SabreSpace

They will blame the politicians, the lawyers, Adelphia, the bankruptcy courts and even the news media, but the truth is that the Mark Hamister bid for the purchase of the Buffalo Sabres failed because of a lack of commitment, and a lack of candor, on the part of Hamister and his partner, Todd Berman. … [Read more...] about Lack of commitment and candor doomed bid

'Tom Golisano had his fanny kicked in his race for governor, but when it comes to business, he’s usually the fanny-kicker and not the kickee.' … [Read more...] about In the wings

'Unless Rochester billionaire Tom Golisano can come up with a workable game plan to keep the 33-year-old franchise alive, the Sabres could be relocating or even folding after this season.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo may be latest to lose NHL team

Like Punxsutawney Phil, Buffalo Sabres' General Manager Darcy Regier crawled out of his hole over the weekend, speaking his mind in both the Buffalo News and an extended television interview. While the prognosticating groundhog's shadow foretold of six more weeks of winter, Regier's comments foretold of many more weeks of the same old thing. … [Read more...] about Regier's words may explain his lack of action

'New Jersey traditionally is one of the NHL's best, and this season is no different. The Devils have won two straight games and went 11-2-1-1 in January.' … [Read more...] about Miller seeks better result in return to Jersey

'The last-place Sabres haven't had many wins this season, but Warrener missed most of them. The team is 6-17-5-1 with Warrener and 9-7-2-3 without him.' … [Read more...] about Warrener, Gratton expected to play Friday vs. Canucks

'The Devils are the only team with fewer than 100 goals allowed.' … [Read more...] about Sabres vs. Devils

'The toughest nut was his request for state refinancing and backing of the $21.4 million remaining on the HSBC Arena concession loan. Many viewed that as an attempt to use taxpayer money to bail out scandal-tarred Adelphia, the team's biggest creditor.' … [Read more...] about Hamister out; Sabres deal is adrift

'Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, directed his wrath at Gov. George E. Pataki and his top economic adviser. "Charlie Gargano fumbled the puck," Silver said. "The financiers pulled out when, sitting in his ivory tower in Manhattan, he said the state would not provide any assistance to Hamister."' … [Read more...] about From mayor to fans, a feeling of frustration

'The fact is this town needs the Sabres, and it needed someone to save them. If you're opposed to throwing public money at sports teams, and if you think we'd be better off with an AHL team, so be it. But if you treasure your NHL team and can't bear to see it leave town, you should at least give Hamister credit for giving it his best shot.' … [Read more...] about As Hamister 'fades away,' what's next?

'There's no guarantee the Sabres will be staying in Buffalo. While NHL vice-president Bill Daly said yesterday the league was looking for an owner to keep the team in Buffalo, it might be difficult to find someone who shares that commitment.' … [Read more...] about Sabres' future murky

'The Sabres received another devastating blow to their future in Buffalo when the group headed by Mark Hamister suspended its bid to try to purchase the team after failing to line up the necessary public financial assistance. It's been a dismal season for the Sabres, who are tied with Atlanta for last in the league with 41 points.' … [Read more...] about Devils tonight

'Another key roadblock was the inability of Hamister’s and Adelphia’s attorneys to reach an agreement on the issue of the approximately $157 million the Sabres owe to Adelphia, the team’s largest creditor.' … [Read more...] about It's Golisano's turn to save Sabres

'“Ultimately this is about keeping the Buffalo Sabres in Buffalo, regardless of whether Mark Hamister or our organization has anything to do with this acquisition,” he said. “As a community we need to do everything we can to keep the Sabres here in Buffalo, playing in Buffalo and succeeding in Buffalo.”' … [Read more...] about Hamister admits it won't fly

'“Without commenting on the wisdom of such a large public investment, it seems the fiscal realities of state and local government make this a highly speculative proposal at best,” Golisano wrote in the letter. “I want you to know that, if this effort fails, I am still committed to purchasing the team and keeping them in Buffalo.”' … [Read more...] about Hamister backs away from Sabres bid