THN predicts Sabres at sixth.

[static70]

Outside of the Lydman bit, I can almost agree with the analysis.

About the only thing I disagree with is the 6th spot standings. I firmly believe with all of the changes to other teams in the conference, Buffalo is headed for a 10th to 12th spot position.

I can't see this current squad, healthy or not, competing with, at the very least, 9 teams.

Sorry, my opinion is what it is based on past offensive performances, in particular, the ability to have a clutch performer or two in the offensive ranks.

[Taro T]

Good thing we're not basing the bet on Islander fans that you personally know.

 

The point remains that, for a fan, changing coaches and changing GMs and picking first and throwing gobs of money around is entertaining. We can sit around with our noses in the air, thinking how superior the Sabres' franchise is to the Isles', but that would be -- wait for it -- nonsense.

 

Both franchises fail; it's just a bit more fun to watch happen on the Island. Wang vs. Golisano? Milbury vs. Regier? Nolan vs. Ruff? Come on.

Do you honestly believe there are ANY Isles fans (not related to him) that were entertained watching the carnage unleashed on the Island?

 

That's like saying there are Lions fans that thought Millen just wasn't given enough time to get the job done properly. (If he'd have stuck around, 0-26 might not just have been a peach and red nightmare; it could have been reality for silver and blue as well.)

[thesportsbuff]

Good thing we're not basing the bet on Islander fans that you personally know.

 

The point remains that, for a fan, changing coaches and changing GMs and picking first and throwing gobs of money around is entertaining. We can sit around with our noses in the air, thinking how superior the Sabres' franchise is to the Isles', but that would be -- wait for it -- nonsense.

 

Both franchises fail; it's just a bit more fun to watch happen on the Island. Wang vs. Golisano? Milbury vs. Regier? Nolan vs. Ruff? Come on.

 

I, for one, would much rather watch an exciting team compete for a playoff spot every year than watch a bottom-feeding team, well, bottom feed every year. The only thing the Islanders have on the Sabres is they've done so poorly they have a ton of good prospects coming into their own soon -- but you can't really credit Owners, GMs, or Coaches for being awful enough to get high draft picks.

 

Connolly may be overpaid at $4.5, but at least he plays in the league and produces.

 

There's really no way you can say Islander fans are happier with their team than Sabres fans are with ours.

[shrader]

Good thing we're not basing the bet on Islander fans that you personally know.

 

The point remains that, for a fan, changing coaches and changing GMs and picking first and throwing gobs of money around is entertaining. We can sit around with our noses in the air, thinking how superior the Sabres' franchise is to the Isles', but that would be -- wait for it -- nonsense.

 

Both franchises fail; it's just a bit more fun to watch happen on the Island. Wang vs. Golisano? Milbury vs. Regier? Nolan vs. Ruff? Come on.

 

It's more fun to watch for the outside observer. Other than the year they lost to us in the first round, they've been a perennial bottom five team in both the standings and in goals scored. You can call that entertaining all you want. I call it being a Bills fan (ok, one step up from that).

[will]

I call it being a Bills fan (ok, one step up from that).

 

because the isles have made the post-season in the past decade. :wallbash:

[deluca67]

Do you honestly believe there are ANY Isles fans (not related to him) that were entertained watching the carnage unleashed on the Island?

 

That's like saying there are Lions fans that thought Millen just wasn't given enough time to get the job done properly. (If he'd have stuck around, 0-26 might not just have been a peach and red nightmare; it could have been reality for silver and blue as well.)

Why wouldn't there be? There are still Bills fans who consider themselves "entertained."

 

What have the Sabres accomplished which would justify it's fan base to look down on any other organization? Seems that the only difference between the teams is that Miller has been healthier than DiPietro. Other way around and the Islanders are a playoff contender and the Sabres are on the outside looking in. Hell, even with Miller healthy for most of the past three seasons the Sabres still missed the playoffs twice.

 

Maybe people should take a step back and define what they consider "entertaining." Neither the Islanders or Sabres are serious Cup contenders. As a Isle fan you are far more likely to be "entertained" in the off-season which can build hope for the regular season. Their situation would be much better if their goalie could stay on the ice. Which is a shame because he is a talented goalie. The Sabres hopes fall strictly on Miller. There will be no help from the front office.

[deluca67]

I, for one, would much rather watch an exciting team compete for a playoff spot every year than watch a bottom-feeding team, well, bottom feed every year. The only thing the Islanders have on the Sabres is they've done so poorly they have a ton of good prospects coming into their own soon -- but you can't really credit Owners, GMs, or Coaches for being awful enough to get high draft picks.

 

Connolly may be overpaid at $4.5, but at least he plays in the league and produces.

 

There's really no way you can say Islander fans are happier with their team than Sabres fans are with ours.

