The State of the Sabres

by Steve

Here's hoping no Sabre fan was in a coma the last seven days or they wouldn't believe the chaos that has ensued.  Pat Lafontaine gone and won't be replace, Miller, Ott and Moulson, peaced, and Ted Black is still saying stupid things.  So at least somethings haven't changed.

First a little Theodore Black rant (wait who the hell is this new guy Joe Battista because he seems like another fucktard in Pegula's inner circle).  This guy Ted is either a raving lunatic or a sly genius.  How much does he get paid to do the things he does?  They are part heroic (taking call after call from fucktard Sabre fans on WGR) and part moronic (saying idiotic things like "we could make the playoffs next year if we wanted to")  It is either the hardest or best job in the world but I'm not sure which.

The loser in this whole ordeal besides the fans is Terry Pegula.  He hires and fires (Err forces to resign) Pat Lafontaine in three months?  What kind of vetting/interview process did Terrence run Patty Lala through?

"Oh hey, you're Sabre "legend" Pat Lafontaine, right?" - Pegula

"yeah" - Lafontaine

"Oh, YIPPPEEEEEEE!! YOU'RE HIRED!" - P

"Wait, for what job?" - L

"Oh.. UMMMM HOWS, OMGZ, UMM... GM?!" - P

"Oh, well I've never done that before and I don't think I'm quite ready.  How about president of hockey operations?" - L

"How introspective and thoughtful, YOU'RE HIRED!! We'll work out the deets later vis-a-vis power structure etc.!" - P

"Wait, what were we talking about?  What does is it?" - L

"Hehehehe ohhh Patty-bear"- P

Was the conversation even that long?  Either way Pegula looks worse than Lafontaine (who we may never hear from again) and he has lost even more credibility if the fanboy  had any left.


On the trade front, who knows.  At least all of the pending UFAs were moved and the haul seems to be at least market value.  It seems Tim Murray has a clue what he is doing.  It helps that he is a straight talker and his name isn't Darcy Regier so who would even criticize him at this point any way.  Plus this team won't be good for at least another year ( I mean Black did say they don't want to make the playoffs next year, right?) so there isn't even much pressure on Murray which helps.

The franchise surprisngly may not be in as much chaos and turmoil as it might seem.  Yes, they have a buffoon owner, no talent, a bunch of yes men who may or may not yield too much power within the fanboy's inner circle, an interim head coach who may or may not want to still be a head coach in the NHL and no direction (other than hoping to win back to back lotteries [oh and get lucky picking the right players on top of getting lucky with the ping pong balls]).  But they have a decent head coach (for now, and assuming he accepts the contract extension, which he has to) and a seemingly strong general manager that probably has autonomy with the roster.

Basically, just don't become the Edmonton Oilers, stop making news for the wrong reasons for at least 6 months) and maybe this team will be worth watching in 2015.  Have fun idiot season ticket holders, lets just hope I remember we have a team by next June.

Oh and who is worse?  The Buffalo News sports writers who all hate the Sabres and are miffed because Pegula won't kiss their rings or the WGR550 ass clowns who fall all over themselves to buddy up with the organization?

Aaron Williams Signs Extension

By Steve

Per profootballtalk.com the contract extension for safety Aaron Williams is for  
"Per source, Bills S Aaron Williams' extension is 4 years, $26M (with incentives).  $14.625M guaranteed.  $6.5M signing bonus.  $4.5M option."

What does this mean? Could turn into five years $30 mil. The contract starts after the 2014 season and it would seem to put to a close resigning Jairus Byrd.

Also it seems to be the greatest thing to ever happen to Williams that he was moved to safety.

Williams turns 24 in April and he had the same number of interceptions last season, four, as Byrd fwiw.

I like the signing, it gives stability at the position and he still can become even better especially if you consider how short of a time he has played safety. Then again how often do players get better after getting a huge bump in salary?

Bills Delete Toronto Deal

By Steve

Back to eight games at the Ralph every year? Damn that seems to have happened quickly especially considering Russ Brandon and co. extended the games in Toronto by five years just last season.

First the short term, the Bills get credibility back, they won't have to defend themselves against criticism about being money first, being called the Toronto Bills etc. Furthermore, it helps the team on the field. They no longer have 7 home gamesn 8 away games and a neutral field game.

The players won't have to answer questions about the whole thing, fans won't have to watch a shitty game in a shitty arena and the tax payers get 8 regular season games in a stadium they own and pay for.

Longer term what does this mean? First of all Russ only announced a one year reprieve ( although I couldn't picture a scenario in which they go back to Toronto unless it is once every few years). Second, it means the Bills now have more games to try to sell out in a market that has refused to buy tickets (specifically in cold months) albeit that has a lot to do with losing.

Third, the money. How much money are the Bills giving up by pulling the plug on the whole deal? Tough to determine. The original deal was much more luctrative than the current deal ( of which the deets weren't announced) but lets just assume the Bills are leaving money on the table. This leads me to the big picture.

