Every time I watch the Buffalo Sabres these days, I can’t help but think of that Ozzy Osbourne song, “Crazy Train.” More than halfway through the 2011-12 season, it’s clear that fans like me are watching this team go off the rails. It’s not just that they haven’t been able to win more than a handful of games since November. It’s not even the fact that they’ve sunk so fast in the standings that it’s like they’re wearing cement shoes. The real problem is that, night after night, this team takes to the ice without any passion, any fire, and it’s past time for someone to do something about it.
Remember when Milan Lucic had that infamous hit on Ryan Miller? It’s no coincidence that the Sabres have been the NHL’s fourth worst team since that 6-2 drubbing on November 12th. At the time, Lucic’s hit was called “gutless,” and while it was definitely dirty, Miller’s teammates looked more like the gutless ones to this Sabres fan. Lucic got a slap on the wrist while the Sabres proceeded to get blown out.
If there was a moment when it became clear that this team doesn’t have heart or determination, that was it. They don’t care about winning too much either. Bad calls and injuries don’t stop a team from playing with passion, and that’s something we haven’t seen from the Sabres this season. Suffice it to say, Buffalonians left in the dark when Time Warner Cable dropped MSG have been spared some ugly hockey.
Try telling that to Lindy Ruff. Coach Ruff’s frustration has been an all-too-common sight in postgame pressers, but the excuses are wearing thin. The officials aren’t shooting the puck, and Ruff has never been low on capable bodies to put out onto the ice. We’re in year number fourteen of Ruff’s tenure as coach, and during that time he’s made a point of letting everyone know what needs to happen. Time’s just about up.
Don’t get me wrong, we’ve had a few great years. With GM Darcy Regier at the helm in the front office, Ruff has led this franchise to the biggest stage in hockey. Yes, we’ll always shake our fists at Brett Hull, but that was a long time ago. Ruff has another Vezina winner at the net now, but it’s safe to say this team won’t be reaching the same heights any time soon. In fact, it’s hard to see the Sabres ever getting another shot at the Stanley Cup under Ruff and Regier.
Terry Pegula remembers the glory days well. Repeating Ruff’s greatest hits is what he had on his mind when he signed the coach to a multi-year contract extension in 2011. Yes, it means that Pegula’s hands are tied to some degree, but no, apparently it isn’t for seven years. Nevertheless, few doubt that Pegula has the resources to move Ruff out of the coaching spot but keep paying him anyway.
Pegula’s apparent lack of will to make the tough decisions might be scariest part of all about the team’s current sorry state. Whether he truly realizes it or not, Pegula is the conductor on this crazy train, and he’s ultimately responsible for fixing this mess.
There’s no championship in the cards for Buffalo this year, and unless something happens soon, the playoffs will continue to be a dismal long-shot. Fans can only hope it doesn’t stay that way next season.
Taurus Londono grew up in Buffalo, NY. He is a lifelong fan of the Buffalo Sabres.