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for July 2011
 Buffalo Rumblings’ Brian Galliford thinks that it’s more important for the Buffalo Bills to re-sign Drayton Florence than Paul Posluszny.
Meanwhile, the New York Post reports that Posluszny may be a great fit for the New York Giants, where former Bills coach Perry Fewell resides on staff.
As the new turf is going in at Ralph Wilson Stadium, the old turf will be donated and Erie County Executive Chris Collins will reveal the recipient today, according to the Associated Press.
NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks thinks the Bills going all-in on linebacker Shawn Merriman is an act of desperation.
Continue reading ‘The Daily Links – July 12, 2011′
 For local fans of college sports, the Buffalo News had five stories Sunday about the state of the University at Buffalo’s athletic program.
The Niagara Gazette reports that the Buffalo Sabres are deep at the point.
Zack Kassian, the 13th overall pick in the 2009 NHL draft, sounds just like what the Buffalo Sabres ordered according to Lockport Union-Sun & Journal reporter Bill Wolcott.
It’s been a quieter time for the Sabres during Developmental Camp, as WGRZ-TV reports.
The process of removing the old turf inside Ralph Wilson Stadium has now begun, as Chris Brown of Bills.com reports.
Continue reading ‘The Daily Links – July 11, 2011′
 Mike Florio of NBC’s Pro Football Talk wrote an article today with a startling recommendation. He says that because Mike Vrabel has retired, the Brady plaintiffs’ should amend their complaint to include retired players.
Does he actually think that Mr. Vrabel can legitimately stand up in court and represent all retired players?
I wonder if Mike will decide to come out of retirement right out after the case is settled? That would be a “sham” wouldn’t it? That’s something Mike Vrabel and the NFLPA were accused of when they decertified the Union in order to allow active to sue the NFL for anti-trust violations.
Whether it was a sham or not, it did give the Union more leverage in the CBA negotiations. Most retired players were ok with that -just as long as we had a voice in the discussions. Well, that hasn’t happened to our satisfaction, so we amended the Carl Eller complaint against the NFL to also include Mike Vrabel, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and the NFLPA – the organization that has boasted about giving retired players a voice.
Continue reading ‘NBC’s Mike Florio “Floors” Retired NFL players’
 The hardest things to acquire in the NHL are legitimate front line centers and a number one defensemen. Organizations often need to bottom out and select within the top five of the draft, trade away valuable assets, or overpay significantly via free agency to obtain either of the two.
The Buffalo Sabres have their number one defensemen in potential future Norris Trophy candidate Tyler Myers. He’ll have less of a burden on his still growing fame with the recent additions of Christian Ehrhoff and Robyn Regehr.
Problem is, Buffalo hasn’t had a game-changing center since Daniel Briere walked away on the team to sign an eight-year deal with the Philadelphia Flyers four years ago.
The Sabres top two centers are Derek Roy and Ville Leino. Although Roy was having a career year last season with ten goals and 35 points in 35 games before suffering a torn quad tendon two days before Christmas, he’s not exactly elite and is better suited to anchor the second line. The Sabres signed Leino to a six-year, $27 million contract and plan to shift him to the middle, where he played until he was 23. Leino is a good player, but it remains to be seen if he can successfully switch from wing to the pivot.
Continue reading ‘Sabres Still Top Center Away From Cup Contention’
 Buffalo News columnist Larry Felser notes that NFL rookies have had to take a detour on their way to riches.
The Bills Gazette reports that kids and NFL stars have fun at the football camp for Buffalo Bills defensive end Dwan Edwards.
Former Bills quarterback Joe Ferguson gutting it out and getting a win over the San Francisco 49ers in 1980 ranks as the 20th best moment in team history, according to Matt Rich Warren of Buffalo Rumblings.
Alston Smith, son of Bills Hall of Famer Bruce Smith, will follow in his dad’s footsteps and attend Virginia Tech, this Richmond-Times Dispatch reports.
Continue reading ‘The Daily Links – July 10, 2011′
 Now that the dust of the 2011 Draft has settled, we’ve been analyzing the current state of Buffalo’s roster. Today we wrap it up by taking a look at the safety position.
There’s two big question marks hanging over the Bills at the safety position. First, will the team re-sign starting strong safety Donte Whitner? Whitner hasn’t quite lived up to his billing as the former eighth overall pick in the draft and he has a bit of a “running his mouth” problem (or a “typing dumb things on Twitter problem”). Of course, Whitner is also an above-average safety who is pretty decent against the run…and goodness knows the Bills certainly don’t need to get any worse against the run.
The other big issue is the play of free safety Jairus Byrd. Byrd struggled badly in his second season after a fantastic rookie campaign. Which one of those seasons was the fluke?
If Whitner and Byrd are both either not in Buffalo and not effective, the Bills are suddenly very thin at safety. Let’s take a look at this group.
