(April 28th)
COULD TODD MARCHANT BECOME A SABRE?

WAYMORESPORTS.COM: reported a week ago the new ownership of the Buffalo Sabres might give management the go-ahead to pursue impending UFA forward Todd Marchant. Apparently the Sabres have been interested in Marchant, a Buffalo native, for some time, but until now have been rebuffed by the Edmonton Oilers. Marchant would provide much needed leadership and two-way skills and at 29 is still in his prime.

Spector's Note: If Marchant were interested in signing with the Sabres, he might be an affordable pick-up. However, he's spent years with young teams in Edmonton that couldn't take the next step and he may be yearning to play for a Cup contender. Teams like Dallas, Philadelphia and Colorado might be very interested. Don't be surprised if the Rangers Glen Sather weighs in with an outrageous offer.

Wild Goons - Fantasy Hockey League Champion 2002/2003

MARCHANT TO SHUFFLE OFF TO BUFFALO?

BUFFALO NEWS: Bucky Gleason reports Edmonton Oilers forward (and impending UFA) Todd Marchant stated a week ago he's "always wanted to play for Buffalo". Marchant, a Buffalo native, retains a home in the area and grew up a Sabres fan. As much as the young Sabres could benefit from Marchant's experience and leadership, however, the amount of money and length of contract Marchant would be seeking will determine how much interest the Sabres have in him. Publicly, the Sabres cannot express interest in an impending UFA, as that would violate NHL tampering rules

Wild Goons - Fantasy Hockey League Champion 2002/2003

ASSOCIATED PRESS: John Wawrow reports Buffalo Sabres GM Darcy Regier is open to shopping his first round pick (fifth overall) in this year's draft to bring in experienced talent to bolster his young roster. Regier admitted he's recieved some offers already, but none that interest him. He's believed seeking a young, inexpensive "second-tier" player .

MORE ON THE SABRES PLANS TO SHOP THEIR PICK.

NIAGARA GAZETTE: Eric Keppeler reported on Friday that Buffalo Sabres GM Darcy Regier isn't under pressure to cut payroll like other NHL clubs this summer, as his club had one of the lowest in the league. That means some clubs may be willing to part with players to land a high draft pick, which includes the Sabres, who hold the fifth overall pick in what is described as the deepest draft since 1988. Regier says he's prepared to draft as well as he can, but also isn't shy about shopping the pick for the right price, which would have to include "a serviceable player". New owner Thomas Galisano also apparently wouldn't have a problem with Regier bringing in "a few mid-level free agents" to bolster the young Sabres roster, but they won't trade for a pricey superstar.

Chris Drury nach Buffalo

Buffalo, 4. Juli Durch einen Spielertausch, bei dem drei Teams involviert waren, ist Stürmer Chris Drury bei den Buffalo Sabres gelandet. Zusammen mit Mittelstürmer Steve Begin wechselte er von den Calgary Flames nach Buffalo. Im Gegenzug erhielten die Flames Steve Reinprecht und Verteidiger Rhett Warrener. Den 27-jährigen Reinprecht, der vor kurzem mit "Team Canada" Weltmeister in Finnland wurde, gaben die Colorado Avalanche kurz zuvor gegen Nachwuchstalent Keith Ballard an Buffalo ab.
Buffalo's Manager Darcy Regier baut damit munter weiter an der Veränderung der Sabres. Mit Chris Drury ist ihm nach Powerplay-Verteidiger Andy Delmore ein weiteres Mosaiksteinchen ins Netz gegangen. Die Flames, zu denen Drury im Tausch für Derek Morris kam, konnten sich mit Drury, der zuletzt 23 Treffer für Calgary schoss, nicht auf einen neuen Vertrag einigen. Immer wieder munkelte man auch im Umfeld von Drury, dass der US-Stürmer lieber wieder in seiner amerikanischen Heimat spielen würde. Auch bei Rhett Warrener spielten ähnliche Gründe mit, ist er doch nicht weit von Calgary aufgewachsen.

Quelle: hockeyweb.de

Sabres agree to terms with Bouchard

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- The Buffalo Sabres agreed to terms with unrestricted free agent defenseman Joel Bouchard.
Bouchard, who agreed to terms Friday, is expected to sign a one-year contract next week.
Bouchard has played for seven teams in the last five years. Last season, he split time with the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh, and was part of the trade that sent Penguins forward Alexei Kovalev to the Rangers.
Picked in the sixth round of the 1992 draft by the Calgary Flames, Bouchard has 20 goals, 58 points and 231 penalty minutes in 311 NHL games.
Bouchard's best season came in 1998 when he had a career-high 15 points in 64 game with the Nashville Predators.

http://www.nhl.com

Atenio

Bapho!

Satan unhappy
Associated Press

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Miroslav Satan is unhappy with the progress of his contract negotiations and told the Buffalo Sabres he will play in his native Slovakia until they reach a deal.

Sabres general manager Darcy Regier said Thursday he is concerned Satan might get hurt overseas.

"He could cover himself with insurance in the event of an injury, but in our case we would suffer the loss," Regier said.

A seven-time 20-goal scorer, Satan informed the team of his decision earlier in the day.

"I would like to be in camp, but in my mind we're not that close to saying it will happen any day now," Satan said in Thursday's Buffalo News. "Definitely, my first priority is to agree on a deal with the Sabres."

Satan, a restricted free agent forward who is representing himself in negotiations, will play for HC Slovan Slovnaft Bratislava.

Satan can play overseas until the Sabres determine their roster before they open Oct. 9. If he plays beyond then, the Sabres would elect to not re-sign him this season. A player who competes overseas after the season begins must first clear waivers, a risk Regier said the Sabres wouldn't take.

Satan last season had 26 goals and a career-high 75 points. He earned $3.55 million last year and wants to be the team's highest-paid player.

"We have some distance to cover," Regier said. "But as long as both sides are reasonable, I wouldn't view it as insurmountable."

The Sabres reported for physicals Thursday, a day before opening training camp in St. Catharines, Ontario. Defenseman Jay McKee will join the team for meetings but won't practice if unsigned.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=1613741