Archives for April 1, 2014

‘“We have to get him better players,” Murray said Monday while announcing Nolan’s contract extension. “It doesn’t take a genius to figure that out.”’

‘In Nolan, however, fans have someone they can trust. We’ll see about Tim Murray, who gets the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise. I’ve been inclined to watch what the Sabres do rather than listen to what they say, a residual effect from previous regimes and validated by current executives.’

‘“It’s something to do with your eyes and you started seeing lights and shapes, and your eyes have a delay,” Leino said. “It took me a couple days. I couldn’t really focus much because your eyes are delayed, so you talk to someone and you don’t realize you’re talking to him because your eyes fall away.”‘

‘“Just that kind of a respect knowing, ‘OK, I’m going to get this opportunity and he’s going to give me this chance,’ I grabbed it,” Stafford said inside the First Niagara Center after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s game against the New Jersey Devils.’

Devils preview: Tuesday, April 1 at Sabres (Bergen Record)
Devils-Sabres Preview (AP)
New Jersey Devils (32-28-15) at Buffalo Sabres (20-45-9) (The Sports Network)
Sabres try to play spoiler against Devils (NHL.com)

‘The Sabres’ woes do not entirely reflect Nolan’s coaching ability. He’s been saddled with a team that’s been beset by injuries and has traded away many of its key players over the past calendar year.’

‘Nolan took over as interim coach on Nov. 13 when the Sabres made wholesale changes following a 4-15-1 start. The team is 16-30-8 since and still has the worst record in the NHL at 20-45-9.’

‘Terms of the contract were not disclosed by the team, but several media outlets reported that it is a three-year deal.’

‘“I said back in November that it was a dream to be able to come back and coach the Sabres and that’s still true today,” Nolan said. “Hockey is my life and Buffalo is a special place for hockey. I’m excited by the challenge facing our team and our organization and I’m truly thankful to have this opportunity.”’

‘And until Nolan has a good group, that should be the approach. Through the next year-plus, appreciate that he is happy to be here and look for tea leaves to read. Then when the time comes – maybe three years from now – can can decide whether he is the right guy to lead this team to a Stanley Cup.’