Archives for December 15, 2011

‘The current Time Warner Cable/MSG Network expires on Jan. 1.’

‘He also wins. Biron also improved his career record against Buffalo to 9-3-1 in 14 appearances, making him a sort of “secret weapon” despite what coach John Tortorella says.’

Since 1997, when the Buffalo Sabres first hired Lindy Ruff to be the franchises 15^th head coach, there have been; 14 different Stanley Cup Champions, 13 other coaches to win the Jack Adams Award (NHL’s top coach) and 168 different coaching changes.

Of the 14 coaches to win Lord Stanley’s cup over that span only four still stand behind the bench of the team with whom they won; Claude Julien (BOS), Joel Quenneville (CHI), Dan Bylsma (PIT) and Mike Babcock (DET). Not coincidentally the last four coaches to win the cup.

The Sabres struggles this season have beckoned the questioning of Ruff’s stronghold on his place as longest tenured bench master in the NHL.

[Read more…] about Ruff’s Refuge

‘“Kevin’s a very good skater, whose offensive abilities make him a natural fit for our organization,” Regier said. “With his progression over the last few seasons, his fast start this year is a very positive sign for his development.”’

‘”Obviously I’m frustrated but I don’t think I’m having as bad of a season as people are putting on me,” Gragnani said. “It’s my first [full] year.”‘

‘Center Ville Leino was a surprise absentee at practice Wednesday in First Niagara Center, and coach Lindy Ruff dropped a bombshell after the workout when he announced Leino will be out for “weeks” with a lower-body injury suffered in Tuesday’s game against Ottawa.’

‘“But I don’t think my stats are horrendous like some people might think they are. But I don’t agree with them.”’

‘The expectation from Connolly and others is that he will get booed at the First Niagara Center on Friday night. Of course, considering that thousands of Leafs fans regularly cross the border to watch their club play in Buffalo, Connolly might hear as many cheers.’

‘Often hurt and much maligned as a Sabre, Tim Connolly will play his first game in Buffalo on Friday since leaving the Queen City for Toronto as a free agent. Perhaps “leaving” isn’t the right word. More like “ushered out” and told “not to let the door hit him on his way out of town.”’

‘The feelings might be harder in Connolly’s case, as he was cursed with a series of wonky injuries over his 10 years with the team that drove the Sabres fans wild. After recovering from a concussion he sustained during the 2006 playoffs that kept him out until the final two games of 2006-07, Connolly was never able to play a full season in his last four in Buffalo.’