Archives for January 3, 2012

‘Tremblay said the cause of the dispute is that MSG — which produces broadcasts of most Sabres games — is trying to charge Time Warner an unreasonably high price for delivering the broadcasts to its customers. “We want to negotiate fair prices for our customers. We want the cost of cable to reasonable,” Tremblay said. “We’re waiting for MSG to come back to the negotiating table.” MSG officials insist that they are offering a fair price. They said Time Warner has been paying the same price for the broadcasts since 2005. “All we have asked is for Time Warner Cable to value our programming in the same way as other TV providers—nothing more, nothing less,” said Michael Bair, MSG Media president.’

‘”Right now we all understand that we haven’t been good enough and I stand at the forefront of all that,” Ruff said after practice Monday in First Niagara Center. “From goaltending to some of our defensive play to the lack of scoring, it really just falls on my shoulders.”‘

‘The Flyers over the summer, after two very good seasons, traded away Mike Richards and Jeff Carter and remain one of the best teams in the league. The Sabres are practically begging for a significant move that might change their chemistry and help them make a U-turn.’

‘”I have one point. That’s unacceptable and I know that,” Kassian said Monday. “I need to be better. When you go 10 games with one point, call-up or not, I hold myself to high expectations. I have to be better.”‘

‘Roy hasn’t contributed much in what is quickly becoming the worst of his eight NHL campaigns. In 38 games, he has only eight goals, 23 points and an awful minus-7 rating.’

‘“I just don’t want to re-tweak it where I lose my strength,” Ennis said Monday about the sprain. “I feel like I’m getting really close with my speed. I just need to do some battle drills.”’

‘“But I just told myself to relax and go out there and compete,” the rookie backup said Saturday after making a career-high 44 saves in the Sabres’ 3-2 shootout loss to Ottawa at the First Niagara Center. “Usually when I do that it’s working out well for me.”’

‘Time Warner says it won’t pay a 53 percent fee increase sought by MSG. MSG says it is not seeking a 53 percent increase. It says it wants to be paid the same as other TV providers. MSG has urged viewers to switch cable providers.’

Edmonton (16-19-3) at Buffalo (17-17-4) (AP)
Edmonton Oilers (16-19-3) at Buffalo Sabres (17-17-4) (The Sports Network)
After big win at Chicago, Oilers head to Buffalo (NHL.com)

‘The full, healthy roster of players started the skate, but forwards Jason Pominville and Brad Boyes each left early. Head coach Lindy Ruff said Pominville was not feeling well, while Boyes tripped and fell on the ice and “tweaked” his ankle. The bench boss believes the captain will be to go against the Oilers tomorrow, while he said he would have to wait and see how Boyes feels tomorrow. Boyes missed a month due to an ankle sprain earlier this season.’