I don't think they were playing to their full potential in the beginning of the year because no help was brought in after a division title. It has to be pretty discouraging knowing that no players from other teams want to play on your team. Also BTG never even really wanted the team it was all PR for his political career that's why he never did the things Pegula will do. Small things go along way for player moral it's a big part of the game.

You optimists waffle too easily.
I'm not eating any crow until they actually make the playoffs....and that's still a big friggin if.

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Hold my beer and watch this...

I'm not talkin about making it, I'm just talking about being competitive. They're competitive now.

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mechaphil

disagree. he bought the team because he loved the sabres and loves them as part of WNY.

he made no qualms that he was a fan who owned the team, he has basically said he was going to run the team like a business from day one. the team has been for sale since he bought it and he bought it to wait for someone who wanted to keep them around and make them a winner.

BTG lied about nothing in his time as an owner, and we should be happier than SHIT that he was around, because without him, our team is in the sunbelt somewhere.

ok I'm rescinding that statement.

I do not deny for one second that Pegula has made an positive impact already.

I'm saying that they were playing better BEFORE Pegula took over.

its alot more fun when your teams playing for a spot. even if they miss, its been a hell of a ride.

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I had them counted out in December as well, but I did mention at the time that that's exactly how I felt in 05-06. We all know what happened then. And no, they haven't made it yet, and they could get bounced by Philly in the first round if they make it as #8. BUT, it's fun to have a reason for some hope. you get rolling at the right time of year and the sky's the limit. If they're still playing like this come April, I think this team could go as far as anybody in the league.

I think the team started flat for two reasons - the disappointing playoff loss and the ensuing slamfest in TBN, and the cheap skate handling of Kennedy. It just reinforced that the team needed help, but wasn't going to get it under Golisano. During a summer when they were poised with cap space to add, they let a player go over a few hundred dollars and simply replaced lost UFAs.

That had to be demoralizing, but then add in Myers trying to play all-world and fumbling the puck everywhere and you have an early mess. Regardless of when Pegula actually took over, the rumors were fast and furious in December and I think that really energized the team. They cleaned up on the ice and a few players had the light turn on upstairs, but they actually started to playharder with more discipline and determination than I thought they had left. I called them dead in December, but I have to really eat crow and hand it to them for battling back.

If (IF) they keep it up they will be as dangerous any playoff team, because we should all know that overall records mean crap, it's how you're playing going in that matters. If they tail off, or still miss the playoffs they are still looking at being a better team next season, so I'm not too unhappy either way.

If they came out flat because some sports writers said they sucked, they need to find a different career. Pussies.

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mechaphil

I don't mean it just like that, but knowing they needed help, had the cap space, and squabbled over a measley 200k instead of adding pieces. It's a pretty clear combination of factors that paint the picture, in full HD, that the organization you play for (battle hard through injuries, lose and get vilified) isn't commited to winning. So what was all that effort for anyway???

On, and the Pegula high? Jordan Leopold says there is one:



http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=555371&cmpid=rss-robinson

EDIT - Lindy thinks there's one too:

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mechaphil

Jordan Leopold has been hurt/not playing well ever since Pegula came here.

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

That has to do with what?

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mechaphil

This is all well and good, except that Carruba Kaleta asserted that the 'Pegula high' was affecting the team's play BEFORE PEGULA TOOK OVER, which is nonsense.

The conversation was in the 'Fuck you,Sabres' thread, on Feb 18. 4 days BEFORE Pegula was introduced to the team.




Again, my point is that Pegula's had a positive effect on the team AFTER he took over, but certainly not before.

Oh well, yeah. Duh.

My bad.

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mechaphil

I think just the very real prospect of playing for an owner that wanted to win over making money could make an impact for them on the ice. Effort comes from a positive attitude, which I think the team lost over the summer.

He obviously didn't get this "Pegula high", yet he's the one saying it exists. I think these players wouldn't go out and say "no, we don't care, he matters nothing to us", would they?

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

Maybe Pegula being the owner isn't the reason his play has suffered. Huh.

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mechaphil

I didn't say that's the reason his play has suffered from Pegula, just saying he hasn't prospered from it.

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.