Lots of tube time for Sabres

Versus announced its 2008-09 schedule Thursday and the Sabres have been scheduled for eight national broadcasts. Nice exposure for sure, but it means eight games you have to do tele-radio if you want to hear Rick Jeanneret and Harry Neale because they won't be on MSG.

And I know that thinking back on some comments on the blog from last season that Versus telecasts aren't high on some of your popularity lists. At least none of the home games have been moved back to 8 p.m. starts.

Here's the Sabres' Versus slate:

Oct. 21 Boston, 7:00

Nov. 3 at New Jersey, 7:00

Dec. 8 at Pittsburgh, 7:00

Dec. 22 Pittsburgh, 7:00

Feb. 17 at Toronto, 7:30

Feb. 24 Anaheim, 7:00

Mar. 10 at Philly, 7:00

Apr. 6 Detroit, 7:00

5 p.m. update: I originally had a ninth game listed but the Versus schedule at first listed "Buffalo" where it should have been "Boston" so the number is only eight. Still, the Sabres eight Versus games are tied for the most in the league with Minnesota, Boston, Pittsburgh and the Rangers.

---Mike Harrington

Comments

[Jim Pope]

Does anyone have information concerning Buffalo Sabres games being broadcast in HD on Dishnetwork? Last year TWC was the only outlet for Sabres HD broadcasts. The digital picture on an HDTV is ordinary to say the least.

[jan]

the only tolerable way to watch games on Versus is hit the "mute" button on the remote and try to pick up sabres games on the radio. that network is so Crosby- oriented -- if Pittsburgh isn't playing, they still mention Crosby instead of players form the two teams that are playing.

[Snidder]

Boston and Minnesota huh? Two of the most boring teams to watch in the league. I'll be sure to turn on the TV....

[Dave]

I remember last year, right after Crosby came back from injuries, VS. was like "tonight, the return of the most explosive offensive force in the NHL!". It was right on the heals of Ovechkin pulling some real ridiculous numbers, too, which made it that much more annoying.

[Beanie]

Versus spends all it's time fawning over Crosby: If I hear one more time how brilliantly Crosby can tie his skate laces up and that this makes him the greatest hoceky player, I'll be throwing my TV off the third floor balcony.

How will I survive watching the games we play on Versus? I'm sure we will still have at least 10 Crosby references even if we aren't playing Pitts.

[Snidder]

Correction...VS loves to show Pittsburgh and Washington and we just happen to be playing them...

[AM]

VS loves to show the Sabres play pittsburgh. They had two consecutive Buffalo v Pitt games last year as well.