SabreSpace

'He was making $1.32 million this season and was offered a contract that would pay him $2.8 million over two years. The club and Heinze's agent broke off contract talks on Monday. Heinze can become an unrestricted free agent after the season.' … [Read more...] about Columbus deals Heinze, Adams and Kucera

'Trying to help a slumbering offense, the Buffalo Sabres acquired a pair of right wings on Tuesday, welcoming back Donald Audette and obtaining Steve Heinze before the trade deadline.' … [Read more...] about Sabres acquire RWs Audette, Heinze from Thrashers, Jackets

'A league source said Monday night that Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier had no intentions of trading Peca until the summer because he doesn't believe he can get top value for the 26-year-old center and didn't want to be pressured into a deal.' … [Read more...] about Silence on trade leaves Peca frustrated

'But Peca's agent Don Meehan told the National Post yesterday the Sabres are refusing to return calls to interested teams. "This is personal," said Meehan. "They want to teach this player a lesson. Sooner or later you run out of time." Sabres GM Darcy Regier refused comment.' … [Read more...] about It's crunch time for deal makers as talks heat up

'Vaclav Varada, who suffered a concussion when he was crunched by Tampa Bay defenceman Grant Ledyard on Feb. 25, hopes to return to the Sabres' lineup Wednesday night against the visiting New York Rangers.' … [Read more...] about Varada set to return to Sabres' lineup

'After spending a week recovering from the concussion he suffered Feb. 25...Varada welcomed the rigors of a long, exhausting team skate. It sure beats the alternative. "My house is so clean, it's unbelievable," Varada said of how he spent his injury-induced vacation. "I had nothing to do."' … [Read more...] about Varada happy to trade mop and bucket for skates

'There hasn't been much fun the last six months while Peca has been embroiled in a contract dispute, apparently irreparable from every conceivable angle. His first priority was to stay in Buffalo. Check that. His first priority was to stay in Buffalo for the right amount of money.' … [Read more...] about The Long Goodbye

'Nolan built his reputation by taking a team of Brian Holzingers, Jason Dawes and Derek Plantes to Buffalo's first division title in 16 years before he was ousted.' … [Read more...] about Years teach Nolan not to count job until it's offered

'Dominik Hasek's penchant for inconsistency surfaced again, and his defense wasn't much better in a 4-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers.' … [Read more...] about No home show: 'Tominator' baffles Sabres

'The Sabres own the shotgun. What they need is the knife. They should use Peca to obtain players who can fortify this team. If they don't, if they are playing for the future, then they might as well be true to the plan and trade Dominik Hasek.' … [Read more...] about If not Peca, might as well trade Hasek

'Meanwhile, at the other end of the rink, Salo was sensational. He has allowed just seven goals in seven games.' … [Read more...] about Count 'em: Seven wins in a row

'Near as Todd Marchant could figure, 100 folks filed into the arena to watch him play against the Sabres. A native of Buffalo, Marchant always draws a crowd when he's in the area and this was no exception. Mom and dad and aunts, uncles and cousins were in the crowd as were a long list of friends.' … [Read more...] about Oil spills

'Two goals by Georges Laraque, one by Todd Marchant - who always shows off when he's back home in Buffalo - and another by Tom Poti, coupled with a 28-save performance by Tommy Salo closed the deal on the Oilers' seventh straight win, the first time they've managed that since 1987.' … [Read more...] about Merrily they roll along

'Fifteen games short of completing his 18th NHL season, Gilmour was talking about returning home to Kingston, Ont., this summer, about hugging his wife and kids. He talked about saying "Thanks for the memories," calling it a career and going out on his own terms. It sounded like goodbye.' … [Read more...] about Gilmour's goodbye?

'Salo stopped 28 shots for his second straight shutout as the Oilers won their seventh consecutive game, 4-0 over the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night.' … [Read more...] about Oilers 4, Sabres 0