see if the new management team can get those 2-4 pieces this team needs to not only get back into the NHL but actually be in the mix for potential champions only a year or 2 further down the road (IMHO they need that baby step of rejoining the league before they can be towards the top of it; but that next step doesn't have to take long to make once the 1st has been taken).

But if Tuch doesn't extend, if he's in wait and see mode, have to believe the other 2 are kind of wishing they hadn't signed the deals they did.

Considering that Tuch has loved this team all his life, and this is his last opportunity to get an 8 year deal, it should be a no brainer.  But they bringing the exact same brain trust (excepting for the addition of Kekalainen) kind of indicates there's a good chance the no brainer lies elsewhere.

[Taro T]

1 hour ago, That Aud Smell said:

I love this energy.

Hear, hear.

This is an essential point to make and understand (and remember).

In Europe (including England, UK, Ireland), the term generally used instrad of “fan” is “supporter.”

I’ve posted that here in the past.

A supporter is a sight different than a fan(atic).

I’ll get back to work on being a supporter.

 

Well, supporter implies a rationality.

Fanatic implies an irrationality.

At this point in time, other than @dudacek who's attempts at rationality actually hint at an irrationality 😉,  can ANYONE here be labeled as fully rational?

 

Sad truth is, we're FANS, not supporters.

 

And though it was said of the Bills in the greatest football game ever played, am looking longingly towards the day the Sabres and their fans can have their own moment of "it is bedlam, it is pandemonium, it is fandemonium, it is fan-tas-tic."  And know that should it happen at home, this kid will be there.  (And after the fact, fully expect to have had 100k others there too; and heck, with the return of the party on the plaza; maybe we really will have 100k joining in the celebration in the moment.)

[Weave]

3 hours ago, PASabreFan said:

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

If we re-sign Kevyn Adams we will never need to sign a GM again.

[JohnC]

1 hour ago, JustOutsideChicago said:

I’m going to be extremely disappointed if they don’t extend Tuch by opening night. If he’s a trade deadline candidate, it’s (for me) a new rock bottom. Losing that guy would just be such an awful look.

The issue with Tuch more likely is whether he wants to be here than does the organization want him. I'm watching how his contract situation plays out to get an inkling  whether the players genuinely believe that this is a serious franchise. The experienced players have a realistic grasp as to how their team stacks up against the other teams. If it appears that he has no interest in signing entering his contract this year, then that will be an ominous sign that things haven't substantively changed. 

[Thorny]

6 hours 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.

That’s the rub 

Regardless of some of the potently passive aggressive, “I hear ya, but as a better fan nothing they can possibly do will ever taint my excitement!” responses you got

Edited 21 hours ago by Thorny

[Thorny]

6 hours ago, CallawaySabres said:

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.

I can’t believe you dignified that with a repsonse, tbh. It’s willfully obtuse. Obviously anyone can understand it’s the low point because each year we miss is further removed from success, longer in the desert. Further disenfranchisement.

Less belief you’ll actually care if they ever do win 

Defies logic to ask “why is it the lowest”? As if arguing you had one glass of water this week in the desert is better than last week when you had zero 

6 hours 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.

Exceptionally candid. Good post 

Edited 21 hours ago by Thorny

[irregularly irregular]

I will always be a fan of the Buffalo Sabres as long as they exist and I exist. But damn, Terry is making  it hard to believe in them. I pray that changes soon.

 

[Thorny]

2 hours ago, Taro T said:

 

Well, supporter implies a rationality.

Fanatic implies an irrationality.

At this point in time, other than @dudacek who's attempts at rationality actually hint at an irrationality 😉,  can ANYONE here be labeled as fully rational?

 

Sad truth is, we're FANS, not supporters.

 

And though it was said of the Bills in the greatest football game ever played, am looking longingly towards the day the Sabres and their fans can have their own moment of "it is bedlam, it is pandemonium, it is fandemonium, it is fan-tas-tic."  And know that should it happen at home, this kid will be there.  (And after the fact, fully expect to have had 100k others there too; and heck, with the return of the party on the plaza; maybe we really will have 100k joining in the celebration in the moment.)

Each and every fine person posting here should be awarded a medal for all time fan support 

Not kidding

love / hate: two sides of the same coin 

the fear is neglect. That’s the true darkness 

Edited 21 hours ago by Thorny

[Weave]

38 minutes ago, Thorny said:

That’s the rub 

Regardless of some of the potently passive aggressive, “I hear ya, but as a better fan nothing they can possibly do will ever taint my excitement!” responses you got

Taint.

About as apt as it gets.

