
Flashsabre
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Buffalo News article on seasons ticket holders. Glad to see it and hope it embarrasses Terry into real change: “As the latest season ended Thursday with the team outside the postseason, The Buffalo News checked in with some of the Sabres’ most dedicated fans: their season ticket holders. They invest many hours − and thousands of dollars − to attend up to 41 regular-season games, year after year, without a playoff payoff at the end. Despite enduring yet another disappointing Sabres campaign, some season ticket holders say they’re not going anywhere. “I want to be there at the first playoff game, whenever that is, and I know I definitely will regret it if I don’t have tickets,” said Charles Killian, who just wrapped his 19th year as a season ticket holder. This past year was finally too much for others who say they are giving up their seats. Kim Windschitl said she has come to believe the organization lacks urgency. “I feel bad for even saying this, but it just didn’t seem like they really cared. So, if they really didn’t seem to care, why should I really care? Why should I be investing this money and paying for parking and paying for food?” said the East Amherst resident, who had season tickets with her husband, Brian, the past three years. “Why am I doing that? I felt like I cared more than they did.” As the drought hits a 14th season − extending the team’s dubious league record − we’re returning to ask this bottom-line question: Are you staying married to the Sabres or getting a divorce?”
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From the Buffalo News for those of us that can’t read it: ” Will Adams remain as general manager? The Sabres' 79 standings points under Ruff were five fewer than last season and 12 fewer than 2022-23 when the club came within one win of a playoff berth. Their .477 points percentage during his five seasons is 25th out of 32 teams. The longest-tenured general manager since Darcy Regier has been in charge during winless streaks spanning 18 games, 13 games, eight games, seven games and three of six games. Adams laid out how the conversation with his owner may unfold. "It's not good enough," the Clarence native acknowledged. "I believe we should be a playoff team right now, and we failed. It's owning that, taking my responsibility for that, and then, moving past that and saying, 'Here's how I see us improving and what we can do to fix it.' So, as always, just being very honest in my conversations with Terry to say where I think that I've made mistakes and where I think that we can fix certain things and that's what I'll do. "I do believe we're closer than farther (from winning), but the words are the words. We have to win hockey games, and I understand that.'" The tone and messaging from Adams' end-of-season news conference was vastly different than one year ago after he fired Don Granato. Adams and his players called for more structure and accountability. They explained a different voice and approach were needed. A few days later, Ruff signed a two-year contract to return as coach of the Sabres. The coach isn't taking the fall after the Sabres finished 36-39-7 and ranked 30th in the NHL in goals allowed per game. Ruff took ownership of his role in their monthlong winless streak, telling reporters that he's still "angry" that, three decades into his coaching career, he took too long to fix his team's play. They weren't mathematically eliminated until their 77th game, but there was relatively no chance for them to overcome their slump, either. Adams confirmed that Ruff will return in his role despite Buffalo allowing more goals and winning fewer games than it did in Granato's final season. Changes are expected to the coaching and support staffs, as well as the hockey operations department, two sources familiar with the situation who spoke to The News on the condition as to protect their standing in the organization. Adams didn't take the opportunity to criticize the assistant coaches running his underperforming power play or penalty kill. He didn't express concerns about his strength and conditioning staff, either, even though soft-tissue injuries and marginal improvement from some young players may lead to changes in that department. There was no mention of no-trade protection blocking his ability to acquire players, specifically a right-hand defense partner for Owen Power, and Adams did not call out anyone on his team for failing to protect each other after blindside hits. Instead, Adams pointed the finger at himself. "I think that there’s a frustration out of all of us that we’re not where we expected to be and where I believe we should be based on just going down the roster and what you look at on paper," Adams said. "There’s a lot of things that happen through the year that can explain why we ended up where we did and we have to fix that. ... I guess that’s the part that I just see us needing to take a step forward. And you’re