It's a painstaking process littered with background checks, number crunching and bureaucracy, but every indication Wednesday continued to point toward billionaire businessman and flag-waving Sabres fan Terry Pegula purchasing his favorite team from owner Tom Golisano for $175 million.

No news could only be construed as good news, and all has remained quiet for more than a week while the sale takes its natural course. There don't appear to be any major hurdles, but you don't need an accounting degree to know transactions with that many commas and zeroes are more complex than buying a loaf of bread.

Pegula has been silent since his name surfaced as a prospective buyer. It's a sign he has control over his hand and understands saying the wrong thing could jeopardize the sale. He wants to make doubly sure he has the keys to the house before parking his car in the driveway, stocking the beer fridge and introducing himself to the neighbors.

It makes sense.

Golisano should be praised for pulling the franchise from bankruptcy and stabilizing its future in Buffalo. But he's also reached a point after seven years, with his interest waning and $100 million in profits before him, in which he would be condemned for keeping the Sabres with Pegula waiting for an easy feed and a gimme.

The unknown lately hasn't been whether Pegula will buy the team but his plans for the Sabres when he does. His three greatest strengths are his money, his passion for the Sabres and his commitment to winning. He kept close watch on the Sabres from afar when living in obscurity. Common sense suggests enthusiasm has merely intensified.

If the portrayals of him as a diehard but astute hockey fan were accurate, he proceeded with cautious optimism Wednesday after the Sabres' 3-2 victory over the Bruins. He concluded after watching Drew Stafford record his third career hat trick that the winger still has the potential to become an impact player in this league.

And he knew darned well knows that several changes are still in order.

Let's not kid ourselves as the Sabres did over the summer and start believing this team is anywhere near being a Stanley Cup contender. Hats off to Stafford, but their overall effort Wednesday was uninspired for two periods and offered few signs of real progress. The result could easily have gone the other way.

Pegula should know the Bruins were the Sabres' 15th opponent this season to trot out its backup goalie. Boston clearly believed it could beat Buffalo without Tim Thomas, the NHL's top goalie this year. Tuukka Rask beat the Sabres in the playoffs last April, but he had won just twice in nine games this year.

The Sabres convinced themselves after a 100-point season and division title that they were on the cusp of breaking through. General Manager Darcy Regier patched a few holes but did little to improve his team. Instead, he rationalized the Bruins' knockout in the playoffs was an upset and made his team worse.

Boston made upgrades and remains the better team. Nathan Horton, for example, has 11 goals and 23 points this season. He has more goals and three fewer points than Jochen Hecht, Jason Pominville and Paul Gaustad have combined. Nice pickup, Horton, at $4 million. The aforementioned Sabres players, deemed untouchable, are on the books for $11.5 million.

Fifty-one games remain, but so does the truth. The Sabres have a better chance of missing the playoffs rather than sneaking into the eighth spot.

Bet the farm that Pegula is well aware. He's not discussing the Sabres now, but something tells me he'll have plenty to say when the time is right.

Would love to see what Darcy does with Terry and NOT Quinn and Tommy...

I sent a message to Mike Harrington, wondering if Bucky actually has info that this is moving forward, or if he's just speculating.

Mm mm....Darcy love....man-crushes rock!

Mike Harrington says that Bucky's info is 100% solid info from a 'source no one else has'.

Here's one from Pierre Lebrun, who I very much respect, during his chat session yesterday:


Adam (Lake George, NY) Please tell us avid sabres fans that the sale to Pegula is going to happen so we can finally have an owner who shares our passion for WINNING.

Pierre LeBrun (4:53 PM)

Yes was told last weekend that all looks very much on track for a sale to Pegula before end of the season.

I just hope Golisano gets the respect and credit he deserves.

I just hope Golisano gets the respect and credit he deserves.