Archives for July 14, 2001

'Andreychuk, who is married to a Buffalonian and has maintained a residence in Western New York for almost two decades, became an unrestricted free agent after the Sabres declined to pick up his option year by the June 30 deadline.'

'"We didn't feel we had enough veteran presence in our dressing room, and Dave Andreychuk is a consummate pro," Dudley said. "He's been able to play at a high level for so long because he prepares himself so well. He's a very influential guy in the locker room because people gravitate toward him."'

'"But if it hadn't been for Dave Andreychuk … he's such an influential guy, he took the rest of the team and accepted what we were doing and he grasped it and he dragged everybody along with him."'