Russ Brandon exponentially gained credibility and respect from me after pulling this boss move. He lives up to his word, tells the old money white hairs to STFU and gives the fans, GM and coach what they wanted.

PFT speculates this could hurt the long term viability of the franchise in Buffalo. I disagree. The team isn't automatically sold to the highest bidder, a new owner could reopen or start a new series there any way and either way would look at all operations of the org upon purchase any way. To me it is useless speculation to look beyond the next 6 years of the ironclad lease.

Lets just look at the next few seasons: all eight games are back in OP, my guess is Jeff Littmann will be out sooner than later and we have the face of the franchise living up to his word. Sounds good to me.

2014 NCAA Bracketology Buffalo Bracket

by Steve

Here is the latest breakdown of the experts bracketology for the NCAA Tournament in Buffalo:

Joe Lunardi ESPN:

2. Syracuse v 15. Boston U
7. UCONN v 10. St Joe's
(setting up a possible old Big East rematch!!)

and

2. Villanova v 15 Davidson
7. UMass v 10. California


CBS Sports

1. Syracuse v 16. Robert Morris
8. George Washington v 9. Stanford

5. Texas v 12. (Dayton v Missouri winner)
4. Cincinnati v 13. Belmont


USA Today:

1. Syracuse v 16. Robert Morris/Weber St winner
8. Kansas St v 9. St Joe's

7. VCU v 10. Arkansas
2. Villanova v 15. Boston  U


Again Joe Lunardi's bracket is the most ideal but interestingly doesn't have 'cuse as a one seed yet still in Buffalo which is good.

Ryn Miller and Steve Ott Traded to St Louis

By steve

Right from nhl.com:

" . LOUIS - The Blues have acquired goaltender Ryan Miller and forward Steve Ott from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Jaroslav Halak, Chris Stewart, prospect William Carrier, a first-round draft pick in 2015 and a third-round draft pick in 2016.

Miller and Ott will join the team in Phoenix, where the Blues play Sunday.

"

Chris Stewart is signed through next season and has fifteen goals this season. Halak on the other hand is a free agent after the season. Interesting Murray didnt wait until the deadline.

2014 NCAA Tournament Bracketology: Buffalo

by Steve

Selection Sunday is a mere 18 days away and the NCAA Tournament kicks off in Buffalo on the 20th.  The question on everyone's mind is, who is playing in Buffalo?  So I will be yet again taking a look at some "expert" predictions and their bracketology.

Who doesn't love some bracketology in February and March.  What else is there to do in this cold climate besides watch and gamble on college basketball.  Then again for more information you can read The Best NCAA Tournament Bubble Teams to Bet on Before March Madness. 

Bracketology:

Joe Lunardi ESPN:

1. Syracuse v 16. High Point or Robert Morris (winner of a play in game)
8 Memphis v 9. California

6. Iowa v 11. St Joseph's
3. Villanova v 14. New Mexico St.


CBS Sports:

7. UMass v 10. California
2. Cincinnati v 15. Boston U

1. Syracuse v 16. Vermont
8. George Washington v 9. Arizona St


USA Today:


1. Syracuse v 16. VMI v Robert Morris winner
8. Stanford v 9. Kansas St

7. Memphis v 10. St Joe's
2. Villanova v 15. Vermont


Yet again, despite 2 L's, Syracuse seems to be a lock as a one seed here, Memphis, Vermont and Villanova mentioned by multiple sites. It also looks like a PAC12 team will be here (yuck) and one or two A10 teams.

Uconn is a consensus six seed while Pitt is an eight seed (albeit neither are predicted to play here any more).  I don't really understand their similar seeding since Uconn has wins over Memphis, Florida and Memphis again although they too aren't ranked any more after getting season sweeped by SMU.  But what is Pitt's best win? Close L's to cuse and Duke?

It's all about the eye test! Selection Sunday!

Local RPI report:
St Bonaventure - 91
UB - 105
Canisius - 102
Niagara - 294

2014 Bracketology: Buffalo

by Steve

Another look at the professional bracketologists and what teams they foresee playing in Buffalo March 20th and 22nd:

Joe Lunardi ESPN:

1. Syracuse v 16. Play in Winner (he currently has Coastal Carolina or Alabama
8. U-Mass v 9. Stanford

6. Uconn v winner of 11. Richmond v Tennessee
3. Villanova v 14. Iona


CBS Sports:

1. Syracuse v 16. Play in Winner (he currently has Coastal Carolina or Davidson
8. Arizona St v 9. Xavier

7. UNC v 10. Colorado
2. Cincinnati v 15 Boston U


USA Today:
1. Syracuse vs 16.Play-in: Coastal Carolina/Robert Morris 
8. Arizona State vs 9. Gonzaga

7. Kansas State vs 10. Colorado 
2. Villanova vs 15. Vermont



 I'd must prefer Lunardi's bracket because of Uconn but CBS Sports has some bright side too with UNC and Cinci.  Yet again it appears Syracuse is a lock for being a one seed here.