Buffalo's easily one of the best run teams financially. They became the NHL's first team to exclusively use variable ticket pricing, they added perks to season ticket holders and got the teams STH base to the highest level it ever has been, they've altered section prices so they can create as close to indifference between ticket price levels as possible, and they recently set up a ticket resale program that makes STH, average joe fans, and the team better off. (The plan allows STHers to sell off some games for a higher price than they paid, allows average joe fans to pick up hard to get tickets at lower prices than anywhere else, and the team gets a commission on each ticket sold even though they already made money the first time they sold it.) They have a waiting list for season tickets, the best selling merchandise in the league, and the highest TV ratings in America (more money from MSG) despite being in one of the leagues smallest and poorest markets.
Obviously, winning helps all of those things (which is why the hockey side and financial side are clearly not mutually exclusive), but it's simply crazy to call their financial plan a disaster. Golisano and Quinn have come up with very creative ways to remain viable in a tough market. That's exactly why the revenue sharing plan is essential. Buffalo has to keep ticket prices low because of the local economy. All teams benefit in the long-run from a league that is properly balances and revenue sharing is neccesary to allow all teams to ice a good team and be in the black.