Archives for October 2009

'"He's accepted his role as a fourth-line centre," Ruff said at HSBC Arena as the Sabres prepared for the 2009-10 NHL season. "If it's 30 seconds or eight minutes of ice time, he's not asking for anything more. Usually players want more. If they have a little bit of success, they want to be a third-liner. Matt is special in a sense that he takes whatever role is … [Read more...] about Ellis knows his role with Sabres

'"Somebody had told me this past summer about this team a year or two ago that there was some work issues, that some guys didn't like to work," Montador said Thursday. "Since I've been here, I've found everybody has really pushed it. We've got a number of leaders, traditional nonskill players that work their butts off. And we've got skill guys who do, too. That's … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Montador is ready for work

'"It stops right there," Kennedy said. "Once you walk out [of the dressing room], it doesn't matter if you're the hometown kid or from Sweden, Russia or whatever. If you're not playing well, you're not going to play. This isn't just a fluke. This isn't just a feel-good hometown story. This is for real."' … [Read more...] about Kennedy wakes up a Sabre

'"It's frustrating but I've learned from the last time," Stafford said. "You just have to get the work in, follow the testing and let it play out. But if I don't play, that will be two weeks without a game and that's tough."' … [Read more...] about Stafford may return to face Habs

'“I’ve heard other teams comment on how quick we’ve looked and how the puck movement has been,” Ruff said. “But I think that’s from that’s from being all on the same page. We’re coming up as a five-man group, there’s nobody missing in the system. And we’re going after teams.”' … [Read more...] about Can new attitude push Sabres back to playoffs?

The small guy who just may come up big (Portland Press Herald) Pirates Finalize Season Opening Roster (PortlandPirates.com) … [Read more...] about Friday’s Portland Coverage

'Head coach Lindy Ruff has spoken as well this pre-season about more players in the locker room stepping up into a leadership role. Ruff thinks the team needs to take the same attitude and work on the same page to be successful. That is one aspect of accountability he is looking forward to this coming season. He thinks the new attitude " has shown up in … [Read more...] about Less Talk More Action For Sabres Heading Into Season

'In the end it was the Calgary Flames beating your Buffalo Sabres, 4-1, in the Stanley Cup finals, scoring with 4.3 seconds left to win Game 5 and the Cup with a 3-2 win.' … [Read more...] about From Butler to Weber

'I think I always knew I could skate at this level. I think the biggest thing is being a good partner, making sure you’re always an outlet and making plays just a hair quicker. The American League is just a step slower than the NHL. I think the first couple of games were definitely an adjustment for me. My partners, usually Teppo and Craig [Rivet] made life a lot easier … [Read more...] about Q and A with Chris Butler

'“The hard work’s not over,” Kennedy, 23, said after the Sabres practiced Wednesday at HSBC Arena. “I don’t want to make the roster now and have to be sent down in two or three weeks because I played bad. I’ll keep working hard, and hopefully I can stay here the whole year.”' … [Read more...] about Kennedy, Myers stick with Sabres

'"It feels really good," Myers said. "They still have that window to decide but I'm excited to be here. I didn't get the call into [coach Lindy Ruff's] office so I guess that was a good thing. We got dressed for practice and went out there."' … [Read more...] about Giant step

'"Timmy and 'Van' are two great players, fun to play with and smart on the ice," Roy said. "We think alike, all three guys. It really doesn't matter who's at center. At some point, it's whoever gets down low first when you get in the zone and the others then fill their spots."' … [Read more...] about New top line is loaded with skill

'"You either have the job or you don't have the job," Regier said. "That's the only perspective I take on it."' … [Read more...] about Despite heat from fans, management plays it cool

'The Sabres were 17-9-2 last season when Ryan Miller, Thomas Vanek and Tim Connolly were all on the roster. When one of the three was out, the record was 24-23-7. But Connolly played the final 42 games of the season, his longest run since prior to his concussion in the 2006 playoffs, and figures to be a huge factor this year if he stays healthy.' … [Read more...] about In quest for post-season, Sabres need to find a point

'Patrick Lalime is a great teammate. But he has yet to prove he can win. A condensed schedule will mean more nights off for Ryan Miller, and Lalime went just 5-13-3 as his replacement last year. He's also 35 years old and coming off two surgeries. Not a good combination.' … [Read more...] about Five reasons to be optimistic or pessimistic