Archives for May 10, 2007

‘Their future has been a question all season but somehow it hasn’t become a distraction. Both Briere and Drury are unrestricted free agents July 1 and will be among the top centres on the market this summer. Like many Sabres fans, Mair is hoping something can be done to keep them in Buffalo. “At the end of the day, there is that salary cap structure in place where one, you question whether there would be enough funds to do that,” said Mair. “And No. 2, it’s a player’s decision at that point to pick the team that he wants to go to.”‘

'You can still tell Ray Emery where to go in Buffalo by logging on to our web site, WIVB.com. Look for the Ray Emery's Day Off link and please keep your suggestions clean.'

'"Our first priority is to shut down Heatley, Alfredsson, and Spezza," said winger Jochen Hecht. "Not give them any momentum, just play them hard, and be in their face like we did against Jagr's line. We want to finish our checks against them and be tough to play against. If you take their offense away, they're going to get frustrated."'

'"Miller is a picture of calm, poise and confidence," Button said. "His focus is strong and he reads situations well. When things get tough, he always seems to keep his team in the game." Against Miller, you have to try to undermine his calm demeanor. "You have to find a way to break that," Button added. "If you get a lead, you have to try to expand that lead. He's very good at keeping the game close enough for his teammates to strike back."'

‘“These are the types of games you want to play in as a hockey player,” Sabres defenseman Toni Lydman said Wednesday. “These are the games you want to be at. There’s going to be a lot of desperation on both teams.”’

‘“Then everybody remembers,” Spacek said. “Then it’s all pumped up and it’s war like before. You don’t really focus on it, but if it happens, it happens. Might be a little thing, like a crosscheck or a little slash, and everything’s fired up again.”’

‘“If he could possibly have any more motivation — not that he would need any, but if you do — that would give him a little extra motivation to perform even better, a little fire in his belly,” Sabres forward Adam Mair said. “He probably wants to go in there and play great and exact a little bit of recognition for himself and just continue to build off what he’s done.”’

‘Bryan Murray and Ruff had one of the all-time arguments following the 12-man brawl earlier this season, but they actually have deep respect for each other. Murray was one of Ruff’s coaching mentors when both were with Florida. Murray became the fifth coach in NHL history to win 600 games, but this is the first time in his career that he has coached past the second round. He has a 47-51 career playoff record. One reason the Sens made it this far, however, is because Murray altered their style and made his players more responsible in their own end.’

‘“I am,” Alfredsson said. “Not only because of what happened last year but they were the best team in the league this year. To go all the way you’re going to have to beat some good teams and Buffalo’s definitely one of them. I think we’re looking forward to this challenge. It’s different than the Pittsburgh and New Jersey series earlier. They pose different challenges. We feel really good where we are.”’

‘“I’ve spent a lot of years building myself into what I am,” Miller said. “Basically, I’m a goaltender on and off the ice. There’s a noticeable difference in my personality between hockey time and summer time. There’s nothing hanging over your head, when there’s no game coming up, no real pressure. During the hockey season, I always try to be on guard. I think it comes out on the ice.”’