Where art thou Gilbert Perreault?
I am that person who feels the pain but still watches the tire fire. One of the millions of Sabre fans who are passionate enough to keep on following our beloved team regardless of at times the peculiar way the organization has been run. I understand the complexity of the modern hockey era and the dynamics that cloak it more than ever before, but I truly believe that it just can’t be that hard to have moderate success. This year more than ever before we are seeing jaw dropping confusion amongst the leadership, management, coaching, and the players.
Before we get into the current roster or our favorite role models of the past lets just reflect a little on how lucky we are to have a National Hockey team in this amazing city supported by Toronto and Fort Erie, two great lakes, great skiing a short distance to the south, architectural integrity, and some of the most genuine hard working people you will ever meet. We are not robots here in Western New York, there is cultural and socioeconomic diversity everywhere you go. Pockets of people who understand how to get along for the most part. So many great places to go and see thirty minutes away from each other on a good day. Why we have a team though is that Western New York’s love for hockey surpasses at least seventy percent of any other region that has an NHL team to root for. Our youth hockey programs are professional and in tune with any demographic in the United Stated (I am going to graciously leave Canada out of this conversation, it is where the sport was born and they deserve the legacy and respect. It is just the way it is and has to be.) Buffalo is on par with Boston and Minnesota. If I missed any other hot bed for watching your kid foil up and be a part of the best sport in the world it’s my bad because when you are in the moment in Pittsburgh or Cleveland and your son is in that locker room, you hear the tape tightening down the shin pads, you see dads checking their sons stick. It is something that is truly special. The arena awaits, the gladiators are ready for a game. Oh yeah, when you are walking to your place to watch, you pass the goalie in his head bouncing tennis balls off the wall in a narrow corridor. You may slap him on the pants but don’t have a conversation. He is in a zone, don’t mess with it. That is bad karma, hockey is like that.
This is not going to be about me but the Sabres identify with Western New York’s loyal fans and youth hockey. I have played the game for over forty seven years at a sustainable level. I wish I was better but it really doesn’t matter at this point. The friends from different walks of life that I have met are irreplaceable. I have suited up with some of the most talented and interesting people that have a common place of comradery and happiness. So many laughs, so many times on the ice when you have to stick up for your brother, quite a few injuries and stitches, what is said in the locker room stays in the locker room. This town knows hockey, this town has youths and adults alike who have won national championships in different age brackets. I am confident that there are over thirty five sheets of ice within a fifty mile radius of where I sit. Whether you have smelled the mist when your skate touches down after the Zamboni driver shovels the last bit of snow and closes the doors, or if you are merely an endearing fan of your hometown teams, you are a Buffalonian. You are part of one of the most knowledgeable and caring fanbases in the world.
Thirteen losses in a row and counting. The coach is finally fired. What took so long. You could be the general manager of a restaurant and if your chef puts out bad meal after bad meal on a consistent basis you are not keeping him around. Your livelihood depends on it. Coming into this season I, like many other followers, were pleasantly surprised by the additions of Taylor Hall and Eric Staal. Although knowing with the covid realignment the season would still be a challenge, I assumed the skill level was there to compete. There in lies the problem… Ralph Kreuger and the “players coach… mentality…
In 1986/87 our hero of the French Connection decided to retire despite having only played 20 games and amassing 16 points. As far as I can tell Gil never made over $400,000 per year!!. The nine time all star who played on a line with Wayne Gretzky and Guy Lafleur in the 1981 Canada Cup only to be sidelined by a broken ankle was a hockey player of a different generation. Number 9 on our team or anybody currently in the organization can’t ever come to grips with the weight the man carried on his shoulders. The way he could instantly change a game. His personality, his presence, his pure talent above the rest. I was fortunate enough to be a part of a charitable event where myself and a bunch of hockey buddies were able to skate with number 11 and number 7 (god rest his soul) at the current rink. Number 14 was hurt but showed up as well. We had lunch at a nearby establishment after the surreal occurrence. We had some frothy beverages and I sat back and listened as everything Buffalo talked to each other. Still heroes to me, larger than life, but just men. Men who still loved each other but also had beefs, men who joked but got serious when questions were asked. Men who understood the buffalonian mentality and were proud to be a part of the experience. Gilbert Perreault was currently employed by the Sabres. That night against the Rangers he was going to do his Elvis thing after the game. He drove from Victoriaville in his pick up truck the day before in his sweat pants. It didn’t matter. He was larger than life. I remember when Brad Park scored that goal in overtime in game seven as Andre Savard stood helplessly on the crease while Bob Sauve could do nothing but watch. I think I was ten or eleven as I screamed out nooooooo!. That was a great team anchored by a real captain. He was not Steve Yzerman or Mark Messier. He led by his play. He brought it every night. He established what it meant to be a part of an amazing organization. Punch Imlach knew, Scotty Bowman knew, we all knew. Nobody could ever replace him but a few have come close for sure. Not in this current state of affairs however. Completely sad..
