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Sounding off on Ruff and Regier - What if you did have a say?



Q: What do the Seattle Sounders have, that the Buffalo Sabres don’t?  

A:  Fans that feel that their voices are heard. 

The Sounders, a huge hit in the Pacific Northwest, have a VOTE on their General Manager’s job.  A fan vote.  Yes, you read that correctly.  The fans decide on the direction of the team.  What could it mean here?

 

The Buffalo Sabres have had the same two men atop the management of hockey operations for 15 years now.  Most hockey fans in the area would give both Lindy Ruff and Darcy Regier credit for being good hockey men.  It seems like most would say that they have resumes that should earn them work in the league...just not here any more.

 

The thing is that it’s not up to you or me.  It’s not up to the collective “us”.

 

The decision lies with Sabres owner Terry Pegula.  Until he wants to make that change you’ll have Ruff and Regier making the calls on the Buffalo Sabres.  

 

Now imagine a world where the fans had a voice.  A choice.  You live in that world.  The Sabres just aren’t in that league.  In Seattle, the Sounders of the MLS have their GM job as an elected position.  The fans make the call every four years.

 

***********

 

Here’s the story from the Sounders website:

 

The Sounders FC announced today plans to hold the first general manager vote in U.S. professional sports. Sounders FC season-ticket members and Alliance members may vote on retention or lack of confidence for Seattle Sounders FC General Manager Adrian Hanauer.

The online vote will begin on Sunday, October 7 at noon (PT) and conclude on Friday, December 7 at 11:59 p.m. (PT).  

Patterned after the FC Barcelona model, which boasts more than 160,000 members worldwide, Sounders FC season-ticket members will have a voice by participating in the general manager elections every four years.

Membership in the Alliance is complimentary for season-ticket members, and non-season ticket holders can join for an annual fee of $125. Benefits include voting privileges, membership pin, membership card, discount at team shops, an invitation to the annual meeting, electronic newsletters during the season and more.

Apparently the whole thing was Drew Carey's idea.

***********

Sabres nation seems to be angry these days.  It’s not a pleasant place to be because fans are impatient.  No wait, they’re actually very patient.  It’s been 15 years of the same GM and Coach.  Patience has been tested tremendously with this fan base.  There have been tremendous highs and frustrating lows.

This team is supported.  They’re supported tremendously.  This week the Sabres announced record television ratings (for an underperforming and uninspiring product).  Last month it was merchandise sales.  They added seats to the arena.  They’ve introduced a standby ticket program.  They’re popular.  Fans support this team, perhaps moreso than at any other time in the franchise’s existence.

The relationship of a fan to a team is a strong bond, obviously.  Here’s the disconnect in Buffalo: While the support for the team appears to be unwavering, it feels as though the team itself accepts and celebrates it when it comes to the box office, the ticket booth, the merchandise tent, the waiting list, and the television ratings...but at Coach and GM, the attitude is different.

The continued commitment to both Lindy Ruff and Darcy Regier could quite possibly be the right approach in the long run.  I can’t rule it out.  It’s possible.  But...and this is a BIG but...you’re alienating your fans at this point.  

The continued commitment to R & R is not just about a Coach and GM.  It’s about the attitude of “We’ve got this under control...fans are passionate and they overreact.  You're overreacting."

Fans do overreact.  Both ways.  Some fans just react.  I’d say that most are quite objective.  You can usually tell if your team is good or not.  We’ve all watched a lot of hockey...eyeball test this thing.  Are the Sabres currently good?  No.  Were they last year?  Not really. 

If ownership wants to stick by these guys there is little that we can do about it.  For me, I turn attention to Mikhail Grigorenko.  I’ll turn attention to Ryan O’Reilly.  I’ll look for any light on the horizon that means this island-of-no-playoffs is a place that we can finally leave.

All a fan wants - is to be heard.

Whether it’s about shelves over the urinals, chimes to signal intermission, or any of the million little things that Ted Black has championed, the Sabres are listening to everything.