right, ultimately that’s on me and I’ll do everything I can to fix it.” There was improvement in some areas this season. The Sabres were third in the NHL in 5-on-5 goals scored. Tage Thompson produced 44 goals, while Alex Tuch tied a career high (36), JJ Peterka chipped in 27 goals, Jason Zucker had 21 goals and Ryan McLeod scored 20. Rasmus Dahlin would have received votes for the Norris Trophy if the team made the playoffs. The 25-year-old defenseman had 17 goals with 66 points while, analytically, he rated as one of the best at his position. Jiri Kulich, a 20-year-old rookie, emerged as a reliable center who could handle difficult matchups. The Sabres' recent drafts have looked stronger by the day with potential NHL players found in almost every round. Buffalo went 23-15-3 at home, scored the most first-period goals in the league following a season in which it was plagued by bad starts and won nine of its last 14 games. Those achievements were overshadowed by regression in other areas, particularly team defense, penalty-killing and, too often, goaltending. The turnover-filled games, lack of experienced leaders, poor defending, marginal progress from high-end young players, blockbuster trade involving a prominent player and non-existent team-wide toughness raised more questions about Adams' decisions over the past two seasons. "We have to win," said Adams. "And we know that. I know that. The players know that. That's the only thing that's going to really matter at the end of the day." Adams didn't do enough before the trade deadline in 2022-23 to help his team make the playoffs, and he acknowledged Saturday that he's failed to put the right veteran defenseman next to Power, who is three years and 242 games into his career. Zach Benson has only 21 goals with 58 points in 146 games since he was awarded a spot on the NHL roster at 18 years old, only a few months after he was drafted 13th overall. Ruff retained the defense and goaltending coaches from Granato's staff. Mattias Samuelsson and Dylan Cozens were thrust into leadership roles too soon. Both have plateaued since signing long-term contract extensions, and the latter was eventually dealt for Josh Norris. The 25-year-old center tore an oblique muscle with Ottawa, returned to the lineup one month later, then reaggravated the injury in his third game with Buffalo, before he sat out the rest of the season. Adams had no experience in a high-ranking hockey operations role when he was promoted from vice president of business operations to general manager in June 2020. He didn't hire any managers with experience until the spring of 2021 when he brought in his associate general manager Jason Karmanos, who is based in Pittsburgh and does not make regular trips to Rochester. The Amerks have been a bright spot in Adams' tenure, as they have won while developing prospects into NHLers. Seth Appert led them to three consecutive playoff appearances, including a trip to the Eastern Conference final, and the Sabres assistant coach's replacement, Michael Leone, guided Rochester to second place in the North Division this season. Aside from Karmanos and head of analytics Sam Ventura, most of Buffalo's recent hockey operations hires had no experience in their current roles. There's no way to correct some of the decisions that were made, but some of Adams' actions over the past 12 months reflect a shift in his philosophy. The Sabres eventually pivoted from their initial plan to have talented goalie prospect Devon Levi make the immediate jump to the NHL without games in Rochester. Matt Savoie, a 2022 first-round draft pick, got traded last July for McLeod, who reached career highs in goals, assists, points, average time on ice and faceoff win percentage. Casey Mittelstadt was traded for Bowen Byram, even though Mittelstadt expressed a desire to stay in Buffalo long-term. Cozens was swapped for Norris and Kulich is joining the Amerks this week to continue his development in the playoffs. Buffalo finally began to acquire impactful NHLers in trades and free agency, specifically McLeod and Zucker. This is another pivotal summer for the Sabres. Peterka, Byram, Levi and McLeod are restricted free agents. Ukko Pekka Luukkonen, their No. 1 goalie, is suddenly on the hot seat, though Adams and Ruff noted that the team's turnovers were the primary issue. Buffalo is prioritizing a contract extension for Tuch, who is eligible to sign July 1 with one year remaining on his current deal. Adams expects to spend near the $95.5 million salary-cap ceiling, but the next step of the offseason is a difficult conversation with the man who's tired of waiting for his spending to produce a winner. "What I can tell you, is I talk to Terry every day," said Adams. "He's as frustrated as I am with the way the season went and where we are. And I'm certainly sure that he'll be asking me a lot of hard questions and why we are where we are and where do we go from here. But that's just kind of the normal process that we go through."
