Here are some questions I found in the mailbag this weekend. I tried to pick unique ones as I usually get similar submissions.

Frank Mccrory:
please do something or its going to be a long season next year and i would like to cheer intead of booing all year again.

Listen, it's going to be a long year. I'm preparing for it now. I'll be supporting and rooting for the Sabres for the entire season, as usual, but I do not expect them to be a very successful team this year. They're going through a rebuilding phase, and it's going to take some time. I like the direction their heading in, but it will take a couple of years before we can start relying on them to win and make the playoffs.

Brian Nelson:
If Buffalo moves Miller and Vanek isn't this very similar to the Drury Briere situation a few years back? Pegula is starting to make his word look very bad. I remember him saying he wants players to stay and to start a Sabres family. Miller and Vanek belong in Buffalo. They are the foundation and if they leave Darcy and Terry can f*** off.

Technically, everyone is going to be gone eventually. Miller and Vanek will be gone very soon, in my opinion. You'll be lucky if they remain here through the duration of the season. I don't think it is similar to the Briere/Drury situation, though. That was much different and the players chose to go elsewhere. When that happened, the Sabres team was playing their best hockey in years. Now, it's almost the complete opposite. To move Miller and Vanek is almost necessary as the team is rebuilding.

Matt:
I know we're in a "rebuild through the draft" mode, but even the best teams were not built strictly through their own guys they drafted, Darcy needs to realize he has to add talented pieces when available through free agency who will improve this team. (Grabo is sitting there with no contract and would be a good 2 way center we've been looking for)

I know what you mean. I'm kind of surprised Regier is still here. If you're going to do an all-out rebuild, maybe start with some of the management. I do think he will make a couple of trades. I like that the Sabres haven't done anything because I don't want another stupid contract. I know it can be frustrating, especially with a lot of other teams improving, but Buffalo is better of waiting, at least for now. 

If you missed it, I discussed how it's going to take some time and patience (again) for this team to succeed:
The Sabres core from a few years ago is almost completely gone. All that remains on offense is Thomas Vanek. Buffalo will need to find some more offense, and may get some help from players that were in Rochester last season.

Any time a team gets rid of the coach and captain in the same season, it's basically a new beginning.

When Terry Pegula first bought the team in 2011, fans had high hopes that the Sabres would quickly be successful, but no one could have seen the turn of events that occurred in this lockout-shortened season.

While the Sabres may become better down the road, fans may have to put their playoff hopes on hold a bit longer. With the new division alignment, Buffalo will have their work cut out for them. Tampa Bay, Florida and Detroit will join the Sabres conference and Buffalo will need to be better than a lot of teams.

Change is necessary and it is happening. The Sabres are heading in the right direction, but how far will they be able to go down the line?

The Sabres have missed the playoffs for the past two seasons. They have only missed the postseason in three or more consecutive years once, from 2001-2003. Buffalo will hope to keep that trend going with a bounce back campaign this year.

As always, thank you for reading!

Recent posts
July 1st - How did Darcy do?
July 1st - ESPN awards Sabres A+ in draft
July 2nd - A closer look at Justin Bailey
July 2nd - Buffalo not over #48...are you?
July 3rd - Sabres release preseason schedule
July 3rd - Change coming to Buffalo
July 4th - Late night randoms
July 4th - Top 5 former Sabres who could return
July 4th - Center of attention
July 4th - Grabovski, Weiss and an NBA
July 5th - Who should the Sabres target today?
July 5th - Regier sticks to his word
July 6th - Up against the wall
July 6th - Something in the works?
July 6th - Stafford on his way out?

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