Two years ago we had a wacky internet campaign for Swords of a Thousand Men.  They tried it as the goal song.

The organization listens.  The operation works FOR the fans, except in this one area and it’s the area that the fans care about the most.

So while all the other work to help the franchise and city is greatly appreciated, it runs the risk of ringing somewhat hollow.  When the on-ice product, the reason for the existence of all the million little things, brings the fans pain, misery, and frustration they’re going to want to be heard.

In Seattle, they are.

Fan vote?  What’s the worst that could happen?  
What's the best that could happen?  

If you lose, your fans fire the GM.
If you win, the fans hold a piece of it.  We picked him.  We re-elected that guy.  We are a part of this.

WE have been heard.

In Buffalo there seems to be a lot of shouting on this issue...mainly because it feels like no one is listening.






Oh yeah...the Sounders’ fans...re-elected their guy.

They also lead MLS in attendance, and they lead that category by approximately 10,000 per game.
 

Filed Under :  
Topics : Sports
Social :
Locations : Buffalo, Seattle
People : Adrian Hanauer, Darcy Regier, Lindy Ruff, Mikhail Grigorenko, Ted Black, Terry Pegula
02/13/2013 11:13PM
Sounding off on Ruff and Regier - What if you did have a say?
Please enter your comments below.
02/13/2013 11:32PM
"Swords of a Thousand Men" was sweet.
Should have kept it as the goal song. "The Whip" by Locksley is a really good one, too.
02/13/2013 11:44PM
Sadly !!
The Sabres have become so boring, I watched the State of the Union Address, rather than the Sabres/Sens game. Don't know which was more frustrating.
02/13/2013 11:45PM
Rate yourself
We were promised a stanley cup within 3 years of the sale to Terry ... much like how Derrick Roy was traded for underperforming, shouldn't you trade yourself or resign? The acquisitions made 'seem to be poor'. Before these players were added the team has played equally as bad which says there is no forward progress. If anything it is backwards. That tells me that the system the team is working with is ineffective reflecting upon Lindy Ruff. Even with a bad system, look at guys like Gerbe, Kaleta, Scott, Ellis, Stafford, Leino and Mccormick. I know we can't have a team full of Briere's, but does Detroit, Pittsburgh, even Philly who was famous for goons, have players like them on their roster? Ask yourself, has the game passed you by? It appears so. I left Buffalo in 2003 and stayed a fan. I've given up on the Buffalo Bills (although I tune in praying it turns around). I am ready to throw in the towel until Lindy and or Darcy are let go. Terry and Ted are fans clinging to the old days when players like Grosek, Barnaby, Ray etc. had a need. The game is different now and all of these guys are amazing athletes. To have players on your team that are not capable of producing offense will leave you on the outside looking in. Vanek's line decides the fate of the team and now that teams study and watch video, they will find a way to slow them down resulting in another year without playoffs. This is a note for Terry although he will not read this I know .... Believe me, I wish Ruff and Darcy were our guys, but for everyday you hold onto them we are procrastinating and crippling development of guys like Grigorenko. They will not grow under Ruff or by playing with guys like Kaleta. We have given Regier 2 summers to improve and we seem to have gone backwards. I am tuning out and bored watching the Sabres. No excitement, no offense, no skill (other than Vaneks line and Miller seems abandoned at times). You're being too loyal to these two guys. Successful organizations start from the top they say. You are very successful in business. You should know when your employees don't have the talent to grown your company, change is needed. If you know an employee is losing money for you, how many days would you wait to let him/her go? Well, without the playoffs, that is what Lindy and Darcy are doing for you. WIth every loss, the fans pull more and more away and lose interest because we can see your business has a hole in it and you have 2 men that don't have the right plug to stop the leak. Time for change Terry and Ted. If not, you just lost one fan because I feel like you have turned into the Buffalo Bills ... wrong people running the team and the owner is too blind to know how to correct the problem. Good luck Sabres ... with the men you have at the top ... you will need it.
