On Thursday night in Erie, PA, I had occasion to speak briefly with Buffalo Sabres GM Tm Murray. We were in the media room at the Erie Insurance Arena. Murray and one of his scouts were there to watch Game 1 of the Erie Otters-London Knights OHL semifinals.
I asked Murray about the Sabres and what the final two games versus Columbus and Pittsburgh would be like for his team. The Sabres entered Friday night's game with the Blue Jax with a slim two point lead on the Arizona Coyotes for 30th place overall in the NHL standings. A Sabres loss in CBUS would make them the sole owners of the #1 seed in the Connor McDavid-Jack Eichel Sweepstakes.
"Wait and see", GMTM told me with a wry smile before walking back to his table to eat his pregame meal.
I said goodbye, then stride to the elevator to take the quick jaunt to the EIA press box.
Murray's confidence was noteworthy.
I processed it to mean that same thing as a surgeon telling his patient that there's nothing to worry about or a pilot informing a passenger to relax and enjoy the flight, Murray's words calmed my heart rate and reduced my blood pressure.
Without saying it directly, I felt like Murray was telling me "Settle down. We got this".
Or, so it seemed.
I watched the Otters paste the Knights, then made the two hour drive home from Erie in a driving rain storm.
On Friday night, three hockey tributaries converged to create an ocean of confidence.
Firstly, Jack Eichel rightfully won the 2015 Hockey Baker Award for being the best player in U.S. college hockey. Eichel joins Paul Kariya as the only to freshman to ever win the prestigious Hobey Baker Award.
Then, Connor McDavid pooped in five goals on in a Game two trouncing of the Knights. McDavid now has seven goals and an assist in six periods of playoff hockey against London in the semis.
The nightcap was the best news of all:
The Buffalo Sabres lost 4-2 to the Blue Jackets to seal the 30th place rank in the NHL standings giving Buffalo the 20% chance of getting McDavid in next Saturday night's NHL Draft Lottery. The consolation prize will be selecting Eichel with the second overall pick in the June NHL Draft.
Looking back on it, Murray was correct.
Wait. And. See.
I've been a Sabres fan since 1972. I've had my heart broken multiple times over the years. That's why I didn't freak out and lose my mind during these strange. confusion, emotional roller coaster days since the NHL trade deadline in March.
I always knew down deep that the Sabres players would give the long suffering fans what they wanted, and that is a legitimate shot to rebuild the Sabres into a perennial power and to restore the franchise the the glory of the Knox and Golisano Eras.
I didn't get too high. I didn't get too low.
When I felt nauseous and doubtful, I gassed up my sled and skid down I-90 to Route 97 in Erie, PA where I watched a dozen Connor McDavid games live and in person.
That was my outlet; my release. Not calling talk radio shows nor screaming from the rooftops that the sky was falling. Not me. I wouldn't give into the negativity because I have been literally looking one of the solutions right in the eye in post game press scrums. It's been therapeutic and cathartic for me to speak with Connor McDavid, his coaches, teammates, and NHL scouts. They reminded me of the big prize that was awaiting Buffalo at the long, winding, pot hole filled, broken road through Hockey Hell.
That which doesn't kill us can only make us stronger.
Buffalo, NY will never been the NHL's weak sister ever again. Ever. Again.
Murray was right.
Wait and see what tomorrow brings. Well, tomorrow is today, people.
Just look at McDavid's sheer talent and grotesque virtuosity with the puck.
4/10/15 The day that @cmcdavid97 scored 5Gs vs. London. The day @Jack_Eichel11 won Hobey Baker. The day that hockey was re-born in Buffalo
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) April 11, 2015
How great will #97 look in Blue and Gold for the next 12-15 seasons?
Look at Eichel's power, passion and persistence. The kid is a monster.
.@usantdp alum & 2x U.S. Jr Team member Jack Eichel named 2015 Hobey Baker winner: http://t.co/i9n0caLOBl pic.twitter.com/XemuyDhdJT
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) April 10, 2015
Jumping Jack Flash #HobeyBakerWinner pic.twitter.com/KPZJ5emaUf
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) April 10, 2015
The wait is over, Buffalo.
Let the Pegula Era of Buffalo Sabres winning hockey begin.
But first, lets party like rock stars at Fan Appreciation Night.
Let's scream until we are hoarse and praise the Sabres for their yeoman's work. They deserve a pat on the back for the past two seasons of losing and consternation that accompanied the lake effect losses.
Buy your neighbor a beer, hug a stranger, mug for the KISS CAM, stand and scream"Sweet Caroline" at the top of your lungs-----just like the good old days.
Well done, Buffalo.
Wait. And. See.
Former Sabres GM and present Arizona Coyotes AGM Darcy Regier once coined the phrase: "Suffering".
On April 15, 2015, the "suffering" ended. Forever.
Murray: The Buffalo Sabres select Connor McDavid *Throws mic and podium off stage at Maloney and Regier* pic.twitter.com/4Ey9rH5Jkv
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) April 11, 2015
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