I would take Peca in a Sabres uniform against the Pens in 2001 any day. Connolly is a all-time bust.

[gregkash]

Very true, however the GM responsible for most of this travesty not only managed to get rid of Connolly and Pyatt, but got Mike Peca in return.

 

I'm not sure i see your point cuz since that trade Mike Peca has 236 points in 464 games.

Meanwhile Connolly has had 213 points in that same span in 396 games.

 

I guess you could Argue Peca won the Selke in 2001 of course the Sabres went farther and did better than the Islanders that year, and every year after as well. So, I'm not really sure what your point is. I loved Peca as a player don't get me wrong but it's not like we got the ###### end of the production stick.

[Taro T]

Why wouldn't there be? There are still Bills fans who consider themselves "entertained."

 

What have the Sabres accomplished which would justify it's fan base to look down on any other organization? Seems that the only difference between the teams is that Miller has been healthier than DiPietro. Other way around and the Islanders are a playoff contender and the Sabres are on the outside looking in. Hell, even with Miller healthy for most of the past three seasons the Sabres still missed the playoffs twice.

 

Maybe people should take a step back and define what they consider "entertaining." Neither the Islanders or Sabres are serious Cup contenders. As a Isle fan you are far more likely to be "entertained" in the off-season which can build hope for the regular season. Their situation would be much better if their goalie could stay on the ice. Which is a shame because he is a talented goalie. The Sabres hopes fall strictly on Miller. There will be no help from the front office.

My point was referring directly to the bolded portion of PA's post - namely Milbury. The only way a fan of that organization was 'entertained' by that buffoon is if they were a total masochist, a total idiot, or ideally both. It was a multi-year run of most days being like 7/1/07 was for the Sabres fans.

 

If I actually cared for the boys who formerly wore clown unis, I'd have been going insane watching his world class idiocy. Fortunately, I've never been much of a fan of Stan Fischler's favorites; so I found his act EXTREMELY entertaining.

[shrader]

My point was referring directly to the bolded portion of PA's post - namely Milbury. The only way a fan of that organization was 'entertained' by that buffoon is if they were a total masochist, a total idiot, or ideally both. It was a multi-year run of most days being like 7/1/06 was for the Sabres fans.

 

If I actually cared for the boys who formerly wore clown unis, I'd have been going insane watching his world class idiocy. Fortunately, I've never been much of a fan of Stan Fischler's favorites; so I found his act EXTREMELY entertaining.

 

This conversation is the perfect example of just how delusional people are getting.

[thesportsbuff]

I would take Peca in a Sabres uniform against the Pens in 2001 any day. Connolly is a all-time bust.

 

He hardly qualifies as an all-time bust.. that's just laughable. I'm not saying I wouldn't have rather had Peca, but he's still a 60-70 point guy that can impact a game -- something Yashin is going to have a hard time doing from overseas. And at least Darcy gave him a 2-year deal based on his injuries rather than DiPietros 15 year deal.

 

I'm not gonna get into the Connolly argument in this thread, everyone knows my stance there, but the point is he's been a lot of fans' biggest problem with the team (besides Stafford), and yet his contract looks a heck of a lot better than both the two I mentioned from the Islanders. So there's simply no way I can put any stock into PA's post that it'd be more fun to be an Islanders fan just because they make changes every year. We'd all be just as pissed off, but it'd be about Yashin and DiPietro rather than Connolly and Stafford.

[deluca67]

He hardly qualifies as an all-time bust.. that's just laughable. I'm not saying I wouldn't have rather had Peca, but he's still a 60-70 point guy that can impact a game -- something Yashin is going to have a hard time doing from overseas. And at least Darcy gave him a 2-year deal based on his injuries rather than DiPietros 15 year deal.

 

I'm not gonna get into the Connolly argument in this thread, everyone knows my stance there, but the point is he's been a lot of fans' biggest problem with the team (besides Stafford), and yet his contract looks a heck of a lot better than both the two I mentioned from the Islanders. So there's simply no way I can put any stock into PA's post that it'd be more fun to be an Islanders fan just because they make changes every year. We'd all be just as pissed off, but it'd be about Yashin and DiPietro rather than Connolly and Stafford.

5th overall pick in 1999 and has only 353 points is a all-time bust.

[bunomatic]

I suppose if you counted all of Lydmans blocked shots over the time he was a sabre and consider that at least what...a third very well could have been goals against, that could be considered offence in a way. Keepin it out of your own net is just as important as puttin it in the other net. I'm sure Miller appreciates Lydmans contributions. Just sayin?

[Kristian]

I'm not sure i see your point cuz since that trade Mike Peca has 236 points in 464 games.

Meanwhile Connolly has had 213 points in that same span in 396 games.