02/14/2013 2:57AM
Change is good!
Why stop at the GM? Let's vote to remove the coach and a handful of players. Also get rid of the current goal song. Enough of the Black Keys! Horrible!
02/14/2013 6:03AM
No Fantasy here...
Lindy and Darcy have insulated themselves to the point of invincibility. They have become delusional and think their doing great work here now that Pegula has given them his blessing of millions of dollars. Lindys habit of hiring former players as coaches who never coached anywhere and Darcy operating without an asst. GM like other teams shows how they make sure they seem like the smartest guys in the oganization. It's a dream come true for them and a nightmare for the fans.
02/14/2013 6:51AM
3 Things that will never happen
Getting rid of Ruff, Regeir and Stafford. Ruff is fried. You can see it in his face. He has no clue. Regeir is a smirky 'I never played at the top level but now I get my revenge 'egotist. Stafford is a pampered baby. His father coached at Shattucks which led to a spoon fed Jr. career playing on Zach Parises line followed by a coat tail college career playing with Parise and Zajac at N. Dakota. He was labeled can't miss. The Sabres bit and clearly missed. Now with Pegula building a house almost next to Stafford so hiskid can be nearer to his favorite player has players rolling their eyes. They know this is why Stafford got the "A". Stafford cries to Lindy and Darcy when he doesn't play with who he feels he should be with and they oblige him cause they know He and Pegula are pals. It's sickening.
02/14/2013 7:17AM
goal song
sabres don't need a goal song.
02/14/2013 7:20AM
Pipe Dream
While that would be a great idea, it wont happen. Things are being magnified to the Nth degree because of Pegula's comment that the Sabres would win a Cup within 3 years. If he doesnt make that comment, I think that the fan outrage would be a little less, but there would still be some. I think management hears the fans, but when you have outstanding ratings, a season ticket waiting list and a huge apparel (jerseys, shirts, etc) following they can sit and wait for his money and vision to take hold.
02/14/2013 7:25AM
Time to blame Pegula
THe buck stops w/the owner and its time to turn the attention to this liar who gave us all false hope w/his promises. Hes a rich fan who thinks he has a toy to play with and cries over its past glory. Maybe Pegula isnt such a great owner we thought hed be. THe guys a fake, just as much as his coach and gm.
02/14/2013 7:59AM
Jaded Sabres fan
It's no wonder we have so many players disappoint when their coach and GM continually acheive mediocre results and are allowed to keep their jobs year after year. Tough to hold players accountable when their coach and GM aren't held accountable.
02/14/2013 8:05AM
Stupid
idea.
02/14/2013 8:19AM
Hockey Heaven???
Buffalo has quickly turned into hockey hell for die-hard Sabres fans....how much more patient do we need to be? STOP going to games if you feel the Sabres brass has failed. Plain and SImple thats all that will tell the brass where we sit. Regardless of Andrew Peters' perspective....Sabres fans know losing and deserve better. Listen to Ted Black..."if we have to hire a helicopter..." All they talk about is money spent, not successful money spent. How about you hire a winning GM and Coach instead?
02/14/2013 9:05AM
Please....
The frustration is nearing an all time high. I can only say I agree totally. Having said that, I still believe Pegula is the best thing that has happened for this team. Ruff, to his credit, for years got the best out of his players. A low payroll only seemed to inspire him more. I cannot comment on Regeir. He seems to move way too slowly as it relates to getting players. The frustration is high because everyone knows Pegula wants to win and has the bucks to spend and that should make this team a winner..? Meanwhile, Ruff is lost. The team has essentially played one good first period all year from what I have seen. They are not motivated or prepared and that is all about coaching and leadership. Ruff has paid his dues...put him somewhere in the organization and get a coach who communicates WITH the team....not AT them.
