Archives for February 22, 2013

'They had stretches of lethargy and were sloppy with the puck. Their discipline and special teams let them down. They got outclassed during the second period.' … [Read more...] about Sabres fail to turn the page, fall to Leafs

'“It was very hard. I spent eight years with him,” added winger Thomas Vanek. “It was very difficult. I just went out to shake his hand and wished him well. I told him I was sorry I couldn’t do more.”' … [Read more...] about Ruff’s departure still stuns Sabres

'Buffalo still had many of the same problems Thursday that it has had all year. The Sabres nearly gave up a breakaway in the opening minute. Their defense was loose, and they spent much of the game chasing the puck. In one embarrassing sequence, James van Riemsdyk literally skated a circle around their entire defense.' … [Read more...] about Players don’t give new boss much to like

'After 16 years of watching fiery and passionate Lindy Ruff, the switch to the methodical Rolston will be the first thing noticed by Sabres fans. While Ruff certainly had smarts and Rolston undoubtedly will show intensity, a reserved, scholarly attitude is expected to take over Sabreland.' … [Read more...] about Rolston brings new thought process to Sabres

'Leafs goalie Ben Scrivens slid to his right beyond the crease and was bumped by Porter, who was being pushed by defenseman Mark Fraser. The puck ricocheted into the right circle, where Ott swatted it out of the air to seemingly put the Sabres in front, 2-1, with 12:52 left in the period.' … [Read more...] about Porter at center of controversy

'Indeed, it may have been the fans’ booing in Tuesday night’s loss to the Winnipeg Jets that finally prompted Regier and Pegula to act. Sometimes, people just run out of steam. That seemed to have happened to Ruff and the entire Sabres’ organization a long time ago. Tuesday, someone acknowledged that development.' … [Read more...] about Fans of the Sabres deserved more than listless play

'Yes, the focus for the square block at First Niagara Center's front door is a regional hockey center and hotel. But the design – rubber-stamped Tuesday by the Common Council – is dominated by a five-story parking ramp of questionable need, atop which the good stuff will be plopped.' … [Read more...] about Sabres need to rethink the ramp factor

'If they couldn’t cobble together a strong, 60-minute effort Thursday, a day after the Sabres axed the NHL’s longest-tenured coach, will they ever?' … [Read more...] about Leafs spoil Rolston’s coaching debut, down Sabres

'“From what I saw, it was more there were just a lot of shortcuts … a lot of rest in shifts,” Rolston said prior to the Sabres’ 3-1 loss to the Leafs. “The things that you just have to eliminate if you’re going to be a good hockey team.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Rolston thrilled to be NHL coach

'No one saw the move coming, Sabres winger Drew Stafford said. He said players were sitting on the bus talking about forward Cody McCormick getting waived, “how the business of hockey can be ugly at times, how a great friend can be gone just like that. All of a sudden,” Stafford said, “Lindy comes on the bus and shares the news with us. … It got emotional pretty quickly.” … [Read more...] about Sabres players emotional over Ruff’s dismissal

'No matter the effort demanded by Ruff, a new mindset of spending by the owner set the agenda for the team. Accountability was no longer demanded for players after big contracts were handed out. That was not Ruff's doing. But this week, he is the only one being held responsible in the organization.' … [Read more...] about New team tone doomed Ruff

'“It’s a good thing I was sitting down at the time,” said the 45-year-old Rolston, a brother to former NHLer Brian Rolston. “I wasn’t expecting it. You work your whole career for this.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres shuffle an emotional one

'By shortcuts, Rolston said, he meant players “resting” during their shifts, “stuff you have to eliminate if you want to be a good team.”' … [Read more...] about New coach Rolston offers blunt assessment of Sabres

'“There’s always a start somewhere and we’re happy to have Ron here,” said Foligno. “It’s just a tough situation with letting Lindy go. But we knew it’s on us, it’s our fault. We just have to make sure we’re working harder and start winning.”' … [Read more...] about One day later, Sabres struggle with Lindy Ruff firing

'"My job is to jumpstart this team and to do it in any way we can," said Rolston. "I’ll probably be considered a little more analytical in approach (than Ruff) and will make sure that the communication that needs to be going on right now in the organization with the players (is happening)."' … [Read more...] about Rolston steps in for division-dwelling Sabres