yle Okposo on a seven-year deal. Fans have to just trust the process for the time being, but at least waiting it out wont empty th

This story is part of ESPN The Magazines Oct. 12 Owners Issue. Subscribe today!Buffalo SabresOverall: 60 Title track: 81 Ownership: 29 Coaching: 66 Players: 73 Fan relations: 90 Affordability: 18 Stadium experience: 72 Bang for the buck: 47 Change from last year: +2With the Cleveland Cavaliers taking home a NBA championship this year, Buffalo now becomes a front-runner for most tortured sports town in America. But while the Sabres finished the 2015-16 season at just 35-36-11, there is hope for their faithful. The teams 81 points were the most since 2011-12, and rookie sensation Jack Eichel lit the lamp 24 times.Whats goodOwner Terry Pegula was a hit as soon as he bought the team in 11 (hes ranked 29th overall this year), promising to immediately spend to compete for a Stanley Cup. Five years later, and the Sabres wont be hoisting a trophy come June, but the wheels are certainly in motion. Eichel produced right away, and the additions of forwards Ryan OReilly and Evander Kane combined for 41 goals last season. Trading a first-rounder for Robin Lehner was considered a reach at the time, but the 6-foot-5 netminder looked promising in 21 starts last year, posting a .924 save percentage. Pegula showed he was serious by opening his wallet again this offseason, bringing in winger Kyle Okposo on a seven-year deal. Fans have to just trust the process for the time being, but at least waiting it out wont empty the bank account. The Sabres registered 18th in affordability with an average game cost of just $71.30, and a Ulysses S. Grant will buy your average game ticket.Whats badApparently the fan appreciation night held during the last home game of the season didnt have the desired effect. The Sabres check in at No. 90 on our list in fan relations, down 36 spots from a year ago. That appreciation night featured giveaways, discounts at the team store, and various promotions, but roughly 75 percent of the fans in attendance were left out of the giveaways. One fan, a season-ticket holder for the past decade, was quoted in The Buffalo News as saying, Fan loyalty is taken for granted, and they do a poor job of tailoring the game-day experience for their core fans.Whats NewStadium experience at the KeyBank Center joined fan relations as a disappointment, falling 23 notches to 72nd overall, but the biggest change is on a positive note. The Sabres hopped from 108th to 47th in bang for the buck this year. Buffalo fans saw that same affordability that theyve come to love, but the bang was significantly better this past season. Despite giving fans just 16 wins at home, 73 percent of their home games were one-goal games, and the team featured four 20-goal scorers for the first time since 2010-11. The quality of hockey improved immensely, but dont worry -- those $4.25 hot dogs and $3 sodas werent sacrificed in the process.Next: Carolina Hurricanes?| Full rankings Mexico Jerseys . The Cincinnati Reds remain perfect with their speedy rookie outfielder in the starting lineup. Jesus Molina Jersey . What general manager Dave Nonis called "short and productive" negotiations ended with Kessel signing a US$64-million, eight-year contract on Tuesday. http://www.soccermexicojerseysteamstore.com/hirving-lozano-mexico-jersey/ . Bradwell was scheduled to become a free agent Tuesday. Born and raised in Toronto, Bradwell is entering his sixth CFL season, with all six played for his hometown Argonauts. Jonathan dos Santos Jersey . A forerunning sled crashed into the worker Thursday at the Sanki Sliding Center. The unidentified worker broke both legs and was airlifted to a nearby hospital. Oribe Peralta Jersey . The Barrie Colts defenceman, who impressed many with his play for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship, is the top-ranked skater in the February rankings. He has 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points in 45 games with the Colts this season. CINCINNATI -- The Bengals put running back Giovani Bernard on injured reserve Tuesday, two days after he tore his left ACL.Cincinnati (3-6-1) also lost receiver A.J. Green indefinitely to a strained right hamstring during a 16-12 loss to Buffalo.The Bengals signed long snapper Tyler Ott to their practice squad on Tuesday. Ott snapped for the Giants in their final game of the 2015 regular season. The Bengals were looking for an alternative snapper because Clark Harris strained his groin against the Bills and was hobbled as he finished the game.ddddddddddddAlso, defensive tackle Brandon Thompson was cleared to resume practicing, but he doesnt have to be activated for 21 days. Hes recovering from a knee injury suffered in the final game last season.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '