Archives for July 2007

'“You’ve got some young players that obviously we are going to look to mature and fill that void,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said over the weekend. “We’ve got some players that have been around, that have a number of years under their belt. We’ve always said that that core group inside the room was a strong core. I said it’s going to … [Read more...] about Sabres turn to their core players

'Vanek, who made $942,000 last year, receives $10 million for the upcoming season, including a $5 million signing bonus. The Austrian gets a $5 million salary in 2008-09 and a $3 million bonus. Each of the final five years pay him $6.4 million. The Sabres said they couldn't sign Vanek earlier because he refused to negotiate as he shopped himself throughout the … [Read more...] about Vanek remains a Sabre

'Maybe, just maybe, the Sabres will win the Cup next year. Probably not. But chances are better that they’d have won it in five years with four additional first-rounders in their system. Now, we’ll never know.' … [Read more...] about Sabres motto: Safe, safe, safe; all in

'One columnist said Briere "missed his date with history" and refused to become a "hero to a people." "The pride of playing for your gang, for folks who speak the same language as you didn't sway the balance," sports columnist Stephane Laporte wrote in his blog for the daily La Presse. "Are there any more great Quebec players who … [Read more...] about NHLer blasted for 'refusing to be a hero'

'According to Brisson, the Sabres never called his office at any point during the season. In fact, he hadn’t heard from them since last summer, the day before Briere was awarded a one-year contract worth $5 million. Brisson at the time was pressing the Sabres to sign Briere to a five-year deal worth $25 million, which the Sabres rejected.' … [Read more...] about Briere&#8217s agent disputes Sabres&#8217 version of negotiations

'“It’s been a tough week,” Ruff said. “We lost two good players and two very good quality people. We’ve been able to get through tough times, and we’re going to have to get through tough times again.”' … [Read more...] about Ruff says Sabres must move on

'“It’s not really up to me as much as a lot of people think it is,” said Butler, who will be a junior at the University of Denver. “Whatever they want to do with me, if they want me to turn pro, it’ll be something I’ll consider. If not then I have no problem going back to school. Denver is a great time. But obviously my ultimate goal is to be … [Read more...] about Future Sabres hard at work

'I know we’re all supposed to buy the theory that Buffalo’s management is wholly to blame for the departure of the two stars, but I find it difficult to believe that the players’ agents weren’t aware that there would be several pots of gold being stirred by rich and desperate franchises at the end of the season.' … [Read more...] about NHL turning back clock on salaries

'For many it's not so much what the Sabres paid out, but what they didn't get. Chris Drury and Danny Briere became free agents and got big money from other teams. It doesn't sit well with fans. "They didn't do anything with Briere. They didn't do anything with Drury. So now they got stuck and they're gonna have to pay for it."' … [Read more...] about Fans React To Vanek Signing

'He'll now be under contract until he's 30, which puts him in a Sabres uniform long enough not to worry about losing him as an unrestricted free agent when he is at his peak.' … [Read more...] about Sabres May Thank Oilers — Really!

'So you would think that, of all people, Buffalo general manager Darcy Regier would understand how Lowe became the first GM in a long, long while to make a multi-million dollar Group 2 offer, with the promise of four first-round draft picks going to the Sabres if they chose not to match. Desperate measures, right?' … [Read more...] about Sabres talk retaliation following 'Lowe blow'

'“We’re both just so happy that we’re back. We know all the players, all the wives, the management, the city. The fans are great. We’re just happy to be back in Buffalo. We both cried when we heard.”' … [Read more...] about $50-million deal with Sabres brings tears to Vanek's eyes

'“We always had an attitude here that we don’t do these things,” Quinn said. “When it comes to the Edmonton Oilers, if there’s an opportunity to put an offer sheet on a player as long as we’re alive, we’ll be comfortable doing that. They can expect it if it’s in our best interest.”' … [Read more...] about Giving Sabres the business

'Once again, the Sabres miscalculated the soaring NHL market and got burned.' … [Read more...] about Front office&#8217s blame game is played out

'"I don't think anyone believed there would be an offer like this," Bartlett said. "Thomas didn't even believe it. But I believed we had a good product to sell."' … [Read more...] about Vanek hauls in big bucks