Archives for 2006

'"I think it's quite safe at this point to say I'll definitely be in the UFA (unrestricted free agent) pool," McKee wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "I just don't think they are prepared to make an offer that would be considerable to keep me out of the UFA market." McKee said the Sabres have made him an offer, but declined to … [Read more...] about Sabres D McKee expects to become free agent

'"In today's game, we're looking for a player with good skating, hockey skills, hockey sense and character."' … [Read more...] about Preparation complete, Draft Saturday

'"I can say there's nothing imminent on our front. More than anything else, conversations involve very little solid trade talk. It's a feeing-out period of the new [collective bargaining agreement] and what it means. I don't think it's a very mature marketplace yet, but it could formulate pretty fast."' … [Read more...] about Sabres are grist for draft rumor mill

'“I wasn’t ready to come home,” says Gaustad, who played a key role as a fourth-line, defensive center in his rookie campaign. “We could taste it. We tried to hold on or find a way to win, but they pressed us. It was tough.”' … [Read more...] about Ex-Hawk Gaustad thanks his lucky Sabre stars

'"Yeah, that's the world I'm in," Benning said this week, noting he attended only Game 6 of the Eastern Conference final last month. "The people directly related to the team, they are always living in the day to day. My job, drafting kids, we're trying to figure out where they're going to be in three, four years."' … [Read more...] about Benning has Sabres ready for NHL draft

'"It seemed like every button he pushed, right up until the end, was the right button," Drury added from his home in Manhattan Beach, Calif. "With all the injuries and then what Lindy had going on away from the rink, it was amazing how he always came up with ways to get us wins."' … [Read more...] about Ruff takes center stage

'"I'd trade him the point for that big silver cup he has over there," Ruff said of Laviolette, noting the similarities between the two. "We said we were a mirror image of each other. Coaching systems and philosophies are very similar and the teams both have great team speed, the defense has great mobility."' … [Read more...] about Ruff voted NHL coach of the year

'Ruff, who has been the coach in Buffalo since the 1997-98 season and currently holds the longest tenure of any NHL head coach, led the Sabres to a 52-24-6 record this past season. The 52 wins were the most in franchise history.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo coach Ruff wins Jack Adams Award

'"It's a great honour for our team and our fans in Western New York. It's another way of saying we're back. The team we put on the ice gives a hell of an effort night in and night out."' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres’ Lindy Ruff is named coach of the year in the NHL

'McKee went on to speak about the upcoming free agency period in the NHL and his possible return to the Buffalo Sabres. "I don't think anyone could come up with a reason why this wouldn't be the first place I would chose to play, because it is." McKee would say he will wait to see what other teams are interested in him, but hopes to come back to the Sabres.' … [Read more...] about McKee Feeling Well; Ready For Free Agency

'In goal, the Sabres spent most of the season dealing with rumours about Martin Biron getting traded, but now that Mika Noronen is gone, there is less need to make that move (as much as Biron might prefer to start somewhere). If the Sabres are going to move Biron, in a summer that figures to see quite a bit of goalie movement, the Sabres better get quality in return or at … [Read more...] about Off-Season Game Plan: Sabres

'The numbers game suggests that the Sabres greatest area of need falls squarely between the pipes. With the 2006 deadline deal that sent former first-rounder Mika Noronen to Vancouver, the Sabres cupboard is left pretty bare in net. Now with the pending departure of restricted free agent and 2005-06 backup Martin Biron due to salary constraints, the Sabres will be forced … [Read more...] about Sabres 2006 draft preview

'Your 2006-07 Stanley Cup champs? The Buffalo Sabres. Remember, you read it here first.' … [Read more...] about Who'll win the '07 Stanley Cup?

'To review, Nolan was entangled in a bitter feud involving former General Manager John Muckler and then President Larry Quinn. He also despised Dominik Hasek and believed the all-world goalie quit on the Sabres in the playoffs, an opinion shared by many of Hasek's teammates. Eventually, everybody involved was sent packing.' … [Read more...] about Nolan voted back on Island

'Scott Arniel -- The former Moose captain and assistant coach is the front-runner after being in the mix the past two teams. He has a wealth of experience as a player and is highly respected for his work as an assistant with the Buffalo Sabres the past four seasons.' … [Read more...] about Moose short list