May Day 10

Im bummed out. Really liked Ted Black. Was a straight shooter, would take a beating if things didnt go well... and felt like one of us. I also think as a fan, I feel like Im treated very well as a Sabres STH.

My fan-dom actually predated the Bisons' affiliation. That affiliation was great (as was the Pirates one). For some reason I was attracted to them in the mid-80s when I first started to understand sports... strange because they were so awful back then. I love punishment I guess. They left Buffalo for Columbus and it was disappointing, but completely justified. Columbus has a new facility, and they also have this Ohio regionalization thing. Every affiliate is in Ohio with the exception of long-season Class A. Cleveland-Columbus-Akron-Lake County-Mahoning Valley. I just dont think they were producing new fans here enough. People are way too entrenched in the Yankees for some reason.

1. Sabres 2. Bills 3. Cleveland Indians 4. UB Football 5. Niagara Ice Dogs

RIP

I could see it being just good-faith negotiations and everyone coming up with a mutual-beneficial framework

He is the best football PBP man I have ever heard and it isn't that close. He announced it like a fluid hockey game. There was constantly information passed. He would build intensity throughout the game and through each play. You would know down and distance, time, yard line, how they are lining up, which way the flags were blowing, how the crowd sounded, etc... during the play you would hear where the ball is going, including depth... with Murphy, one of my main complaints is you don't know much detail before and during plays. Van was a homer a bit, but nowhere near the level as home guys nowadays who outwardly hoot and holler.

wish I could go to the scrimmage. Got a trip though, which should be fun.

It was a terrible dumb "decision"/reaction... but the kid is 19... I remember seeing all sorts of crazy stuff at college bars especially as underagers. He has to be held to a higher standard though having the responsibility of getting a full ride and being a 'celebrity' on campus. Also no idea on his upbringing either. Girl looks like an obnoxious awful puddle but I do not think she did so much to make that response anywhere close to necessary... especially from a guy with so much to lose. Ray rice was a grown man. Also hit his partner and it wasn't in a hectic bar scene. Makes the act in that case seem more psychopath and fits the bill of domestic violence.

This is a good post It's very different than the ray rice thing imo but a lot of people seem to be tying them together. I don't blame Florida state for booting him. I wouldn't be angry/horrified if he got another shot elsewhere... maybe with some stipulations, apology, anger mgt, whatever

she looks trashed and unreasonable. He really needed some self control, but good god that girl looked like a disaster.

I wonder if they have. The Sabres and Bills are both owned by Pegula now and are essentially the same management. IMO it seems there was a lot of resentment between Golisano/Quinn and TBN... it was a feud that carried over to Pegula with the Sabres. TBN kept the thing going, fueled by Pegula's request that they always be positive and also sticking with a sinking ship (Ruff/Regier). TBN is also over the top axe-grinding where it is so obvious. Using sources like 'little birdies' and phrases like 'people around the league are laughing at them' is just terrible journalism. The silly embarrassing baiting and fighting at press conferences... Then add their social media personalities. It is unbearable. I wont pick up TBN because it is so bad and hollow. But then Pegula froze them out for the most part. Any and all scoops have gone to outside media. Toronto sources consistently scoop TBN on any information. WGR have bought into what the Sabres/Bills are doing and you see the Pegula Empire has been rewarding them. They get interviews, Tim Murray on air, Eichel, they get fed scoops, etc... People want that stuff. TBN cant provide it. Things are looking up for these teams and nobody is going to want the constant negativity and antagonistic stances. People want stuff like that well-written, well researched column by Gleason.

That settlement is a joke. Knock out the blackout restriction.

Goalie-ing is so mental. These guys have their preferences in coach and Im sure most are very picky. Lehner and Irbe probably arent a good fit, and even if not, Lehner may have his own guy

RIP. Ill make sure to reflect on you for a few moments at the stadium this September.

I can't believe how gritty the lineup looks right now. This team is going to be a bear to play against.

regardless, its a buyers market on those goalies. More goalies than teams looking for one. Wait it out and those teams will suddenly be able to sell their goalies on 2nd and 3rd round picks. Taking Ottawa's 3rd goalie and their roster garbage in exchange for a 1st round pick in an insane 1st round... that stings.... It cant be true like that. It makes no good sense.

hate hate hate this trade if true.

that 'young boys' meme is ridiculous and overblown. Watch the talent level in a CHL game vs an NCAA game. Look at the number of high end NHLers from the CHL vs NCAA. The age is a factor to a point, but you also have to take into account the advantages of playing the CHL schedule and playoffs which are similar to NHL.

Here we go. Great day in Buffalo sports history. This is the payoff for putting our heads down and taking it the past 2 years

I'm more of a Ty Cobb guy than Ruth.

It's nice that guys want to come here and are happy to come here. In that regard, pegula has really turned the tide.

i guess im in the minority. I think he is awful

As mentioned, football is another beast. I will say that I didnt think our fan base and city were well represented the last decade or so. A lot of people were tuned out and waiting for things to turn.... Under Mr Wilson it wasnt changing or at least there wasnt a perception. I feared the team would be relocated and not a lot a lot of sympathy would be had because all games wouldnt sell out. Now we are seeing our fan base... and once the team becomes competitive.... watch out. With the Blackhawks (and with any Championship caliber team)... sure there are a TON of bandwagoners. I do consider Chicago a good hockey city though and a good, solid fan base. Cant argue with the heritage and history. If it means anything... Chicago has way way more bandwagon fans IMO that LA has with Kings and Ducks... and even Boston and the Rangers with their recent success. I think that fact shows Chicago is kind of a legit hockey city.

I give Blackhawks fans a pass for the Bill Wirtz era. It was a miserable existence. I would liken it to our bankrupcy years. Look at our fan base during that. Even with the team in danger we couldn't get more than 6-7K on a lot of nights. it was depressing. I give Islanders fans a pass too. Such awful mismanagement on and off the ice for over 2 decades. Drives people away. I knew a lot of great Isles fans in college who have even been turned off a bit... but some seem to have been energized this year, probably with an exciting team and the last year at NVMC and Long Island.

I don't think he gives a 4 day window if he isn't reasonably comfortable he will get the deal he wants in Buffalo and his mind is made up.