😊

Maybe I'm living in a fantasy world, but I really think this season was an eichel 2015 type tank.

You get sam then eichel
You get mitts now tkucuck

But this time ( post tank) you have eichel in his young prime
Sam at 22 years old, breaking thru
Guhle
Risto still, but older
Ullmark not lehner
McCabe still
E rod
Nelson
Okposo
No kane

That's a core with no moulson ar 5 x5 instead 1 x 5
No gorges, or gianta

I really like this core moving forward
- Boss34

Me too. From my post last page ......(page 11 )

I don't want everyone gone . Team should have a captain next season . That might boost the game play of the team . and make the slackers step it up. This year was pretty much the coaching staffs and GM's evaluation year. I'm sticking with that excuse for now . They had the last gms misfits and habits to deal with on this team.
Training camp i expect to be much different .
- cabin

12 ? that many?
- SABRES 89

I'm an optimist by nature

As a fan of the Sabres , I can only say ...Next year should be better.


Damn I sound like a Leafs fan. But they usually start boasting around a week before the season starts . Then go into tank mode 2nd week in .

Tell Jordan to lay off the ludes.

Holy poop is that a terrible deal.

I'm not even sure I'd do it for Gaudreau, Hamilton and their next 5 1st round picks.
- Wetbandit1

We should try to get something for him while we still can

I'm an optimist by nature
- jcragcrumple

You need glasses or you are an eye Dr. ?

This league/NBC continually shoot themselves in the foot. Playoff hockey on a channel that only like 65% of people get? NHL Network is bad enough at like 80%. These numbers are a few years old at this point, so it's possible they have changed, but it's still stupid, stop airing Shark Tank repeats on CNBC for the 32nd time and put hockey on, or on USA, people can wait a few weeks for their Royal Pains fix(is that still a show?).
- Wetbandit1

I said this a couple of days ago. Walk into a bar, and you have as many of them showing the Golf Channel as ESPN nowadays. They aren't hurting themselves. The reality is that the NHL doesn't bring in the average sports fan the way LeBron does to the NBA, or Tiger Woods does to golf. They have a niche core fanbase that won't grow or shrink, and will find the games even if they are on Freeform.

I'm an optimist by nature
- jcragcrumple

I still think someone pissed in the kool aid

In reality, you bring up some great points, but with pegulas deep pockets, his long term NHL investment has skyrocketed the past 7 years. Concessions and ticket sales are important, but they would go from 18,000 people to 12,000. 1/3 it wouldn't hurt his 3.2 billion feelings.

He could just sell the team. He would show you : for showing him.

Expansion team went for $500,000

It's like renting out a property, even if you are just covering the expenses and mortgage
: the property value is skyrocketing. Good investment
- Boss34

I don't necessarily disagree with that, but for the people that do nothing but female dog about it and then still fork over their money are dumb, because they're not giving the organization any incentive to change. Money talks and bullpoop walks. Who gives a poop if people female dog and complain and call you up and yell as long as they're cutting a check when the time comes?

Pegula's not a dumb businessman, he'd get killed trying to sell the team after losing his season ticket base. Would you buy a team with no season ticket base at a premium? Of course not, you'd lowball the poop out of them.

I said this a couple of days ago. Walk into a bar, and you have as many of them showing the Golf Channel as ESPN nowadays. They aren't hurting themselves. The reality is that the NHL doesn't bring in the average sports fan the way LeBron does to the NBA, or Tiger Woods does to golf. They have a niche core fanbase that won't grow or shrink, and will find the games even if they are on Freeform.
- buffalofan19

I remember reading that. That's great for people who go to bars. But they make their money on people watching at home, and no one gets the Golf channel.

And so, what? Just (frank) it and not even try and get new people?

I don't necessarily disagree with that, but for the people that do nothing but female dog about it and then still fork over their money are dumb, because they're not giving the organization any incentive to change. Money talks and bullpoop walks. Who gives a poop if people female dog and complain and call you up and yell as long as they're cutting a check when the time comes?

Pegula's not a dumb businessman, he'd get killed trying to sell the team after losing his season ticket base. Would you buy a team with no season ticket base at a premium? Of course not, you'd lowball the poop out of them.
- Wetbandit1

Fact is the Seasons sell before the product is put on the ice . Fans really don't know . They just put hope into the GM and owner will make a great team. Opening season comes along and its too late .

I said this a couple of days ago. Walk into a bar, and you have as many of them showing the Golf Channel as ESPN nowadays. They aren't hurting themselves. The reality is that the NHL doesn't bring in the average sports fan the way LeBron does to the NBA, or Tiger Woods does to golf. They have a niche core fanbase that won't grow or shrink, and will find the games even if they are on Freeform.
- buffalofan19

was at the broadway in NT the other night . had to tell them to find a hockey game

Fact is the Seasons sell before the product is put on the ice . Fans really don't know . They just put hope into the GM and owner will make a great team. Opening season comes along and its too late .
- cabin

And a pragmatic person would know, fool me once...

But they have you hooked on what if? and nostalgia and FOMO.

Me too. From my post last page ......(page 11 )



- cabin

I completely agree.
I'm really sick of the critical bs.