 

I guess you could Argue Peca won the Selke in 2001 of course the Sabres went farther and did better than the Islanders that year, and every year after as well. So, I'm not really sure what your point is. I loved Peca as a player don't get me wrong but it's not like we got the ###### end of the production stick.

 

My point is quite simple - I agreed the Islanders were a poorly run franchise, yet pointed out that one of the few GM's to ever lose a trade with Mike Milbury (they guy who dealt guys like Palffy, Chara and Luongo), was in fact Darcy Regier.

 

Sure, you could argue that Peca hasn't been the same since Darcy F*cker took out his knee, but it's not exactly like Tim Connolly's broken any records in the ironman department either.

 

Sabres lost that deal, regardless what Tim Connolly may or may not produce to this day. At 4.5 mill, while not particularly epensive given what other deadbeats on this teams makes, Timmy is way too injured to be considered an asset.

[thesportsbuff]

My point is quite simple - I agreed the Islanders were a poorly run franchise, yet pointed out that one of the few GM's to ever lose a trade with Mike Milbury (they guy who dealt guys like Palffy, Chara and Luongo), was in fact Darcy Regier.

 

Sure, you could argue that Peca hasn't been the same since Darcy F*cker took out his knee, but it's not exactly like Tim Connolly's broken any records in the ironman department either.

 

Sabres lost that deal, regardless what Tim Connolly may or may not produce to this day. At 4.5 mill, while not particularly epensive given what other deadbeats on this teams makes, Timmy is way too injured to be considered an asset.

 

We will see whether or not he is an asset this year... when pots 25G and 80 points.

[Kristian]

We will see whether or not he is an asset this year... when pots 25G and 80 points.

 

That would require him to play a full season, which could be quite interesting.

 

I've always wanted to see what happened when hell froze over anyway :thumbsup:

[Calvin]

So PA thinks he would have been more entertained as an Islander fan over the past decade than he has been a Sabre fan - fair enough, it's his POV.

 

Y'know what, that's your prerogative. Why didn't you support the Isles then? Why didn't you jump off the status quo bandwagon during the two ECF years and support the supposedly-highly-entertaining-and-highly-paying-but-playing-golf-in-the-summer Isles? Why are you still here on the Sabres board? Really, why? At least DeLuca has valid points, but you and your anti-Ruff crusade.. sheesh.

 

Why don't you just come back when Ruff gets fired or quits? Oh, I'd also love to hear from you when eventually there's a banner with his name fluttering up in the rafters at HSBC Arena. Whether Ruff wins a Cup here or not, that is going to happen and there ain't a damn thing you'll be able to do about it.

[Stoner]

So PA thinks he would have been more entertained as an Islander fan over the past decade than he has been a Sabre fan - fair enough, it's his POV.

 

Y'know what, that's your prerogative. Why didn't you support the Isles then? Why didn't you jump off the status quo bandwagon during the two ECF years and support the supposedly-highly-entertaining-and-highly-paying-but-playing-golf-in-the-summer Isles? Why are you still here on the Sabres board? Really, why? At least DeLuca has valid points, but you and your anti-Ruff crusade.. sheesh.

 

Why don't you just come back when Ruff gets fired or quits? Oh, I'd also love to hear from you when eventually there's a banner with his name fluttering up in the rafters at HSBC Arena. Whether Ruff wins a Cup here or not, that is going to happen and there ain't a damn thing you'll be able to do about it.

 

Oh, I have no doubt Lindy's name will be fluttering up there one day. Along with all the other bogus banners this franchise likes to bestow. Plenty of space, since they don't have to leave room for the Big One.

 

Go ask an Islander die-hard: would you have wanted to trade places with a Sabre fan the last five years? No way in Hell is the answer yes. Only some delusional Sabre fans have bought into LQ's arrogance about Hockeytown, or City of Hockey, or whatever.

[Stoner]

This conversation is the perfect example of just how delusional people are getting.

 

HOLY ######!! Now you're going after TARO!!! This will not end well. I can't believe you would call him delusional.

 

2010, the summer SabreSpace burned.

[shrader]

Oh, I have no doubt Lindy's name will be fluttering up there one day. Along with all the other bogus banners this franchise likes to bestow. Plenty of space, since they don't have to leave room for the Big One.

 

Go ask an Islander die-hard: would you have wanted to trade places with a Sabre fan the last five years? No way in Hell is the answer yes. Only some delusional Sabre fans have bought into LQ's arrogance about Hockeytown, or City of Hockey, or whatever.

 

I know you like to pick a side basically just for shock value, but this one is an all time head scratcher. Why are you picking this idiotic fight?

[Stoner]

I know you like to pick a side basically just for shock value, but this one is an all time head scratcher. Why are you picking this idiotic fight?

