Archives for October 6, 2006

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'"As a shooter, he has one of the best releases that I've ever seen."'

'"The arena is absolutely essential to us staying in Buffalo," said Daniel DiPofi, the Sabres' chief operating officer. "You cannot have a viable NHL team without a modern-day arena. You can't do it."'

‘Not only was the sweet-shooting power-play specialist practically a lock to start the season with Buffalo, he’s also expected to be a major contributor on a Stanley Cup contender. That’s quite a jump in status for a guy who one year ago was waived and passed over by all 29 other teams despite making the league minimum salary, who in the playoffs was ridiculously characterized by former Hurricanes veteran Doug Weight as a nobody.’

‘”I think a lot of it has to do with willingness of players,” coach Lindy Ruff said. “We stress making sure we’re in the shot lane, and making sure the body’s in the shot lane, not the stick in the shot lane. Last night was a night that we made some mistakes and we had some guys lay down and make terrific blocks. But a lot of times it was just good positioning.”‘

‘”Not a big fan of arbitration. Never have been,” Bettman said Wednesday night during the Sabres’ season-opening victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in the RBC Center. “Because we have the hard cap it wasn’t something that we felt we had to go to the mat over, but I think over time . . . if the awards are excessive in a hard-cap system, you’ve got to take a good, hard look as to whether or not the monies are being fairly allocated in a sensible way.”‘

‘D Brian Campbell blocked eight shots Wednesday despite only one second of short-handed time.’

'The Condors have been trying to secure an affiliation agreement with the Buffalo Sabres for several months and the a deal that appeared to be all but done earlier this week has once again stalled. "I know they've got a couple of guys hurt in Rochester (the American Hockey League affiliate of the Sabres) and whether they have guys to send us or not I don't know," said Bob Bartlett, Bakersfield director of hockey operations. "If it happens it happens, if not we're good to go."'

‘Picking up Jaroslav Spacek to replace Jay McKee was huge for Buffalo. They will miss Jay in certain situations, certainly his toughness and his ability to block shots. On the other hand, they’ve picked up mobility with Spacek and also his ability to play power plays, which he has played comfortably throughout training camp. He has also teamed with Brian Campbell, and those two have are the quickest in the league. So, he will prove to be a major addition.’

‘Last year, almost everyone picked Buffalo not to make the playoffs, but to be dead last. Now they have gone from that point to where Sports Illustrated is picking them to be in the finals this season. Everybody else is picking them to be at the top of the NHL. I just wonder about the bounce back situatuion, whether they will be able to come back from any adversity and gain their equilibrium.’