Archives for October 9, 2008

'“He’s on the penalty kill and plays sound defensively,” centerman Derek Roy said. “You have to think of that. A guy that doesn’t go on the power play much, or at all, to score 19 goals is a huge accomplishment.”' … [Read more...] about Paille in top condition

'"Well, you try not to get too emotional about it," said Numminen, who had surgery a little over a year ago. "But I sure remember where I was last year when the season started. And I always will."' … [Read more...] about Sabres counting on Numminen’s return, leadership

'Rivet, 34, wasn't criticizing the younger captains around the league, but merely pointing out that, in his case, he would not have been ready in his early 20s to take on that challenge. Now, he's a seasoned veteran who can pass on that experience to his younger teammates in Buffalo. "I think you have to go through your ups and downs and deal with different situations and … [Read more...] about Sometimes, an older captain is just as good a choice

'"I'm new to the team, new to the organization, but I've been here for . . . two months now, and obviously, as a hockey player, it doesn't take you too long to get to know your teammates," he said during a news conference in Buffalo, streamed on the Buffalo Sabres web-site. You can see in this organization that there is a lot of players that have been brought up … [Read more...] about Grabbing Buffalo by the horns

'"I'm surprised he wasn't a captain earlier," said Cazabon, who now coach-es the Widdifield Wildcats varsity hockey team. But the teams he was on, the (captains) were already in place when he got there. But to be named captain of Buffalo, that is a true indication of his character. He brings years of experience to Buffalo and I am surprised it took so long for him to … [Read more...] about Former coach wonders ‘what took so long?’

'Sabres goalie Ryan Miller once roomed with Connolly and witnessed what a concussion had reduced his daily life to. “Basically, the doctors had told him at first to sit in the house, rest as much as possible, don’t do physical activities,” he said. “So he had to watch what he ate; he couldn’t even enjoy eating. He had to watch TV, sleep, try to … [Read more...] about Connolly ready for another return

'“That wasn’t really my focus, to show guys that I’m just going to be there to fight,” Rivet said Wednesday. “There are things you never forget. . . . Hollweg tried to take advantage of one of our guys that enforces and has one of the hardest jobs on our team, and that’s Peters. And there’s always going to be payback. You’re not … [Read more...] about Newcomer is new captain

'“We had a winning year last year, but it wasn’t a playoff year,” Ruff said of the 10th-place campaign that featured a 39-31-12 record. “In my book, winning is calculated by being able to play past the regular season. We didn’t quite make it, and the character part of this is you learn from your disappointments."' … [Read more...] about Eye on the playoffs

'“It’s fun to see that everybody has done well for themselves,” Pominville said while marveling at the past six years. “It was a great experience for us. We’ve matured together. We’ve grown together. It’s just great to look around the room and see the faces are the same ones that have been here for five, six, seven years … [Read more...] about Core strength

'“It starts with the goalie,” said winger Jason Pominville, who signed a five-year extension. “It’s how you build your team. We have Ryan locked up for the next six years. He’s our best player, and we need him at the top of his game to have success. He’s so talented and works extremely hard in every practice. It’s fun to know you have a … [Read more...] about Miller banks on the Sabres being on the money

'“The contract never really bugged me,” Vanek said during training camp. “I always said I put more pressure on myself than anyone else. I never thought about money and that’s not the reason I’m here. Now I’m back looking to just get off on the right foot, play the first half like I did in the second half.”' … [Read more...] about Vanek puts pressure on himself to make sure season not half full

'“I’m by far in the best condition of my life, bar none,” Connolly said. “All the physical testing results are the highest I’ve had in my career. It was a long summer of rehab and training and getting ready. The goal is playing every game. Contribute at both ends of the rink and contribute on the special teams because I feel like I can make the … [Read more...] about Despite nagging injuries, Connolly still considered a difference maker

'The Sabres are a year older but, more importantly, they seem a year wiser. They needed to mature, and they're talking as if they have. To them, points now mean numbers in the standings rather than numbers on the score sheet. It's a good start.' … [Read more...] about Five reasons for optimism

'Only 14 points separated fifth place from 12th last season in the Eastern Conference. It could be closer now. Even if the Sabres are improved, they could be fighting several teams for a postseason spot down the stretch. Their last seven games will be played in an 11-day span, so that could force their playoff bubble to burst.' … [Read more...] about Five reasons for pessimism

'“My reaction to the Sabres is very emotion driven, and I think that that emotional reaction is far more interesting to certain readers than my thoughts on how Thomas Vanek needs to shoot the puck more often,” she said.' … [Read more...] about For two bloggers, home is where the Sabres are