Speak on the schedule

So the Sabres' 2008-09 schedule is out and we've all had a few hours to digest it. Now the floor is yours for discussion. Here's some points to ponder:

1). Buffalo fans get to see the Wings and Ducks. Plus the two visits from the Penguins, Capitals, Flyers and Rangers as well as the three meetings with the Habs, Senators, Bruins and Laffs. So is there really anything to gripe about regarding the home schedule other than no trip here for Patrick Kane and Brian Campbell?

2). How worried are you about a 13-game January schedule that's laced with 10 road games -- including a killer trip that goes Edmonton, Calgary, Phoenix before ending Feb. 2 in Anaheim?

3). What's the one roadie you might think about making?

4). The NHL changed the scheduling format this year, cutting division games from eight to six to ensure you'd play every team in the other conference at least once. Now that you've seen the change in action, what do you think?

---Mike Harrington

Comments

[Matthew Kimel]

I don't personally think Campbell misses Buffalo or San Jose.

[Texas Kid]

One road trip to Dallas, well, that's good for you Sabres fans in Buffalo. Saves you from watching another whoopin from the Stars on the Empire Network.

[John]

I wish there were more Sunday games at home, but maybe that's nostaglia talking. I love the Friday night games in the dead of winter. Get home from work, eat dinner, sit down with a cold one and watch some hockey when it's 20 degrees outside with snow on the ground. That's good stuff.

[P.E. Carr in Calgary]

Yes!! They are FINALLY coming back to Calgary! (Wednesday January 28th). So watch for the Sabres fans at that game. The road trips (which for us means going TO Buffalo) were killing our wallet. But it was fun having everyone cheer with us instead of against us. (Just tell the boys in blue and white not to turn their backs on Bertuzzi) Have a great summer in Sabreland!

[lou]

the sabres need cheerleaders, i want more T&A at the sabres games. Also can they finally go back to the original uniforms, get rid of the jersey number on the front of the jersey, get some more offensive defensmen.

[Eric]

1) No New Year's Eve game, and no Sunday night games after Bills home games are what I think are missing.

2) If they get through January going .500 in those games, they should be in good shape.

3) I'm probably going to Detroit for the first time this year. I went to Toronto, Montreal, Pittsburgh and New Jersey last year, and will probably return to all those places as well.

4) I want more Leafs games

[chris]

screw the schedual, the sabres just signed miller to an extension. Its amazing to have this out of the way. maybe regeir has turned a new leaf...

i doubt it, but good job nonetheless

[tim]

Sabres fan in Columbus.

Think of what kind of a weekend that is going to be (when the Jackets go to Buffalo). Drag some of your Columbus friends/Blue Jackets/Browns fans.

Friday Night (11/14) - Blue Jackets at Sabres
Monday Night (11/17) - Browns at Bills - MNF

I know thats what my friends and I are planning on doing. I too live in Columbus

[eric]

Is the News going to update us on the supposed Marek Zagrapan story?

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/KHL-Alexander-Radulov-s-Russian-contract-will-b?urn=nhl,94234

[TheTick]

1. This stuff hardly matters, although getting to see every team (even if it's on TV) is great.

2. I'm an optimist, and 2 of those teams you mention may not even be that good.

3. In-laws in Pittsburgh, so those are easy. Might try to convince my bro down in VA to road trip to Carolina or Washington.

4. Like I said, I like it. Wish every team could come here every year but I'll take the improvement.

[Sabres Fan In Columbus]

Disappointed the Sabres are not coming to Columbus. Lots of us from Buffalo living here now. The place was rocking 2 years ago when the Sabres came. The league needs to figure out how to get them in the same division or at least playing in each city once.

[Stewart Smalley]

Henry, you're a pretty crotchety fella. You feeling sad, guy? Do me a favor. Find a mirror, look at yourself in it and say, "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggon-it, people like me."

[Don]

I'm not happy, but reason is a little selfish. I live in NC and used to see the Sabres play at Carolina 4 times; now it's twice. And just twice each vs the Caps and Atlanta, limiting road trips (from here). Oh well, we'll just have to fly up and see the boys in person. Sales at Ted's and Anderson's will spike that week.

[habaneromike]

I, for one, was getting sick of too many games with Boston, Montreal, Ottawa, and even TO. As a season ticket holder, I found myself wanting to sell most of the division games, since we played the teams so often. And since the playoff seeding is on a conference basis, it made the divisionally unbalanced schedule even more tedious. The new format will make playing even these teams seem novel, as well as being able to see every team in the NHL at least every other year. I am a big fan of the new scheduling format.

[Heather B.]

That 13 game stretch does look absolutely brutal. I can't wait! :-D

[Henry]

Mike, i'm not worried about a 13 game streak in January. I'm worried about a goalie who was 22nd in GA and 29th in Sv percentage who's about to get alot of money to be average. I'm worried about incompetant managment. I'm worried we haven't improved the team at all and still have guys like Max on the team. There is indeed alot to worry about when your a sabre fan

[jan]

the january road trip could be the "make-it or break-it" for this team. they'll need to win some of those games.
I'm disappointed they won't play Chicago at home so I can cheer for Lee and Patrick and boo Brian.