SabreSpace

'The Ottawa Senators signed free agent left wing Denis Hamel to a multi-year contract on Saturday. Terms of the deal were not released.' … [Read more...] about Senators sign forward Denis Hamel

'He had two goals and 17 penalty minutes in 25 games with the Sabres. Hamel played 48 games with Buffalo's AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans, and finished with 27 goals and 20 assists.' … [Read more...] about Hamel signs with Senators

'A 26-year-old checking winger from Quebec, Hamel played his first four NHL seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, recording 13 goals, nine assists and 67 penalty minutes in 130 games. The 6-2, 200-pound Hamel had 27 goals and 20 assists in 48 games at Rochester of the American Hockey League last season.' … [Read more...] about Senators sign free agent LW Hamel

'He appeared genuinely tickled to be in Calgary, to have left Buffalo behind.' … [Read more...] about Westernization continues for Sutter's Flames

'"We identified Chris Drury as someone we feel very strongly can be a very important core contributor to this hockey club going forward. Then it was a question about how we could acquire him."' … [Read more...] about Sabres get their man in Drury

'He's always had a way of rising to the big moment. He's one of the game's top clutch players come playoff time. All the Sabres are asking is that he get them there. I'd say their chances just got a lot better.' … [Read more...] about Sabres land true gamer in Drury

Drury, a restricted free agent, apparently priced himself out of Calgary by demanding more than the Flames qualifying offer of $2.5 million US. Drury and agent Mark Witkin reportedly came to the table asking for something on the order of $4 million. … [Read more...] about The Drury is out

I play in Colorado, they tell me they like me ... and I get traded. I play in Calgary and, at the end of the season, the GM tells me he likes me ... and I get traded. I just hope my fiancee does not tell me she likes me, he quipped. … [Read more...] about C means see ya! later

We certainly had not asked for a trade but it seemed to be going that way anyway. To get traded here, he added, just makes it that much more acceptable. … [Read more...] about D-man is right at home

'"(Ballard) is a well-gifted, all-around defenseman," Avalanche vice president of player personnel Michel Goulet said. "He skates extremely well and is expected to be one of the top defensemen in college hockey as a junior this season and was highly regarded by our scouting staff."' … [Read more...] about Avs trade Reinprecht, pick up defenseman Ballard

In a move designed partly to balance their budget for the coming season, the Calgary Flames traded centre Chris Drury and left winger Steve Begin to the Buffalo Sabres yesterday for defenceman Rhett Warrener and centre Steven Reinprecht. The move was precipitated by the Flames inability to sign Drury, 26, to a contract extension. Drury, who was earning $2.5-million, was seeking … [Read more...] about Budget a factor in trade with Sabres

'Drury is the key to the deal for the Sabres as he is projected to be among their top two centers, along with Daniel Briere. A restricted free agent, Drury must agree to a new contract before joining the Sabres.' … [Read more...] about Sabres acquire Chris Drury; Reinprecht sent to Calgary

'Drury, 26, has 108 goals and 167 assists in 394 games over five seasons with Colorado and Calgary. The former Hobey Baker Award winner has 26 goals, including 11 game-winners, and 24 assists in 80 playoff games and helped Colorado win the Stanley Cup in 2001. In Begin, Buffalo gets a physical third- or fourth-line center. He had just three goals and an assist in 50 games … [Read more...] about Sabres get C Drury from Flames in three-team deal

'Drury, 26, played in 80 games for the Flames last season, posting 23 goals and 30 assists for 53 points. Drury also cashed in five times on the power play while recording a shorthanded goal.' … [Read more...] about Flames send Drury to Buffalo

'"In adding Rhett and Steve to our hockey club, we believe we have taken another step toward creating the identity we seek for the Calgary Flames," said Sutter. "Both players have Western Canadian roots and are in the 26-29 year old age group which I consider to be the most important on your club. Rhett is a big strong defenseman who is a key fit to … [Read more...] about Flames acquire forward Steve Reinprecht and defencemen Rhett Warrener