• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • Atlantic Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Metropolitan Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Dallas Stars
      • Minnesota Wild
      • Nashville Predators
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • Pacific Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle NHL
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • Fantasy Hockey
  • THW Archives
  • More…
    • Columns
    • NWHL
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • Long Read
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • Atlantic Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Metropolitan Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Dallas Stars
      • Minnesota Wild
      • Nashville Predators
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • Pacific Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle NHL
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • Fantasy Hockey
  • THW Archives
  • More…
    • Columns
    • NWHL
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • Long Read
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Commentary

Sabres Fans Bickering: A Great Thing

By Jeff Seide July 5th, 2018

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

As many in the United States paused to celebrate their country’s independence yesterday, I, for one, am also grateful to be celebrating something else: the avid, vocal, outspoken and opinionated fans of the Buffalo Sabres.

Sabres: Glass Half Full or Half Empty?

Some ongoing debates among Sabres fans include the following:

Whether they’re on either of the polar opposite sides of the recent Ryan O’Reilly blockbuster trade; rejoicing in the future draft picks and added depth of the bottom-six or ranting that the team got fleeced.

Whether they’re glad to see goaltender Robin Lehner exit, cursing former Sabres general manager Tim Murray for a final time in the process, or already missing the goalie’s ferocious demeanor, extreme intensity and laser-like eyes.

Robin Lehner

Lehner wasn’t afraid to get involved in scrums.  (Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports)

Whether they’re confidently trusting second-year general manager Jason Botterill’s methodical process and think of him as a savior or are lambasting him for his trades and his SuperCuts-like haircut.

Whether they think the end-of-year statements at locker cleanout day made by O’Reilly, a player who filled a prominent role on a team that lost more games than any team in the NHL, were honest and professional or a valid reason for kicking him to the road.

Whether they think O’Reilly was a walking cliché generator who couldn’t single-handedly lift his team out of the league’s basement or an example of the vocal leadership this team desperately needs.

Hi there @carolinatitan10 I️ can answer that for you. I️ just don’t care to hand my phone to someone to video me working out in the gym. I️ don’t need social media to solidify my own hard work. Have a great 4th! https://t.co/USc0g8LVHI

— Zach Bogosian (@BogosianZach) July 4, 2018

Whether they’re excited about the possibilities of having three first-round picks next year or are the insufferable fans who are depressed and complaining that they’re ‘low’ picks.

Whether they’re demanding they want talented, productive players and are sick of taking on prospects and picks in trades, or they prefer to build a team that way.

Whether they think Patrik Berglund is an overpaid, aging, slowpoke or a veteran presence that can bring experience and scoring depth.

Whether they insist on going long term for Sam Reinhart’s next contract or prefer a shorter bridge deal. Or whether he should be playing center or wing.

Sam Reinhart

Sam Reinhart is due for a new contract. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Whether they’re giving coach Phil Housley a short leash this year, already with their hands on the hot button to catapult him out of town, or giving the Hall-of-Fame defenseman and relatively green bench boss the benefit of the doubt, unable to turn a mediocre roster from finishing in the basement.

All of the above regardless of whether they’re spouting off about the need to win now or see the light of a bright future in a few years.

These days, there’s even feuding between members of the Buffalo sports media.

A Bickering Bunch

One gets the feeling Botterill could have traded O’Reilly to the Washington Capitals for Ovechkin and 10 first-round picks and there’d be a faction in Western New York still complaining. The blue and gold faithful go ape crazy over everything, regardless of the logic or precedent.

I got bored last night and decided to make a meme regarding the debate over the ROR trade. Enjoy. #Sabres #Blues #NHL pic.twitter.com/j4wmX3n2LL

— Anthony Sciandra (@SciandraSports) July 3, 2018

But given all the current rancorous and often combative words, there’s an undercurrent that hasn’t been in place for months. Fans of the blue and gold had grown almost apathetic to the team. Season-ticket holders were eating the cost of their tickets and skipping the trip downtown. They couldn’t give their seats away.

Now, in the middle of summer, with the thermometers hitting 90s, the Sabres are engaging people in discussion again. There’s hope of brighter days ahead.

Related: 6 Stories from Sabres Development Camp

Talking Sabres: It’s All Good

The Sabres are back in water cooler and Twitterverse conversations. With several players to get excited about and plenty of new faces, fans are engaged, playing arm-chair GM, tinkering with starting lineups and becoming attached to prospects in the pipeline.

With so many new faces battling for positions on the roster this year, it’s too early to know how much improvement to expect from the 2018-19 Sabres. Though they could improve 30 points in the standings, the Sabres could very well miss the playoffs.

Sabres Celebrate

Will this be the year Eichel and company turn the corner? (Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports)

But it’s nice, almost comforting, to hear and read so many differing opinions. After seven missed postseasons and several basement finishes, fans, players and front office personnel should all be tired of losing. The frustration of losing and underperforming rosters have lasted so long that it translated into fan apathy altogether. Now, there’s a return of enthusiasm manifested in so many different, yet loud views. And, in an odd way, the dissenting opinions are creating positive vibes.

A winning season in 2018-19, with a sniff of the playoffs, could unite the city and the fanbase. It would wash away a lot of the failures of the past. But for now, in the middle of the offseason, it’s exciting to have something to talk about. Even if everyone else’s opinion is completely and utterly full of crap.

  • Tags
  • Jason Botterill
  • Robin Lehner
  • Ryan O'Reilly
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Facebook Comments

Editor’s Picks
'Mr. Hockey' Gordie Howe

'Mr. Hockey' Gordie Howe

9428
'Brass Bonanza' - The Sound of Hockey

'Brass Bonanza' - The Sound of Hockey

8360
Recent Posts
Dec 5th 10:35 AM
Buffalo Sabres

Sabres’ Krueger Pushing All the Right Buttons

Dec 5th 10:20 AM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs’ Glaring Defensive Issues

Dec 5th 10:05 AM
Arizona Coyotes

Coyotes Earn Three Points in Up-and-Down Week

Dec 5th 9:50 AM
Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning: Where Has Johnson Gone?

Dec 5th 9:35 AM
Column

Jets’ 3 Stars of the Week: Nov. 28- Dec. 4

Dec 5th 9:20 AM
Montreal Canadiens

THW’s Goalie News: Jarry Makes His Case and More

Dec 5th 9:05 AM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs’ Prospect Report: Robertson Out, Kara’s Streak & More

Dec 5th 8:50 AM
New Jersey Devils

5 Options for Devils to Replace Hynes

Dec 5th 8:35 AM
Columbus Blue Jackets

The Two Sides of Artemi Panarin’s Return to Columbus

Dec 5th 12:17 AM
Edmonton Oilers

Ennis Records Three Points to Help Lift Senators over Oilers 5-2

Stay in Touch
Contact Us

Via our Newsletters
RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Our Partners
HFBoards

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

Join over 18 000 Subscribers of our free bi-weekly Newsletter.

© The Hockey Writers 2018. All rights reserved.
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • Atlantic Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
  • Metropolitan Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Dallas Stars
    • Minnesota Wild
    • Nashville Predators
    • St Louis Blues
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • Pacific Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle NHL
    • Vegas Golden Knights
    • Vancouver Canucks
  • Store
  • The THW Archives
  • Prospects
  • The Goalie Page
  • NHL Salary Cap Information
  • Join Our Team
  • Search THW