Archives for February 2003

'Meanwhile, a group of investors that had been pursing the Sabres is, once again, interested in the team. "But I don't know what they're going to do," said Alan Maislin, a Montreal trucking company owner who was part of the investment group that includes Quentin Bourjeaurd, a former aerospace industrialist in Texas who has ownership interests in junior … [Read more...] about Golisano expects to make bid by week's end

'“One of the biggest mistakes the Sabres have made over the last 10 years is that their marketing efforts in Rochester have been on a token basis,” Donner said. “We had the ability to bring them in for training camp long before the Bills thought of coming here, it just never happened.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres need bigger profile here, Amerks exec says

'Amerks Chief Executive Officer Steve Donner recognizes the geographical and promotional benefits of working with the Sabres. He would be reluctant to end the affiliation but also realizes the current situation is intolerable. If Paychex CEO B. Thomas Golisano doesn’t purchase the Sabres, Donner says the affiliation is doomed.' … [Read more...] about Amerks' switch might not prove a negative move

'Golisano, owner of Paychex Inc., released a statement through his firm, saying, "We are in a fact-gathering mode since it's been more than two and a half months since we looked at the financial information. We've got some work to do, and then we'll be talking to the league."' … [Read more...] about Golisano on Sabres' sale: 'Things are progressing'

'Buffalo Sabres defenseman Henrik Tallinder will be sidelined indefinitely with a sprained right ankle.' … [Read more...] about Sabres' Tallinder out indefinitely

'"There are a lot of issues that future ownership will have to decide. And it will revolve around the reality of where we are. The bankruptcy, the fact that we can generate the revenues to cover current expenses. The greatest expendure you have are players. So, if an ownership group was not prepared to, or not want to go into their pockets to underwrite the losses, … [Read more...] about Regier eyeing future?

'X-rays revealed a high ankle sprain, and it's uncertain how soon Tallinder will be able to return. It could be days. It could be weeks.' … [Read more...] about Ankle sprain shelves Tallinder

'A lot of business execs like Hamister bemoan welfare and government waste. Indeed, Hamister led Joel Giambra's cost-cutting transition team. But he had no qualms about asking for handouts with the Sabres.' … [Read more...] about Hamister left bittersweet taste behind

'For as long as Connolly wears a Buffalo sweater he will be linked with Peca - though their abilities couldn't be more dissimilar. Connolly is on pace to have his worst season as a pro, while ESPN's Al Morganti is projecting Peca as this season's MVP.' … [Read more...] about Third-period collapse gives Sabres another loss

' The Sabres don't need taxpayer money. They need a strong foundation, someone they can build around. Maybe it's Golisano. Maybe it's Hamister. Maybe it's someone else. This could work if people simply ditched their egos and political motives and moved in the same direction.' … [Read more...] about Oilers' million-dollar idea could strike gold in WNY

'As sure as we are 400 miles away from the Big Apple, a super stadium will be built, probably in Manhattan. It will cost gazillions more than the $20 or $30 million it would cost to keep the Sabres here. What do you think the odds are on New York State saying "no" to New York City as it did to Buffalo?' … [Read more...] about Note to naysayers: State wouldn't say no to NYC

'It's unlikely that Golisano, if he makes a formal bid, will get the money-losing Sabres for $35 million. But there's a good chance that the winning bidder will come away with the Sabres for less than the $68 million in revenues the team generated last year. And that's what a buyer's market will do.' … [Read more...] about Lucky for Buffalo, there's a glut of pro teams for sale

'With his team trailing, 1-0, and having been outplayed for much of tonight's game against the struggling Buffalo Sabres, Islanders Coach Peter Laviolette had a simple message during the second intermission: victory would be the only acceptable result. The Islanders (25-22-5-2) responded by scoring three goals in the third period to rally for a 3-1 victory over the … [Read more...] about Slow Start Does Not Hurt Islanders This Time

'It marked the fifth time this season (5-15-2-1) the Isles couldn't be stopped when trailing after two periods.' … [Read more...] about Isles need rally to top Sabres

'They wore their Department of Corrections orange jerseys last night and for the first 30 minutes the Islanders played with as much passion as you'll see in a chain gang picking up trash on the side of the road. Still, the Islanders managed to turn it on against an equally fatigued team after playing a night earlier, getting even in the third both on the scoreboard … [Read more...] about Emotional rescue