Opinion: Players Don't Want To Go To The Sabres Because They Stink. It Has Nothing To Do With Palm Trees And Taxes

Over the past 10-plus years, the Buffalo Sabres have had losing and drama. Only when that ends will they become a destination, says Ken Campbell.

When players go to the Buffalo Sabres, they learn pretty quickly that New York state taxes them pretty heavily and that there's going to be the occasional snow day.

But anyone who has played there when the team has been competitive will tell you there are few better places to play in the NHL. The fans are incredibly supportive, hockey matters there and the suburbs around the city are beautiful and affordable.

So GM Kevyn Adams is right when he says there are no palm trees and high taxes. But he's wrong if he suggests for one moment that's why players might not want to play there. 

Players, at least the ones who have a choice in these matters, put a high premium on winning potential, stability and how players are treated. And the Sabres have come up short in all three areas at times.

That's why players don't want to play there. And it's not going to improve until that cycle ends.

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