Archives for 2002

'The problem for the NHL is that the value of the Sabres - already a struggling small-market team - is inextricably linked to Adelphia through loan guarantees and broadcast deals. No Adelphia, no Sabres, say financial experts. Hockey sources say it's unlikely another local buyer could step up to buy the club should the auditors and the markets sink Adelphia. Wither … [Read more...] about NHL's in trouble in U.S., too

'"The Sabres are going to be here for a long time," Giambra said. "There might be a change of ownership, but the team will stay right here in Buffalo in the HSBC Arena, and that's because we had the foresight and vision to negotiate that in the lease."' … [Read more...] about Giambra: Sabres not going anywhere

'The Rigases have not yet shown any signs of relinquishing ownership of the Sabres. They also have yet to quell any fears fans may have over the team being sold.' … [Read more...] about Rigas' woes have Sabres wondering

'"Could the Sabres survive as a stand-alone franchise without the weight of a large corporation, particularly a large communications company, behind it?" asked Jim Kelley, senior hockey writer for FOXSports.com. "No. The Knoxes couldn't do it, and I don't think there is a big enough corporate base here."' … [Read more...] about Does Adelphia crisis put Sabres on thin ice?

In a move that will improve the Sabres financial picture, lawmakers in the Assembly and Senate approved a pair of budget measures that will forgive $25 million in loans linked to the construction of the HSBC Arena. … [Read more...] about Sabres get some financial good news

'When business was good, the Rigas family could afford to lose an estimated $15-20 million annually on the Sabres, in hopes a few perks from the state and local governments could help them eventually get back to even or better. But in a matter of weeks, the Rigas family has lost more than 80 percent of its wealth. No, the Sabres aren’t connected to Adelphia … [Read more...] about A tall pile of pucks

'Kailbourne helped save the Bills, spearheading the drive to help the Bills sell $11 million worth of suites and premium seats, ensuring they'd stay in Buffalo for at least five years. Now Erkie Kailbourne, the 60-year-old retired banker who grew up in Wellsville, faces another gigantic challenge - helping save Adelphia Communications, which controls the fate of … [Read more...] about New chief is no stranger to challenge

'Actually no one knows for sure how bad their financial situation is, because they have yet to open their books. But when you have the amount of education that the Rigas sons have, their inability to put together a "story" for Wall-Street is not a good sign.' … [Read more...] about Rigas Silence Speaks Volumes

'Buffalo is what it is...a small-market. As long as the NHL doesn't have a salary cap or some kind of true revenue sharing, teams like the Sabres are always going to struggle. But that shouldn't be an excuse for underachieving.' … [Read more...] about Regier has some learning to do himself

'The Sabres have done a sorry job of finding offense in the draft.' … [Read more...] about No defense for Sabres' offensive woes

'Patrick turns 39 in June and is without a contract as of July 1 but it doesn't appear he's ready to say goodbye just yet. "(Sabres GM) Darcy (Regier) said there's nothing official right now but there's a good chance I'll be back," Patrick said. "We'll talk when I get back."' … [Read more...] about Patrick has always answered the call

'For the fifth time in his career, the Winnipeg-born defenceman, a member of the Buffalo Sabres, was invited to the world championship.' … [Read more...] about Patrick a world-beater

'Martin Biron. Mika Noronen. Ryan Miller. All are young and appear to have the potential for greatness. Yet none of them is under contract.' … [Read more...] about Contract sport

'It's not my job to motivate the team, so I don't know if Lindy is doing the best he can with what he has. And it's not my job to draft and develop a team, so I don't know if Darcy is making the most of his budget. And it's certainly not my job to hit the ice and give it my best game after game, so I don't know what could possibly be stopping … [Read more...] about Puckvoice

'Two NHL-calibre snipers whose main employers have failed to make the Stanley Cup playoffs, will be the featured stars for Team Slovakia at the world championships, starting Friday in Sweden.' … [Read more...] about Bondra, Satan to headline for Slovakia