Pass the Mic to Bfloblog

With the Buffalo Sabres playing the Boston Bruins, I wanted to reach out to one of the original Buffalo bloggers, Kevin Prichard from Buffalo Blog. He hates Substack (Google why) and is doing me a solid by writing about the genesis of why Sabres vs. Bruins is such a big feud beyond the last 20 years.

WHY YOU HATE THE BRUINS

I have seen a fair number of pieces and comments out on the Internet talking about why you should hate the Boston Bruins, and yes, whatever reason you have is yours and should absolutely hate the Boston Bruins.

Many fans may recall Johnny Boychuk slashing Thomas Vanek in the 2010 playoffs, and it was indeed an egregious offense. I was in the building when it happened and it felt like it sucked the life out of the team. It turned out it did, and while the Sabres acquitted themselves well enough and made it a series, it always felt like we were one player short.

Some fans find the Milan Lucic hit on Ryan Miller the next year to be the shining example of why we hate the Bruins, and yes, this is a very valid reason. I am more mad at the Sabres for their response to the situation, but it was a bullshit play that deserved a ten-game suspension, but player safety has never exactly been a priority for the NHL. (I mean, George Fucking Parros is in charge of it today)

I am here to explain why Bruins Hatred ™ goes far beyond 15 years, and it is REAL. Why do your parents hate them? Why do your grandparents hate them? I am here to spin that yarn.

The Buffalo Sabres played their first game in the NHL on October 10, 1970. Coincidentally enough your author was born in February of the same year. So I literally grew up with the Sabres. My parents (plus my grandparents and my uncle) had season tickets from day one - first row of the Oranges, in the corner where the Sabres shot twice.

When the Sabres joined the league in 1970 they were placed in the East Division, because back in those days there was only the East Division and the West Division. The Vancouver Canucks joined the same year and were obviously placed in the West Division. An important note moving forward is that they were in the same Division as the Boston Bruins.

In 1974, which is truly when I started to achieve Sabres consciousness as a four-year-old, the NHL decided to change the division alignment and split the league into four different conferences; the Adams, Patrick, Norris and Smythe. Both the Sabres and Bruins were placed in the Adams Division, which was named for the founder of the Boston Bruins. (I mean, of course it was) The other two teams in the Division were the Toronto Maple Leafs and the California Golden Seals, which absolutely makes total sense.

And once again, the Sabres and the Bruins are tangling many times every year. This arrangement lasted a mere two seasons, because after the 1975-76 season ended, the California Golden Seals folded, and they moved to Cleveland, becoming the Cleveland Barons (an old AHL rival to the Buffalo Bisons by the way). So from 1976-1978 the Adams Division was the Sabres, Bruins, Barons and our friends the Toronto Maple Leafs. I will just note, the one common denominator is Sabres/Bruins.

So hey now, it turns out the NHL was not really great at figuring out expansion, plus some teams just could not make money, so teams folded. And in 1978 the Adams Division became the Sabres and Bruins, the Maple Leafs stayed, but for some reason the Minnesota North Stars jumped in because they MERGED with the Barons. OK, fine, but note again, the Sabres and the Bruins still hang out together.

We would think things are now chill in the ol’ Adams Division, but no sir, that would be incorrect! The World Hockey Association existed and tried very hard to rival the NHL. Turns out, back in the late 70’s, the NHL could barely make a living, so what could a thing called the WHA do? Well, a couple teams ended up joining the NHL, and one of them was the Quebec Nordiques. So, the new Adams Division, after some juggling, was now: Buffalo, Boston, Minnesota, Toronto and our new friends in Quebec. Again, please note that sweet, sweet Buffalo and Boston connection.

Next up? One more move before some stability. The Leafs and the Stars ship out, and the Hartford Whalers and the Canadiens move in. So in 1981 the Division consisted of the Sabres, Bruins, Canadiens, Whalers and Nordiques. This is the Adams Division with which I grew up and remained the same until 1992. Note, there are only two teams who span that entire time playing against each other, and after those 22 years you can build up some hate. A lot of changes have happened since, but since the Sabres being born their only divisional rival since 1970, a span of 56 years, has been the Boston Bruins.

Now 56 years gives you some memories, and we already talked about a couple. But the 1980s were fucking WILD in terms of the absolute hate.

