Sabres fans excited by Pegula's passion

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Buffalo Sabres fans have waited decades to hear "positive points" like these coming from the front office.

Sabres fans are listening closely to what the team's new owner is saying.

Patrick Quigley said, "I'm really excited for the passion he's bringing to the team and everything he's going to do."

What Terry Pegula, a longtime Sabres fan and now the owner, wants to do is win Stanley Cups, which is something the team hasn't done since it entered the National Hockey League in 1970.

Sean Smith said, "I'm hoping they spend to the cap space pretty soon. Maybe bring in a guy that can score 40 or 50 goals. Hopefully with the new changes players will want to come here."

Pegula teared up when he saw Sabres legend Gilbert Perrault at Tuesday morning's news conference. Fans believe he's a different kind of billionaire owner.

John Diehl said, "They both had money, Golisano and him. But he seems a little bit more about winning and not just the bottom line, which you're supposed to have the bottom line. But it's nice to see you want to win and maybe spend an extra buck to get the players in here and win."

Larry Colucci added, "We've had bottom line guys own the team previous and we haven't had much success. So I think in this situation, it's good and I'm looking forward to it."

As the Sabres battle for a playoff spot this season, attention turns to the duo of General Manager Darcy Regier and Coach Lindy Ruff, men Pegula wants to keep around beyond this season.

Derek Moscati said, "It's probably the right move. A lot of changes are probably going to be happening. They probably earned the opportunity to run the team while it's kind of run differently from the top."

The man at the top says he's willing to spend some cash to win the cup. That's creating some buzz in a season where fans are simply hoping the blue and gold can make the playoffs.