02/14/2013 9:06AM
Favorite Player
Hahaha. Stafford is Matt's (Pegula's kid's) favorite player? I am fairly certain Matt is still a fan of the Penguins, but I am sure you have all of the answers just like everyone else that posts here.
02/14/2013 9:13AM
pathetic
It is all PATHETIC!! First and foremost the fact that fans wants to get rid of Regier and Ruff like it is going to happen in a shortened season, ha! With the records for watching, buying Sabres stuff we secured the fact that the Sabres made money alreadythey don't need to even make the playoffs. Deal or Trade isnt happening just like GMS say DRegier wants too much for underperforming talent. This team is like an old vehicle with new parts looks good but the engine has 195K on it.
02/14/2013 10:03AM
Don't forget Lindy picks the captains
Lame. Players pick their captains; not the coach who rewards the brownest of noses.
02/14/2013 10:27AM
Yeah but....
How is that paying off for them? Are the Sounders an improved team/organization? Are they showing improvements in the win category and as a whole? The Idea sounds interesting but... it seems like we have some fans in buffalo that like to jump the gun early and i'm wondering if that can cause a contagious effect in a negative way. We need smarts and intellegence to run it.
02/14/2013 10:38AM
@ 3 things...
No. The only thing that is "sickening" is you. That fantasy land story you just told is a close second, but you take the cake. Whatever gets the job done right? The ends justify the means right? Just make stuff up if it will help enrage the fanbase and get them on your side right? You are completely disgusting, and an obvious liar.
02/14/2013 10:45AM
That Black Keys Song Is Awful. Please Stop Playing It.
The Sabres need to stop trying to be trendy and ice this horribly overplayed song. I kind of cringe when the Sabres score because I know what's coming next. I'd rather here Pump Up The Jam at this point. Let the fans' cheering just resonate. Be traditional. Not everything needs to be aimed at a juvenile audience.
02/14/2013 11:01AM
Jeremy
I think that even if put to a direct vote Regier and Ruff would be retained. Remember this is season ticket holders voting, not Whiner Liners or people who have "given up" and "won't spend a dime on this losing franchise". I think it would be close, but reasonable people will always ration it out, get to your point about Regier and Ruff being no better or worse than whoever would replace them, and vote to retain. You have a skewed view of the "fans" because the most disgusting, obnoxious, poorest excuses for human beings seem attracted to this forum for spewing thier vile filth. If anyone in Sabres management reads these comment threads I would imagine they would do just the opposite of what your most obnoxious regular posters want. I mean to do what they suggest, their filth seems to rub off on you, and you can never clean that image out of your mind. You would always feel like you have made the world a worse place by appeasing them in anyway, even if the intent was not to appease them, it was just coincidental.
02/14/2013 11:03AM
desperate action needed now not next season
what the sabres are turning into are the chicago cubs of the nhl! a house cleaning is needed new gm, new coach, and drop some of the dead weight players. all that is needed is the guts to do it. get the leaches off their butts and let the organization if you dont perform you"re gone. it happens in business evryday. today is the day it should start with the sabres. if the team won't do it then maybe its time for the fans to boycott and wait for a professional hockey team to show up in buffalo.
02/14/2013 11:07AM
Could it be that Pagula knows something the rest of us only suspect?
And that something is no one of great value wants to come and play or coach or GM in Buffalo. I don't know if this is true, but we're on our third regime that has employed R & R. The results of the 15 years has been less than satisfactory. But they mysteriously continue. Could it be that no one, that is qualified, will come to Buffalo. It took Pagula flying to the north most of Canada to beg Regher to come and a boat load of cash to acquire Erhoff and Leino. I keep hearing Ramsey and Dudley's name bantered about as replacements, but who's to say they or anyone else would come to replace R & R. When Pagula first bought the team some hotshot from the Penguins organization was reported to be in line for the GM spot and that was never heard of again. It's almost a parallel of the Bills. Mario was found out that he called other teams begging them to make an offer so he wouldn't have to come to Buffalo. Look at the long line of underqualified coaches the Bills have had. I suspect that the Sabre's would face the same fate. That said I'm still ready for that change. Last least with the Bill's list of changes there has been fresh hope. With the Sabre's there has been none.
