SabreSpace

'The Sabres have until Sunday to re-sign three veterans -- enforcer Rob Ray and defenseman James Patrick and Richard Smehlik -- eligible to become unrestricted free agents. Smehlik has already suggested that he will pursue free agency, and considers it unlikely that he will re-sign with the Sabres.' … [Read more...] about Sabres re-sign McKee, Brown; retain rights to eight others

'Buffalo extended qualifying offers to right wings Jeremy Adduono, Maxim Afinogenov and Vaclav Varada; centers Tim Connolly, Chris Gratton and Francois Methot; goaltenders Martin Biron and Mika Noronen; and defensemen Brian Campbell and Rhett Warrener.' … [Read more...] about Sabres pick up options on C Brown and D McKee

'Ch2 has learned from NHL sources that Allen, who also owns the NFL's Seattle Seahawks and NBA's Portland Trailblazers, has presented a "substantial" cash offer to purchase the troubled Sabres franchise, with the intention of moving the franchise to Portland Oregon after the 2002-2003 season.' … [Read more...] about Billionaire Paul Allen targeting Sabres?

'"I believe we can improve on revenues. The idea is to do this with as little debt as possible."' … [Read more...] about Utica man indicates interest in the Sabres

'"We have met with and are in regular contact with the NHL and we are committed in doing everything we can to keep the Sabres in Buffalo," said Michael Marr, spokesman for the Empire State Development Corporation. "To that end, this week we met with a potential buyer committed to keeping the team in Buffalo." Marr said the meeting took place in Buffalo … [Read more...] about N.Y. officials offer to help with Sabres

'DuRoss wouldn't reveal who has approached him other than to say he's been contacted by an investment banking firm and other people with ties to western New York.' … [Read more...] about P-Bruins owner mulls possibility of purchasing the NHL's Sabres

\'\"I believe you can turn a profit operating the Buffalo Sabres at HSBC Arena. Buffalo is a strong hockey market.\"\' … [Read more...] about Local businessman considering Sabres bid

'Now that Hasek has proved to be a man of his word by retiring from the NHL after helping Detroit win the 2002 Stanley Cup, I am more convinced than ever that his request to be traded by the Sabres to a championship contender was reasonable and appropriate.' … [Read more...] about Tough call on when to retire No. 39

'Lever, 50, whose time with the Sabres gave him the second- longest tenure for a National Hockey League assistant behind Doug Jarvis's 14 years with Dallas, was associate coach to Lindy Ruff the past five years.' … [Read more...] about Former Sabres Assistant Don Lever Moves to St. Louis's Staff

'But it probably will take more than the mandatory 10-percent raise to get Biron to play in Buffalo next season.' … [Read more...] about Biron anticipates arbitrator to settle new contract

'Paille will attend the Sabres training camp in the fall but is expected to return to Guelph for his third Ontario Hockey League season.' … [Read more...] about Storm star suits Sabres

'Hasek's "Red Wing forever" quote upset many in HSBC Arena on Tuesday, but everyone there chose to take the high road when commenting on the substantial impact Hasek had on Buffalo and the Sabres.' … [Read more...] about Dominating to the end

'Sabres fans can sulk over his exit, gripe how he barely acknowledged his former teammates, wonder whether he quit on the Sabres during the '97 playoffs, hate him for running former coach Ted Nolan out of town. But there's no denying his place as the greatest athlete in Buffalo sports history.' … [Read more...] about Hasek never let up when on the ice

'"This is a gamble for me, and I'm very nervous about it. It's very tough."' … [Read more...] about Lever joins Blues after 17 years with Sabres

'"I've had a long friendship with Mike and I played with Joel in New Jersey and Colorado," Lever said Tuesday from Buffalo. "I've been here a long time and one of my long-term goals is to become a head coach. It was perceived that I wouldn't go anywhere, so I couldn't ask for a better situation. I decided to pursue it and it fell into … [Read more...] about Blues hire Don Lever to work with forwards