SabreSpace

'For the club's sales and marketing department it could be a chicken and egg scenario. The Sabres can't start selling long-term confidence in the club until its ownership issues are answered. And one of the keys to the new ownership scenario is the long-term, financial viability of the club, based in no small part on season ticket sales, corporate support and … [Read more...] about Campaign to sell Sabres tickets meets with chilly response

'So why are five groups competing for the privilege of investing in a proven money loser? Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier may have provided some insight when he talked about the league's commitment to restore competitive balance to the NHL when the next labor agreement is negotiated with players in 2004.' … [Read more...] about Trying to compete in the NHL

'Approximately 6,500 season tickets have been sold for the approaching Sabres season. That might put the franchise in the top quarter of the American Hockey League.' … [Read more...] about If you want to keep the Sabres, stop your moping and pony up

'Gratton rumors lately involve the Anaheim Mighty Ducks and Columbus Blue Jackets.' … [Read more...] about Gratton signing doesn't ensure he'll stay

'Instead, it is the Sabres' volatile ownership situation - the NHL is controlling the team while the Rigases are being forced to sell - that persuaded at least two restricted free agents to sign now.' … [Read more...] about Sabres sign Warrener, two others

'It's time to stop living in the past, to give the guy a break. Bettman's the best friend Buffalo hockey has at the moment, the main reason the team will be here this season and, in all likelihood, for many seasons to come.' … [Read more...] about Give Bettman a pat on back, not a punch

'Defenseman Rhett Warrener and forward Chris Gratton accepted qualifying offers from the Buffalo Sabres and agreed to one-year deals Wednesday. Defenseman Brian Campbell, who spent part of last season in the minors, also accepted his offer.' … [Read more...] about Warrener, Gratton re-sign with Sabres

'The Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday re-signed center Chris Gratton and defensemen Rhett Warrener and Brian Campbell. Terms were not disclosed.' … [Read more...] about Sabres re-sign C Gratton, Ds Warrener, Campbell

'Chris Gratton would like to negotiate a multi-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres. However, the 27-year-old from Brantford expects to sign a $2-million US, one-year qualifying offer from the Sabres today.' … [Read more...] about Gratton expects to ink new deal today

'The young center on Tuesday agreed to accept the Buffalo Sabres' qualifying offer of one season at about $1.128 million. The salary figure is a 10 percent raise over the $1.025 he made in 2001-02.' … [Read more...] about Connolly accepts qualifier

'You can promise, and deliver, honest value for honest pay and treat the people you deal with and who work for you the way you hope to be treated. Or you can go around trying to screw everybody. From most accounts, John Rigas built his empire the first way. The way most older, up-by-the-bootstraps entrepreneurs go about it. But he made three mistakes. He fathered sons. He … [Read more...] about Rigas leaves fans to pick up the bag in disgraceful Sabres exit

'The contract gives Connolly a 10 percent raise over the $1.025 million he made last season.' … [Read more...] about Connolly accepts Sabres' qualifying offer

'Asked by the Russian Sport-Express newspaper whether he might open the season with the Mocow team, Afinogenov said it all depends: "So far, my agent and the club haven't come even close.' … [Read more...] about Afinogenov ready to hold out after rejecting Sabres' offer

'Interestingly, many thought that Hamister was the leading candidate. But according to sources close to the situation, it appears that Basin has now taken the lead in completing a deal for the Sabres.' … [Read more...] about Bettman pleas to fans

'The commissioner has tried mightily to distance the value of the club from the Rigas meltdown at Adelphia. But with criminal charges and a Securities and Exchange investigation still pending, that will be little comfort to prospective buyers who are being asked to cough up $100 million (U.S.) for the club. Expect the NHL to carry the Sabres for a while longer while it … [Read more...] about NHL teams may hit rock bottom prices soon