 

Because, as a long time Sabre fan, I like lost causes.

 

I know I'm changing the original question a bit, but do you really think there are fans all over the league that are envious of what we have here in Buffalo? I doubt it. With the exception of most of the calendar year of 2006, the hockey has not been great since the lockout, and the franchise is mismanaged up there with the best (worst) of them. The Sabres have no iconic superstars -- although the Olympics/NHL PR machine tried to make Miller one. No great tradition. No history of winning Cups. No can't-miss arena experience. This isn't Detroit, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Montreal, Toronto, New Jersey, San Jose, Philadelphia, Rangers, no, not even the Island...

 

NHL players consider Buffalo one of the worst places to end up, and free agent fans would probably feel the same.

 

Can we at least get real about the franchise we're rooting for? With the exception of a few magic early seasons, one run under Bowman, lucking into Dominik Hasek in his prime and lightning striking briefly after the lockout, the Buffalo Sabres have been the definition of mediocrity through their history. We have no soapbox to stand on.

 

Trust me on this one, shrader. Trust the Gorton's Fisherman.

[deluca67]

We will see whether or not he is an asset this year... when pots 25G and 80 points.

Those are some lofty expectations for a player that has yet to break the 20 goal plateau and has a career high of 65 points.

[nfreeman]

Good thing we're not basing the bet on Islander fans that you personally know.

 

The point remains that, for a fan, changing coaches and changing GMs and picking first and throwing gobs of money around is entertaining. We can sit around with our noses in the air, thinking how superior the Sabres' franchise is to the Isles', but that would be -- wait for it -- nonsense.

 

Both franchises fail; it's just a bit more fun to watch happen on the Island. Wang vs. Golisano? Milbury vs. Regier? Nolan vs. Ruff? Come on.

Do you know any Islanders fans personally? I do. They do in fact envy what Sabres fans have.

 

As for entertainment value -- what, specifically, was the last entertaining offseason move the Islanders made? Drafting Tavares? Firing Ted Nolan? Hiring Garth Snow? Whoop-de-damn-do.

 

More to the point, even if they were a Brian Burke-type team with a bunch of offseason headlines -- yes, they offseason would be more entertaining, and then you get to the 8 months of awful hockey every night. The Sabres are going to be in the hunt again for their division and for a top 2-3 spot in the EC, while the Isles (and many other teams) have no shot. That's entertaining.

 

This conversation is the perfect example of just how delusional people are getting.

correct.

 

We will see whether or not he is an asset this year... when pots 25G and 80 points.

NFW.

 

This isn't Detroit, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Montreal, Toronto, New Jersey, San Jose, Philadelphia, Rangers, no, not even the Island...

What point is being made, exactly, with this list? That Detroit, Chicago, Pittsburgh and SJ have better teams? No kidding, but that doesn't apply to the rest of this list. That these are better franchises overall? In what way? Better tradition? In SJ? More excitement in the arena? Not in the last few years in Toronto, NYC, or LI, and not EVER in NJ, and as for the others, winning in the playoffs tends to accomplish that.

[bunomatic]

One thing Isles fans can hang their hats on is 4 consecutive cups. They have history to hold onto and cherish which unfortunatly us sabres fans have yet to experience. As for the present history we are experiencing,true the sabres may be a better franchise but I certainly wouldn't look down my nose at the isles based on the fact that they are currently a sad sack organization. They have something that not many teams will ever accomplish again playing in the current cap era. They held onto the cup for a multi year stretch. Not sure if the sabres will get a sniff.

[shrader]

Because, as a long time Sabre fan, I like lost causes.

 

I know I'm changing the original question a bit, but do you really think there are fans all over the league that are envious of what we have here in Buffalo? I doubt it. With the exception of most of the calendar year of 2006, the hockey has not been great since the lockout, and the franchise is mismanaged up there with the best (worst) of them. The Sabres have no iconic superstars -- although the Olympics/NHL PR machine tried to make Miller one. No great tradition. No history of winning Cups. No can't-miss arena experience. This isn't Detroit, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Montreal, Toronto, New Jersey, San Jose, Philadelphia, Rangers, no, not even the Island...

 

NHL players consider Buffalo one of the worst places to end up, and free agent fans would probably feel the same.

 

Can we at least get real about the franchise we're rooting for? With the exception of a few magic early seasons, one run under Bowman, lucking into Dominik Hasek in his prime and lightning striking briefly after the lockout, the Buffalo Sabres have been the definition of mediocrity through their history. We have no soapbox to stand on.

 

Trust me on this one, shrader. Trust the Gorton's Fisherman.

 

You really need your own sports talk show. It looks like you already have that one faithful listener who will stick with you no matter what you say.