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How will you react to no offseason structure changes to FO/Coaching
Flashsabre replied to JP51's topic in The Aud Club
They HAVE to make changes. Who in their right mind is buying seasons tickets to this dumpster fire at this point? Have to sell hope at the very least and the status quo ain’t it. -
Maybe this opens the floodgates for announcements
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How will you react to no offseason structure changes to FO/Coaching
Flashsabre replied to JP51's topic in The Aud Club
Both Seravalli and Friedman are expecting changes and really there HAS to be. And if both are saying it, it is because there is legit chatter about it. No way anyone has hope if it is the status quo. -
How will you react to no offseason structure changes to FO/Coaching
Flashsabre replied to JP51's topic in The Aud Club
https://www.tsn.ca/nba/video/suns-owner-calls-season-embarrassing-and-a-failure~3118507 They haven’t even missed the playoffs for 14 straight years. What is wrong with the Suns owner?😝😁 -
How will you react to no offseason structure changes to FO/Coaching
Flashsabre replied to JP51's topic in The Aud Club
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How will you react to no offseason structure changes to FO/Coaching
Flashsabre replied to JP51's topic in The Aud Club
Seravalli: “"Many are expecting wholesale front office and coaching changes in Buffalo” Come on now Frank let’s not get silly 😂 In reality if they don’t can Adams this organization is done. Anything short of wholesale FO and coaching staff changes tells me they have clue and no desire to fix this mess. -
How would you retool this team this summer?
Flashsabre replied to GASabresIUFAN's topic in The Aud Club
To be clear I’m 120% for sh@t canning Adams immediately. I just have no faith that someone better will be brought in to fill the position -
How would you retool this team this summer?
Flashsabre replied to GASabresIUFAN's topic in The Aud Club
The problem is if they fire Adams they have not proven on any level that they can identify a good GM to hire. Imagine someone worse than Adams taking over.😂 -
How would you retool this team this summer?
Flashsabre replied to GASabresIUFAN's topic in The Aud Club
Brad May did an interview on Nick Kypreos show and said that the Sabres have gotten away from their identity. No toughness and fight. Interesting thing he said was that he heard the Sabres might be raising tickets by 16% for next season. Said if that is true then it is an embarrassment with the product they put on the ice. -
GDT: Toronto Maple Leafs @ Buffalo Sabres Tuesday 4/15 7pm ESPN+ & MSG
Flashsabre replied to HOUSE's topic in The Aud Club
Bryson walked into the office and said “I want to be here” Kevyn jumped over the desk with contract and pen in hand. -
GDT: Toronto Maple Leafs @ Buffalo Sabres Tuesday 4/15 7pm ESPN+ & MSG
Flashsabre replied to HOUSE's topic in The Aud Club
https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.7502829 It is happening and Canadians are being warned of it. Some people have said their social media has been checked. Im not here to make a big deal of it either. Just letting people know why Canadians are not crossing the border now. -
What a mess the entire franchise is. If it weren’t for the Bills Stadium over runs I could see Pegula taking control of the arena and upgrading it. Now not so much. IF the Sabres had to go I would selfishly want to see them down the QEW in Hamilton who are doing a $290 million redesign of their arena. Be interesting how the team spins everything after the season.
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GDT: Toronto Maple Leafs @ Buffalo Sabres Tuesday 4/15 7pm ESPN+ & MSG
Flashsabre replied to HOUSE's topic in The Aud Club
Yeah Americans still don’t seem to get that Canadians have said “F$&k You” to them. With Trump in power and his rhetoric and the huge hassle at the border now and checking phones for any messages against Trump, Canadians aren’t going to the U. S. ”Come for a game and end up in a South American Super Prison” No Thanks- 240 replies
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Can’t see McQueen going 3rd with his health issues. Just someone please take Frondell before Buffalo because you know they are running up to the podium to select another shoot first centre.
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I read a scout that said as he gets stronger he should unlock his skating even more. His brain and playmaking creativity down the middle is exactly what the Sabres lack. He has home-run potential if he gets stronger and develops. In that 8-10 range he would be my guy.
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I like O’Brien. Highly creative 6’2 RHC who is a tremendous playmaker. With Leenders as his goalie you know the Sabres have seen him a lot
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https://www.tsn.ca/chl/chl-storylines-medicine-hat-tigers-riding-gavin-mckenna-magic-in-whl-playoffs-1.2286347 Next year’s number 1, Gavin McKenna finished the regular season with a 40 game point streak which saw him score 100 points over 40 games and had 17 points in his 5 game playoff series. I think the kid is going to be alright😁