Cup fever?
A couple of Sabres made it clear this week they have no intention of watching the Stanley Cup finals. The sting of seeing someone else claim the trophy they longed for would be too much.
Does that carry over to the fans, too? How many people are going to avoid tuning into NBC (or whatever channel it ships the games to should overtime pop up)? Who would watch no matter what?
Also, someone involved in arguably the Sabres' most famous goal -- May day! May day! Maayyyy dayyyyy! -- will win the Cup. Any preference on Anaheim's Brad May, Detroit's Dominik Hasek or Ottawa's John Muckler?
---John Vogl
Anyone consider that the Sabres should raise ticket prices slightly to offset increases in player salary and possible free agent signings? I think with the caliber team we have now fans wouldn`t hesitate to cough up a few bucks more to keep players we have and go after free agents that could address our weaknesses.
Posted by: Don S. | June 01, 2007 at 09:24 AM
Hey Drew
Your WRONG about Emery - he played a GREAT game last night.
Your RIGHT about Ottawa - they kicked our butts all year - WHY is everyone so shocked about this.
Anaheim would have pounded us.
The Bills - they have not done a dam thing this off season
Buffalo sports - average crap.............
Posted by: SABRES FAN | June 01, 2007 at 12:49 AM
Brad Ruszala said these things about the Woebegone Bills...
"Three things just won’t work for our team and I hope they realize it as soon as possible.
"ONE: Passing on Matt Leinhart? Picking him would have energized our city in a way that hasn’t happened since we had Kelly coming in from the Gamblers.
"TWO: Signing a losing coach with no future? Chicago’s garbage won’t smell any better here. This season is already going nowhere. If you’re hearing good things about Losman in the preseason it’s because the Bills hired President Bush’s policy advisors on Iraq.
"THREE: Hanging on to Buffalo’s version of Seattle’s seemingly endless years of woe with Rick Mirer with our underachieving JP Losman? I never understood Seattle’s infatuation with Mirer and the same goes for us and our kid prodigy. I guess he still needs a few more years of experience before we’re in for a treat. Nope. Not the case."
Brad(same name as my kid brother), you hit it on the head. The Bills have turned away from being a competitive team, and turned into a bunch of nincompoops. You only have to look at the incompetence of General Manager Tom Donohoe to see that... starting off with his hiring of Gregg Williams as coach, and cutting Doug Flutie in favor of Rob Johnson at QB.
Eventually, the Bills have a chance to turn in a more competitive direction between Mike Sherman and Dick Jauron as head coach. Jauron is a loser; Sherman wins more games, and wins some post-season games as well. Obviously, Sherman is the logical choice... but they pick Jauron. HUH?!?!
Settling for less than the ideal... the way of the Buffalo Bills, and may be the way of teh Sabres if Golisano doesn't step to the plate and bring players that can make a difference.
Posted by: Lloyd Marshall Jr. | May 31, 2007 at 09:25 PM
I'm torn. It's tough watching hockey when you know your team is on the golf course. BUT, I think we all need to watch just so we can boost the ratings a bit so that NBC doesn't release another ratings sheet that states the Stanley Cup Finals finished last in national viewership behind reruns of Rosanne and the Bachelor Part XXVII. I have to think Emery is going to be the Achilies Heal for the Senators. I see this matchup going to at least 6, but he'll be the reason the Sens lose.
As for the question will I watch? I have to say yes, and it's way easier to watch this year when we at least lost to a better team, vs. last year when Rochester played and almost beat Carolina in game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Now that was painful! Last year was our year, Ottawa had our number all this season, everyone knew if we had to play them in the playoffs, that it was over.
Emery is a siv...during Halloween he gives out rebounds instead of candy!!
Posted by: Drew | May 31, 2007 at 05:28 PM
Sabre nation should feel somewhat comforted in the knowledge that Anaheim would have wiped the ice with Buffalo had we managed to advance. Can you honestly see Derek Roy or Tim Connoly knifing his diminutive frame behind Pronger or Beauchemin? Sure, the Sabres would have 8 or 9 power plays a game. Oh yeah, what difference would that make? Regier proved that small, slick and quick wins games and is exciting to watch. But Anaheim is proving that you still need big, physical forwards and smooth skating defenseman who can deliver punishing blows to win it all.
Posted by: Marty | May 31, 2007 at 12:05 PM
I am alone in taking some small pleasure knowing the Sens will have a trophy as meaningless and the Presidents trophy to throw in the trash at the end of this series? Ducks are clobbering them.
