Archives for April 12, 2011

'Ruff, 51, whose team is in the playoffs, could become a free agent at season's end. Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher is a friend of Mike Ramsey, the former Wild assistant who played with Ruff for years with the Sabres. Ramsey would seem certain to endorse Ruff for the Wild if asked. Ruff, though, could cost $1.5 million a year.' … [Read more...] about Finding Minnesota Wild coach could be rough … or Ruff

'Last year’s Northeast Division winners, the Sabres, seemed on the verge of cruising past the sixth-seeded Bruins after winning the first game. But when sniper Thomas Vanek went down in Game 2 with an injury, Boston began pushing Buffalo around.' … [Read more...] about Sabres learned from Round 1 loss last year

'There is an odd passion about the Sabres that is different from anything else here, even the Bills. Maybe it’s because we can still share a Sabres game in person with our children and not worry about how many drunken brawls they will witness. Maybe it’s because, by comparison, the Sabres have been so close so recently, making the playoffs nine out of the last 14 … [Read more...] about Sabres mania is embrace of endless hope

'"I think if they had been real fans, they would have been here overnight," he said. "These are the real fans [in front], not these people coming in here bright-eyed and bushy-tailed this morning."' … [Read more...] about Lining up early pays off

'"I got a taste of it, got hit into the bench last year in playoffs, so I think I'm ready for some hits," Ennis said Monday. "We're not intimidated. We're excited. It's going to be hard-hitting and fast-paced, everything you want in a playoff series."' … [Read more...] about Ennis, Sabres ready to visit home of the hits

'"Oh, sure," Vanek said Monday. "At the same time, I've always been the same player. I think everyone would agree with that. I'm not your rah-rah guy. But when things need to be said, if you're going well you should be able to say something. The past three months, I've played good hockey. So if something needed to be said, I said it."' … [Read more...] about Vanek grabs hold of leadership role

'"I love the game and I love the guys, but for me at this point of my career, this is what it's all about, getting a chance to win the Stanley Cup," Grier said. "I've played long enough and done enough things in the game where this is by far the most important thing to me. It's another opportunity that I feel fortunate to have, and I'll give everything I have to … [Read more...] about Grier is Masterton nominee

'"It'll be a nice experience going to Berlin. It's a hockey-crazy town," Hecht said. "It's going to be a great experience for everybody on this team to see how enthusiastic other countries are about hockey. The travel's going to be tough, but you get so much from it, so much of an experience."' … [Read more...] about Sabres to play in Finland, Germany

'The Connolly line is a major reason why Buffalo begins the playoffs on a 16-4-4 run. Connolly, Vanek, and Pominville, all veterans, have combined for 47 points (19 goals, 28 assists) in the last 16 games.' … [Read more...] about For Flyers, shutting down Sabres team leader Thomas Vanek is imperative

For Flyers, shutting down Sabres team leader Thomas Vanek is imperative (Philadelphia Inquirer) Pronger misses practice as Flyers gear up to begin playoffs against Sabres (Philadelphia Inquirer) Blair Betts says he's healthy enough to play (Philadelphia Inquirer) Traveler Meszaros focused on Flyers' road to a Stanley Cup championship (Philadelphia Daily News) A powerful … [Read more...] about Tuesday’s Philadelphia Coverage

Turnbull adds toughness to playoff hopes (Portland Press Herald) … [Read more...] about Tuesday’s Portland Coverage