The hate actually began for sure in 1983, when the Sabres and Bruins went to game seven in the playoffs. My Sabres had lost so many series for so many years leading up to that (most to Minnesota, oddly enough) and we needed to advance so badly. The Sabres went up 2-1, then the Bruins went up 3-2, and somehow we won that sixth game to even things up. I want to say it was a Saturday afternoon game, but I may be mis-remembering. Regardless, the Sabres led 2-0 and lost 3-2 in OT on a Brad Park goal. Brad Fucking Park got one by Bob Sauve and crushed a 13-yr-old me.

In the mid to late 80s everything was bloodshed. Every Sabres/Bruins game was just pure fights. I mean, it was how the NHL worked back then, but these two particular teams absolutely hated each other. The Sabres made the playoffs every year that I can think of except 1987-88 and they always seemed to lose to Boston (Note: not true, Montreal existed). I remember games that were just fights and did not even include hockey. Our season tickets came with the bonus of a long-time hockey fan, a widower who had a single seat next to us. He lived and breathed hockey and I loved sitting next to him as a teenager because he would tell me stories about the NHL when he was growing up. One game, he spotted Gordie Howe as a guest pregame in the penalty box from the oranges and I then heard Gordie Howe stories all night. Anyway, he gave up his seasons after the 1989 season because the Sabres/Bruins season was so filled with fights. I recall Bruce Shoebottom, who was an actual piece of shit as a player, getting in a fight with Kevin Maguire. He had to leave the ice, got absolutely drenched with beer, and for some reason had to retrieve something on the ice. So he again got drenched with beer on his way out for the second time.

The Sabres and Bruins rivalry is real people.

Buffalonians of a certain age, not far beyond mine, LIKED the Leafs, because you could get them on the radio and on TV in the 1960s. It’s hard to imagine, but my folks were Leafs fans until the Sabres existed. They are not our biggest rival. I remember my parents playing cards in the kitchen and listening to Leafs games when the Sabres were not playing.

So take your 2010 moments, and even your 2020 moments. Embrace them. Fuck Lucic forever. But let’s remember we have 56 years of reasons to hate the Boston Bruins. Gord Kluzak exists. Keith Crowder exists. Bruise Shoebottom exists. Fuck Ken Linesman. Wayne Cashman and Gerry Cheevers and Mike Middleton are hopefully in some sort of hockey purgatory. They are a team that has embraced dirty play since they were born, and their fans revel in playing that role. They are not always a dirty team, but they are usually a dirty team.

Let us hope that we can play a little dirty but let the skills shine.

Sabres Powder Keg

You can never say the Buffalo Sabres are quitters. Last night proved that—again. At this point, it shouldn’t even surprise anyone.

They outplayed the Boston Bruins for most of the game, but the breaks and execution weren’t there. Everything was coming from the outside, which is exactly what Boston wants defensively. Still, it felt like Buffalo was in control, just waiting for the moment when the floodgates would finally open.

Then the final eight minutes happened.

They started getting inside, generating real chances, and finishing. Even though he has terrible taste in hats, Tage Thompson stepped up and did exactly what star players are supposed to do in big moments: take over when your team is down and the season is on the line.

And then there was the atmosphere.

My cousin was at the game and said he’d never experienced anything like it—pure electricity. People hugging strangers, the entire building shaking. He said it felt more like a Buffalo Bills playoff game than a hockey game. Outside the arena?

Total chaos—in the best way. A full-on mosh pit of fans who finally had something to believe in.

It was insanity.

The Sabres fan base has been waiting for a reason to care like this again. That’s why “Thank you, Sabres” became a thing back in the ’70s…because when this team is alive, the city feels it.

And right now? That powder keg might finally be lit.

Mocking the Bills Draft

I’m thrilled that the Sabres playoff run has put the Bills draft on the back burner in Buffalo. Yes, is part of that because I refuse to know anything about the players being drafted? Absolutely. Is it because losing our minds over mock drafts sounds super trivial? Yes. Is everyone batting around .220 when it comes to being right about the draft? Also yes. But hey, I drink and I know some things.

