The first domino has fallen. Christian Ehrhoff signed with the Krefeld Penguins of the German Ice Hockey League (Deutsche Eishockey Liga). Ehrhoff and his family spent the summer in the town where he will now be spending his time due to this glorious lockout.

Ehrhoff’s deal is interesting to say the least, mostly because its not a “contract” per say. His deal will allow him to return to the Sabres immediately after the lockout ends and the German league will pay $26,000 a month to insure Ehrhoff in the event of an injury. Obviously, all of us are hoping nothing happens to him while he is playing overseas, but at least he’s doing something to stay in shape.

Alexander Sulzer is also rumored to be in talks to play with another team in the same league, Düsseldorfer EG. It appears as though he is going to give himself a little more time to figure out what direction he’d like to go.

I know all of us are hoping this lockout will be over as quickly as it started, but realistically, we’re looking at a pretty decent chunk of time. No one can blame or be mad at players who have already signed/are contemplating signing elsewhere (yes people who call WGR550 to vent about nonsense, I’m looking at you). The players need to stay in shape and continue to make their living. If everyone will come to their senses sooner rather than later, everyone will be back here and we’ll have NHL Hockey.

The Sabres have made their first off season signing official today by announcing Alexander Sulzer has agreed to terms on a one year extension. Sulzer was acquired at the trade deadline last season from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for defenseman Marc-Andre Gragnani.

In the final months of the season, Sulzer appeared in 15 games and amassed 8 points, 3 goals and 5 assists. During many of his appearances he played alongside fellow countryman Christian Ehrhoff before his untimely injury.

It should come as no surprise thtaulzer was signed to an extension. He played very responsible defense in his time with the Sabres last season. He was one of the few players that showed up during the pivotal game against Toronto at the end of the season, scoring two goals. Now he’s no Tyler Myers or Christian Ehrhoff, but he will be a key member of the defense corps come October. Hopefully this is the first step in the Sabres trying to sign their RFA’s and UFA’s this offseason. It might also be a sign they are leaning towards more reasonable contracts… Yes Ville Leino, I’m looking at you….

In the words of a very famous rabbit, thats all folks. The push for the playoffs came to an end for the Buffalo Sabres last night in Philadelphia after a 2-1 loss to the Flyers. If the Panthers had managed to come back and beat the Capitals last night, there would be very different conversations floating around right now.

It was heartbreaking, to say the least. The Sabres took an early lead on Ville Leino‘s 8th goal of the year, yep thats right people I said EIGHT… Either way, Leino scored late in the second period and it looked like the Sabres were going to pull off another miracle. This team is normally very strong when carrying a lead into the third, but this time they just couldn’t hold on.

Marc-Andre Bourdon tied it up on a booming shot from the blue line that found its way through a screen and past Ryan Miller. That was just around the 6 minute mark of the third period, meaning that should have been plenty of time to pull together and get something done, considering this game meant EVERYTHING for the season to continue. The Flyers responded with physical play that left the Sabres scrambling. Matt Read iced the game with his 24th of the year with 4 minutes remaining in the period.

» Continue reading “Buffalo Sabres Eliminated From Playoff Contention”

Many of the Buffalo Sabres faithful were probably hoping for better news on the injury front than what was presented today. Tyler Myers, who was injured after blocking a shot in a home loss to Pittsburgh, will miss “a while” according to Lindy Ruff. Many Sabres fans were hoping to see Myers on the ice again before the regular season finale on Saturday, but that doesn’t look likely. Many are speculating he has a broken foot, but the team is (of course) mum on the nature of the injury.

The questions now circulating involve how the Sabres will fare without two of their biggest pieces for the remainder of the season, as well as the post season (if they manage to squeak in). If last night is any indication, we’re in for a few nail biters folks!

» Continue reading “Buffalo Sabres: Myers To Miss More Time Than Expected”