Thomas Vanek drove Jason Pominville to the airport Thursday morning. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Darcy Regier’s strong words stuck with Thomas Vanek. Prior to Saturday, the general manager had never publicly made any of his Sabres available to other teams during his long tenure. At that point, four days before trade deadline, the slick winger knew major changes could hit the Sabres.
Sure enough, Regier dealt captain Jason Pominville to the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday for two prospects and two draft picks.
It could just be the first of several major moves.
“Now with Jason …
Thomas Vanek wants to talk to management. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – After trading captain Jason Pominville to the Minnesota Wild, general manager Darcy Regier said the Sabres’ reconstruction could take some time.
Slick winger Thomas Vanek recently said he “would probably look in the other direction” if the Sabres had a two- or three-year plan.
So, did Wednesday’s deal, coupled with earlier trades of defensemen Jordan Leopold and Robyn Regehr, change Vanek’s mind?
“Probably, I mean, obviously we gave up three good players in the last week, got a lot of picks …
Jason Pominville became a Sabres regular in 2005-06. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Instead of trading captain Jason Pominville to the Minnesota Wild before the deadline Wednesday, the 13th-place Sabres could’ve tried staying in the playoff chase and acquiring another player to make a run at eighth place, general manager Darcy Regier said.
But the Sabres, whose owner, Terry Pegula, has spent tens of millions of dollars pursuing his championship dream, no longer embrace that kind of philosophy.
They’ve started thinking long-term.
“The preference is to build for a Stanley Cup versus a playoff …
Robyn Regehr crunched Milan Lucic on Sunday, his last Sabres appearance. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldPITTSBURGH – Robyn Regehr’s absence from Buffalo Sabres practice Monday morning inside the First Niagara Center raised eyebrows.
With Wednesday’s deadline approaching, had the veteran defenseman waived his no-trade clause and been dealt?
The 32-year-old was just enjoying a maintenance day off the ice.
Shortly after practice ended around noon, Regehr walked into the dressing room and said he couldn’t “say yes or no right now” about ditching his no-trade clause again, which he waived in 2011 to leave Calgary.
But Monday night, the …
Tyler Myes (57) battles Patrice Bergeron on Sunday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Almost a day later, Jordan Leopold’s trade to the St. Louis Blues hadn’t “really processed yet,” Tyler Myers said Sunday morning. As soon as he found out about the deal, a surprised Myers sent Leopold, a mentor and occasional defense partner, a text message wishing him all the best.
“He seemed excited and ready for a new start,” Myers said prior to the Sabres’ 2-0 loss to the Boston Bruins inside the First Niagara Center.
For some Sabres defensemen, Leopold’s …
Trading Thomas Vanek would likely bring the Sabres a strong return. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – On Saturday, the struggling Sabres dealt defenseman Jordan Leopold, one of Thomas Vanek’s best friends on the team, to the St. Louis Blues, a move that hardly surprised the winger but “still shocked” him.
“Unfortunately, it’s part of the business,” Vanek said this morning after skating inside the First Niagara Center. “I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a few more.”
Could Vanek, a franchise cornerstone, be dealt?
Sabres general manager Darcy Regier said Saturday he would consider trading core talent prior …
Jhonas Enroth played well Saturday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Slick winger Thomas Vanek (muscle strain) will miss his third straight game tonight when the Sabres host the Boston Bruins. Naturally, with their fierce Northeast Division rival in town, tough guy John Scott will dress.
But what about the rest of the lineup?
Backup Jhonas Enroth, who stopped 35 shots in Saturday’s 4-3 shootout loss to Washington, has played four strong games under Rolston after struggling more than a year. The Swede deserved to win against the Capitals.
Could Rolston turn …
Darcy Regier speaks to the media Saturday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Given their 12th-place standing with Wednesday’s trade deadline approaching, the Sabres must listen to “anything and everything” available to them, general manager Darcy Regier said Saturday after trading veteran defenseman Jordan Leopold.
Yes, that means Regier could envision himself dealing franchise cornerstones like goalie Ryan Miller and captain Jason Pominville.
“I am listening. I have talked to all 30 GMs over the last, if I say week, it certainly takes in all of them,” Regier said Saturday prior to the …
Jordan Leopold signed with the Sabres in July 2010. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Given their weak standing as Wednesday’s trade deadline approaches, the Sabres must listen to “anything and everything” available to them, general manager Darcy Regier.
“I am listening. I have talked to all 30 GMs over the last, if I say week, it certainly takes in all of them,” Regier said tonight prior to the Sabres’ tilt against the Washington Capitals inside the First Niagara Center. “I’ll continue to try to figure out ways we can be better, not just …
Jordan Leopold smiled often. ©2013, Janet Schultz, Olean Times HeraldJordan Leopold’s Sabres career ended today when the team dealt him to the St. Louis Blues for two draft picks. Leopold, whose accountability and quick wit made him a great personality, wasn’t overly flashy. The American did a little bit of everything well. That’s why he consistently (and very quietly) led the Sabres in ice time. His value to the Sabres was huge.
Here’s what I wrote about Leopold on Jan. 6, 2012.
BUFFALO – Yes, Jordan Leopold said, he’s received big …