It’s that time of the year, a time filled with anticipation and hope for us, the fans. Could this be the season when the Buffalo Sabres finally break through the barriers that have hindered this team and city? The excitement is palpable.

As fans of this team, we’ve all felt the sting of incompetent leadership. But could this be the season where we finally see a change in the [specific area of leadership, e.g., coaching, management, or ownership]? The potential for change in this area is a reason for optimism, a glimmer of hope amidst skepticism.

Is General Manager Kevyn Adams truly as bad as he seems, or is Owner Terry Pegula, in his infinite wisdom, being so non-compliant that it has caused such a ripple effect through the organization and, more importantly, the fans? The truth may be a combination of both, but most believe it’s the latter.

Let’s not overlook the unwavering support of the fans. Despite years of setbacks and unfulfilled promises, the average attendance since the 2010-11 season has been a testament to our dedication, roughly 16,000 strong. Your unwavering support is deeply appreciated and is not the issue, as some in management might believe. We stand together, united in our love for the team.

We can all agree on one thing, and that is that removing the nasty curse of years of failure has become a tremendous challenge. Changes in coaches and General Managers have proven unable to bring this team the success we’ve all been promised, and which they have long wished for, or so it seems. The fans who pay their hard-earned money to fill the seats, buy merchandise, are and have been the ones who suffer the disappointments the most. We share in your disappointment and understand your frustration. Your feelings are valid, and we’re with you in this journey.