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Last Year's Rank: 23
Title Track: 99
Ownership: 95
Coaching: 32
Players: 104
Fan Relations: 66
Affordability: 12
Stadium Experience: 55
Bang for the Buck: 30

Far be it from the Sabres to nickel-and-dime Nickel City puckheads. Besides paying the NHL's second-lowest cover, season ticket-holders who ponied up a measly 10% deposit for next year by late April get a not-so-measly 20% discount on 2010 playoff seats. Residents of Pominville (Section 315, named for 20-goal scorer Jason) and neighboring areas certainly appreciate that, just as they appreciate their team's commitment to community. Take coach Lindy Ruff, the longest-tenured (12 seasons) coach in the league, whose house is just two miles from where Continental Flight 3407 went down on Feb. 12. The next morning, he gave an emotional speech to his team to help the players put the game in its proper perspective. That night he led his troops to a dramatic 6-5 shoot-out win over the NHL-best Sharks. "It was important for our fans," he said. Also important to fans? Making the playoffs, which the Sabres haven't done since 2006-07, making them the first team in NHL history to miss the postseason in consecutive years after leading the league in points. Also important: not losing every free agent (see: Drury, Campbell, Briere) who enters his walk year.