So , Ott thinks that we , the fan , should cheer on the Sabres for losing ? Or , coughing up the puck in their own end ? Or , letting the other team scores , AFTER the Sabres are on a PP ? Or , when the Sabres are playing like they would rather some place else , instead on the ice , is that what Ott , and some other players and some so-called " sport " writers on Buffalo are saying ? Get out of town ! Perhaps you should try playing , instead of going through the motions ! I have seen better playing from PeeWee teams who haven't won ANY games than what the Sabres have done this season . The difference of those players than from a PeeWee team is the PeeWee team WANT TO PLAY ! And , they don't get paid for that either . Besides , we the fan PAY to watch a PRO teams , TO play ! Not to give so-so effort to win , we pay YOUR wages , the least you should do is try to win ! Too far the Sabres have not TRY  , they only come to the rink and think that's enough . And it shows . Then you get all riled up because the fans let you know that ?!? Why don't you try and get a job , a REAL JOB , because you sure don't want to play hockey anymore . AND IT SHOWS !!

My personal itch with this is that these are players that are making 6-7 figure salaries - on half a season's work, this year - and we (the fans) are spending our hard earned money to view these guys playing hardcore hockey. It's hard to not get a little upset when we see our money, essentially, going to waste. That's rough, especially in Buffalo and especially in this economy.

To the players, if you're making 6-7 figures playing a sport that most of us shell out lots of money to view/play in our free time, then you should be working your butts off to play, regardless of the fans. If I lax off at work, I don't expect a cheering section from my coworkers to encourage me, and I usually get into trouble for it, and risk losing my job. I don't depend on an outside group of revelers to cheer me on to do my job. I do what I get paid to do, and that's work hard and earn every cent I get in my paycheck.  Even if the stands are pure empty, you should be playing as hard as you can to keep earning your money. That's how employment works. You work, and take responsibilities for your work, not blame it on others.

To the counter, I never "boo"  my teams. I've been a Bills and Sabres fan since I can remember and I'm used to the sting of losing and falling short. It's because of that experience that I've learned never to give up on something. I also know what it's like to have encouragement replaced with gripes and jeers. It can be incredibly deflating; taking the wind right out of your sails and the heart out of your game. Sometimes, knowing that someone has your back, even when you're feeling that you're letting them down, can definitely lift your spirits and give you the drive you need to keep fighting.

So, while I will never be one to "give my dog a treat for crapping on the carpet" I will always be the one that encourages the dog to learn.  Therefore, Steve Ott - I love you in the Blue and Gold, by the way - I'm not paying money to be your motivational speaker, but I will never be your task master.

TLDR: You get paid to play, no matter the crowd, so earn your money. But I'll never be amongst those that put you down as long as you're playing for my team.

I don't boo, and I prefer that others wouldn't either.  But I sure as hell won't sit around with a high-and-mighty attitude expecting people to not boo if that's what they want to do.  There's nothing wrong with the "I'm spending $200 on this game for my ticket, parking, food and drinks, so I'll do whatever the hell I want" argument.  If you buy a gallon of spoiled milk, you can take it back.  Short of leaving the game, there's no equivalent as a fan to "taking it back" once you're there.  And based on Miller's comments a few weeks ago, the players don't appreciate empty seats any more than they appreciate booing.I get that professional athletes are real people and real people wouldn't want to be booed for any reason.  But  I don't give my dog a treat when he craps on the carpet.  That's called negative reinforcement.  Why this topic gets rehashed over and over in this town is beyond me.  Let fans do what they want.  

maybe you should think about putting a little effort into your plays,as harsh as this will sound we'd rather you got hurt scoring a goal than being a coward and playing it safe while refusing to attack. that makes buffalonians look like wimps. and we do not like being portrayed as so.  even those of us who no longer live in the upstate new york area have to hear about what losers we are based on how our teams can't even make the playoffs. wake up you guys are professionals for the love of God play like it!

They're one of the top US cities in hockey TV ratings, regardless if the Sabres are playing. How is that not a hockey town?

Buffalo is a Sabres town, not a hockey town.  There's a difference!