02/14/2013 12:23PM
Buffalo Fans
No guts getting together and chanting...RUFF MUST GO!...RUFF MUST GO!...RUFF MUST GO! during the game. How stupid they are. That is one way voices can send a message to the owner we had enough of Ruff. NO GUTS THOUGH. Remaining silent don't send messages. BAA...BAA...BAA sheep!!!
02/14/2013 12:36PM
Drury,Briere MILLERS next
Can anyone guess why no one wants to play here in Buffalo.The coach is hated...The next to leave is Ryan Miller.I think hes gonna ask for a trade.Hes not getting any help back there at all. We do have a great goalie in Miller.But the team sucks in front of him.Every night the Sabres play All i see is.Them giving the puck up in our end.Over and over again.Guys standing around .Like they are lost..Iv been a Sabres fan since they first started.Im to the point where i cant get excited at all watching them.My daughter said dad whats wrong.I just say whats the use.UNTIL they get rid of Ruff.this is a no place team.sorry about my spelling.I could care less.SABRES FANS ???????STOP GOING TO THE GAMES...An empty arena will wake the owner up.
02/14/2013 12:52PM
Our nicknames have to go....PLEASE
Please could we change the nick-names of our teams players....we are trying to change our image and be known as a meaner and tougher team and then the players call each other by such lame nicknames....come on guys , get some manly nicknames for yourselves !!!!!
02/14/2013 1:00PM
Drop this topic
Let's blog O'Reilly coming to Buffalo. Trade is being worked. Stay tuned...
02/14/2013 1:03PM
We have to wait
When you buy a 10 year old used car, do you expect it to perform the same way as it did the day it came off the assembly line? We're waiting 3 years weather we like it or not. the previous 12 don't concern Pegula because he wasn't signing the checks. Sorry people. Pegula said 3 years, and i actually believe he's sticking to it. Pegula DOES NOT CARE, THAT YOU WEREN'T HAPPY, about the previous 12 years. Deal with it.
02/14/2013 1:32PM
An MLS gimmick?
An, MLS gimmick? Should the Sabres sign David Beckham too? C'mon man. We need a GM that is focused on the team, not winning a popularity contest. Remember the Marv Levy experiment? Maybe Sara Palin could turn the team around. She knows how to get votes. What about Sanjaya?
02/14/2013 2:25PM
Next Coach
Randy Cunneyworth
02/14/2013 3:15PM
Please Mr Pegula,
Lindy's system is completely outdated. The guys don't want to play for him and haven't, he has taken over the years any potential 30 goal scorer has converted them into a 12 goal scorer, he has had 3 owners put their trust in him, and can never fully take responsibilty seriously for their losses..If you had this guy for 15 years oversee and supervise your employees the way he coaches, I guarentee that he and your General Manager,(Darcy Regier), would be gone.....Yes, thanks Lindy, but it's time to move on. Especially with the talent and money that has been sunk into this team thus far.....
02/14/2013 3:18PM
Bad News coming
Rumor floating around that all the owners in the NHL have offered to pay the salaries of Regier and Ruff but only if Pegula extends both of them for a minimum of 10years. It looks like it will happen
02/14/2013 3:27PM
miller is headed west
what we get in return is the question
02/14/2013 3:51PM
Timing
Get good at right time- Ravens, Giants, SF, Cards, Kings - Sabres are capable. Where is Scott? 1 shift in Boston.\, everything gets straightened out. No sighting while Bruins have puck 1/2 min/sgift in Sabres zone. Neil runs all over the place in Ottawa- no Scott!
02/14/2013 6:01PM
48 seconds to go
48 second to go tie game and the faceoff is in toronto's end. the coach sends out Foligno (ok) ellis and Hecht. As a fan what are you thinking? As a player on the bench what goes through their minds?
