Two in the Box

Count me among those who think the Sabres will be on the outside looking in when the post season comes along.

However, the recent play from the Blue and Gold is certainly generating some hope. With the All-Star break just days away and the trade deadline to follow, there could be some interesting things going down at One Seymour H. Knox III Plaza. Of course we could just end up with an average player who overachieved on a bad team.

Yet, the Sabres enter the All-Star break on the heels of an 8-3-1 January and sit just four points out of a playoff spot. They are certainly digging their way out of the hole they created at the beginning of the year. Now comes the time of year when you wonder, who will be on the move?

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Yesterday The Hockey News and The Buffalo News each broke stories that the Sabres were being shopped, albeit quietly, by current owner Tom Golisano. Each report pegged Pennsylania billionaire, Terrence Pegula, as the prospective buyer.

As the day grew older the reports intensified. In fact, rumors circulated that Pegula was heading to New York to meet with Gary Bettman in regards to the sale – that report later added that Pegula would be introduced at the Board of Governors meeting next weekend. Continue reading →

I am stealing someone’s idea. Only because it was a really good one. Back in 2007 current Buffalo Bills quarterback former Buffalo Sabres defenseman, Rory Fitzpatrick drew the admiration of a young Canucks fan. This fan took it upon himself to try and get Ftizpatrick voted into the All-Star Game. He even had a website.

That being said, this morning I was thinking – it was a pretty big step for me. While perusing the NHL Fan Balloting I realized it would be cool to get a guy voted in like Fitzpatrick almost was a few years back. So I am taking it upon myself to get Cody McCormick in the All-Star Game.

Just think about it. The dude is a beast, he works his tail off every shift and is a damn good fighter to boot. See below:

So, do the right thing. Write in Cody McCormick to the 2011 ASG Fan Ballot.

You might think that having the reigning Olympic MVP and Vezina Trophy winner tending goal for you as a dream scenario. Perhaps, for the Sabres, it isn’t.

Now, Ryan Miller has not been bad this season for Buffalo. There is no Vezina/Olympic hangover. He tweaked his knee, or hip, or ankle, or – suffice it to say it was a lower body injury. He missed some time and he certainly wasn’t 100% while trying to play through it. Continue reading →

Recognizing that the current All-Star format had grown cold, the NHL has decided to overhaul the format.

According to this TSN article, the fan voting for the starters will remain. After that, NHL hockey operations will select the remaining pool of players and two captains. It will be these captains that pick their own teams.

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I wanted to let the dust settle, on both Buffalo sports teams.

The Sabres were sleepwalking their way through their first dozen games and the Bills have continued to find interesting ways to lose. But there were all of these different opinions floating around each squad, I wanted to let everything settle down before making a judgment on either.

That brings me to the Sabres. Everyone keeps asking, ‘what is wrong with them this season?’ There are a few common threads and a few things no one has really brought up. Continue reading →