Michael Pachla: Hang in there, Sabres fans. No one said it would be easy
- Michael Pachla

Again an excellent article.
There is no question that the players carry the responsibility here.
However, this team had a 10 game stretch of respectability and slugged it out with the west coast teams and Montreal in particular. They did very well.
Then the wheels fell off.

Individual confidence is so low that it looks like indifference or throwing in the towel and taking a paycheck. However, all of the older players have no history of indifference.
They are all wishing it was over.
Ted Nolan and Trottier have to be held accountable as well. I ask anyone to show me where they have been successful except with the kids. And that is Nolan's history.

Murray should move the vets along and if Gorges is staying, ask him to shut up and perform.

I am all in with the plan and have been since the beginning. I am not trying to punish them in any way by not going. I just won't waste several nights a year watching this trash. That doesn't make me less of a fan.
- Slump Buster

So now you're criticizing those of us that do go by saying we're wasting our time and that you're so much smarter than us.

Got it.

While you are absolutely correct Mr Kaiser, If every "fan" and or person within the Sabres market took a logical approach, the team would have little or no support and fold, regardless of wins and losses.
- Buffalo-Sabres

We might be talking past one another.

Are we really questioning fan dedication today. If you're here. If the game is on your tv. If you're reading about them, blogging about them, whining about them on FB and twitter, following them in any fashion. You're a fan. All this "oh well you're not a season ticket holder" bullpoop is getting really (frank)ing old and annoying.
- TheSabresTaco

This. So how far does this fandom go? Surely some of these superfans were booing last night. Is that permitted?

Who cares if they lose, who cares if they get blown out, this is what everyone wanted was to get the 1st or 2nd pick, now you want them to lose but lose and play well? doesn't work that way. The goal wast to get the best player, I didn't think they would play this bad but screw it we are.

So now you're criticizing those of us that do go by saying we're wasting our time and that you're so much smarter than us.

Got it.
- HonkFortheGoose

Um, no. I was only clarifying why I give my tickets away. At no point was I commenting on anyone that does or does not go to the games. If you enjoy it or you think it makes you a better fan, have at it. It isn't for me.

Who cares if they lose, who cares if they get blown out, this is what everyone wanted was to get the 1st or 2nd pick, now you want them to lose but lose and play well? doesn't work that way. The goal wast to get the best player, I didn't think they would play this bad but screw it we are.
- SABRES 89

^^^ I like this guy.

What he said.

wow, Brad Marchand is in trouble again.................who would have thought.

They should be better next year, you can't get much worse. Fight for a playoff spot next year? Don't make me laugh.

Maybe three years if all of their young kids are actually any good and they manage to trade/sign some good vets.

What is guaranteed is valiant runs to ninth if we do not try this . Seen too many of those . Willing to try something else. Not like this has not worked for other franchises. I know , I know has not worked in Edmonton . Their problems are much larger than just talent on the ice.
- Maximum Signal

I am not disagreeing with you. I would much rather go through a year or two of this than miss the playoffs by 1 or 2 points in HOPES of becoming a great team down the road. I was just answering your question as to why people get upset with the losing. I see their point that this season and a #1, 2 or 3 overall pick doesn't guarantee anything. That being said, I am on board with it and hope the losing continues so we get a centerpiece that we can build that hope around.

Who cares if they lose, who cares if they get blown out, this is what everyone wanted was to get the 1st or 2nd pick, now you want them to lose but lose and play well? doesn't work that way. The goal wast to get the best player, I didn't think they would play this bad but screw it we are.
- SABRES 89

My post from page one refutes what you said.


The Sabres have missed the playoffs 8 times in 12 seasons. The Bruins missed the playoffs 8 times since 1964. After the lockout when the Bruins didn't look so good they traded their star player Joe Thornton to San Jose. They went on to finish 26th in 05-06 and 23rd in 06-07. Then 07-08 2nd overall. 1 spot from a presidents trophy. 10-11 Stanley cup win. 12-13 Stanley cup appearance.


^^^^^ This is what I wanted

They should be better next year, you can't get much worse. Fight for a playoff spot next year? Don't make me laugh.