What I can do is give you a draft preview/prediction by position, using the lowest form of conversation—history—to try and make a point. The Bills have some holes, and more importantly, in the eyes of one Patrick Moran, GIANT DEPTH AND SPECIAL TEAMS ISSUES!!! [Cheap burial of Pat completed]

So with that, we’ll go by position, why it does or doesn’t make sense, some historical stuff, and whether they draft these positions…and when. But don’t worry, no one will remember this piece in a few weeks, which is why the draft is a content wet dream. It’s the one thing that, in my opinion, readers or other media members won’t exactly remember what was said prior to it…unless it’s about Josh Allen. The Bills have 7 picks, with 5 of them coming on Day 3 of the draft.

There’s history saying Beane could trade up, trade back, or do nothing. Yes, kids, that’s the type of draft analysis you’re about to get from me.

If anything, just keep this in mind: I have a draft rule of thumb….if you are picked in the first round, you should contribute as a rookie. Maybe even start. If you’re a Day 2 pick, you should help out on either side of the ball, but not be a game changer. As for Day 3, it’s basically hope they do something by Year 2—and even that’s slim—or they become special teams guys ASAP.

Running Back

Why it makes sense: The only way I can see it is if they want to move on from Ty Johnson. This is also an organization that has always drafted running backs. When Singletary was fine…they still drafted Moss and Cook on Day 2.

Why it doesn’t: They already have Cook/Ty/Davis. The only way you draft one at some point is if you’re thinking about special teams later in the draft.

Historical meaningless stat that could have meaning: The Bills have drafted 4 RBs since 2018.

Prediction: Not drafted

Tight Ends

Why it makes sense: Unless you’re thinking that Dawson Knox or Dalton Kincaid get traded between now and the next Killers album. Both TEs seem to be due at least 3-4 games of missing yearly and Kincaid is on load management time clock.

Why it doesn’t make sense: You already have blue-collar, lunch-pail guy Jackson Hawes. Dawson Knox basically has a lifetime contract with the Bills.

Historical meaningless stat that could have meaning: The Bills have drafted 4 TEs since 2018.

Prediction: Not drafted

Quarterback

Why it makes sense: Yes, the majority of backup QBs are terrible, but Kyle Allen is on a higher tier of terrible and is basically just Josh Allen’s golf buddy or new nanny. They did use a 5th-round pick once on gun enthusiast favorite Jack Fromm in 2021. They haven’t drafted someone since then.

Why it doesn’t make sense: You have Josh Allen. He never gets hurt. If he does, they’ll probably sign Joe Flacco off the street or something to take over for Kyle “Drama” Allen Chase. Using an asset late in the draft might not make sense.

Historical meaningless stat that could have meaning: The Bills have drafted 2 QBs since 2018.

Prediction: I’m going with a stunner—last pick will be a QB.

Wide Receiver

Why it makes sense: You can’t have enough weapons for Josh Allen. You need cheaper talent at WR since you have one of the most expensive WR rooms in the league. Keon Coleman isn’t very good and could be traded. They have ONLY DRAFTED ONE WR!!!!! in the top 3 rounds since 2018. They should be due.

Why it doesn’t make sense: You already used a 2nd-round pick on DJ Moore. If you draft someone high, while they will be cheaper, it’ll be harder to get them on the field because your top 3 WRs seem set and you like to play 12 personnel. Even if you trade Coleman, the new WR would be sitting as the #4. And they’ve been hyping Coleman all offseason, so maybe in their minds he’s still a fit.

Historical meaningless stat that could have meaning: The Bills have drafted 9 wide receivers since 2018.

Prediction: The WR train stalls again, no WRs are picked, and Jeremy White loses his mind.

Offensive Line

Why it makes sense: Like the WR room, you have a lot of guys on their 2nd or 3rd contracts. O’Cyrus Torrence, the only starter on a rookie deal, is a free agent after next year. Dion Dawkins is getting older. The Bills have drafted an OL every year since 2021.

Why it doesn’t make sense: You are set on the offensive line and added two veterans to help or possibly start.

Historical meaningless stat that could have meaning: Bills have drafted 11 OL since 2018.

Prediction: Day 3 pick

Safety

Why it makes sense: You have Cole Bishop, who isn’t going anywhere. Then you have Geno Stone and Gardner-Johnson, who feel like one-year mercenaries. No clue what Hancock brings to the table and Damar Hamlin is a backup with a SAG card. This could easily become a hole next year. Maybe it doesn’t matter, but Jim Leonhard is a former NFL safety and I tend to believe that coordinators/head coaches who do have influence do tend to want guys that were positions they used to play. Also, safety normally means he can play special teams.

