Archives for June 2008

'“You’re looking at a number of defenseman and then you’re getting into the forwards and probably where we’re picking there are more forwards than there are defensemen. There are a lot of teams trying to get into the top 10. I’ve had a number of conversations with other GMs, relative to our possibility of getting into the top 10. Right now we … [Read more...] about Darcy dealing at the draft?

'“I think that we could virtually pick at any position,” General Manager Darcy Regier said, although acknowledging it was “unlikely” that the Sabres would use their 13th overall selection on goaltending.' … [Read more...] about Sabres remaining flexible

'The seven-day camp will feature a roster of 30 Sabres prospects, including recently signed college draft picks Nathan Gerbe, Tim Kennedy and Chris Butler. Also in attendance will be Drew Stafford, along with goaltender Jhonas Enroth and defenseman Dennis Persson. This will be the first appearance in North America for both players since signing with the Sabres in early June.' … [Read more...] about Sabres to hold Development Camp

'“We’ve talked about (size). You look at some of the kids that we’ve signed lately like Gerbe, Kennedy, and Derek Roy’s on the roster,” Devine said. “But I was talking to a Montreal scout this year and he said, ‘Kevin, we thought that one year and we ended up picking guy named Doug Wickenheiser.’ I don’t know if a lot of … [Read more...] about Draft picks are ebig&#8217 for Sabres

'Buffalo is a football town before it’s a hockey town, always has been, always will be so long as the Bills are around, and may even if they’re not. We’re not an exemplary football town on a par with the likes of Green Bay, Denver and Dallas. But we’re a football town the same way Boston is first and foremost a baseball town. New England’s primary … [Read more...] about Sorry, Sabres, this is still a football town

'“When you have two organizations providing the players to one development team, things become difficult from the standpoint of positional play. You can have too many defenseman, too many centermen, you can have not enough wingers,” Regier said. “You can have a situation where it’s difficult to decide between two goaltenders, one from each … [Read more...] about Benefits of sole association

'The Sabres hated their split affiliation, which was the only one in the AHL last season. Larry Quinn, the Sabres’ managing partner, has said that was supposed to last just one year and claimed the Americans used it as a cost-cutting measure. Sharing a team with a limited number of roster spots hinders player development. Now the Sabres can get back to the blueprint they … [Read more...] about Sabres dump Amerks

'"We had a meeting on the first of November," Petrovek said. "That afternoon, we continued the back-and-forth, and I got a call from (Buffalo's Managing Partner Larry Quinn's) chief operating officer, and we began to put the details of the relationship together."' … [Read more...] about Pirates, Buffalo Sabres ink deal

'The relationship from a travel aspect isn’t as convenient for the Sabres as their previous one, though no other pairing could be. Buffalo spent 29 years with Rochester, a mere 70-mile drive down the Thruway. But the affiliation with the Amerks became unworkable because of finances and squabbles, and the Sabres needed someone new.' … [Read more...] about Sabres and Pirates exchange vows in Maine

'"We want to have a team we can fill completely," Buffalo General Manager Darcy Regier said of the move to Portland. "We want to have a team with a veteran presence. We were just not able to do that in Rochester the last three years, and I think that's why you saw what you saw."' … [Read more...] about Buffalo becomes Pirates’ third NHL parent

'How long did the negotiations last? "They got me at hello."' … [Read more...] about Right day for the right words

'Randy Cunneyworth, who just finished his eighth season as coach, is pursuing several of the vacant head coaching and assistant coaching jobs in the NHL.' … [Read more...] about Rochester Americans expected to sign deal soon with Florida Panthers

'"This is an exciting day for fans of hockey throughout our state to partner with an eastern US city with one of the richest histories in professional hockey dating back to the turn of the century. From an initial meeting with Larry and Darcy last fall and our follow-up with Chief Operating Officer Dan DiPofi, we knew this would be a great fit for our fans and our … [Read more...] about Pirates and Sabres Announce Affiliation

'The Pirates should benefit from the Sabres’ recent string of signings. Buffalo has bolstered its minor-league depth this offseason by signing several prospects, including forward Nathan Gerbe, who helped Boston College win the NCAA title this past year, Michigan State forward Tim Kennedy and Swedish goalie Jhonas Enroth, Buffalo’s 2006 second-round draft pick.' … [Read more...] about Sabres sign affiliation deal with AHL Portland

'"There is a rich history of professional hockey in Portland and we hope to add to that winning tradition," said Sabres general manager Darcy Regier. "During our tenure with our previous AHL affiliation, our franchise model was to draft and develop young prospects and build our success from a core group within. With our current roster of players like Ryan Miller. … [Read more...] about It’s official: Buffalo Sabres pick up Pirates