Only the individual Sabres themselves could, if allowed, come forward with real answers about the whys the Sabres seemed to loose their appetite for success this past season. We can rule out lack of hockey support and popularity in the Buffalo area. We do give them that and we, the faithful, continue to. Buffalo is a big time hockey hotbed. Buffalo Sabres press releases and promo news have shown a tendency to create hype, and with a there you go attitude, expect the particular player to fill in the sandwich with the meat they advertised. Just like the come on photos on a restaurant menu, when hockey time is served up, the ad that you bought in on, is not what's on the table. The phrase comes to mind - "Where's the Beef"? Maybe it's on ice. Maybe it's off somewhere in a cooler. Maybe management thinks they can just run out and buy what they want to offer as a sandwich and sell it as new and improved.
Fans are feeling there is a good possibility Sabres management doesn't actually know how to make a super sandwich like the Sabres picture they place on our hockey menu. A few suggestions might be in order after an important issue is cleared up. In
no way do I imply Buffalo hockey players should actually be thought of, or marketed, as bison beef on skates. That should be far from consideration. Got that? Rest assured I believe that hockey is THE most enjoyable sport and should always leave a good taste in one's mouth, ie. juicey rebounds etc. But, I insist the illustration on the hockey diner menu match what is delivered.
Considerations for the Sabres new and improved, shall we call it the "Super Sabre Hockey Sandwich":
Fix the wrapper. There maybe real need to rethink the logo on the packaging. It does not steam hockey aroma and success like the old one. It looks weak visually on the ice and the colors don't carry. The past is past. Retro a not a good idea unless you are trying to remind us of all the good players we lost from poor management decisions. Most of us still are wearing the red and black anyway and have decorated around that color scheme. Hint.
We want prime beef. The 2007 sandwich was decent until you changed some of the main ingredients the fans really loved. The consumer opinion of thousands of fans should have counted for something. You best get the team as close to it as you can, if you can. Mature beef has the best flavor. It's aged a bit. We know the difference between veal and beef. But be warned maturity is a mindset not a particular age. Before you shop, look on the shelf because you have some of what you need. Please shop smarter for better deals to sell us on.
Don't hold the mayo. Don't order up a sandwich from your coach with ingredients you said you had, but know you didn't really order. He knows what shortages are going down and should be able to easily arrive at a solid needs list for you.
Use fresh ingredients. Keep what you have on the farm fresh and close on hand. Your farm should be down the hall on rink number two. You need a joint use training program room where Sabres mix with the up and coming players daily. Inspiration and competition are valuable Sabres ingredients. Those out on the farm should living in and be part of Buffalo. New Buffalo residents sound good to me. When the order comes in, the extra beef cooler needs to be there, on the spot, where you need it. Again, no offense guys. Fans like homemade sandwiches not order ins.
Keep an eye out for spoilage. Deterioration can occur due to numerous factors. Over compensation can cause the rapid decay of those in close proximity. Don't over pay for an ingredient or you won't get what you think you paid for. Taint can occur if you do not serve up what you advertised and the public no longer buys your deal. Hype can cause spoilage both immediate and long term. Try to take care of the ingredients you have in a proper manner. Remember fans can always get a fresh sandwich at Wendy's, and enjoy it with a side slice of Center Ice, andcheaper beer.
Refrain from false advertising. Hype only works if the ingredients are already in the sandwich. (In other words, if it's the truth already.) Invented hype is reward before accomplishment, which is terminal to the desired achievement, because it suggests the accomplishment actually currently exists. This creates euphoria which ends in everyone biting into thin air because - there is no real sandwich. Follow? Fans don't want to be disappointed by finding themselves rolling high expectations around in their mouths, only to find what they were fed simply has no flavor, at all.
Clean it up. Soap and water can work wonders. Scrub things up and rethink your past plays. Fans would rather hear Sabres talking about how each of them are working to improve their game rather than info on a player you deem the big slice of cheese. If you spilled milk wipe it up. Rinse and repair the net. Buffalo still has a blue collar persona. Hint. We like our goalies with broad shoulders they developed from lifting their children day in and day out. Keep a solid share of family guys. They seem to go to bed on time, get up and play good hockey.
Current management has another year to make things right for Buffalo fans. Change just has to come to pass. A good start, short of openly admitting mistakes, would be to let the players we currently have know there will be no more tasteless lack of appreciation. Sabres are not just trading cards. They are worthy of management respect. There must be no more demoralizing announcements of trades while Sabres are dressing and ready to play a game. There should be admission of past poor spending. Let the Sabres team themselves vote for
most improved player of the month. Base a monthly short promo on the guy
the team thought got the right ingredients together to be worthy to be sandwich promoter of the month. If a slot comes up empty, use live buffalos in the ads. They reside at the zoo. Draft horses have been award winners in beer ads for years.
Who am I to say this? Just a woman who, like a lot of us fans, knows how to make a darn good sandwich.
Artica Burr web site www.articaburr.com