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Tom Golisano notches a ‘hat trick’.
By Dave Ricci
April 23, 2003
Man oh man. How can you not love Tom Golisano? With the April 23 announcement that his bid to purchase the Sabres was a done deal, Tom Golisano notched one of the most impressive hat tricks in local hockey history.
First, he came to the rescue and bought the team. He shoots, he scores!
Next, he actually listened to what the fans wanted. On the final day of the regular season he convinced the NHL to allow the Sabres to once again don their original blue and gold jerseys. He shoots, he scores!
Now, he’s lowering ticket prices! He shoots and really scores big with the fans.
The Sabres announced that for the 2003-04 season they would be rolling back season ticket prices to what they were during the 2001-02 season.
That translates into an average saving of 6 to 8 percent per ticket. They’ll also be reducing the cost of leasing arena suites as well as the introduction of entry-level season ticket plans where fans can purchase 300-level seats for as little as $10 or 100-level for as low as $29 per game.
Fans should contact the Sabres ticket office (888)-223-6000 for full details on all the new features.
More than just bringing glad tidings about new ticket prices, the Sabre’s new owner addressed a variety of topics. Unfortunately the one question that we all seem to want an answer to was not given:
What will be the fate of General Manager Darcy Regier and Head Coach Lindy Ruff?
Golisano noted that discussions are ongoing and more extensive talks with both men will take place in the weeks ahead. For now it appears that the future of Ruff and Regier is still limbo.
During the past several weeks Golisano and (Managing Partner) Larry Quinn have been quick to compliment Ruff on the job he’s done during trying circumstances, but they haven’t been as quick to lay roses at the feet of the incumbent G.M.
When I asked Larry Quinn to evaluate the work done by Regier his response was far from a ringing endorsement. “I think a fair assessment of what Darcy has done over the six years he’s been here is that you’d be hard-pressed to not say he has done a good job. You can evaluate it (his work) on total wins. Playoff victories. Cost per-player versus wins. You can do any objective analysis you want. Unfortunately we’re in a situation where we haven’t made the playoffs in the last few years so that obviously is an issue. So what you do is say, ‘what do (we) have to do to get into the playoffs?’ because that’s what it’s all about. Are you the person to do it? What’s you’re plan? How good do you think you are at drafting? How good are you at player development? Do we need improvement there? What’s the relationship like with your affiliate in Rochester and honestly it isn’t good. Can he (Regier) fix that? So those are the kinds of questions you’d ask somebody (in Darcy’s position) and that’s what we’re asking. It’s maybe taking more time than people would like but I think what we’re trying to do is be very thoughtful and methodical. That ends up having a better decision on the other end.”
While it appears Quinn thinks Regier has done a good job overall it’s also clear he isn’t too impressed with the recent results. And he has his doubts about whether or not Regier can help right-the-ship. Chances are, if that’s the case, Mr. Golisano probably shares the same view as Quinn.
What about Ruff? My feeling has and continues to be that he wants to return. But how big of a factor is Regier? If Regier doesn’t return, either by his choice or Golisano’s, how big of an impact will that have on Ruff’s return? The Ruff-Regier friendship is well documented. Ruff knows 99 percent of other NHL G.M.’s would have canned him years ago, but Regier had faith in him. Chances are if Golisano wants Ruff bad enough Ruff will insist Regier return as well.
Honor and loyalty in pro sports, sounds like such a foreign concept. But if there are two people who still have it, it’s Ruff and Regier.
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