1. I think it’s time to dial down our expectations for the Sabres this season. I know. Bummer.
It sounds depressing, but dialing down expectations is not all bad.
I’m obviously not giving up on the season at this point, but I think I’ll be a happier fan if I lower my expectations. I’m going to try to be pleasantly surprised when they win. When it comes right down to it, my fandom is all about me (ME!). I’m sick of being grumpy. In order to make this season more palatable I’ve made a decision: The Sabres stink. Any win from here on out is a little gift from the Hockey Gods. I will do my best to react accordingly.
Ooooh! The Sabres didn’t blow chunks tonight? How unexpected and delightful!
I gave this a lot of thought today and I have to admit, I entered this season thinking that the playoffs were an inevitability and that winning the division should be the goal. I was sort of assuming that the problems the Sabres had in the playoffs last season were just that, playoff problems. Uh…oopsies.
2. It’s also time to start rationally considering that maybe Lindy and/or Darcy should get the ax. Like I’ve said 45,000 times before, I don’t necessarily think Lindy has to be fired, but I think it’s 100% appropriate for Lindy to be a topic of conversation. If the Sabres don’t get better, and fast, this season will be beyond repair before Thanksgiving. Think about that.
I heard Jeremy White say something interesting the other day on the radio. In defense of Lindy, he asked, “Do you really want to lose Lindy Ruff because of Tim Connolly?” The answer is hellz no- I don’t want to lose a game of solitaire because of Tim Connolly, much less lose Lindy Ruff. BUT, personally, I would be willing to lose Lindy Ruff because of Thomas Vanek or (deep exasperated sigh) Derek Roy (not to mention Tyler Ennis and Tyler Myers).
3. Man, speaking of Tyler Myers. I wish Tyler Myers would come back to life. Come back, Mylers! I don’t think we can overstate how much the Sabres needed Tyler Myers to pick up where he left off last season. It’s probably not fair to him (he’s still a wee baby, after all), but Tyler Myers is supposed to be our number one defenseman. Poop.
4. Ryan Fitzpatrick and his giant yellow beard are fun.
5. It’s a pretty depressing time to be a Buffalo sports fan, but I have to say, (for lack of a better word) I was moved by the reaction to Sunday’s Bills game. I didn’t watch much of the game because I had a 2:35 concert on Sunday. At about 2pm, when I was arriving for work, I walked by Coda which is a small restaurant across the street from Kleinhans. I’m not sure if the restaurant was open at the time, or if the people inside were all staff, but the doors were open and the sound of gleeful cheering was drifting out into the beautiful Sunday afternoon. It made me happy that there were Buffalonians so completely enjoying that game in spite of the dreary season.
That’s what it’s all about. We take the joy where it comes.
This post is a TOTAL downer. Sorry, guys.
From someone who has admittedly not lived in Buffalo full time for the past 12 years almost, but who spent the first 18 years of their life there, you’ve pretty much got the essence of what it means to be a Buffalo sports fans. Enjoy the good times, because nothing is guaranteed.
fan not fans. Me fail English.
Maintaining low expectations is how I manage to stay sane while being a Bills fan (i.e. being thrilled when they manage to take a game to OT after leading by 14 points earlier in the game), so I guess I can do the same for the Sabres. Being such a new Sabres fan, though, I was kind of hoping I could have some more time to keep my expectations high.