Why it doesn’t make sense: They seem set with their 5 safeties and have cheap talent there already. There are bigger needs.

Historical meaningless stat that could have meaning: Bills have drafted 3 safeties since 2018.

Prediction: Day 3 pick—either safety or CB (or both).

Cornerback

Why it makes sense: You can never have enough corners, as Buddy Nix once said. Benford has had concussions, and we don’t know if Maxwell Hairston is good. They lost Tre White and Taron Johnson and only replaced them with Dee Alford. A new system could mean new fits. ESPN mocks keep giving them a CB in Round 1—either they know something, it’s a smokescreen, or they’re just guessing like everyone else does.

Why it doesn’t make sense: You already drafted a CB high last season, and allegedly this defense won’t need as many DBs on the field.

Historical meaningless stat that could have meaning: Since 2018, the Bills have drafted 10 CBs.

Prediction: Day 3 pick—again, CB or safety here.

Inside Linebacker

Why it makes sense: Tyrell Bernard is injury-prone, and Dorian Williams is “a guy.” There’s zero depth. In a 3–4, you want multiple ILBs. This is arguably the biggest weakness if you map out the starters on both sides of the ball. Drafting one high could give you an immediate starter. Also, Beane loves that Luke Kuechly-type player and they’ve always seemed to have a duo with Edmounds/Milano or Milano/Bernard. I don’t think you want Williams with Bernard.

Why it doesn’t make sense: They already have two players slotted there who have starting experience. They could just add depth later.

Historical meaningless stat that could have meaning: Since 2018, the Bills have drafted 5 linebackers.

Prediction: Day 1 pick- Maybe I’m stuck in 90s Tecmo Super Bowl mode, but I think of those 3–4 defenses stacked with guys who can fly sideline to sideline and blitz. I think rookie ILBs -by history- can make an immediate impact. Sam Cowart, Kiko Alonso, Tremaine Edmounds, and Matt Milano were all decent as rookies.

OLB/DE/NT/DT — The Rotation of Doom

Why it makes sense: Yes, I’m combining all of them because it’s a hybrid and I have no idea who’s standing up or putting their hand in the dirt or being lined up next to the ball or being Leon Seals or Lorenzo Alexander. The Bills have always been obsessed with guys with guys in the trenches.

Brandon Beane probably watches Carolina Panthers yearbooks at night hoping Julius Peppers, Kris Jenkins, or Greg Hardy walks through the door. This team has always prioritized the DL, and even when it feels like they’ve done enough, they still draft more. Also, the pass rush needs help—badly.

Why it doesn’t make sense: They’ve already drafted 5 DL in the first 5 rounds over the last 2 years and added Bradley Chubb. They have Rousseau and Oliver as their top guys. Michael Hoecht can play multiple positions. EVERYONE can play multiple positions which is why my brain hurts.

Historical meaningless stat that could have meaning: The Bills have drafted 11 defensive linemen since 2018.

Prediction: Day 2 pick. They’ll keep throwing bodies at the DL/OLB group and hope something sticks.

Stathead of the week

How many wide receivers have been taken by each team within the first 3 rounds of the draft since the 2018

Dad Shots

—WrestleMania Night 1 felt like an extended Saturday Night’s Main Event. The matches were fine, but nothing we’ll remember in terms of quality. I enjoyed Page returning and thought the Drew/Fatu match was solid, even though Fatu sold getting flipped into a table for about 10 seconds and then got the pin two minutes later. Becky vs. AJ was good, but Becky’s entrance with the lip-sync band was bad. Gunther vs. Rollins, to me, was match of the night. Also, where were the packages? No one wants to watch commercials. I can’t stand or care about McAfee or Jelly Roll, which didn’t help me trying to understand the main event. Also, LA Knight becoming friends with IShowSpeed or whatever his name is after throwing him into a TV 10 days ago doesn’t make sense. Anyway, it wasn’t terrible or bad—it just didn’t feel like WrestleMania. Too many cooks in the creative kitchen.

—WrestleMania Night 2 was way better than Night 1. I thought the main event was incredible, and Punk and Roman are just the best in the world right now. They know how to tell a story in the ring and everything feels organic when they fight. I think we’re going to get a Roman vs. Gunther program. Brock retiring—or storyline?—means Heyman is going to need a new client, and I think that favor he owes Gunther could be for him to be in his corner against Roman. As for Brock getting squashed by Oba Femi—that was great. That’s how you make a star. Now what’s next for Oba is the big question. If I’m putting my booking hat on, I think since Rhea Ripley, Damian Priest, R-Truth, and Finn Bálor are all faces, they should join forces and, as former members of Judgment Day, feud with the current version and put the Judgment Day name on the line.

