Sabres Amerks relationship at a Crossroads

Well the situation between the two clubs appears to be more dire then I thought. And that the split is highly more likely, unless Steve Donner decides to sell the Amerks to the Sabres. Plus the minority owner is starting a power struggle with Donner trying to state the Amerks are on the verge of Bankruptcy. This isn't some idle threat as stated in this article in the D&C.

"In court, Joseph Zdarsky, the lawyer representing Amerks minority partner Randall Latona, said he was told by Sabres management that if majority owner Steve Donner won't sell the franchise, the Sabres will place their prospects with another AHL team."

Also, an e-mail from the city of Rochester to the Amerks referenced the Sabres intention to leave if a new affiliation agreement wasn't in place by Nov. 1 (there is none in place) or if Donner's group didn't sell the financially troubled franchise to Buffalo.

The Sabres' desire to own the franchise may also coincide with their plan to operate Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial. The management contract between the city and SMG expires in June. The Sabres operate their home rink in Buffalo, HSBC Arena, and have made overtures about doing the same in Rochester.

Wow I didn't know the Sabres had this master plan with the Amerks, drive them low, keep them in financial trouble and buy them low, to only buy and operate them later. Mmm, Mr Golisano is a shrewd businessman I must say myself.

The courts didn't remove Amerks management so this fight should be going on for some time. Only making the relationship between the two even worse. Well its only bad between the Sabres and Donner. So if they get their way, and install their own people, the relationship will continue. If not, then its a new AHL affiliation. Most Sabre fans could care less if good prospects still come flowing through.

Personally I hope things work out, the closeness and length of the relationship really shouldn't come to an end like this.