Maybe three years if all of their young kids are actually any good and they manage to trade/sign some good vets.
- noffsin6

You are actually making us laugh.

Because being a fan means sticking with the team through the good and bad. It sounds like you're very bitter and don't care, so why don't you just fall the rest of the way off the wagon and save the rest of the aggrevation of having to explain why we're tolerating it?
- HonkFortheGoose

+1

ill say this slump has been here the whole time. Id have given anything to be living here though the prez cup. I had to pay a bar to get the season ticket so I could watch games.

Who cares if they lose, who cares if they get blown out, this is what everyone wanted was to get the 1st or 2nd pick, now you want them to lose but lose and play well? doesn't work that way. The goal wast to get the best player, I didn't think they would play this bad but screw it we are.
- SABRES 89

All we want is effort dude. They get paid to try. For me personally, that's all I'm asking for this year.

rainbows and unicorns

A sarcastic expression of wellbeing used when confronted by a poopstorm or a cluster(frank) of magnificent and awe inspiring proportions. A series of painful incidents or unfortunate experiences.

It’s twenty below zero, my hat froze to my wet head, a pigeon poop in my coffee and then some punk kid knocked me down and stole my wallet when I got off the train. So far, it’s all rainbows and unicorns

Who cares if they lose, who cares if they get blown out, this is what everyone wanted was to get the 1st or 2nd pick, now you want them to lose but lose and play well? doesn't work that way. The goal wast to get the best player, I didn't think they would play this bad but screw it we are.
- SABRES 89

I have to admit that the games were far more watchable when the kids were playing well and we were only losing by a goal or two. The "problem" with that is that once in a while you're going to squeak out a win. I don't want anything that will cause wins. Unfortunately that means watchability is tossed out the window. Fans can't have it both ways.

to go to Chicago for the last 3 dead shows or not.

that is the question

My post from page one refutes what you said.


The Sabres have missed the playoffs 8 times in 12 seasons. The Bruins missed the playoffs 8 times since 1964. After the lockout when the Bruins didn't look so good they traded their star player Joe Thornton to San Jose. They went on to finish 26th in 05-06 and 23rd in 06-07. Then 07-08 2nd overall. 1 spot from a presidents trophy. 10-11 Stanley cup win. 12-13 Stanley cup appearance.


^^^^^ This is what I wanted
- Buffalo-Sabres

Thornton is not a star IMO, he hasn't taken either team anyplace, we need a player like McDavid or Echiel

I am really ok with tanking

I am not ok with staff, stewart, coho and a few zombies on the blue line

ship their as out and let the kids develop into a true team

Thornton is not a star IMO, he hasn't taken either team anyplace, we need a player like McDavid or Echiel
- SABRES 89

after last night, we need both

All we want is effort dude. They get paid to try. For me personally, that's all I'm asking for this year.
- TheSabresTaco

doesn't work that way, bad is bad and they are bad. Why people are pissed is beyond me, this is what people have wanted since the season started, now you want to have effort and win or lose with dignity? won't work that way. I thought they would play better as well, I didn't think I would see this but the hell with it, it is what is now.

Who cares if they lose, who cares if they get blown out, this is what everyone wanted was to get the 1st or 2nd pick, now you want them to lose but lose and play well? doesn't work that way. The goal wast to get the best player, I didn't think they would play this bad but screw it we are.
- SABRES 89

89 is just misunderstood by some . But he means well. And is very intelligent.

to go to Chicago for the last 3 dead shows or not.

that is the question
- homiedclown

If your a fan id say go for it, dont want to be thinking in 10 years wish id have gone.

I am really ok with tanking

I am not ok with staff, stewart, coho and a few zombies on the blue line

ship their as out and let the kids develop into a true team
- homiedclown

Stafford needs to go once and for all, he is a complete waste as are a few more.

I am all in with the plan and have been since the beginning. I am not trying to punish them in any way by not going. I just won't waste several nights a year watching this trash. That doesn't make me less of a fan.
- Slump Buster

Yeah, but does being less of a fan MEAN ANYTHING at all?