from Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News,

The Sabres haven’t shown up much at all since they returned from Christmas and now their fans don’t have to show up for any more home games until Feb. 5. Even though the players clearly know the organizational mandate is to wince at every point acquired in the standings, they’re paid to perform. Cody Hodgson, with no goals in 16 games for his $4.25 million cap hit, is among those who may have missed that memo.

No one expected the Sabres to be a playoff team this year, the foolhardly proclamations of new captain Brian Gionta to the contrary. But 10 losses in a row? The expectation, especially when they were a decent 13-16-2, was for them to keep battling and working.

Maybe you push a 70-point season – which would be 18 more than last year – and you still probably finish in the bottom two. Maybe you still finish 30th and guarantee at least Jack Eichel if you don’t win the Connor McDavid lottery. But you’ve improved.

Instead, the Sabres have become historically inept. They’re a joke. A punchline. Most nights this team has little work ethic. They’re soft.

more