Archives for November 15, 2013

'From my perspective, I’m excited about the changes. It’s embarrassing to admit that Regier’s continued employment left me wishing the Sabres would lose every game, in hopes that would elicit a firing ... or two. Now it’s hard not to be enthused.' … [Read more...] about It’s not hard to be enthused about Sabres

'As popular as the return of LaFontaine and interim coach Ted Nolan seem to be from a public relations standpoint, it’s hard to ignore that this particular gambit seems ill-advised and more than a little desperate from an organizational one.' … [Read more...] about LaFontaine hardly in position to succeed with Sabres

'“It went OK,” Nolan said, with the emphasis on “OK.” “We’ve got a lot of work to do. The biggest thing is to get these guys to feel good about themselves. If you feel good about yourself, you’ll get better.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres start ‘second season’ under Nolan

'“Everybody changes,” Nolan said. “I’m not the same guy I was 20 years ago, and I’m sure you’re not, either. We have to change with the times when we’re here. The one thing that hasn’t changed is what it takes to win.' … [Read more...] about An older, wiser Nolan embraces second chance

'“I think it’s being blown out of proportion with this game,” Scott said. “It’s something that happened in the preseason. I don’t think much is going to happen from it.”' … [Read more...] about Players downplay rematch with Leafs

'That is, sadly, not the kind of hockey team we have had for most of my 32 years here. Instead, the Sabres in the post-French Connection years – except for a few memorable stretches – have been too small, too soft and too frilly.' … [Read more...] about Feeling good about Sabres long overdue

'Channel 2 deserves some congratulations for ignoring the bottom line to air the event on TV at some cost. It also had the advantage of staying with it at 11 a.m., when its regular morning newscast airs. Sometimes, you make calls to go live to protect your image as the station to head to when there is breaking news. This was one of those times.' … [Read more...] about Channel 2 bests its rivals with coverage of Sabres’ news conference

'“It was really fast,” winger Tyler Ennis said about Nolan’s first real practice after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s home tilt against the Toronto Maple Leafs. “We moved through things quickly. It was definitely higher and a lot more energy.”' … [Read more...] about Ted Nolan ready for interim debut against Leafs, puts Sabres through spirited practice

'“It happened a long time ago,” Carlyle said. “It’s things like that that we don’t like to remember, and it’s time to move on from that. We’re here to play a hockey game that’s going to give us the best chance for success.' … [Read more...] about Sabres and Leafs not expecting many fireworks in first meeting since preseason brawl

'Rebuilding a franchise means more than simply trading away all your good players, tanking two or three seasons and hoping the guys you draft grow up to be better than the ones they replaced. It requires a vision for the future and a definitive plan for how to execute that vision. Under Regier, I was never sure what kind of team this was supposed to be. Right now the only kind … [Read more...] about Sabres make an ooh-la-la move, finally

'"I've done enough in my history of working and competing. I can coach. I know that. We're going to try and make this team better ... Maturity and history is a great teacher."' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres’ new coach Ted Nolan back in comfort zone

'“(Nolan) said go out and play your game, be physical, hit . . . don’t be concerned so much about fighting, just be a hockey player,” Scott said. “He’s a great coach, very hard worker and very enthusiastic. It’s nice to have that change here, someone with a straightforward approach.”' … [Read more...] about John Scott says he’s changed as Sabres face Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs-Buffalo Sabres gameday preview (Toronto Sun) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Buffalo Sabres: Friday game preview (Toronto Star) Maple Leafs-Sabres Preview (AP) Toronto Maple Leafs (11-6-1) at Buffalo Sabres (4-15-1) (The Sports Network) Sabres, under Nolan, start home-and-home vs. Leafs (NHL.com) … [Read more...] about Friday’s Toronto Coverage

'Benning is GM Peter Chiarelli’s right-hand man. Benning’s strength is as a player evaluator at all levels — NHL, AHL, European professional leagues, and amateur hockey.' … [Read more...] about Jim Benning being considered for Sabres GM

'Smith, 58, who assembled the 1994 Rangers team that snapped the Blueshirts’ 54-year Cup drought, has the pedigree and also a shared history with Pat LaFontaine, the Sabres’ new president of hockey operations brought on after this week’s firing of coach Ron Rolston and GM Darcy Regier.' … [Read more...] about Former NY Rangers GM Neil Smith rumored for Sabres general manager job