This would be silly. Part of the having the farm team in Rochester is that it reinforces the Sabres as a Regional franchise.
Is playing to a 6000 people in Buffalo more profitable than playing to 6000 people in Rochester?
I agree with your statement about Rochester and support the Amerks staying there. But I do believe that the having the Amerks in Buffalo is better financially than having them play in Rochester.
1. No lease payment to SMG
2. Revenue coming in from all of the advertising
3. Revenue from parking
4. Revenue from concessions
5. Shared resources such as training facilities
Some of those savings would be offset by the cost of operating the arena in Buffalo but you also get - more business at 716, Sabres store, Tim Hortons
On top of that you have the convenience of the the hockey department being able to see your own players in your own arena whenever you want and being able to call up a guy by walking over to the next dressing room and tap him on the shoulder.
So, I believe that to get the Sabres to stay in Rochester, they need to be the operator of the arena