Posted by: driver8 | May 31, 2007 at 10:18 AM
One important point to ponder while everyone wonders about what happens with our free agents - Tom Golisano (or the voices for Tom Golisano) said Sunday that the Sabres wouldn't make any money until the second round of the playoffs should they extend their team budget structure. Spare me - if anyone thinks that this team was purchased with the idea that it would actually MAKE money is blowing smoke up your can. Unless you are the Cowboys or Yankees, sports ownership is a non-revenue earning proposition. It actually helps alleviate other profits for Golisano. Let's hope that this line of crap is not the beginning of Cost Cutting 101 down at the Arena now that season tickets sales are at an all-time high. The quietness at the Arena is pretty alarming if you ask me.
Posted by: DC United | May 30, 2007 at 03:53 PM
I'm watching the Cup, regardless the network.
The Sabres brass and players should watch it also(I agree with whoever said this), so it can do two things: Show our guys how you win the Cup, and serve as an indicator as to who to sign from free agency when the Cup is won. Sign players from the champions FIRST, before signing the runners-up(remember signing Spacek, and eventually bringing us Conklin, from runner-up Edmonton?)!
If Marchant, May, and Pronger are set to be free agents, and so it happens that the Ducks win... Buffalo, SIGN THESE GUYS UP ASAP! OTOH, if Ottawa wins, get Heatley, Alfredsson, and Spezza if they are free agents too. It would be great to see some '07 Cup winners put on the Sabres uniform this fall.
Golisano is a hero for saving the Sabres from bankruptcy. Please, Mr. Golisano, do and spend whatever it takes(and THEN some!) to make this team a Cup champion... you'll be a SAINT.
Posted by: Lloyd Marshall Jr. | May 29, 2007 at 11:00 PM
Hey Brad
I agree with you totally - the Bills are in dream land - they are going to have a LONG season !!!!
Again !!
Posted by: Sabres Fan | May 29, 2007 at 07:45 PM
Hey JP and John
Quit whining like babies - the Sabres were not good enough - get over it ...
The best team will win - the Sens or the Ducks - after watching the Ducks last night - they would have pounded the Sabres also
Posted by: Sabres Fan | May 29, 2007 at 07:42 PM
I will watch some of the game as long as it's not on NBC. After the stunt they pulled with not showing the overtime of the Sabres/Senators game, I don't watch their coverage.
Posted by: Kim | May 29, 2007 at 10:52 AM
How about having Sabre's management having mandatory team functions to include screenings of the Cup Finals to drive the point home to the overpaid prima donnas that they missed out because of a lack of heart in the defensive zone? If they gave a little more along the boards and fought more for the loose pucks instead of hoping one of their offensive stars would pull something out of their hats we might be celebrating at the Cobblestone this summer. Now I have to hear about their sob story? Sorry fellas, but you could have traded your tears for sweat before dropping the ball against the Sens.
I love my team because it represents my hometown, and that's it. If the players want to cry about it that's fine with me, but it won’t do anything for them to stay away from the boob tube. The cup wasn't supposed to be anybody's piece of hardware other than the team that wanted it the most. Sad to say, it wasn’t the Sabres. We'll see who that team is soon enough, and I hope our team hates every minute of it. Maybe that will make them hustle in Miller’s front yard next season.
If I want to stay away from watching a team I love on TV, then I’ll leave the room when the Bills draft poorly again. Ralph Wilson Jr. is a great man whom I respect. Same goes for Marv Levy.
Three things just won’t work for our team and I hope they realize it as soon as possible.
ONE: Passing on Matt Leinhart? Picking him would have energized our city in a way that hasn’t happened since we had Kelly coming in from the Gamblers.
TWO: Signing a losing coach with no future? Chicago’s garbage won’t smell any better here. This season is already going nowhere. If you’re hearing good things about Losman in the preseason it’s because the Bills hired President Bush’s policy advisors on Iraq.
THREE: Hanging on to Buffalo’s version of Seattle’s seemingly endless years of woe with Rick Mirer with our underachieving JP Losman? I never understood Seattle’s infatuation with Mirer and the same goes for us and our kid prodigy. I guess he still needs a few more years of experience before we’re in for a treat. Nope. Not the case.
Posted by: Brad E. Ruszala | May 29, 2007 at 10:48 AM
It was tough to watch the first game of the Cup last night without the Sabres participating, but now that I bit the bullet and watched (on CBC, not VS.) I will root for the Ducks. My reason? I''ll root for the Ducks because of Ryan Miller's brother Drew. I figure, if Ryan is man enough from the sidelines one more year, I can too. Go Sabres in '08!
Posted by: JP | May 29, 2007 at 10:44 AM
Go ducks!!!!!!!!!!! It would be outrageous for anyone to root for the Senators. That would be like rooting for the Bruins or the Canadiens back in the 80's and early 90's. Think about all the problems the Senators caused this year.
