Archives for December 16, 2011

‘Roy and Vanek, longtime linemates now playing apart, will become the 25th and 26th players to take the ice 500 times with the Sabres in the franchise’s 41 seasons.’

‘”It was weird in preseason to look over there and see him in a Leafs jersey,” Vanek said. “When Danny [Briere] left and then Dru [Chris Drury] and you saw a Flyers or Rangers jersey, that’s definitely weird. But when you see someone in a Leafs jersey, that makes it even more awkward.”‘

“It’ll be weird playing him, seeing him with a different jersey on, especially with the rivalry we have with Toronto. It’ll be pretty interesting,” Sabres captain Jason Pominville said Thursday. “But it’s always weird the first time you play a guy you’ve been with for a while, you’ve had success and you went through tough times. You build relationships with players.”’

‘“I definitely think it’s time for guys like myself and other secondary scorers like myself to start scoring, pick up the load,” slick Sabres winger Tyler Ennis, who has two goals in 13 games, said Thursday. “They’ve done a great job putting the puck in the net up to this point. But we’re going to get wins by everyone contributing.”’

‘At the same time, it was the Sabres organization that decided to woo Leino as part of a housecleaning that left Connolly on the outside looking in. It was their choice.’

‘The Leafs are less concerned with that, however, than with staying ahead of the Sabres in the standings. Both teams have played 30 games but the Leafs have a two-point edge (35 points to 33.)’

‘It just hasn’t been what it was expected to be. Maybe Pegula’s money is somehow poetically tainted by his Penn State connections.’

Sabres decision helping Leafs (Toronto Sun)
Sabres in Leafs’ rear-view mirror (Toronto Sun)
Sabres one of illogical stories of year (Toronto Star)
Toronto (16-11-3) at Buffalo (15-12-3) (AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs (16-11-3) at Buffalo Sabres (15-12-3) (The Sports Network)
Sabres try to find home success against Maple Leafs (NHL.com)

‘Capgeek.com unofficially reports the contract at $615,000 for the first two years and $665,000 for the third year, should Sundher crack the NHL. He’d have an annual AHL salary of $65,000.’

‘“I’ve put my foot in the door but have to prove myself. This inspires me to work that much harder. The contract shows that Buffalo has been happy with my progress — obviously with my offence and speed but also the little things that have made me a two-way player.”’