[Indabuff]

[Pimlach]

7 hours ago, CallawaySabres said:

There is patience and then there is the total failure of an organization. I don't blame the players, they were put in a terrible position from day 1. I will not reward an incompetent organization by continuing to burn money. They took that from me for decades until last year.

They need to earn my fandom/$$ back...and I hope they do.

I’m here. I don’t blame any of the players.  They have been an incompetent organization for a long time. 

6 hours ago, JustOutsideChicago said:

I’m going to be extremely disappointed if they don’t extend Tuch by opening night. If he’s a trade deadline candidate, it’s (for me) a new rock bottom. Losing that guy would just be such an awful look.

Agree. Losing Tuch will kill a significant portion of the fan base.  

2 hours ago, irregularly irregular said:

I will always be a fan of the Buffalo Sabres as long as they exist and I exist. But damn, Terry is making  it hard to believe in them. I pray that changes soon.

 

Terry Pegula is a really lousy hockey owner.  I hope I can outlast him.  

Edited 18 hours ago by Pimlach

[SABRES 0311]

My lowest point is coming to accept the inevitable mediocrity. Yes I want this team to make the playoffs but when fandom meets reality, reality wins.

Looking forward to Sabres hockey. Here’s hoping that many improbabilities occur for this roster to break the drought.

2 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

I’m here. I don’t blame any of the players.  They have been an incompetent organization for a long time. 

Agree. Losing Tuch will kill a significant portion of the fan base.  

Terry Pegula is a really lousy hockey owner.  I hope I can outlast him.  

I blame the players but not solely.

Agree about Tuch.

Agree on TP and I hope you outlast garbage ownership. You will!

[PerreaultForever]

Lots of low points but I think this is my lowest. I'm truly numb and dead inside when I think about them. I see virtually no chance of this roster being any better than last year and the future isn't all that bright either. I can see that full prospect cupboard emptying out and amounting to very little as well. 

If Dahlin was serious with his comments last year demanding they do something to change things I really can't see him not asking for a trade sooner than later. They certainly didn't DO much of anything. Maybe even got worse. 

[LGR4GM]

4 hours ago, PerreaultForever said:

Lots of low points but I think this is my lowest. I'm truly numb and dead inside when I think about them. I see virtually no chance of this roster being any better than last year and the future isn't all that bright either. I can see that full prospect cupboard emptying out and amounting to very little as well. 

If Dahlin was serious with his comments last year demanding they do something to change things I really can't see him not asking for a trade sooner than later. They certainly didn't DO much of anything. Maybe even got worse. 

The Sabres drafting the last 2 years in particular has been, very meh. Probably because because the GM ordered them to draft rhd with every other pick. 

[Pimlach]

Almost had Zito.  Terry hired Boterill instead, he listened to the Pittsburgers. 
 

Dudley has been our backyard the whole time. 
 

https://www.buffalohockeybeat.com/after-winning-second-stanley-cup-with-panthers-sabres-legend-rick-dudley-has-no-plans-to-retire/  

[JohnC]

40 minutes ago, Pimlach said:

Almost had Zito.  Terry hired Boterill instead, he listened to the Pittsburgers. 
 

Dudley has been our backyard the whole time. 
 

https://www.buffalohockeybeat.com/after-winning-second-stanley-cup-with-panthers-sabres-legend-rick-dudley-has-no-plans-to-retire/  

I just read the link you posted. What's obvious is that in the Florida organization there is a coherency related to the type of players they want. Dudley noted that the coach preferred a player profile that accentuated size and gritty style of play. And if one examines their roster that is exactly how the roster is composed. It's impressive how everyone in the organization from the HC, GM, advisors and scouts are all following and implementing the same script. 

What our big boat owning owner never got right is the proper way to structure and staff the organization. If you compare how Florida operates and how the Buffalo operates it is like a Chihuahua fighting a Pit Bull. Our owner wanted to make sure that he structured and staffed the organization in a way that would allow him to inject himself into the operation whenever he wanted. The results have been disastrous. 

[Pimlach]

13 minutes ago, JohnC said:

I just read the link you posted. What's obvious is that in the Florida organization there is a coherency related to the type of players they want. Dudley noted that the coach preferred a player profile that accentuated size and gritty style of play. And if one examines their roster that is exactly how the roster is composed. It's impressive how everyone in the organization from the HC, GM, advisors and scouts are all following and implementing the same script. 

What our big boat owning owner never got right is the proper way to structure and staff the organization. If you compare how Florida operates and how the Buffalo operates it is like a Chihuahua fighting a Pit Bull. Our owner wanted to make sure that he structured and staffed the organization in a way that would allow him to inject himself into the operation whenever he wanted. The results have been disastrous. 