Posted by: John Atlanta, GA | May 29, 2007 at 09:39 AM
While yes it is going to be difficult to watch the Stanley Cup finals without my beloved Sabres in it, I must say the following: If you are a Sabres fan - A TRUE SABRES FAN - then you will find yourself roting for the Anaheim Ducks. In my personal opinion you cannot route against a player like Brad May! How spectacular would that be for a player who provided us with one of the most memorable Ricky J calls in Sabres history. Fans, we all talk about grit and determination as a factor when it comes to the playoffs and let me tell you, that I am going to be the first one going on record to say -BRING BACK BRAD MAY!!! Leadership, grit, determination, and willing to stick up for his teammates, is that not what our Sabres truely need??? One Team, NO GOAL, and GO SABRES!!!
Posted by: Bryan Malanosabres | May 25, 2007 at 08:23 AM
I think it's funny how some of you are struggling to accept this and move on. We had a great team that gave us something to cheer about. And besides, is that monkey really off the Senators back yet? No. If they choke, I think the first game we play with the Senators in HSBC arena next season, we should all bring rubber ducks to throw out on the ice before the game starts. Maybe start Quacking at the Sens fans that show up. The possibilities sound fun to me! GO DUCKS!
Posted by: Bill Joyce | May 24, 2007 at 11:23 AM
I am a Sabres fan no longer living in Buffalo but still always cheer for my Buffalo teams. As disapointed as I am that the Sabres were knocked out I will be cheering the Senators on, just as I cheered Carolina on last year because I want to know in the End my team was beaten by the best not the second best team. Heck in football I cheer for the Bills but when it comes to the Superbowl if the Bills aren't there I cheer for the AFC - logic and common sense tells you if you loose it's a little easier to take if you know you were beaten by the best and not the second best!!!!!!!
Posted by: Kathy | May 24, 2007 at 08:46 AM
I have to root for the Ducks in this one. Not only do I feel they are the better team, but as everyone else has said, you have to root for the hometown guys- May and Marchant. Plus, if we can't have our boys in the final, why not root for one of their little brothers. Ryan Miller's younger brother Drew was called up during the 1st round playing in one game against the Wild. If there are any injuries or someone isn't playing up to par, we might just get to see the younger Miller (another Michigan State phenom) play in his 1st Stanley Cup Finals game. Too bad it couldn't have been his big bro and our beloved Sabres...
Oh well - GO DUCKS!
Posted by: Ski | May 24, 2007 at 07:05 AM
I'm happy that Detroit didn't make it to the Cup FInals. I like to see teams in the finals that haven't won before (unfortunately it's not the Sabres year), but one day.
Between Anaheim and Ottawa...I'll be routing for Anaheim (mainly because of the positive links Buffalo has to them, ie Mayyy DAAYYY!)
I think it will be a great series. You have one of the top offensive lines in the NHL against two of the top defensemen in the league. However, I might watch a couple of the games if I channel surf to them. My prediction: Anaheim in 6 games...Emery will not match up to Giguere...and Niedermayer and Pronger will shut down the Alfredsson, Spezza and Heatley line no problem.
GO DUCKS! (Is anyone hoping they pull out their old Mighty Duck jerseys in the finals like in the Disney movie! That'd be something to see! haha)
Posted by: Shauna | May 23, 2007 at 01:59 PM
I'm just going to sit back and enjoy the series. On one hand, I'd like to see Ottawa win. It's a hockey town. Canada deserves a Stanley Cup winner after 13 years. With Tampa Bay and Carolina winning the past two cups, I'd hate to see a third straight go to a region of the country where the majority of residents could care less. On the other hand, how can I root against Brad May and Todd Marchant? So, let the best team win. Game on!
Posted by: Newsguy | May 23, 2007 at 12:49 PM
If the Sabres aren't able to compete for the Cup, you have to cheer for homegrown talent to win it.
So needless to say...Go Ducks and Todd Marchant!!
Posted by: Mike | May 23, 2007 at 12:30 PM
Heck, yes, I'll be watching the Cup Finals. It should be a great series. Both teams should match up well. It's always exciting to have a chance to see a team hoist the Cup for the first time (hard to count Ottawa's ancient past - this is a new team as far as I'm concerned). Too bad for NBC and Versus that this Cup final will probably have the lowest ratings in Cup history. A lot of people will miss out on a great display of what the "new" NHL is all about.
It definitely galls me to have the Sabres fall short again but it was a fun season (c'mon you all have to admit this was the most exciting Sabres team since the days of the French Connection!). I'll happily wait until next year. As long-suffering Buffalo fan, what else can one do, cheer for another team? Skewer me with a saber first!
Posted by: Mark Martina | May 23, 2007 at 11:46 AM
I think this is going to be a great finals. A true hockey fan can't wait for it to begin. It's not often the two best teams in a sport meet for the championship. I will watch as much of it as I can - Game On!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Foster Brooks | May 23, 2007 at 10:47 AM
I might check the score every once in a while, but I won't be sitting in front of the TV on pins and needles ... especially if NBC has the games. They have the worst hockey coverage ever!
