5 Reasons the Buffalo Sabres’ Playoff Drought Hurts More Than The Bills’ Drought

Although the Buffalo Sabres' playoff drought is not as long as the Buffalo Bills' infamous 17-year drought, it feels worse. In fact, a local sports commentator asked fans which one was worse, and they overwhelmingly answered that the Sabres' drought was worse. 

Having experienced both of them, in their entirety, I agree. But why? Why do the Sabres' losing ways feel so much worse? Here are five reasons why: KEEP SCROLLING.

 1. The Sabres Were Never Bad 

The Bills have, well, stunk a lot during their time in the NFL. We remember the Super Bowl run, but after their AFL Championship teams, the '60s, '70s, and a decent amount of the '80s were not fun. OJ was a bright spot in the '70s, but we don't talk about that. Those teams rarely had winning seasons and never have come close to a Super Bowl, except, like, one year. Then there was the playoff drought, which was preceded by the Flutie/Johnson QB debacle, where they won but did dumb things. Point is, Bills fans know what it's like to lose, historically. Sabres fans don't. 

Since entering the NHL in 1970, and leaving out the last 14 years, the Sabres have never been bad. They regularly made the playoffs and were legit contenders despite only winning two Stanley Cups. They have had world-class players from Perault to Lafontaine to Hasek and many others. Despite never winning a cup, they had a winning culture with plenty of positive history. 

2. The Ineptitude of the Sabres is Somehow Worse

Even when the Bills were bad, they often were not "bottom of the league" bad. They haven't picked first overall often and while they frustrated fans they at least had a shot at the playoffs. 

The Sabres have been bottom of the league bad. Multiple times. They've had some of the most baffling losing streaks of any sports team ever. 

3. The Sabres Are Cheap

Even when the Bills were bad, it seemed like they had at least *some* interest in building a roster and spending the money to try. Late owner Ralph Wilson was cheap, but the organization was built like most and did spend money. The Sabres? No. Video scouting. Huge staff cuts. Poor arena management (Bills aren't great here either historically). A rumored internal salary cap. These things make the Sabres seem cheap and run like a minor league club to fans. 

4. The Sabres Fail With Alumni and Fans

What's even more disturbing? How the team drops the ball with the alumni and fans. Giving alumni jerseys at events that look like someone's mom ironed on names... And spelling them wrong. Not recognizing the anniversary of the 74-75 Stanley Cup team. Being tone deaf to fan complaints. These are just a few of the many other baffling fails the town made under Terry Pegula's ownership. 

5. The Sabres are Buffalo's Heart

The Bills belong to WNY. But the Sabres are Buffalo's heartbeat. Or, at least, they were and still could be. But the failures of this ownership group after declaring their sole purpose to exist is to win a Stanley Cup stings us all to the core. They have never been farther away from that reality, and the constant failures and head-scratching decisions after that proclamation have broken Buffalo's heart, which may be the biggest reason the Sabres' drought hurts more. 

There's a lot of negativity here. I hope the Sabres, and everyone. understands it's out of love. Love for a team I grew up loving. Love for a sport that is possibly the hardest and most beautiful of all team sports. Love for the past that brought us teams and players that fought so hard, often literally. Love for winning just one before I die.

Buffalo, Western New York, and even the hockey world want the Sabers to be good again. There is nothing in the world like Buffalo when the Sabres are good. It's just been so long and gone SO bad that people have forgotten. In fact, a lot of people don't even care. Even when the Bills were bad, people still cared. That's why it hurts so much more.

What hurts more for you? The Bills to Sabres drought?