My Letter To Santa From A Buffalo Sabres Fan
By Sean McGrath
“Dear Santa,
How are you? I’m doing good this year. I hope I have been good enough to be on the nice list, I know you check it twice. I might be a tad late in doing this, but if it’s anything like how the Sabres have been doing the past few weeks, I should be ok.
For Christmas, I’m not going to say that I want the Stanley Cup (even though I REALLY do), so instead, I want the pieces to help us get the Stanley Cup, so indirectly, I am asking for Lord Stanley to find it’s way to it’s rightful home in Buffalo.
Dec 14, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres head coach Ted Nolan during the game against the Calgary Flames at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
We need a scorer, Santa. We have some guys like Matt Moulson and Tyler Ennis who have been showing that we can call on them to put the puck in the net. Not to sound greedy but I want MORE. We have a ton of guys who can put the puck to the net, I want a guy who can score with it using those passes. So with that, if you could please put Dany Heatley under the First Niagara Center tree, I’d really appreciate it.
Heatley is a great player, just the guy Buffalo needs. He’s getting older, I know, but if Minnesota doesn’t plan on signing him, then I believe that he would find Buffalo a great place to try and take a run at a cup. If Terry is really willing to do whatever it takes, then maybe you two can work out a deal? Maybe?
Our defense has been getting better, playing on a more consistent basis, proving that the draft picks in the past few years were not a bust, but an elite blue line in the making. But, I feel we could have one more person to help round us out.
Hmm, Santa, for Christmas, I would love to get Alex Pietrangelo. Yes, he is signed to St. Louis for 7 years, I know that would be a long shot, but knowing your Christmas magic, I am sure that you can do something to at least get some talks going. He is heating up in his career right now, and I would love to see Buffalo reap the benefits of him and what he brings to the blue-line.
Ok, so that last one might be a long-shot, almost nearly impossible, but it’s not wrong to dream right Santa?
If Pietrangelo is a definite out, a good look for Buffalo would to bring in Ryan McDonagh. McDonagh is signed by the Rangers to a 6-year 28.2 million dollar deal, but I think Buffalo can put some sweetener to the mix by pursuing the 24-year old defenseman. Through 38 games he has scored 6 goals and added 20 assists. My thought is, by bringing in someone who can shoot from the top, maybe he can influence someone to jump in front of the net and tap the puck in.
Dec 23, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) skates with the puck against the New Jersey Devils during the second period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Since I am just wishing these things, one more wouldn’t hurt.
With the way the team has been playing, I would kind of like to see Patrick Kane come home to the Queen city. He may be the best possible center that we could sign, notching 22 goals and 27 assists, and I know that he has the pacing to jump right into Nolan’s new-look team and push us even further to our ultimate goal.
Kane’s contract has one-year left, worth 6.5 million, Santa, if there is a number one gift I could choose, this is the one. He is Buffalo-bred, a great two-way player, and more importantly, a center worth shelling some extra cash out to. Please please please Santa, do your best to make me and the rest of the Buffalo fanbase very happy fans. You gave us the “ButtGoal,” give us Patrick Kane!
As for goalies, I am perfectly happy with Both Miller and Enroth, so if you could just sign both to longer deals, I’ll be happy!
I hope you stay warm this year as you deliver lots of joy and holiday cheer to people all around the world. I’ll be sure to give you some cookies and milk, and some carrots for your reindeer!”
Sincerely and Merry Christmas,
Sean.”
From me and the whole rest of the staff at SabreNoise, we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Don’t forget to hit us up on twitter with questions (@sabrenoise) or at our email (sabrenoisemailbag@gmail.com)!