I hate Chris Neil. I hate Dany Heatley. I hate ... come to think of it, I hate all the Senators. Go Anaheim!
Posted by: Kim | May 23, 2007 at 08:59 AM
Dom is out and the Ducks are in!1
I will root for Brad May. I can't root for Ottawa. Even though the top line has skilled players that are nice guys...they are cheap shot artists. A legal clean hit with the intent to injure or end a skilled players career and livlihood has no place in professional sports. You look at the players that delivered the hits to Drury and Connolly and they have reputations of being hired guns that are out there to netraulize players. Unfortunately, that means by any legal means, or grey area possible. I have played hockey for many years, and yes accidents and collisions happen in the spirit of competition, but every player knows when another player was intending to injure, legal or not. The Connolly hit was intended to knock him flat...it did...and he was out for a year. The Drury injury, was intentional. Pronger's hit that was timed with one of his players on a Red Wing was intentional as well. The league could end this but they hide behind old rules. It should be changed, just like if you draw blood on a high stick, if a check is timed to hit a player with enough force that causes a head or significant injury because that was blindsided by a hit. There should be a mandatory double minor and a game misconduct.
Go BRAD MAY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Shawn O'Connor | May 23, 2007 at 12:24 AM
James Z
I TOTALLY agree with you. WHY are Sabres fans surprised they lost to Ottawa. Ottawa was one of the strongest teams late in the year - I KNEW the Sabres would have trouble with them.
Detroit or Anaheim would also have pounded the Sabres. I'm a Sabres fan NOT living in Buffalo ..but come on wake up Buffalo - other teams are getting stronger - were not as close as you think to that cup .....we need to re sign some big names and add some toughness......
Posted by: Lee | May 22, 2007 at 11:07 PM
The only way Buffalo fans and Sabres are going to get and see the Stanley Cup is when it makes its way to playoff teams to look at. Getting into the playoffs is easy, so big deal.
Hockey is mostly a NorthEastern sport and the rest of the nation can care less. I think hockey is ranked behind curling and Texas Hold 'em poker.
If Ottawa wins are Sabres fans going to say that Ottawa was a good team. Yes, they are and there are other good teams besides Ottawa that we won't get past next year.
This team just isn't tough enough to win. Yeah, that fancy schmancy passing looks good on highlite video, but scoring more goals by just shooting the damn puck at the net is better.
Do you really think that Buffalo would have beaten Detroit or Anaheim anyway? They would have choked as usual.
With losing some of our best players to free agency, how in the world do you expect Buffalo to get better and win the Stanley Cup?
Sure, you can dream, but when reality comes, you're still stuck in Buffalo, NY.
Posted by: James Ziolkowski | May 22, 2007 at 10:32 PM
I dont really care who wins in the Western Confrence, but i hope Ottawa wins the Cup, they were the better team, but im prob. not going to watch the Cup.Yet i STILL LOVE the Sabres. and *Andrew Peters*.HAhaha.
Posted by: Jessica!!!!! | May 22, 2007 at 09:47 PM
i hope ottawa takes it.i'd like to see anaheim or detroit play
Posted by: stan | May 22, 2007 at 08:40 PM
Phil
If the Ducks or the Sens win the cup it's because they deserve it BEFORE the Sabres.
As far as who - The Sabres did lose to a better team and was hungry.
After watching Anaheim and Detroit for a couple games -to me it looks like the Wings or the Ducks would take the Sabres in 6 games also......just playing better hockey !!
Posted by: Lee | May 22, 2007 at 08:28 PM
HA! I assume you know what that means - try changing the mean spirit fans - and pound less on the glass next year!
Posted by: Ron Francis | May 22, 2007 at 07:59 PM
I just can't get into watching the NHL without the Sabres playing...I really don't have much of a preference...Mike Carrato makes a good point about the better team with Ottawa...but I do have to say this...I don't like the idea of the Sens or the Ducks getting a Cup title before the Sabres get their first. So that's a vote for the Wings
Posted by: Phil | May 22, 2007 at 06:38 PM
I'll probably watch. I'd like to see how Detroit/Anaheim play against Ottawa - I suspect those teams may look as befuddled as the Sabres did. If Ottawa cruises in the finals like they have in rounds 1-3, I think we'll all have to admit that the Sabres ran into a better team that was not going to be denied this year...
I don't want to see Hasek win it again after the way he left Buffalo. Between May and Muckler, I don't care. I'd really hate to see Chris Neil win it, though I like Alfredsson (he's a pretty classy guy who has worked really hard to shed the choker label) so that balances out.
So either Ottawa or Anaheim, but not Detroit.
Posted by: Mike Carrato | May 22, 2007 at 06:33 PM