02/14/2013 6:20PM
No! Wait! Please don't fire R&R....
They're only a few years away from getting their gold watches. Seems like only yesterday that Darcy started teaching Terry everything he knows about hockey...Things like.."It's really bad to fire people Terry"
02/14/2013 9:50PM
ruff
who coaches same team for 15 years no bodddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddy get rid of ruff wake up buffalo
02/14/2013 10:21PM
Hope this team continues to lose
It appears that many fans have the same attitude that I have. I cheer for this team to lose so maybe there will be changes in the future. Darcy Regier has proven his drafting ability is below average. The product that he has put on the ice has no leadership, no heart & not much talent. Lindy Ruff destroys players with his so called system. I don't want him affecting Grigerenko, Hodgson & Foligno. Brian Burke would be the perfect GM. He took a Toronto franchise with no talent & filled it & the AHL with all kinds of good young talent. I feel this guy would bring a cup to Buffalo fast.
02/15/2013 8:31AM
Ahhh, but we DON'T have a say!
And we never will. Neither will be fired. Doesn't matter how much "frustration" we hear in Howard Simon's voice, how much Mike Schopp asks "Why not?," how many times Bulldog opens his mouth and I hear "I'm there/not there yet, nor even how many times Rob Ray comes on the radio and simply wastes my time listening to him talk; the fact is that Lindy Ruff is Coach for Life and Darcy Regier is right there as GM forever. Deal with it, accept it, dwell on it. Whatever, it remains the truth FOREVER!
02/15/2013 8:41AM
I'll say it here to
Get rid of Sekera, Ennis, and Stafford.
02/15/2013 8:57AM
Dear Lindy and Darcy...
....Why didn't the Bills draft Russell Wilson??? Love, Stupid WGR Listeners
02/15/2013 10:08AM
Goal Horn and Song
I remember when a subtle siren followed the Sabres goal horn, I would like to see that back! The siren and horn are part of the Sabres identity and add to the atmosphere at First Niagara. I wish i was commenting about the Sabres performance but at this point i have nothing. They got rid of Roy but failed to replace his scoring and in the process, got a lot slower and less exciting. Also, why is it that we are the only team in the league to have Gerbe, a 5 foot forward who fills in for comic relief rather than his performance. BTW. Keep the black keys song!!!!
02/15/2013 10:33AM
Terry Pegula
Its his nickel. What shocks me is the lack of progress for a decade . One would think that a businessman like Mr. Pegula and Ted Black would have the foresite to see what is going on. Most of us do. They are stale and it starts with the GM and Coach. Rick Dudley.................Get him.
02/15/2013 10:33AM
consistency
i would rather be inconsistent at losing then inconsistent at winning, because at least there is hope of change.
02/15/2013 1:04PM
Vanek and Myers want go leave more than Miller
I would. Sabres are a complete joke. I hope they lose every game by 5 goals. MAYBE then duffas Pefoola will make a change.
02/18/2013 4:19PM
so long darcy
this is his team - same personality,fair speed and skills- but not tough enough! Bruins let themselves get suckered into playing our game Friday; it probably will not happen again this season! Sunday-Ott in front of net at end of game, mugged by 4 Penquins;; not another Sabre in sight. And most significant to me; how is Pomonville a captain?
02/19/2013 10:50AM
Good article until....
That last dig you threw in there about this bush league outfit in Seattle you used as an example "re-electing" their schmuck. Let's be honest Jeremy...you want this coach and GM to stay here. You want everything to stay the same. Youthink that they are on their way back up. I think the vote should be this...Let's have a fan vote and vote Jeremy White off the air and on the first ride out of town forever!
02/19/2013 7:18PM
Management
Thanks for building the one of the worst teams in the league. The talent isn't here, the 'farm system' isn't deep. Yet you have one of the deepest scouting systems in the league. Why can't you develop talent, Darcy and Lindy?
02/23/2013 9:16PM
FIRE THEM ALL
The sabres look like kids playing i'm sure glad they blamed Lindy. START MAKING TRADES AND AND FIRE ALL THE TOP BRASS. They look soooooooo baddddddddd
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