Archives for January 2007

Jackets brace for lethal Sabres (Columbus Dispatch) Game day scorecard (Columbus Dispatch) Buffalo (33-12-4) at Columbus (18-25-5) (AP) Briere, Sabres look to start second half on winning note (Sportsticker) BriereBuffalo Sabres (33-12-4) at Columbus Blue Jackets (18-25-5) (The Sports Network) Game notes (BlueJackets.com) Game # 50: Buffalo @ Columbus (SabresFans.com) … [Read more...] about Friday’s Columbus Coverage (Updated 12:00 p.m.)

'"Today, we're labourers, psychologists and babysitters. They call me a father figure, and I guess I can do it all. My job, as (former Sabres coach and general manager) Scotty Bowman told me long ago, is to eliminate the stuff that bothers the players, to make sure that they have everything they need to perform to the best of their ability."' … [Read more...] about Rip comes fully equipped for Sabres

'Briere actually thought he might be done as an NHLer when the Coyotes waived him in 2001 and actually considered moving to Europe to continue his career. He didn't and two years later, Phoenix traded him to Buffalo, where he has blossomed into one of the top players on one of the league's top teams, and has become its co-captain.' … [Read more...] about Briere goes from fried to toast of All-Star Game

'Buffalo's Lindy Ruff and Nashville's Barry Trotz are the league's two most-tenured coaches -- and their teams are tops in their respective conferences.' … [Read more...] about Time to focus on NHL playoff chase, credit some old-timers

'Jochen Hecht is hopeful to join the line-up Friday evening in the team's first game back from the All-Star break, and Henrik Tallinder is back on the ice. Tallinder wouldn't say whether he'd play against Columbus, but did say he isn't 100 percent. Jiri Novotny missed practice with a lingering left ankle injury.' … [Read more...] about Hecht, Tallinder Back At Practice

'The less American-ization of the NHL, the better.' … [Read more...] about ”Time for Bettman to bow out”

'It was typical NHL cheese and bad production compounded by, what I will generously term, a horrible broadcast effort from VS.' … [Read more...] about The All Star Game Debacle

Zagrapan maturing into key role with Amerks (Rochester D&C) Amerks’ Sprukts gets OK to play (Rochester D&C) Amerks 'Reading Power Play' continues next week (Amerks.com) … [Read more...] about Friday’s Rochester Coverage

'Much of the problem can be attributed to the Sabres power-play unit, which has been as productive as a pop gun of late. The Sabres have converted a mere 15.8 percent of their 266 power-play opportunities to rank in a tie for 23rd in the NHL. They've been particularly inefficient of late, having gone 3-of-38 in their past eight games.' … [Read more...] about Sabres refreshed for second half

'Tallinder practiced but isn't sure he's ready to return during Buffalo's two-game road trip, which concludes at the New York Islanders on Saturday. "It doesn't feel great but it doesn't feel bad," Tallinder said. "We'll see how it feels tomorrow, but it was a step forward today."' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Hecht ready to return; Tallinder questionable

'"That line of Heatley, Hossa and Briere was a very good line and made some great plays," said Sabres and the Eastern Conference's head coach Lindy Ruff. "Danny made several really good passes and they just seemed to click."' … [Read more...] about Briere Makes Big Waves

'Briere deflected Heatley's through-the-crease pass 3:38 into the game and had the primary assist on three other goals. He was on the ice for six of the East's nine goals and was a plus-5.' … [Read more...] about Briere shows he belongs

'The Sabres are still hoping Connolly will recover from his concussion in time for a playoff push. If Connolly doesn't return, his salary average of $2.9 million won't count against the cap. So until Regier knows exactly how much wiggle room he has under the cap, his ability to negotiate will be compromised.' … [Read more...] about Connolly will impact trade talks

'If they had an MVP vote, the fans might have selected the Western Conference's Rick Nash (two goals, two assists) or Joe Sakic (four assists).' … [Read more...] about A not-so-big-name wins the MVP

'Buffalo Sabres GM Darcy Regier rejected the notion that the NHL is out of touch with what the fan base wants. “In fact I would argue that the league is very much in touch,’’ he told Canadian Press. “I come at it from a Buffalo perspective, and for Western New Yorkers and the Buffalo Sabres it works well.’’' … [Read more...] about Sabres vote against schedule change