Archives for September 19, 2010

Buffalo, NY (WGR 550) — Veteran Mark Parrish in Buffalo trying to revive his career. The 33-year old is on a tryout with Buffalo and participated in Saturday’s scrimmage. The winger said, “All I can do is go out there and play my game and do things to the best of my ability and work hard and show what I can possibly bring to the table and hope it’s enough to help this team and help this organization out.”

“Retro is certainly in across all major sports,” he said. “It’s not even a trend, because it’s almost a strategy at this point. You can almost count on most teams, at some point in time, looking backward as they’re moving forward from a design standpoint. Fans certainly respond to that.

“We really have what we feel is Tallinder, but maybe a little bit more on the physical side,” Ruff said. “He’s a good skater, a good defender. He plays a real solid game in his own end. What we feel we’re getting is similar to what we had.”

‘Tallinder signed a four-year, $13.5 million deal. He considered staying with the Buffalo Sabres, but they only offered two years.’

The Sabres jump-started their 40th season with a day full of fun for fans….who are hoping the team’s new look leads to new success on the ice.

‘"The white ones are pretty cool just growing up watching the guys wearing those jerseys," Sabres forward Patrick Kaleta said. "The third ones, they’re a bit different, but I think they’re pretty cool. They’re definitely retro style, and I think fans will like them."’

‘"I’ve been on a lot of different teams the past few years," said Leopold, who played for Florida and Pittsburgh last season and is now entrenched with a three-year, $9-million deal. "To be grounded somewhere is important and it feels good."’

‘That leaves Mike Weber to battle fellow holdovers Chris Butler and Andrej Sekera for the final two spots — and none of the three can be sent to Portland without clearing waivers. Though Butler is on his entry-level contract, he has played more than 60 NHL games and can’t freely be demoted.’

‘Stanley Cup contending teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals bring in these types of veterans to solidify the core already in place. In Pittsburgh’s case it was Bill Guerin tutoring Sidney Crosby for 1 ½ seasons, which included a Cup victory. But in Buffalo, Niedermayer has the task of getting through to forwards like Roy and Jason Pominville who have a secure spot on the roster despite sometimes disappointing results.’

‘“I look forward to watching the players perform in the scrimmage situations and getting them in practice,” Ruff said. “You put some lines together; some individuals together that you think will work. Training camp and preseason games are a great time for that.”’