Archives for November 2013

'"I've done enough in my history of working and competing. I can coach. I know that. We're going to try and make this team better ... Maturity and history is a great teacher."' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres’ new coach Ted Nolan back in comfort zone

'“(Nolan) said go out and play your game, be physical, hit . . . don’t be concerned so much about fighting, just be a hockey player,” Scott said. “He’s a great coach, very hard worker and very enthusiastic. It’s nice to have that change here, someone with a straightforward approach.”' … [Read more...] about John Scott says he’s changed as Sabres face Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs-Buffalo Sabres gameday preview (Toronto Sun) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Buffalo Sabres: Friday game preview (Toronto Star) Maple Leafs-Sabres Preview (AP) Toronto Maple Leafs (11-6-1) at Buffalo Sabres (4-15-1) (The Sports Network) Sabres, under Nolan, start home-and-home vs. Leafs (NHL.com) … [Read more...] about Friday’s Toronto Coverage

'Benning is GM Peter Chiarelli’s right-hand man. Benning’s strength is as a player evaluator at all levels — NHL, AHL, European professional leagues, and amateur hockey.' … [Read more...] about Jim Benning being considered for Sabres GM

'Smith, 58, who assembled the 1994 Rangers team that snapped the Blueshirts’ 54-year Cup drought, has the pedigree and also a shared history with Pat LaFontaine, the Sabres’ new president of hockey operations brought on after this week’s firing of coach Ron Rolston and GM Darcy Regier.' … [Read more...] about Former NY Rangers GM Neil Smith rumored for Sabres general manager job

'But if they’re open to a rebuild that could have the Sabres back in the hunt in a couple years, there’s something to be said for having them stick around. Besides, Buffalo has plenty of picks and prospects already; it could use some capable people to light the way.' … [Read more...] about Should the Sabres keep Miller, Moulson and Ott?

It's business as usual for Rochester Amerks (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle) Amerks make first trip to Utica in over 20 years tonight at the Aud (Amerks.com) … [Read more...] about Friday’s Rochester Coverage

'Pegula should have fired Ruff and Regier as his first act as owner and rebuilt a flawed roster immediately. The Sabres have lacked serious star power for a long time and were not very deep back in 2011. Now, they’re full of young, unproved players with a couple of rotting veterans who need to be sent away — Drew Stafford and Ville Leino for example.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ shakeup long overdue

'Things had gotten bad inside the organization, too, with upper management sending memos to team employees that urged them to keep their heads up as losses and dark clouds grew in number. The Sabres needed something more than words to lift spirits and restore hope.' … [Read more...] about It’s back to the future for Sabres as LaFontaine, Nolan return to fix a broken team

'“I wouldn’t use that word,” LaFontaine said when asked about the catchphrase Regier uttered in May that will forever cloud much of his 16 years here. “I would use ‘patience’ and understand there’s a direction. If the fans know there’s leadership and direction and they know there’s good people in place and start to see it happening on the ice and see the product, they’re going … [Read more...] about LaFontaine’s goal as Sabres President of Hockey Operations: Restore the faith

'“We’re going to be working,” captain Steve Ott said. “That’s something that guys are going to have to be earning things around here. From a veteran guy to a young guy, everything is going to be earned. You earn your ice time. Go put your work boots on and you get things done. That’s something that creates accountability right from the get-go.”' … [Read more...] about Nolan gets back to work with nothing to prove

'“I looked at my phone after practice real quick and I had players from all over the league texting me right away saying how a great a guy he is and how you want to work for him,” Ott said. “If that gives any motivation to the guys in the room, you want to go through the wall for your coach and he’s one of those guys.”' … [Read more...] about Players hit reset button amid changes in Sabreland

'As for Regier, I never ripped him strictly for sport. It’s not how I get my jollies. For me, it’s about getting it right and sharing opinions with people who invested thousands of dollars on a faulty train that had the wrong conductor and was doomed to fall off the tracks.' … [Read more...] about LaFontaine, Nolan must rebuild bridges Regier burned

'In addition to a roster filled with underperforming players, the inadequate people/communication skills of the 56-year-old became public through the past two years. During an interview with Canadian cable outlet the Score, former Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Brian Burke said talking trade with Regier would lead to an hour of wasted time.' … [Read more...] about Darcy Regier’s tenure one of hits and misses

'Whether this particular combination of leaders will be able to motivate and inspire the team to pull itself out of the sub-basement in which it now resides remains to be seen. But one thing is certain – it couldn’t get any worse, and something needed to be done.' … [Read more...] about Lafontaine, Nolan face the challenge of breathing life into stumbling Sabres