I was upset about the decision to pass leadership along to different players each month: Everyone is on the same level, theoretically, but once someone built up any authority, it was quickly taken away. There are a handful of guys who deserve the spotlight, and one can only look forward to what happens. As fans, we have a lot to be happy for! The Sabres organization may not be perfect… No one can deny that. There will be changes during the next few months, yet everything in life is always changing. I am proud of my team, even without a playoff position. October, here we come.

Coming down the stretch, the Sabres look worn out and lost. It is so frustrating to see them struggling from injuries and mistakes! We all know what they are capable of, and how many goals they can put up in a few minutes. The final playoff spot is inching further and further away, while other teams (Washington, Florida, and Toronto) are creeping up. When every game needs to be a win, I can just imagine the pressure that the players are under. I doubt there is a simple solution, or Lindy Ruff would have figured it out. As good ol’ Bastian from The Neverending Story points out, “Be confident!” Nobody is perfect, and a lot of these mistakes seems to stem from a panicked state of mind. Buffalo just needs to acknowledge their talents, work together, and figure out a way to have a little fun. The somberness and seriousness of every game is enough to spell disaster from the beginning. We do not need to see a bunch of goofy smiles out there, though: Just some energy and simplistic hockey.

The Sabres will try their luck tonight at 7:30 PM against the Carolina Hurricanes. Somewhere around half of the regular defensemen are expected to be out, paving the way for some rookies, such as Sekera and Funk, to take their places. I have often been saying, “Sekera, don’t make an erra!” (Pronounced with a Jersey accent, of course) and think that might very well be said for the whole team. The Sabres are not at the end of their season, and could be quite far from it. Keep hockey alive and well in Buffalo!

The Sabres play tonight against the New Jersey Devils… A team that has been part of the woefullness of 2008, yet also a team that is beatable. With the right skills at the right time, this could be that night we have all been waiting for!

Aside from the off-ice antics, Buffalo has been unravelling and coming apart at the seams like a horribly stitched sweater from the discount store. It is easy to put all the blame on the defense, but at the risk of sounding anti-Sabres, everyone has had a part in the team’s losses. Why? We always point out how every single member of the team, on and off the ice, has a part in the wins, so it follows that one person or group can not be fully blamed for the losses. The offense really does not have it together, no matter how much we want them to. Scoring chances do not equate to changes on the scoreboard! Earlier in October, we saw how strong the Sabres were when they not only won, but completely dominated other teams. The potential is there: Everyone just has to see it and make a difference.

I do think that some players have tried to make that difference and bring the energy back to Buffalo. Adam Mair wrecked a few Panthers on Friday night with a perfectly timed fight. His hits were comparable to earthquakes, which shook Florida’s confidence, if only for a moment. Paul Gaustad also has been getting more and more involved in the physical play that he has always been known for, but he also has seen his name on the scorecard a few times. What does it all mean, Basil? It simply shows that Buffalo can move ahead by getting support in other areas of the hockey game. The players do need to figure out the opposition’s goaltending, but that signature fire also needs to make its presence known. The Sabres are not an antsy pantsy little team: This is a talented, powerful team that can pack the proverbial punch in every sense. The chant is no longer “Go Sabres.” Attack, Buffalo, ATTACK!

This brings up a good point about the importance of a team’s broadcasters. The majority of people do not make it to every game, and rely on radio and TV broadcasters to bring the game into their homes. It is also not an easy find to come across two broadcasters who could add such entertainment and knowledge to a game, like Jeanneret and Lorentz. Most of the focus has been on the calls of Rick Jeanneret, but it was Jim Lorentz who often brought in the outside facts, and even corrected some mistakes here and there. It will be difficult for Sabres fans to accept the many losses that the team has taken this year, but Lorentz will be one man who will be forever missed.

Thanks for all of the years of unforgettable commentary, Lorentz! We wish you all the best in your future endeavors, and will miss you!

Speaking of other things that are gone, or nearly gone, Teppo Numminen has been suspended by the Sabres, due to his surgery scheduled for Thursday. He has hopes of playing again, but will he still be a valuable player? His 18-year career in the NHL has been very impressive, yet there are a lot of doubts surrounding his impending surgery. More importantly, we hope that he recovers well from his procedure. Perhaps the preseason will help in determining who will make the best candidate for his replacement. He should, by the way, have a name comparable to Teppo Numminen’s, and the ability to come up with ridiculous nicknames, such as TNT.

Lastly, on the subject of that which is gone, are the “old” jerseys of last year. No need to panic: The logo and color scheme did not undergo another drastic change. Instead, new Reebok Edge uniforms will become the standard. The bottom line? They look very similar to last year’s jerseys, but absorb less water. So the clumsy ones can breath a sigh of relief, now that a spilled water bottle will do less damage. And no more sweaty jerseys! Just what we always wanted. One wonders if this has anything to do with the radical views on sweating held by Brian Campbell…

No word has been stated about when the surgery will take place, or how long Teppo will be sidelined for. The Sabres have a good mix of defensemen to step up and take his place, but he brings more than just talent to the ice. He has had a steady leadership role, often masked in the past by the dual captaincy that was recently dissolved. This will most likely be Numminen’s last season in the NHL, but now his future is even more unpredictable. Now to hope that the other veteran defensemen can step up! Or step off…

Good luck Numminen!

(Photo Courtesy of Let’s Go Sabres.)

In more positive news, the Buffalo Sabres are finally getting a much-needed improvement to HSBC Arena: A new scoreboard! Not just a minor update, but an actual HD system that promises to rival some of the best scoreboards in hockey. It seems like the Sabres have invested in many updates and improvements over the last two years, and it does appear to be for the better. The original JumboTron was pretty ancient, and already suffered its fair share of problems. It might be noted that having a scoreboard in HD may point to HD broadcasts in the future. The near future, hopefully!

Rick Jeanneret in HD – Whenever a Sabres game is broadcast in high definition, that night is a good night! However, there is always something missing from the crystal clear details. Namely, Rick Jeanneret. His calls are legendary, and bring a unique element to every hockey game. It is true that national recognition is a huge boost for the team’s economic success, yet the void created without Jeanneret makes the mute button look all the more appealing.

A Shut Out or Two, or Ten – Ryan Miller is an amazing goaltender, which nobody can deny. It has been frustrating, however, to only see him amass one or two shut outs per season during his full-time career with the Sabres. Several instances from last season, involving goals in the last minute of play, resulted in feelings of loss and frustration. Miller has the potential to take on every type of shot, and throw his body about in a logical sense. Of course, shut outs are not all-important, but who does not want to see a score of 3-0 every now and then?

Successful Special Teams – When the power play worked last season, it worked like a charm. Anyone familiar with the Sabres, though, knows that there were precious few opportunities in 2006-2007. The Sabres’ power play was ranked 17th, while the penalty kill unit was ranked 20th (NHL Stats). Last season’s President’s Trophy showed that special teams are not the most important aspect of a team, but ranking within the top half would definitely be a plus this season. There are a good number of players on the team, such as Connolly, Roy, and Vanek, capable of making the plays. It will remain to be seen if the off-season changes will make a difference for the power play and penalty kill.

Many other factors have been left out, since there are so many things that are expected from the Sabres. Is there enough pressure being put on them? Most likely, judging by the heart breaking playoff losses of the past two seasons. The one thing we do know is that this team is still intact, and ready for another run at the Stanley Cup: Three times a charm.