Archives for January 7, 2013

'Teams will hold training camp this week, with CBC reporting late Sunday night that the league has recommended camps open Saturday or next Monday in preparation for a 48-game season that will begin Jan. 19. The league is hoping to firm up those details today. A similar lockout in 1995 ended Jan. 11 and produced a 48-game schedule that began Jan. 20 and lasted into early May.' … [Read more...] about Players, NHL come to terms

“I stayed cautiously optimistic through the whole process,” new Sabres forward Steve Ott, acquired over the summer from Dallas for Derek Roy, told The News by phone Sunday from his home in Windsor, Ont. “You got excited a couple times and then the wheels fell off, and you had to wait some more and hope there was a breakthrough. I’m just completely excited to get back on the ice … [Read more...] about Sabres heading back to WNY, glad wait is over

'Some are people you see such as ticket-takers, ushers, popcorn vendors and members of cleanup crews. The financial strain ran much deeper, to restaurant employees and food suppliers and truck drivers, to hotel housekeepers, valet parking attendants, waiting staff, bartenders and beyond. Thank goodness the lockout ended – for their sake.' … [Read more...] about NHL’s return brings relief to little guy

'“It’s a hockey town,” he said, adding with a laugh, “What do we have? Football?”' … [Read more...] about Fans, business owners and workers excited to get on with hockey season

'The Sabres legally circumvented the waiver process before the season by signing Brennan, goalie David Leggio, right winger Mark Mancari and defenseman Joe Finley and Drew Schiestel to temporary American Hockey League contracts. Those deals will expire when the NHL season resumes.' … [Read more...] about Rochester Amerks face roster uncertainty

''"While I'm glad to be going to games again, I'm disappointed that the fans had to suffer through this nonsense caused by the NHL and NHLPA," Rozen said. "On the other hand, I'm excited for a shorter season where every game will have more meaning, giving season ticket holders more value for their investment."' … [Read more...] about Area residents speak on ended lockout

'“I’m really excited,” Ott said. “I haven’t earned my jersey yet, and that’s kind of a big thing for a hockey player to (go) through the trenches to be able to earn that jersey. I’m excited to put that jersey and battle for it. It’s taken way too long to get that chance. But the opportunity is finally here.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Ott: ‘Time to celebrate that hockey’s back’

'''We've got to dot a lot of Is and cross a lot of Ts,'' Bettman said. ''There's still a lot of work to be done, but the basic details of the agreement have been agreed upon.''' … [Read more...] about NHL, union reach tentative agreement

'The league said the new labor package, which will reportedly be for 10 years, must be "drafted and formerly approved by both parties" before it can be finalized.' … [Read more...] about Tentative deal in place to end NHL lockout

'You can’t stash players in other league anymore like the Sabres did with Ales Kotalik and Shaone Morrisonn. Any salary over $900,000 that goes to the minors, will count against your salary cap.' … [Read more...] about The NHL and its players finally come to their senses

'"I am relieved more than anything. It is hard to feel overly happy or satisfied with the result because of the way in which we arrived at an agreement. I am still embarrassed that we players have such a poor relationship with our league as a whole.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Players, Fans Celebrate End of Lockout

'"It's been too long. But I'm very glad -- I'm a season ticket holder and so is the rest of my family. At least we get a half season -- that's better than keeping it shut down the rest of the year."' … [Read more...] about Hockey Fans Getting Excited!