The players speak.

Buffalo ranks #1 on the list of teams players would like least to be traded to. Sixteen percent of the league would rather play somewhere, anywhere, else than Buffalo, according to The Hockey News' March 27 player poll results. But of 80,000 fans polled by ESPN, "the Buffalo Sabres rank No. 1 among 122 pro sports teams based on what they give back to fans who invest their time and money in the organization." So what we actually have is a beloved team that no one wants to play for?
Check out the poll, though. It's great insight into the psyches of our beloved hockey hooligans.

Tick, tick, tick...

We are fast approaching July 1st, and there's no news from Buffalo's management about the fates of unrestricted free agents, and co-captains, Chris Drury and Danny Briere. The Hockey News is reporting that "most people in and around hockey" think that one of them will be walking. And season ticket holders are commenting in the Buffalo News' Sabres Edge that they are disappointed at having these contracts still up in the air less than a week from one or both of the Sabres' captains heading to another club. Drury and Briere both expressed a lot of interest in staying in Buffalo, as they have made homes there and love the city. What is the holdup? Offer these guys something reasonable for all the hard work they did at getting Buffalo to the Eastern Conference Final. No, we didn't win the Cup this year; but we got close. Some will say that close only counts with the proverbial horseshoes and hand grenades, but I say keep the team together. These guys are, still, scary good.

RW Nathan Horton Inks 6-Year Deal With Panthers

Nathan Horton made his feeling obvious just after 1 p.m., Thursday afternoon after signing a franchise-record six year contract with the Florida Panthers. “I couldn’t be happier,” said the 22-year-old right winger. “I want to stay and play for this team.” Horton, who scored 31 goals last season and has become known for his quick, wicked shots, becomes the second player to sign a longterm deal with the Panthers in the past 10 days. Defenseman Bryan Allen signed a five-year contract last week. The signing of Horton and Allen show the Panthers commitment to signing their young stars well into the future and keeping the nucleus of the team together.“This is where I wanted to be,” Horton said Thursday afternoon. “This is an unbelievable place to play. The guys, the franchise…it’s a great organization. Obviously, I wanted to stay here and be part of this team.” Panther GM and coach Jacques Martin said: “Nathan compiled a career best season last year, proving to be one of our club’s top offensive threats. He is a very skilled and talented player who is a key part of our nucleus of offensive talent. “By signing Nathan to a long-term deal we hope that this serves as further proof about our organization’s dedication and commitment to bringing continued stability and success to the Panthers.” The Panthers’ first pick (third overall) in the 2003 Entry Draft, Horton posted career-highs in 2006-07 in goals (31), assists (31) points (62), power-play goals (7), game-winning goals (3) and plus/minus (Plus-15). Since he works out every morning in South Florida, Horton said he wouldn’t be doing any celebrating Thursday evening. But he said he was looking forward to attending Friday’s Draft Party at the Park Sports Bar & Grill at the Seminole Paradise in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. “I’m just excited right now about the team,” Horton said. “We just have to play better in the early months. We all want to be in the playoffs and this team will get there.” Not only was Horton’s the team’s second leading scorer, but he had five multiple-goal games and proved his durability by being one of six Panthers to play all 82 games. He also made history in Philadelphia on Jan. 8 of 2004 when, at the age of 19, he became the youngest NHL player to score on a penalty shot. "Nathan has taken significant steps in his growth process and we strongly believe that he possess all the essential qualities that we strive for in our players,” Martin added. “He joins a growing list of players who have signed multi-year deals with the team that includes Olli Jokinen, Ville Peltonen, Ruslan Salei, Mike Van Ryn and Bryan Allen.”

Horton, a native of Welland, Ontario, has 131 points in 208 NHL games, all played in a Panther uniform. He’s scored 73 goals, 16 on the power play, and 58 assists and has a Plus-18 rating.

Just say no...

to ice dancers.

Thanks, Pierre.

Pierre Turgeon has decided to retire from the NHL. He was the Buffalo Sabres round 1 #1 overall pick in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft, and he stayed there through the 1991-1992 season. He's leaving the Avalanche after scoring 515 goals and 1327 points in an outstanding NHL career. He currently stands tied for 27th all-time in points in the NHL.

And speaking of #1 picks...where do you think Buffalo native Patrick Kane's going to be skating next?

Still grieving.

Would Anaheim have wiped the floor with Buffalo in the Stanley Cup Finals? The Hockey News thought the Ducks would come out on top, and they were right. No one will ever be able to say, of course, what would have happened if Buffalo hadn't choked against Ottawa. But this 'no goal' has been bugging me since that Rangers overtime win on May first.



When will Buffalo's sports team curse be broken?

The Buffalo News let us know on Thursday that Sabres GM Darcy Regier and coach Lindy Ruff had signed contract extensions, and managing partner Larry Quinn said the Sabres "would spend MORE than they did last season, when they were closer to the salary cap than peanut butter gets to jelly."

Will they keep co-captains Drury and Briere? The city is on, ahem, ice waiting for contract negotiations to start (or at least go public). I like the News' take on it: "The Sabres need to take their policy against negotiating in-season, encase it in concrete and dump it in Lake Erie."

I'm getting over this loss, albeit slowly. I am truly grateful for your kind support in these dark days. Having season tickets that will allow me to have my nose pressed up against the glass to watch the boys in blue when they come to Florida helps ease my worried mind. And unlimited food and booze. Yeah...it's all part of being a Bloated Tick.

Unlimited food + VIP parking = two Bloated Ticks

We are extraordinarily excited to be the proud owners of Panthers season hockey tickets at the BankAtlantic Center here in Sunrise, Florida. I signed the contract on Thursday, and it's been nothing but partying since.

Carol and I will be keeping you up to date on heffa ticket availability, the latest prophecies from The Oracle, and perhaps even some hockey news.