Archives for January 20, 2003

'At this point, Ruff is owed, at the very least, the chance to see this season through. If the team continues to make progress, even if it misses the playoffs, Ruff will deserve the contract extension he hasn’t been given. If the team resorts to its previous form, then a parting of the ways would make sense for all concerned. We’re not there yet, despite what most people seem to think.'

'Dale Johnson, the North American executive director of Dominator Clothing, said the Detroit store will the first of “three or four'' planned Dominator stores in Detroit and Buffalo, New York, where Hasek played all but two seasons of his 12-year NHL career.'

'With Afinogenov and Hecht close to returning to the Sabres lineup, it is a good bet that Denis Hamel and Jaroslav Kristek will be sent back to the Rochester Americans. Kristek is a no-brainer. But Hamel is making a case for himself before Ruff has to make the final decision. It will not be an easy decision for Ruff to make.'

'It was a great week for the Buffalo Sabres. Well, except for that niggling bankruptcy matter.'

'Clutch scoring with last 11 goals scored by 10 different players.'

'The biggest difference between the two isn't talent. It's attitude, in the dressing room, in the front office and in the community.'

'"I have the utmost confidence that, No. 1, hockey will stay in Buffalo because they deserve it in Western New York and the Niagara Peninsula," May said. "And, No. 2, hopefully at the end of the day they take care of the people that gave their heart and souls for that team."'

'"Chapter 11 is necessary so that the buyer can get a court order giving them good title to the Sabres," said William Savino, chairman of the Damon & Morey law firm's Business Litigation and Insolvency Department. "The concern is not over the bankruptcy, that had to be filed, and is now filed. You want a creative deal that can be structured so that it is affordable for the government entities, yet good enough for the buyers so they can absorb the continuing operating loses that they will suffer."'