Sabres deserve it, but I'm ready for huge Bill's draft and I really think the nhl draft will be fun too

was at the broadway in NT the other night . had to tell them to find a hockey game
- cabin

Tully's, with their 80 TVs will have 3 or 4 on hockey, maybe, and 50 airing the same baseball game.

I completely agree.
I'm really sick of the critical bs.

Sabres deserve it, but I'm ready for huge Bill's draft and I really think the nhl draft will be fun too
- Boss34

I might get back into football (bills) again .. Been a long long while .

Sabres have some proving to do by the brass. Gonna be interesting.

Tully's, with their 80 TVs will have 3 or 4 on hockey, maybe, and 50 airing the same baseball game.
- Wetbandit1

So god damn boring....almost as bad ask basketball

I don't necessarily disagree with that, but for the people that do nothing but female dog about it and then still fork over their money are dumb, because they're not giving the organization any incentive to change. Money talks and bullpoop walks. Who gives a poop if people female dog and complain and call you up and yell as long as they're cutting a check when the time comes?

Pegula's not a dumb businessman, he'd get killed trying to sell the team after losing his season ticket base. Would you buy a team with no season ticket base at a premium? Of course not, you'd lowball the poop out of them.
- Wetbandit1

Quebec wouldn't care about our season ticket walk out/ stay home.

I really feel like this has been a long drawn out tank.
I'm under the impression that tpegs studied the penguins dynasty. 5 early picks in a row

Tully's, with their 80 TVs will have 3 or 4 on hockey, maybe, and 50 airing the same baseball game.
- Wetbandit1

Yep. Was at that new place on blvd and ward (Jacks) . same thing . had to ask for a hockey game to be put on.

I don't necessarily disagree with that, but for the people that do nothing but female dog about it and then still fork over their money are dumb, because they're not giving the organization any incentive to change. Money talks and bullpoop walks. Who gives a poop if people female dog and complain and call you up and yell as long as they're cutting a check when the time comes?

Pegula's not a dumb businessman, he'd get killed trying to sell the team after losing his season ticket base. Would you buy a team with no season ticket base at a premium? Of course not, you'd lowball the poop out of them.
- Wetbandit1

I know 4 season ticket holders. None of them female dog. They're all very pragmatic about their investment and where the team is. Boss seems to be pretty understanding of the whole thing.

I think schopp and his ilk just female dog. I would go a step further and say that people without seasons usually have louder opinions about "the Pegulas stealing your money"

I might get back into football (bills) again .. Been a long long while .

Sabres have some proving to do by the brass. Gonna be interesting.
- cabin

I think they sign a decent forward and defenseman as free agents.
Then roll with some young legs.

E rod, baps, guhle, bailey, Nelson

Out: girgs, Larson, nolan, pouilot, gorges, moulson.

Goaltending upgrade

I think they sign a decent forward and defenseman as free agents.
Then roll with some young legs.

E rod, baps, guhle, bailey, Nelson

Out: girgs, Larson, nolan, pouilot, gorges, moulson.

Goaltending upgrade
- Boss34

Yep and ..

Goaltending will make or break the season . Also need the competent back up .

Will ullmark be the #1 ? or backup ? Good chance they shuffle back and forth with whoever we sign.

I know 4 season ticket holders. None of them female dog. They're all very pragmatic about their investment and where the team is. Boss seems to be pretty understanding of the whole thing.

I think schopp and his ilk just female dog. I would go a step further and say that people without seasons usually have louder opinions about "the Pegulas stealing your money"
- jcragcrumple

That's very well put. I'm an optimistic fan. At some point in my lifetime, I'd hope to see a home playoff run and Stanley cup game 15 minutes from my house.

These things go in cycles.
I would be pissed if the Sabres explode and eichel is chasing the scoring record and I gave up my spot.

Season ticket holding is a small business

Goaltending will make or break the season . Also need the competent back up .

Will ullmark be the #1 ? or backup ? Good chance they shuffle back and forth with whoever we sign.
- cabin

Hutton led the NHL in GAA and save% and the blues missed the playoffs
Raanta was second

I remember reading that. That's great for people who go to bars. But they make their money on people watching at home, and no one gets the Golf channel.

And so, what? Just (frank) it and not even try and get new people?
- Wetbandit1

You also need the Sports package to get Fox Sports 1. It doesn't deter people from tuning into the Baseball playoffs in October. The league needs to give people a reason to watch, and it just doesn't exist. The networks paid, or are paying, their $2 billion for the TV rights They're locked in. Their job now is to maximize profits (or minimize losses). The fact is USA's ratings for Suits is just as good or if not better than Tampa-New Jersey. The same goes for CNBC and whatever new show they are airing right now. Sports fans will watch Golf when Tiger Woods is competitive whether Golf is on CBS, Fox, the Golf Channel or HLN, not just golf fans. The same goes for the NBA when LeBron James is playing. It's up to the league to compel viewers to watch. Merely putting it on a channel in the 100s instead of one in the 400s won't get that done, and NBC Universal knows that.

Quebec wouldn't care about our season ticket walk out/ stay home.

I really feel like this has been a long drawn out tank.
I'm under the impression that tpegs studied the penguins dynasty. 5 early picks in a row
- Boss34

You're assuming a relocation. Never happen. As exhibits A-C Arizona, Carolina, Florida.