Archives for April 14, 2015

‘“We’re not going to put a timetable on it,” General Manager Tim Murray said. “If I get a call out of the blue and it’s so-and-so and he’d like to interview and he comes across as a great interview and he’s got pedigree and everything else and you have to make a snap decision, then that may happen.”‘

‘Yes, Nolan was set up to fail this season. It’s not even open to debate. Murray tore down the roster long before the season began and continued his demolition as the season carried along. He traded away his top two goaltenders. He said all the right things while massaging his roster to lose just enough without making it obvious.’

‘“This organization, my teammates and the Buffalo Sabres crest means so much to me that it’s hard for me to explain,” Kaleta said in First Niagara Center. “I would do anything to be back here next year and for years to come.”’

‘I believe he’s a good guy and a good coach — he’s won at the major, junior and NHL levels. But it’s also true that dysfunction seems to follow him. Whether that’s bad luck, bad timing or his own bad decisions fuels plenty of bar stool debates.’

‘What is Murray looking for in his next coach? “I haven’t thought of that,” he said. “Certainly, in a perfect world, it would be somebody we have a good relationship and respect each other and communicate with each other, if not every day, on a regular basis. I think that’s what every GM wants.”’

‘“We’re not going to go through this again,” he said. “The way things happened, we won’t accept it as players. I’m sure the coaches won’t accept it – management, everybody. We need to change the way the culture is here. We understand what happened this year and trying to get our future put in place, but now it’s time to take a step forward.”‘

‘“The fans understood what we were going through,” added center Tyler Ennis. “It wasn’t always pretty, but look at what other cities had to go through with their rebuilding process.”’

‘Nolan is who he is and I have plenty of respect for him. The job of NHL coach has changed a lot since he was last here. Analyzing your opponent, exploiting their weakness while hiding yours. Match ups and zone starts matter. They matter to Tim Murray. Nolan to me sealed his fate when he was openly dismissive of this sort of thing. It doesn’t have to be your area expertise. It isn’t mine. I still struggle to interpret many of the charts I see posted online. I need my coach to be paying attention to any and all information that will help make the team better. Ignoring it is fine for a fan, that’s your choice. Being confused by it for me, while somewhat embarrassing, I can live with though I’m working on it. For the coach of the team? Unacceptable.’

‘“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Kim and Terry Pegula, Pat Lafontaine, my coaches and the Sabres management, players, medical, training, arena and public relations staff for all of their support over the past two seasons. Above all, I want to thank the fans and the beautiful people of Buffalo! THANK YOU BUFFALO!!! Yours in spirit, Ted.”’

‘The Buffalo Sabres today announced the team has assigned the following players to the Rochester Americans (AHL): Forwards Mikhail Grigorenko, Johan Larsson and Phil Varone; defenseman Chad Ruhwedel and goaltender Matt Hackett.’