Archives for December 23, 2002

'Without an answer from the public sector by mid-January, Hamister reiterated he will withdraw his offer to buy the franchise, a move that could spell the end of the Buffalo Sabres, not only in Buffalo but entirely.'

'Meanwhile, Adam Mair had this to say: "It wasn't that they weren't calls – some of them were questionable at best – but when we're out there getting (mugged) you gotta call it the other way, too, you know?" Mair used a much harsher word than "mugged," and the interview was taped by multiple Canadian radio and TV stations.'

'In a sense, he's trying to clean up the mess the Rigases made. If the clan had spent more time marketing the team and managing the building instead of making withdrawals at the Coudersport ATM, we wouldn't wonder where the money went.'

'"What I meant was the players don't dwell on it or worry about it," Ray told The Buffalo News on Sunday. "(Player apathy) was not what I was implying.'

'At minus-20, RW Alexei Kovalev is tied for worst in league.'

'Buffalo needs more than a pro hockey team, though. It needs jobs, and it needs a larger and more stable tax base. Any help from Albany should be of the appropriate nature.'

'The Buffalo Sabres are a microcosm of what has happened in the pro sports industry.'

'A few days ago, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman warned that unless state and local officials ante up $20 million or so for upgrades at HSBC Arena, Buffalo could lose its NHL team. If he really wanted to scare folks on the Niagara Frontier, though, he should have threatened that the Sabres would stay. Forever. Which, considering how things have gone for the Sabres the past 2 1/3 months, is about how long players and management must feel like the 2002-03 season will last.'

'Sabres Coach Lindy Ruff has started G Martin Biron in 13 consecutive games but is expected to use rookie backup Mika Noronen tonight.'

'As many problems as the Penguins have had lately, the team that rolls into town tonight has them beat by a mile.'