Archive for July, 2011

    I am an obsessed hockey freakazoid. A nut. As in, can’t get enough. If I were an extra-terrestrial, I’d come from the planet Sin Bin. Of course it would be an ice-covered planet. I love the hip-check, the sound of rubber hitting iron on it’s way into the net, and playoff hockey. I respect the history of the game, and devour as much of it as my small brain will absorb. I love reading the old stories, looking at the classic photos, and wonder what it must have been like “back when…”. When it comes to this sport, [...]

So I’m getting antsy, and I still feel like writing about hockey. Yahoo! Sports blog Puck Daddy has been running their season predictions for the top 25 players of each position. Kvetch at their choices all you want, this inspired me to get my performance predictions out of the way for this Sabres team. It’s not jumping the gun now, right?

Well the withdrawals are settling in. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait any longer for the season to start. Everything they’ve done this summer has gotten me so excited for the regular season. Sure, the Sabres didn’t sign their ideal “number one” center, but despite that, I haven’t been this excited since the 06-07 season. The Sabres have a real legitimate chance at a cup run this year (hopefully). With their bolstered defense core and the addition of an unproven, but undeniably talented forward in Ville Leino, I don’t see how they could fall short of at least a [...]

It is now mid-July, and if you are anything like me, you are staring at the calendar on a daily basis wishing the August and September pages could be traded for it to become October already. Here is a look at 6 former Amerks who were AHL standouts in the 90’s, whom probably wish they could trade all the minor league pages of their lives, for just one full NHL season. 

    Under-appreciated. Unsung. Overlooked. Incognito. Sometimes unremarkable. Love them or hate them, the star players are the ones who get all the accolades, all the glory and all the press. Quick, who scored the winning goal in game 7 of this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs? Time’s up. I had to look it up, too. Patrice Bergeron tallied the winner in a 4-0 Bruins victory, but often it’s the 3rd line grinder or some obscure player who hadn’t scored in 6 weeks. Now, don’t get me wrong. Patrice is a great player, and I would take him on my team [...]

Hey guys, I don’t know if you noticed, but I haven’t been writing as of recently. Now, it isn’t because I stopped loving you– no it’s not that. It’s more because life has gotten in the way. Trust me, I still follow the Sabres more fervently than I do world events (what’s the debt ceiling, mirite? Guys?). Truthfully, I have more opinions about the moves the Sabres’ have made this summer than I could count; however, my unwelcome prediction that the Sabres would move Enroth was squashed today when the Sabres signed a multi-year deal with the Swedish prospect. The [...]

The Buffalo Sabres have come to terms with restricted free agent goaltender Jhonas Enroth on a multi-year deal. As per usual, no details were given. Enroth, who supplanted Patrick Lalime as Ryan Miller’s back-up late last year, went 9-2-2 with a 2.73 GAA and a .907 save percentage. The rookie netminder played a vital role in helping the Sabres secure a playoff spot, and quickly became a fan favorite for his cool demeanor down the pressure packed stretch-run. There had been various reports of the Sabres lowballing Enroth, Enroth’s unhappiness with how negotiations were playing out, and an internet report that he had [...]

Patrick Lalime, 37, who spent the last three seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, will announce his retirement from pro hockey. A veteran of 12 NHL seasons, Lalime posted 200 wins during his career, most of which was spent as the starting goalie for the Ottawa Senators. in 47 games as a Sabre, Lalime managed only 9 victories, and struggled mightily at times as Ryan Miller’s back-up. Last season may have been the straw that broke Patty’s back, as he was supplanted by promising rookie Jhonas Enroth as the Sabres’ back-up netminder. While I was never a fan of Lalime’s goaltending, he [...]

We have had our fair share of writers pen articles here on Sabrenoise, and for the most part they have been very Sabre-centric.  That has changed.  I have the pleasure of announcing the addition of Andrew Haines to the team!  Andrew is a Sabres fan at heart, but living in Rochester he gets to first hand watch the seedling Sabres grow and mature, and then take the 45 minute trek to the parent club.   Look for news, notes, and opinions on the Amerks from Andrew starting soon!

The Sabres announced today that they have signed defenceman Andrej Sekera and forward Matt Ellis to multi year deals. Sekera was set to go to arbitration next week but couldn’t turn down the Sabres offer. He set career highs last year in points and assists (29-26) after only playing in 76 games. Sekera has been streaky at times but last year really stood out as one of the teams top defenceman. With the additions of Robyn Regehr and Christian Ehrhoff on the back end, the Sabres now have a solid defensive core. Forward Matt Ellis signed a two year, two way [...]