Rochester/ Buffalo fans?

Question

It is said that the Sabres will almost surely end their affiliation with Rochester after this year. How do you feel about this?

Crickets....................

LOL at 288.

LITY-this is where i read it. Can't stand Muir so I always read him to see how bad it is.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/allan_muir/11/30/news.notes/1.html

Answer 1

I remember when the Amerks were Boston's farm team and Buffalo's farm team was the Salt Lake Golden Eagles.


The problem is the owners of the Amerks (Steven Donner and Company) want more money from the Buffalo Sabres, Golisano disagrees. Donner believes that the fees that other teams are getting for their affiliations, are a great deal more than what Buffalo and Florida are paying (although Florida met their 50%).

Contrary to what CAAM reported the other day (I've since spoken to Jody Gage), the AHL is a developmental league for the National Hockey League. Their CBA is based upon that premise. Rochester's agreement with Buffalo and Florida is that each team will send them 10 players and Buffalo will be responsible the coaching staff. Rochester is permitted to sign up to 6 players on their own, and can dress up to three of the players a game...and they have. To date, Rochester is very pleased with the players they have. It should also be noted, that so far, Rochester is having an excellent year attendance-wise.

According to people I have talked to in both Buffalo and Rochester, negotiations are still ongoing and neither side has cut off the other. There are differences, but they are all monetary based.


Thanks Bob, that's a very different picture from what Jody gave me.

Answer 2

Wow, I didn't know that. I'm not a sabres fan, but I went to college in Rochester and lived there for five years.

Honestly, I think it's a bad thing. I know the Amerks won't fold... teams change their affiliation all the time, so that's not what I'm worried about. But people in Roch are very passionate about buffalo sports. I know the Amerks following is not all that great (Syracuse has a team, the Sabres are an hour away, and the Leafs are under three hours away, so the fans have too many options and Rochester just isn't that big of a city), but the fans they do have are into their team. I think that people in Rochester will like seeing "their" players graduate to the big club, and compete for their favorite team.

Even if Florida keeps the americans as their affiliate, no one is going to follow the Panthers. I think the Sabres should keep their minor league team in their home area.

That being said, Rochester was named the #1 minor league sports town a few years ago, and I know the Amerks won't fold... and since I'm a Rangers fan and now live in NYC, it doesn't affect my life at all.

Answer 3

There was a difference in philosophy, the way the management of the two teams wants to do things. So, I suppose it's in everyone's best interest to end things now. I will miss the Roch. guys that we got used to having here, but change brings good.

And as for why the Sabres fans aren't around, perhaps they are at or watching the game. I'm here because I don't have MSG, and have to listen to the game on the computer ;)

Answer 4

I'm not mch into the teams, but a friend of mine went to the Amerks games so even though not an actual fan.. it is still sad to see the teams split. (being Andrew Peters Ugh.. & another i can't think of his name. I thikn it starts with an 'O' was on the team when I actually got to go to Rochester for a game...To bad Denis Hamel I think had already been traded)

Answer 5

I was confused when they extended the affiliation last year.

Answer 6

Hey, look, there's a tumbleweed....