Archives for 2001

'But how could anyone be excited about being traded to a team that hasn't made the playoffs in seven years?' … [Read more...] about Former rivals happy to unite with Islanders

'Buffalo Sabres general manager Darcy Regier, as decent a man as there is in NHL management circles, choked up while announcing the trade of former captain Michael Peca to the New York Islanders yesterday, a reflection of both pride in his own organization for seeing a gut-wrenching process to the end and hurt over being publicly portrayed as a villain bent on injuring a … [Read more...] about In the end, Peca deal dictated by money

'After sitting out a year, Mike Peca may have gone to a worse fate: He's now a New York Islander.' … [Read more...] about Islanders land Peca

'The deal reportedly is delayed by the lack of assurance from Hasek he will play two more years in the NHL. It is widely speculated that he plans to retire after the Olympics in February.' … [Read more...] about Sabres set to send Hasek to St. Loo?

'Sabres general manager Darcy Regier said he was never trying to be vindictive in his contract battle with Peca, though those allegations were made by Peca and his agent, Don Meehan. Regier said he was simply trying to protect the Sabres.' … [Read more...] about Islanders prove Peca's salvation

'"It's very rare that I'm at a loss for words, but the only thing I can say is that this is just great," said Peca. "I was close to tears (Saturday) because I knew some of the offers (Buffalo had received) and I didn't think it was going to happen."' … [Read more...] about Tears of joy for Peca

'Asked if it was the best deal Buffalo could get, he replied, "That's a good question. Given the deals that were on the table yesterday, you really had to take a step back and wonder what they were doing by not seriously considering some of the [other] offers. . . . Some of the other offers out there were as good as the Islander offer, or perhaps better, … [Read more...] about Islanders get Peca from Sabres

'"I think nothing more than at some point in time, it became personal, and they wanted to teach Michael Peca a lesson," Meehan said yesterday. "I guess they are part of the dynamics of our game today, but in my view this was totally unnecessary."' … [Read more...] about Islanders pull Peca from exile

'They're not the best of buddies -- Milbury fired Regier after taking over as Islanders GM -- but in this case, Milbury had the best cards to play. He obtained Peca and Yashin without giving up his best winger, Brad Isbister.' … [Read more...] about Peca overjoyed at being Islander

'WINNER: The Sabres did fine without Peca last season, they might do even better next season with Connolly and Pyatt.' … [Read more...] about Isles trade top prospects for Peca

'"There are a lot of things we have to look at, but for now, we feel very strongly about these two young players we've acquired," Regier said. "The forward position is an issue for us and we feel we've acquired a tremendous playmaking center in Connolly and a strong left wing in Pyatt, who is only 19 and playing in the NHL. "They're going … [Read more...] about Regier glad to finally put Peca saga behind him

'Regier said, "I don't have a bitter bone in my body over this situation. I never have."' … [Read more...] about Notebook: Isles acquire Peca

'"I can't really say I have regrets," Peca said. "Life would be great if you could go through it without having to make tough decisions. And going through this process, I think I had to make a couple of them. But today is a day that made up for it a bit."' … [Read more...] about Sabres get Pyatt and Connolly in return

'Yet Connolly, also a center, was the Islanders first pick (fifth overall) in the 1999 entry draft, and is projected to be a good-to-very-good player in the NHL now and for many years to come. Pyatt, already in the NHL at age 19, is a prototype power winger and went eighth in that same draft. A big left winger is something the Sabres definitely needed.' … [Read more...] about Changes for the better?

'"Throughout the process, indications of my frustrations were pretty evident from time to time. Now it's just a point where I wish the Sabres organization well, I thank them and the city of Buffalo and the fans for everything I was able to enjoy in my five years playing here," Peca said.' … [Read more...] about Sabres trade Peca to Islanders