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May 11, 2008

Buffalo's Maine Place [7:07 am]
Buffalo News reports: 'The Sabres are leaving their American Hockey League base of Rochester after 29 years, and Portland is the likely destination. The Pirates are in their third season as the top affiliate for the Anaheim Ducks. Even those with a cursory knowledge of geography know it’s a long way from Maine to California – it is the farthest trek in the AHL at more than 3,000 miles – and joining with the Sabres would give Portland the benefit of having a parent in its own time zone.'

A sale of Sabres wouldn’t be reason to panic [6:54 am]
Buffalo News reports: 'The NHL has enough problems generating interest in markets that haven’t been established. The last thing it intends to do is yank a team from a passionate hockey town.'

May 9, 2008

Ray sues players’ union for post-lockout payout [8:43 am]
Buffalo News reports: 'The suit involves a case Ray brought against the union in December 2004. During the lockout, the NHLPA was paying its players a stipend of up to $10,000 a month. The money came from a fund the union collected in anticipation of the work stoppage. Ray did not receive payments because the union considered him retired, but he sued saying he wasn’t. The case was settled for $70,000. After the lockout, the union delivered another payment to players, this time in the amount of $150,000, according to the Star. Again, Ray did not get a check. That is the money the Sabres’ television analyst is seeking.'

May 8, 2008

Sabres and sabres Alumni Association assume control of Buffalo Jr. Sabres [8:55 pm]
Sabres.com reports: '“The Buffalo Sabres strongly believe in continuing to promote youth hockey programs throughout Western New York,” stated Buffalo Sabres Owner, B. Thomas Golisano. “The Buffalo Jr. Sabres gives these players the ability to develop their talent locally against the highest level of competition."'

Retired Sabres enforcer, Ray, sues NHLPA again [4:42 pm]
AP reports: 'The latest lawsuit is a follow up to Ray's first case against the NHLPA filed in December 2004 and settled out of court the following September. Ray had accused the NHLPA of refusing to pay him a monthly stipend -- ranging between $5,000 and $10,000 -- during the lockout which wiped out the 2004-05 season.'

Q and A with Felix Schutz [2:16 pm]
Sabres.com reports: '"The hardest part was first learning English. I couldn’t speak a word of English when I got there. My billet, friends, teammates helped me out. I talked to my billet the whole day and the hockey players too. The small ice, the intensity is different in Europe as well. Just everything took some adjusting to."'

Roy showing his versatility [12:50 pm]
Metro Halifax reports: '“I knew my role at the start of the tournament — I’m going to play everywhere, in all types of situations,” said Roy, who has a goal, an assist and plays more than 12 minutes per game. “I’m taking on that role, and I’m enjoying it. I’m enjoying playing with great players, and the adjustment’s fun.”'

Sabres sign Schutz [6:46 am]
Buffalo News reports: '“Felix is a great competitor who plays at a high skill level,” Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier said. “His experience in both the QMJHL and German Elite League last season has rounded his game perfectly for the professional level.”'

Ex-Sabres enforcer Ray sues NHLPA [4:55 am]
Toronto Star reports: 'Former Buffalo Sabres enforcer Rob Ray is suing the NHLPA in New York Supreme Court over the payout of millions of dollars from the union's so-called war chest after the lockout was resolved. Ray originally sued the NHLPA after the union excluded him from receiving monthly payments during the '04-'05 lockout. After he settled that lawsuit, the union made lump-sum payouts to both current and former players. Now, Ray is suing for some of that money and seeking $1 million in punitive damages as well.'

May 7, 2008

Sabres reach 3-year deal with Schutz [10:40 pm]
AP reports: 'Buffalo's fourth-round pick in the 2006 NHL draft, Schutz was the German Elite League's rookie of the year this past season after scoring 25 points (12 goals and 13 assists) in 46 games for ERC Ingolstadt.'

Bad feelings linger for Red Wings, Stars (AP) [May 11]
Really, it's hard to imagine that Chris Osgood is completely correct in his assessment. "Just a little altercation that's over with now," the Detroit goalie insisted Sunday, a day after the Red Wings' 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars was marred by an ugly ending. But don't expect the fracas to be forgotten.

Flyers seeking way to deal with Malkin (AP) [May 10]
Putting two goals into the Flyers' net in less than five minutes was hardly exceptional for Evgeni Malkin. When he put them on their backsides, well, that was embarrassing for a team with a reputation for being bullies. The Flyers are learning there are two sides to these fast-flying Penguins, either of which can take an opponent out of a game -- something Pittsburgh has done consistently while...

Flyers D Coburn struck in face by puck (AP) [May 11]
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Braydon Coburn was struck in the face with a shot by Pittsburgh's Hal Gill early in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals Sunday night. Gill took a shot from the left point that apparently deflected off Evgeni Malkin's stick and struck Coburn near the left eye less than two minutes into the first period.

Penguins C Talbot could return Sunday (AP) [May 10]
Pittsburgh Penguins center Max Talbot, sidelined with a broken right foot for three games, may play Sunday night in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against Philadelphia. Talbot broke his foot while blocking a shot in Game 3 of the second-round series against the Rangers. He returned to practice Saturday, and coach Michel Therrien said he will be evaluated following Sunday's pre-game skate.

Wings F Franzen out for Games 2 and 3 (AP) [May 10]
Johan Franzen was scratched from the Detroit Red Wings' lineup for Game 2 of the Western Conference finals and will miss Game 3 because of concussion-like symptoms. Franzen didn't play Saturday night against the Dallas Stars as a precaution because he's had recurring headaches dating to early in the previous series.

US loses lead, cool in defeat to Finland (AP) [May 11]
Mikko Koivu scored with less than four minutes remaining to give Finland a 3-2 come-from-behind win Sunday over the United States at the world hockey championships that was marred by a postgame brawl. After Koivu scored with 3:50 left, the United States' Adam Burish was ejected for butt-ending a Finland player.

Wild coach Lemaire to return next season (AP) [May 10]

Jacques Lemaire has 11 Stanley Cup championship rings, 500 victories as a coach and is widely considered one of the best coaches in the NHL. Yet despite all he has done as a player, executive and coach, Lemaire still needed a little reassurance from Minnesota general manager Doug Risebrough before deciding to return for an eighth season behind the Wild bench.

Quenneville out as Avalanche coach (AP) [May 09]

The Colorado Avalanche want to play a faster, more attacking brand of hockey, similar to the style that brought them two Stanley Cup titles. Now, they're looking for a coach who fits that description. Joel Quenneville and the Avalanche mutually decided to end their relationship Friday, a week after Colorado was swept out of the playoffs by the Detroit Red Wings.

G Kolzig confirms he'll leave Capitals (AP) [May 09]
When Olie Kolzig removed his nameplate from the Washington Capitals' locker room after their last playoff game, then skipped a mandatory meeting the next morning, everyone figured his time with the team was over. Now Kolzig confirms he won't be back. "For me, it was disappointing the way it ended. ... It just doesn't feel right," the 38-year-old goalie told The Washington Post for a story Friday.

Sidelined D Timonen rejoins Flyers (AP) [May 09]
Kimmo Timonen wasn't in the Philadelphia Flyers' lineup Friday night, sidelined by a blood clot on his left ankle that is all but certain to keep him out the rest of the playoffs. It didn't keep him out of their dressing room. Timonen, ruled out of the Flyers' Eastern Conference final series against the Penguins the day before, unexpectedly traveled to Pittsburgh for Game 1 by catching a ride on...