—The Sabres’ social media was taking shots at everyone last week with their receipts/cold takes expose. They even sprang for a billboard for the Chicklets guy or whatever that meathead hockey podcast is. I found it pretty funny, even though when we were all trashing them, they definitely deserved it. With that said, when President Pete chimed in, it kind of jumped the shark a little.

— Who the fuck Wyatt Russell?

—The Athletic caught up with Sean McDermott about life after football. He moved his family down to Charlotte, NC. It was exactly what you’d expect from a Sean McDermott article…talking about wanting to learn from other coaches he’s visiting, not talking shit about his previous employers, and enjoying protein shakes. I found it interesting that he’s going to be doing some appearances during draft week as an analyst. Maybe he’ll surprise me and be like Belichick was during that one year he did a bunch of TV.

—Yes, for probably the better part of the last six years, I’ve ignored the NHL, but now that the Sabres are good, I have to start caring and the league is still a dumpster fire. It was super stupid that the NHL couldn’t release the time of a playoff game until 24 hours before puck drop. Also, I still don’t get the point of this playoff format. Why would you want better first-round matchups when games are constantly going against each other and you have to pick?

More people will always be watching in the first round because they have a vested interest in their teams, as there are 16 teams. Maybe I’m in the minority, but if the Sabres get eliminated, I’m turning off hockey until September. So save the best matchups for later. I don’t know if this realignment is about airplane fuel or what.

—I can’t believe Spaceballs 2: The Next One isn’t going by Spaceballs 2: The Search for Money. This has been an inside joke for almost 40 years! Still, I can’t wait for the movie next year, and I’m sure they’ll make some joke about it in the film.

—If I had a draft for the best “Pitt” characters, the top three picks would be Dr. Robby, Nurse Dana, and Dr. Santos.

—The NBA play-in games were outstanding, and maybe the NHL should steal this idea. I’m going with Spurs vs. Knicks for the NBA Finals. I think the Knicks have been coasting and are ready to get serious when the playoffs actually start. The Spurs are the new kids on the block, with Victor Wembanyama being just off-the-hook fantastic on both sides of the court. I think their fresher legs will beat OKC.

—Tim Graham was hosting solo last week on WGR from 1–3 p.m. and had Ryan Miller and Pat LaFontaine on the program. Meanwhile, on Sabres Live, they had Nathan Gerbe. I’ll let that sit for a minute. He also had Andrew Peters, who isn’t one of my favorites, on Thursday’s show, and the first 20 minutes were really good stuff about the reporter/player dynamic. Then Peters talked about not believing astronauts walked on the moon, and I skipped ahead a few minutes.

I love drama, but I feel like the higher-ups at Pegula State Radio definitely took notice by having their ex-host on, who hasn’t been on WGR since Rivet/Peters left.

I’m happy Graham is opening up his Rolodex to get different guests on WGR. While he did have a podcaster on with Peters, sometimes it feels like WGR rolls out the same local guests who all have podcasts about the same topics they’ll be discussing anyway. Yes, you get that cross-promotion bump, but I’m not going to listen to Joe Marino twice in one day—and I like Joe. In general, WGR needs a booker who goes beyond the 716 podcast circle.

Lastly, the WGR Twitter handle hasn’t exactly been promoting the 1–3 p.m. show. Even Pat Moran didn’t know Graham was on until I told him Tuesday.

—Andy has regressed when it comes to baths, specifically when I pour water over his mop of hair. He screams at the top of his lungs, and I’m close to shaving his head. Also, how the hell do you style curly hair? And that’s coming from someone who has curly hair.

—Some business stuff…If you want to buy some Homage shirts and help me pay for drugs, buy anything by following this link, your boy gets a percentage. It being wrestlemania weekend made me love this Steve Austin shirt that I’ve never seen before.

Also be sure to check out the Bills stuff. I’m hoping one day we get Sabres stuff there.

— If you made it this far, thank you! Please share, like and hate read it.

Joe from Queens

Volume IX- Bills, Takes and Dad Mistakes