SabreSpace

'Here's betting the new [collective bargaining agreement] will be structured as such: The players will receive unrestricted free agency at an earlier age and, in exchange, the owners will receive a salary cap.' … [Read more...] about Peca case shows need for new labor rules

'Heinze, 31, a potential unrestricted free agent, was traded to the Buffalo Sabres for a third-round pick in the 2001 draft. This trade became a fait accompli when the Blue Jackets and Heinze walked away from the bargaining table 30 hours before the deadline.' … [Read more...] about Trade winds scatter three Jackets

'The first bona fide goal scorer in the Thrashers' brief history was traded to Buffalo on Tuesday for a fourth-round draft pick and a Czech prospect familiar only to hard-core NHL scouts. Whether the seeming lopsidedness of the deal ever dissipates remains to be seen.' … [Read more...] about Thrashers trade Audette to Sabres

'Peca asked for a trade last October when contract talks with the Sabres went nowhere. Peca reportedly was looking for a four-year deal worth $14 million US. The Sabres' best offer was said to be a four-year pact for roughly $11.5 million.' … [Read more...] about Sabres cut Peca no slack

'The focus for Eric Lindros and Michael Peca has switched from resuming their National Hockey League careers to playing for Canada at the world championship in Hannover, Germany, next month.' … [Read more...] about Lindros, Peca have Canadian option

'"Teams in the running were reluctant to subtract from their team," Sabres GM Darcy Regier said. "For the Sabres, the compensation (for Peca) wasn't there."' … [Read more...] about Deadline whirlwind blows by Lindros, Peca

'The team's leading scorer and all-star representative will be a free agent on July first.' … [Read more...] about To the Future…

'Audette was having his best season, ranking 15th in the league in scoring before Tuesday's games. He had 32 goals, 39 assists and 71 points -- all career highs.' … [Read more...] about Thrashers trade leading scorer Audette to Sabres

'The Buffalo Sabres made two deadline deals, neither of which involved holdout center Michael Peca. The Sabres bolstered their offense, acquiring veteran goal scorers Donald Audette and Steve Heinze, in separate deals shortly before Tuesday afternoon's NHL trade deadline.' … [Read more...] about Sabres acquire Audette and Heinze; Peca remains in Buffalo

'He was making $1.32 million this season and was offered a contract that would pay him $2.8 million over two years. The club and Heinze's agent broke off contract talks on Monday. Heinze can become an unrestricted free agent after the season.' … [Read more...] about Columbus deals Heinze, Adams and Kucera

'Trying to help a slumbering offense, the Buffalo Sabres acquired a pair of right wings on Tuesday, welcoming back Donald Audette and obtaining Steve Heinze before the trade deadline.' … [Read more...] about Sabres acquire RWs Audette, Heinze from Thrashers, Jackets

'A league source said Monday night that Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier had no intentions of trading Peca until the summer because he doesn't believe he can get top value for the 26-year-old center and didn't want to be pressured into a deal.' … [Read more...] about Silence on trade leaves Peca frustrated

'But Peca's agent Don Meehan told the National Post yesterday the Sabres are refusing to return calls to interested teams. "This is personal," said Meehan. "They want to teach this player a lesson. Sooner or later you run out of time." Sabres GM Darcy Regier refused comment.' … [Read more...] about It's crunch time for deal makers as talks heat up

'Vaclav Varada, who suffered a concussion when he was crunched by Tampa Bay defenceman Grant Ledyard on Feb. 25, hopes to return to the Sabres' lineup Wednesday night against the visiting New York Rangers.' … [Read more...] about Varada set to return to Sabres' lineup

'After spending a week recovering from the concussion he suffered Feb. 25...Varada welcomed the rigors of a long, exhausting team skate. It sure beats the alternative. "My house is so clean, it's unbelievable," Varada said of how he spent his injury-induced vacation. "I had nothing to do."' … [Read more...] about Varada happy to trade mop and bucket for skates