Archives for March 2009

'I would like to see Jason Pominville and Daniel Paille on the wings of Paul Gaustad giving Pominville a little size to do his dirty work and hopefully pull him out of a funk in which he's scored 1 goal in 29 games.' … [Read more...] about Back To What Worked

'“I said we needed some players to pick up the pace in Thomas’ absence,” Ruff said.”It looked like we were going to be able to. In the short-term we were doing well. In the last three games we didn’t answer the call,” he said.”It really falls on my shoulders. We’ve got to be better offensively.”' … [Read more...] about What happened to the Sabres offense?

'“I play all my games here,” Afinogenov said. “I have all my friends here. It’s my home here. Definitely I want to be here. But ... I want to play here. If I’m sitting, there’s no reason for me to be here.”' … [Read more...] about Maxim doesn&#8217t want to leave Buffalo

'“It’s always tough to watch the team, and especially when they’re not winning it makes it even tougher,” said Vanek, who was hurt after taking Ottawa’s Anton Volchenkov’s slap shot to the face in a game on Feb. 7. “You hate watching your team struggle out there, so it’s nice to get back and hopefully I’ll be able to help … [Read more...] about Vanek back to help slumping Sabres

'As a veteran of 10 NHL seasons - and part of three trades in his career - Spacek said some younger players have asked him about the possibility of moving to another team. “I say don’t worry about it. When it happens it happens, I can help you after. I have the list at home, we’ll pull it out from the drawer and just do it,” he laughed. “Everyone … [Read more...] about Trade deadline approaches

'"It's always tough to watch the team, especially when they're not winning," Vanek said Monday in HSBC Arena. "That makes it even tougher. If you're watching the game and you're out injured or a healthy scratch, you hate watching your team struggle and lose. It's nice to get back and hopefully help out."' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Vanek set to return Wednesday

'"Max is a possibility," coach Lindy Ruff said. "We've got him through some good practices. We're evaluating his practices to see whether he can make a difference. He's definitely a possibility for playing."' … [Read more...] about Afinogenov may be back in time for Habs

'“It’s a big plus,” Head Coach Lindy Ruff said. “But I think the question is how ready is he going to be? Can he answer the physical, can he answer the conditioning? We hope he can.”' … [Read more...] about Vanek eyes return to the lineup

'“We’ve scored basically one goal five-on-five in our last three games,” Pominville said. “Especially in the position that we’re in now, it’s not good enough. We have to be more desperate. It comes down to seeing video of what we’re doing and trying to work on it in practice.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres prepare for Canadiens

'Each of the six players on the top scoring lines is in a slump.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ big guns turn silent

Pirates quickly learn their lesson (Portland Press Herald) Pirates hand the Devils a beating in more ways than one (Maine Hockey Journal) Pirates Rough Up Devils 6-1 (PortlandPirates.com) Devils Upended by Pirates, 6-1 (LowellDevilsHockey.com) … [Read more...] about Monday’s Portland Coverage

'“I was injured, but now I’m healthy,” Afinogenov said after a hard skate in Nassau Coliseum. “It’s like 10 days now. The doctors cleared me to play and stuff, but I’m not in the lineup. That’s why it’s frustrating for me, definitely.”' … [Read more...] about Afinogenov says he&#8217s been ready to go

'Regier navigated through the deadline 10 times in his career, had more success some years than others. Never has the situation been so complex as the one facing him this season.' … [Read more...] about GMs need a dose of realism as deadline approaches

'"We didn't put the work in," Sabres defenseman Jaroslav Spacek said. "In the first period we tried to stay out a little too long. We had a couple of chances, didn't bury them. When they scored the first goal they started to just play [a] soft game, play simple. They just didn't give us anything. It was always four or five guys back. Sometimes we tried too hard, … [Read more...] about Sabres come away from Long Island empty-handed

For Islanders, it's a win and Bill Guerin trade talk (New York Daily News) Guerin sits out as Isles triumph (New York Post) Guerin expected to be traded to contender today (New York Newsday) As season slides, discontent brews (New York Newsday) Wang has tried to keep Islanders on (New York Newsday) Danis, Isles Shut Out Sabres, 2-0 (NewYorkIslanders.com) Photo gallery … [Read more...] about Sunday’s New York Coverage