‘“These are pieces to the hockey department,” said Pat LaFontaine, the Sabres’ president of hockey operations. “We’re growing. We want to be the best hockey department, the best hockey team and the best coaching staff. We want to be the best in all areas. You bring in great people with great talent and character not with an agenda and ego. Those don’t work together. When Craig Patrick took the job he couldn’t be more excited. When Tim Murray took the job, he couldn’t be more excited. We all work together as a team.”’