Archives for January 9, 2003

'It’s a different scenario in Buffalo were it appears there will be a cleansing bankruptcy. In that situation all parties, including creditors, agree to a restructuring of the debt load. Under that arrangement, prospective owner Mark Hamister would take control of the team with the blessings of the NHL and the team’s major creditors.'

“I’m plenty more confident today than I was a week ago,” Hamister said. “I think the very fact that talks are going on a daily basis would suggest progress. But the final note of progress will be that final action.”

'Everything that could have gone wrong has.'

'FRONT OFFICE, Darcy Regier, F. Other than a trade of defenseman Jason Woolley earlier in the season, Regier seems to be satisfied at standing pat while his team falters. Even though he is working with a limited budget, a change of a face or two would have been helpful, even if for nothing more than to shake up the team.'

'Ruff announced Warrener would return against the Bruins after missing nine straight games.'

'"Mainly what's wrong is our economy is in bad shape. People don't have a lot of disposable income, and since the arena opened, Air Canada Centre has opened in Toronto, Blue Cross Arena was renovated, and they took away a big part of the regional market. So there's a lot of competition," said Quinn.'

'Sports teams, utility companies and other big businesses play one locality against another to extort givebacks, even as the county talks of raising taxes, the city closes fire companies and the schools have laid off teachers.'

'In the meantime, Hamister's group and that of billionaire Golisano should call off their verbal sniping. Golisano, the failed gubernatorial candidate, lost his bid to buy the Sabres. No one needs to hear any more from him.'

'Macaluso said the interested party, who he declined to identify, wanted to know whether city officials would be interested in negotiating a possible deal that would see the Sabres move permanently to Copps. Macaluso said a possible deal would only come about if a proposal by Buffalo businessman Mark Hamister to obtain U.S. state assistance as part of his bid to buy the team and keep it in Buffalo fell apart. Hamister is waiting to learn whether Governor George Pataki will approve the $30-million US in state assistance.'

'A two-time American Hockey League All-Star with the Rochester Americans and two-time Minor Pro Prospect of the Year by The Hockey News, he’s the young goalie with strong upside. Except Noronen is now back with the Amerks, trying to regain his stop-every-shot form he somehow lost with the Sabres.'