Did you ever look at Pat Lafontaines eyes standing next to Alexander Mogilny with a blown out knee during the National Anthem before playing the Bruins in a playoff game?
The sure will and determination of Chris Drury and Daniel Briere that losing was not an option?
The way Dom would scream to his defensemen “can’t see… as he took the next shot off his dome?
I could go on because there are so many other proud moments that we took for granted with this franchise.
Its an empty shell but I still keep on watching because I always wait for the next guy to make us believe.
Where art thou Lindy Ruff
Where art thou Rob Ray.
Somebody needs to get a stinky glove to the face. I will volunteer if it means more wins and the fan base during this pandemic gets some kind of excitement. Shame on you Buffalo Sabres. Kreuger should have been gone three weeks ago or more. We deserve more. We know hockey. We are not without knowledge. We are Buffalo. If only the organization and the players felt as passionate as the fans there would be no issue.
Analytics…I believe in them to a certain extent but who wants to go to a dinner party when everybody is on their phone. Hockey is a sport where the talented players are free to exercise their ability and the other people on the ice cover for the brilliance that unfolds in front of them. The space and time against the other five guys you are up against has been coached since you pulled over your first jersey. If you don’t get it you should be on the bench. By the way, when you pull that cloth over your head you have become part of something special. It is more than you and you need to recognize it. It doesn’t matter how much you get paid. Coaches run the players, players don’t run the coach. If you are asked to run through a wall you do it. If you are asked to hit their best guy, you do it cleanly but with ferocity. Enough is enough. We all see it and you are not doing it. Remember what you are making and think of Gil. Blocking shot lanes, cycling down low, crisp outlet passes, shot selection, offensive zone time, clogging the neutral zone, I am sick of it all. It can’t replace the passion for the game. Tell the referees to start calling interference again. Does anybody see it?
Number 9…., formally known as the artist who wore 15…
You are the best player we have and you will not be, and can’t be traded. You seem to be a real nice down to earth person but shy and caught in the vortex of the pressure. Relax. We recognize your talent and love that you are one of us. Big problem however is your lack of communication. Be honest, don’t listen to your handlers and be brave. We are looking for somebody to carry the torch and your abilities speak for themselves. We know you have been hurt. I personally know what it takes to play the sport on a daily basis. It’s tough. Grit your teeth and embrace that we want to be a part of you. Eat a sub, not a grinder. Buy some beverages from a grocery store, not a package store. Be one of us. We need you. Although are earning more in one year than number 11 made in a lifetime, its time to be humble. Its time to grow up. We are not going to make the same mistake that we did with number 90. You just don’t get rid on talent with a great contract because there is “something wrong in the room…
I don’t care what the focalized media we have says, the greater population of true fans know the truth. I know them. Dig deeper.
Probably enough for my first analysis but here are a few things to finish it out..
Thanks to Sam Reinhart for your consistency and integrity. Known for your hockey IQ it completely shows. As your skating improves and your dedication doesn’t waver I truly hope to see a “C… above our beloved crest sooner than later.
Can we ever catch a break in the draft? Terry and Kim, this needs to get better. You see Boston and the Islanders hitting on later draft picks with generational players. Many other teams have had success as well. What we are doing is not good enough. It is not releasing any pressure at all.
To Dylan Cousins, Jacob Bryson, and to be honest Casey Middlestadt. Some bright light in a season of darkness.
Will Borgen and Ullmark get well soon. You showed that you should be on the roster.
Did anybody think of getting a competent backup?
So many more things to say but I will finish it out here.
Get a coach like Lindy or Tortorella. Like Mike Keenan or Don Cherry. I think the amusement ride for the players is over. Buffalo needs more.
Kyle, we know what you have been through and we are sympathetic. What you need to realize though is that you are a third or fourth line player now but we want you on our team. Do us a favor and restructure your contract. You have made enough money and you have a chance to improve our financial situation and be a part of the solution while still getting to play.
Same thing with you Jeff if things don’t turn around. I do think however that its time to give you a chance playing with more power play time and five on five skilled players. This has been nothing short of a joke. I have faith, the puck just hasn’t been bouncing your way.
Mr. Hall, I hope you want to be a part of this resurrection that I am confident will happen. You have made enough money too. Perhaps you can be a part of the solution with a little discount so we can get over this hump.
There is nowhere else to go but up. You are all supposed to be professionals.
Cody Eakin.. I guess we can use analytics on you. We would be better off with Girgensons or Larsson. Go Figure. The bus is waiting to take you to Rochester. You are lucky fans are not in the stands. Stop going through the motions. We don’t care if you can win a faceoff.
Where art though Gilbert Perreault.