'A few days ago, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman warned that unless state and local officials ante up $20 million or so for upgrades at HSBC Arena, Buffalo could lose its NHL team. If he really wanted to scare folks on the Niagara Frontier, though, he should have threatened that the Sabres would stay. Forever. Which, considering how things have gone for the Sabres the past 2 1/3 months, is about how long players and management must feel like the 2002-03 season will last.'