LAS VEGAS – The icons of Buffalo Sabres history are just like the team's fans. They want to see a return to playoff hockey and get frustrated by another year passing without a run at the Stanley Cup.
But Rene Robert and Danny Gare, who wore two of the team's seven retired numbers, are starting to feel better about where the franchise is headed even as its playoff drought closes within one season of the all-time NHL record of 10 straight years.
"It bothers me because I spent most of career there, in good times and bad, and I feel for the fans," Robert, the right winger on the famed French Connection, told The Buffalo News at a Sabres Road Crew event late Thursday night in the Park MGM hotel. "I remember how good they were and I know how good they are. No better fans anywhere in sports than in Buffalo. I keep saying, 'Be patient, be patient' but I think this time I see the light around the corner. I really do.
"I sincerely believe that the Pegulas have the right personnel in place now like they do with the Bills. Let's watch the kids grow and you can see how a year can make a difference."
"The young core is getting really strong," Gare said. "You've got names like Eichel, Ristolainen, Dahlin, Reinhart. Olofsson is an up and comer. They need that second-line center and we all know that. I think (GM) Jason Botterill understands that. I really liked the move to trade for Wayne Simmonds. I was surprised by it but it was great. They need that physical kind of player. ... I've always been a fan of his."
The biggest reason for optimism, of course, is the ascension of Jack Eichel into an NHL superstar in his fifth year in the league. Eichel entered Friday's game against the Vegas Golden Knights on pace for the highest-scoring season by a Buffalo player since 1993, targeting 46 goals and 101 points.
"He's become an elite player who's proven he's worth the contract that he signed," Gare said. "We were all looking towards that and hoped for that and we're there. He's become an outstanding leader, leads by example. So skilled. Lots of guys might have his speed in the neutral zone but the way he controls play in the offensive zone and protects the puck is great. And I'm so-so-so glad he's shooting the puck more. He's got such a great shot and had to become a little more selfish with that."
"I give credit to Ralph Krueger for that. I think he's the man who's really helped change a lot of how Jack goes," Robert said of the Sabres' first-year coach. "I chatted with Jack a couple times and I told him, 'Look, you're the man here as much as Gilbert Perreault was back then. It's your job now to lead the way' and he just done a great, great job.
"I like what I see. They still need to make a couple moves, but the salary cap can tie your hands sometimes," Robert added. "I like the core, I like the moves they made at the deadline. On any given night, they can beat anybody. It's just difficult to be consistent and believe in what you're doing every night. I had that problem over 80 games when I played. "
Of the Sabres' "Rafters Club," two are deceased (Tim Horton and Rick Martin) and one is estranged from the organization (Pat LaFontaine). Dominik Hasek lives in the Czech Republic but visits two or three times a season while Gilbert Perreault, Robert and Gare are often spotted at alumni events like the one held here Thursday.
Eichel said he's enjoyed meeting many alums over his career, especially this year during the team's 50th anniversary celebrations. And it's a particular honor to meet the franchise legends.
"Those are players who really set the blueprint for this organization," Eichel said here Friday. "Their numbers are in the rafters and they made such a lasting impact on the community. You talk to people in Buffalo, those are the names that come up so frequently and it's always such an honor to meet them and talk about how things were when they played. They always have some good advice."
Krueger also drew praise for the work he's done with the team this season.
"I've known Ralph 20-30 years and I really feel he's been what this team needs," Gare said. "I think he's a guy that will grow with this team. His communication skills are off the charts. He's a motivator, very intelligent and he wants to win, wants to play the guys ready to compete every night."
Gare was close friends with former NHLer Brian Lefley, who was also one of Krueger's best friends, and that's how they became acquainted. Brian Lefley was coaching the national team in Italy when he died in 1997 at age 49 from injuries in a car accident.
"All the alumni I'm in contact with have been unbelievably supportive," Krueger said. "They can feel the direction that we're going on here and they're supporting it. It's real positive and I look to deepening those contacts as we go into the offseason and into next season."
One aspect of the 50th anniversary season has been the way the alumni decade celebrations have brought back players who have not returned to Buffalo in many years and re-introduced them to the fans.
"The things that the Pegulas have done for the city and with the Sabres and Bills have been amazing. Not many ownership groups do. They treat everybody the same," Robert said. "They're very genuine people. They've brought in older guys in, a lot of guys who don't live around Buffalo, and it's been unbelievable to see. It's fun, brings back all those memories."
"It brings back great memories for them, the kinship of how guys grew up in Buffalo," Gare said. "I give the Sabres organization kudos for the way they've done this and exposed these guys to the fans, flying guys in and taking care of them. They flew in Michal Grosek from Switzerland for instance and you get a chance to reconnect.
"Kim and Terry Pegula have been unbelievable in that regard. On Captains Night, Terry is in the room with us. Gilbert is there, Floyd Smith, Gerry Meehan, Mike Foligno and Terry just says, 'This is really neat.' It really was."
Eichel agreed.
"It's been great for me as the captain now," he said. "You want to educate yourself on the history of the franchise and the organization. In the 50th anniversary year, there's a lot of events to bring players back around the team and it's been a great thing to build relationships, meet new people in the game of hockey, and you hear more stories about the history of the city and the team."
Great memories serve as the backdrop for a solid Sabres comeback
