It is a big, big day for Buffalo Sabres fans. Being one of them can be hard sometimes, but only sometimes. Any true Sabres fan is allowed to criticize the organization to another true Sabres fan, but if you’re not one of us, you should never say a word.
As a kid from Buffalo I remember the French Connection, Hasek, Mogilny, Lafontaine and all the other greats who have put on the Blue ad Gold. I don’t mention the Black and Silver days because no one really embraced that as part of the organization.
I also remember the day Jim Kelly finally left the USFL to report to the Buffalo Bills. I remember watching the news and seeing him throw a football to a reporter for his first pass in Buffalo. The impact of Jim Kelly, who was a “generational player” is felt in Buffalo to this day. Every Bills leader will be measured against him for the rest of time.
The Sabres though, they have had great teams. They have had players such as the French Connection and others that are Buffalo sports icons. Perhaps Gilbert Perrault was the first, and only truly “generational player” the Sabres have ever drafted. He did a lot for the start up franchise, and exemplified greatness both on the off the ice.
But since Perrault, the Sabres have not drafted that kind of player. Hasek came in a trade, as did a few others, and Mogilny never reached that status after breaking his leg.
Enter Jack Eichel.
I have watched this young man since he was in the Empire Junior Hockey League. I also watched Connor McDavid since seeing him with PEAC Academy. Both truly have generational talent. This is not a statement on who will be better, but I have my own thoughts on that.
This is a statement on what Jack Eichel will mean and become as a Buffalo Sabre. It is a statement on just what he can do for this franchise.
Eichel is Kelly on ice. This is how big a move drafting Eichel is for the organization and the city of Buffalo.
Kelly, in younger years, often reported to be a little too confident for some peoples liking. Reportedly liked to go out and have a good time with the boys.
Good for both of them.
If you’re not confident, you’re not a professional athlete. If you don’t believe you’re the best, you never will be. If you cant get people to believe in you, you will never be a leader.
Kelly had all of those qualities, and Eichel has them as well.
This is the player the Sabres have been waiting for. This is the player the fans and city have been waiting for. Its a good time to be a Sabres fan, and its a great time to be Eichel.
Jim Kelly arrived in Buffalo in 1986. The Bills made the playoffs in 1988. Four years later the Bills were playing for Super bowls. Eichel will arrive in Buffalo in 2015. Is a 2017 playoff birth too much to ask? A Stanley Cup run by 2019? I will take that as a fan.
Hope springs eternal in Buffalo with every draft. This one though is just a little more special.
Joseph Kolodziej – Publisher
