Archives for June 2007

'He may be considered for an assistant's job in Buffalo, where coach Lindy Ruff recently signed a three-year contract extension. Cunneyworth isn't likely to return to the Amerks. "I would like the chance to see what I can accomplish (in the NHL)," said Cunneyworth.' … [Read more...] about Ottawa dandy to Randy

'It will take more than a one-year, $942,000 deal -- the offer matching Vanek's salary last season -- to keep him playing in Buffalo.' … [Read more...] about Sabres take first step in re-signing Vanek

The Flyers could come out of the draft with bigger news to follow. On June 25, clubs are permitted to extend offer sheets to Group II restricted free agents. According to league sources, the Flyers are seriously considering offering Buffalo's Thomas Vanek an offer sheet. The 23-year-old left winger would be an immediate upgrade in terms of mobility, skill and scoring. He … [Read more...] about Flyers are keeping options open with No. 2 pick

'On the free agent front, the Sabres could find that Scott Hannan or Andy Sutton might provide a physical element that was missing after Jay McKee left for St. Louis.' … [Read more...] about Off-Season Game Plan: Sabres

'Toss a puck down on an ice surface and skate, or walk, away.If you come back to check it in about a minute, or an hour, or a day - Or even in a year, you get the idea - It will still be there; where it came to rest. Newton’s First Law.' … [Read more...] about Bodywork and collisions

'If there was one quote that triggered my noodle into writing another column, the preceding certainly set something off. Moments after that phrase was uttered, my mind started to think about a legendary hockey figure who echoed the same sentiments nearly 30 years ago - the late Herb Brooks. Forever linked in hockey lore with the "Miracle on Ice" game against the Soviets, … [Read more...] about One team, one family

'"I don't think we met our own expectations, and that was the tough part," Ruff said. "I think there's some areas defensively where we can get better."' … [Read more...] about Sabres need more size, defense to contend for Cup

'“When we got into tough situations, we addressed it usually by trying to score our way out of the situation,” said Regier, who signed a two-year extension. “It worked for the most part in the regular season. I don’t think it works that well in the playoffs. It’s very difficult to score your way out in the playoffs."' … [Read more...] about Sabres of future will stress defense

'While July 1 is the date on paper, let’s be a tad more realistic. As the deadline draws nearer the likelihood increases that Buffalo’s co-captains-in- limbo will be inclined to see what the market holds. If the Sabres haven’t wrapped up either player by, say, the end of next week, why wouldn’t Drury and Briere ride it out to the deadline, if only for … [Read more...] about Pursuit of star players lacks sense of urgency

'“The budget that we’re going to spend next year is more than the budget we spent this year,” Quinn said, “so all the doom and gloom and worry that we’re going to cut back is -- I understand the worries, but it’s not going to happen.”' … [Read more...] about Financial picture better than anticipated

'"It's a fool's game for me to speculate on things like that," Sabres managing partner Larry Quinn said Thursday. "If and when somebody decides to put a franchise in Hamilton, they're going to have to go through a procedure. ... We'll act accordingly."' … [Read more...] about Sabres mum on potential Predators move

'Regier said he's had preliminary contact with representatives for both players, but wasn't making any promises. "There's a lot of things at play," he said. "We'll get into that and see where it goes." Regier added that the Sabres probably won't have any chance of re-signing either player if negotiations go past the start of free agency.' … [Read more...] about Sabres re-sign Ruff, Regier; Drury and Briere next step

'"I really feel that this is one of the best hockey cities," Ruff said. "It's a fun place to coach. It's a fun place to play. It would be stupid to step away from it."' … [Read more...] about Regier, Ruff re-up with Sabres

'The Sabres say about 12 percent of their season-ticket base comes from Southern Ontario, but only a smattering from the Hamilton metropolitan area.' … [Read more...] about Sabres say little about Hamilton NHL team

'"I'm very excited to continue the work," Regier said. "I think where we left off this past season and what we have to look forward to is both exciting and incomplete. So it's an opportunity to continue down that road."' … [Read more...] about Sabres re-sign Ruff, Regier