Archives for January 2013

'“We really appreciate the patience of our fans. In many ways, the fans patience can be tested to its limits and sometimes broken. We hope that hasn’t happened here in Buffalo. The relationship we have with our fans in the most important thing in our business; and I’m probably speaking for our players saying the same thing. Certainly the fans are entitled to an apology from … [Read more...] about We’re back in business

'“I think this whole lockout was stupid,” Vanek said. “I think it should have been settled before the season started and we should have played 82 games but you can’t change the past. You move on. Do I like what happened? No. But again, it is what it was, which was sad. I’m just glad we settled and at least we can play hockey this year.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ players happy about lockout’s end

'Here’s a breakdown of key components in the next CBA and how they compare to the old deal and two significant proposals made during negotiations, the NHL’s “best offer” tendered Oct. 17 and the NHLPA’s “agreement is imminent” pitch Dec. 6.' … [Read more...] about Analysis: Both sides won and lost in lockout

'The agreement to restore a shortened NHL season came as a relief not just to players and owners, but to hockey fans everywhere, including the tens of thousands in Western New York.' … [Read more...] about Tough sports season looks brighter for fans

'“I think as a negotiation goes through, you never know where it’s going to start, where it’s going to end and how the ebb and flow of the whole thing goes. It was interesting to say the least. There’s a couple things we were really keen on getting for ourselves. It ended up working out in the end. We’re excited to go back to work. We’re excited to see the fans again.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres relieved lockout finally over

'“As a professional athlete, we grind this thing out every day,” Leopold said. “Yeah, (it’s) at a younger age. But as you get older things start to creep into your life you don’t really expect. To have a little bit of backing was nice. (NHLPA executive director) Don (Fehr) thought that was really important to get that for us.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres happy to be prepping for new season

'Clearly, the Russian’s worth a look. With a whopping 29 goals and 50 points in only 30 games this season, he appears to have outgrown junior hockey. He can play nine NHL games without burning the first year of his entry-level contract.' … [Read more...] about Sabres prospect Grigorenko to attend training camp

'“It’s been huge,” Ken Scibetta, co-owner of Lewiston Village Pub, said. “It really killed us during the week, on weekdays. But people are really excited now and so are we. And not just from a business perspective. This is Buffalo, this is Western New York. It’s a hockey town, on both sides of the border.”' … [Read more...] about Local business ready to see the puck drop

'There have been many news stories about NHL fans potentially boycotting the rest of the season. Or at least the first week. Or first game. Maybe they’ll just show up late. But probably not. The arenas will be full. Because we’re lemmings. And that’s why they knew they could get away with their shenanigans.' … [Read more...] about I feel guilty about my happiness

'You have to wonder if the players and owners will ever trust each other. Vanek said, “At the end of the day the players love the game and you hope there's enough owners that love it and I'm sure they do, and we have 8-10 years to work on it. You start with small steps. It's an industry, they need us, we need them and we've got to find a common ground."' … [Read more...] about Sabres Vanek thinks the lockout was stupid

'"There's a lot of things going on down here," said Roy Bakos, who manages the Pearl Street Grill and Brewery. "And I think having hockey back, whether it have been 42 days of nights at the arena or now 24 or 25 days, it is going to be good for downtown and good for business."' … [Read more...] about Sabres Players, Fans Celebrate End of Lockout

'“I think if you look at our skate today, guys are a little more energetic. It’s been an interesting four months now. It’s a time in the middle of January when we definitely thought we’d be playing hockey. But here we sit today, it is what it is. We’re ready and excited to get back to work.”' … [Read more...] about It’s time to get back to work

For several Rochester Amerks, new roles on the horizon (Rochester D&C) … [Read more...] about Tuesday’s Rochester Coverage

'Teams will hold training camp this week, with CBC reporting late Sunday night that the league has recommended camps open Saturday or next Monday in preparation for a 48-game season that will begin Jan. 19. The league is hoping to firm up those details today. A similar lockout in 1995 ended Jan. 11 and produced a 48-game schedule that began Jan. 20 and lasted into early May.' … [Read more...] about Players, NHL come to terms

“I stayed cautiously optimistic through the whole process,” new Sabres forward Steve Ott, acquired over the summer from Dallas for Derek Roy, told The News by phone Sunday from his home in Windsor, Ont. “You got excited a couple times and then the wheels fell off, and you had to wait some more and hope there was a breakthrough. I’m just completely excited to get back on the ice … [Read more...] about Sabres heading back to WNY, glad wait is over