Well the Big Boat Guy did have enough insight to interview Zito, and he made the final two.   Terry was swayed by Boterill's pedigree (NCAA champ, former Sabres, etc.) and the Pittsburgh connection. 

Would Terry have let Zito be who he is?   Zito hired Dudley when he first got to Florida, would Terry have let that happen?  Boterill had no senior advisors on his staff.  Terry plays that role.  Prior to Boterill, Terry had a bloated top end in his organization (Terry, LaFontaine, Murray, Black, Patrick, Batista, ...). 

My point is that Duds was right there in WNY and might have been a helpful asset in the FO.  

Moving forward, we have Lindy and Adams both in the last year of their contracts.  

[CallawaySabres]

15 hours ago, Thorny said:

I can’t believe you dignified that with a repsonse, tbh. It’s willfully obtuse. Obviously anyone can understand it’s the low point because each year we miss is further removed from success, longer in the desert. Further disenfranchisement.

Less belief you’ll actually care if they ever do win 

Defies logic to ask “why is it the lowest”? As if arguing you had one glass of water this week in the desert is better than last week when you had zero 

Exceptionally candid. Good post 

The reason for no hope on my end is that I don't trust the owner or the GM to make the right decisions. Along the way, over the last decade, this organization has an absolute stink surrounding it. Until that changes, I will continue to remain mostly hopeless. Will I watch the first month of the season? Absolutely! Will I watch more than 1 minute a game if they are 8 points out of 8th in early December? Absolutely not. 

[JohnC]

2 hours ago, Pimlach said:

Well the Big Boat Guy did have enough insight to interview Zito, and he made the final two.   Terry was swayed by Boterill's pedigree (NCAA champ, former Sabres, etc.) and the Pittsburgh connection. 

Would Terry have let Zito be who he is?   Zito hired Dudley when he first got to Florida, would Terry have let that happen?  Boterill had no senior advisors on his staff.  Terry plays that role.  Prior to Boterill, Terry had a bloated top end in his organization (Terry, LaFontaine, Murray, Black, Patrick, Batista, ...). 

My point is that Duds was right there in WNY and might have been a helpful asset in the FO.  

Moving forward, we have Lindy and Adams both in the last year of their contracts.  

Name one owner who would have interviewed KA let alone hired him to be their GM? Name one owner who would have retained their GM with the record he had after  5+ years? Name another owner who would have had such a patently charade hiring search for the critical HC position? What’s evident is that this is an owner driven failed franchise. The record speaks for itself. 

KA being retained due to the owner not willing to eat a contract in a business where it is a normal part of the business demonstrates why the Sabres are not a normal and competitive franchise. I wish the big boat owner would sail away. I’m so tired of his foolishness. 

[JP51]

On 8/26/2025 at 1:40 PM, 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 five don’t include the tank.

I know you werent asking me, but here is how I got here... 2021 was really low... ultimately it was the beginning of the 4th  tank...  (Reinhard, Eichel, Dahlin)  to get to Power... hard to take... why is this worse... well, I fear we are on our way to the 5th tank ... I see no prospects coming to save us... the fact we cannot trade for players due to NMCs and can only attract bottom 6 FA feels like we are trapped... 5 years of more of the same old dysfunction leaves you in a place that you are even more convinced that abject stupidity and incompetence wasnt a phase, its an ingrained reflex that cannot even be controlled... another lackluster year in Free agency and I dont see where the improvement is coming from net net...  unless it is in the dynamic in the locker room, attitude etc...  now the spector of not just Eichel looking to get traded for health reasons (a trade we would not likely been able to make now because of NMCs unless we found a WNY kid that wanted to come home and skip winning a cup) but rumblings from some of your core stars like Dahlin and Thompson about wanting to be in the dance... and of course Tuch not getting extended or locked up because... well why would we...  that a tough place to be in when you are expecting a less than stellar year...  and if you have another non playoff season you can reasonably expect at least one of those 3 players to either leave or try to force their way out if not more... and the only thing you can really get in return is picks... or defective injury prone NHLers that dont have Buffalo on their NMC list... and you begin tank number 5... and start aaalll over again... 

[Pimlach]

2 hours ago, JohnC said:

Name one owner who would have interviewed KA let alone hired him to be their GM? Name one owner who would have retained their GM with the record he had after  5+ years? Name another owner who would have had such a patently charade hiring search for the critical HC position? What’s evident is that this is an owner driven failed franchise. The record speaks for itself. 

KA being retained due to the owner not willing to eat a contract in a business where it is a normal part of the business demonstrates why the Sabres are not a normal and competitive franchise. I wish the big boat owner would sail away. I’m so tired of his foolishness.