Continue reading ‘Buffalo Bills Post-Draft Roster Analysis: Safety’
 The recent acquisitions of defensmen Robyn Regehr and Christian Ehrhoff have improved the Buffalo Sabres in numerous ways. It repairs, if not completely wipes away any past perception that the Sabres organization are little more than a penny-pinching, small-market franchise that lets its best players leave via free agency on an annual basis. Having Regehr agree to waive his no-trade clause proves the Sabres are no longer a team with a recruiting problem and by inking Ehrhoff to a $40 million deal, it demonstrates they will spend whatever it takes to become a Stanley Cup contender.
From a fan’s perspective, the string of notable pickups allows them to stick their chests out and let the hockey world know they’re a fan of a team with an owner in Terry Pegula that’s for real and is wholeheartedly committed to winning a Stanley Cup.
But as elated as Sabres fans are about the newest members of the blue and gold, there may not be a more exultant resident in Pegulaville than Buffalo goaltender Ryan Miller.
And why shouldn’t he be?
Continue reading ‘Life Could Get Easier For Ryan Miller’
 Niagara men’s hockey alum Paul Zanette will be taking part in the 2011 Chicago Blackhawks Prospect Camp, running from July 7-11. Zanette is attending the camp after recently signing a one-year deal with Chicago’s American Hockey League team, the Rockford Icehogs.
Zanette had a career senior season for the Purple Eagles. The Nobleton, Ont. native scored a career-high 29 goals, 26 assists and 55 points; the 55-point total ties Joe Tallari (’04) for most points in a single-season by a Niagara player.
Zanette became the second Purple Eagle (Tallari) in program history to be a top-10 Hobey Baker finalist and was named Atlantic Hockey Association (AHA) Player of the Year to become the fifth Purple Eagle to earn a conference player of the year award. Zanette was also named to the United States College Hockey Online Third Team.
Continue reading ‘Zanette Skating In Blackhawks Prospect Camp’
 With positive news coming from the lockout proceedings on a daily basis, it seems that it is only a matter of days before the NFL unchains the gates and once again opens for business. With that in mind and training camp set to begin at St. John Fisher College in Rochester on July 29th, the next few weeks are set to be a whirlwind of insanity.
Depending on when the agreement is finally reached and free agency officially opens, the Bills may only have a few weeks to sign their draft picks, unrestricted free agents, undrafted free agents and their current players with expiring contracts. The first step in the process will be addressing which of their own free agents they intend to bring back.
It is expected that in the new CBA, players with at least four years of NFL experience will be eligible for unrestricted free agency.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the list of potential free agents the Bills currently have on their roster and determine which ones (if any) are essential to bring back.
Continue reading ‘Time For Buffalo Bills To Take Inventory’
 While members of the Buffalo Bills front office and most notably Buddy Nix hold out hope for a return to greatness for linebacker Shawne Merriman, ESPN scout Matt Williamson thinks that he is done.
Buffalo Rumblings’ Brian Galliford examines the pending Bills free agents and figures out which guys are worth keeping.
A consistent presence is the first step for Bills tight end Shawn Nelson, Chris Brown from Bills.com writes.
Buffalo Sabres defensive prospect T.J. Brennan is hoping to reach the NHL this season. To get an edge this summer Brennan has been training with players from the Philadelphia Eagles. WGRZ- TV reports.
Continue reading ‘The Daily Links – July 8, 2011′
 The National Lacrosse League is pleased to announce the six finalists for the NLL Hall of Fame Class of 2011. There are three first time nominees on the ballot: Pat Coyle, Steve Dietrich and Bob Watson. They join the three returning nominees, Troy Cordingley, Ted Dowling & Curt Malawsky.
Following the 2011 season, fans were invited to offer their suggestions as to who should be considered for induction as part of the Class of 2011. All suggestions were considered by the League’s Hall of Fame Committee. Voting begins later this week, and the Hall of Fame Class of 2011 is expected be to announced on July 25th.
The National Lacrosse League Hall of Fame was established on June 16, 2005, and inducted its charter members in 2006. The Hall of Fame currently has 16 members, and has also recognized two members of the media. For more information on the Hall of Fame, please visit NLL.com/HallofFame.
Nominees for the NLL Hall of Fame, Class of 2011:
Continue reading ‘Three Former Bandits Up For NLL Hall Of Fame’
 Buffalo Sabres GM Darcy Regier announced today the Sabres have signed goaltender Drew MacIntyre, and forwards Derek Whitmore and Colin Stuart all to one-year deals.
MacIntyre (6/24/1983, 6’0”, 184 lbs.) split time in the AHL between the Chicago Wolves and the Hamilton Bulldogs last season. MacIntyre appeared in 41 total games, collecting a record of 24-11-3 with a 2.37 GAA. He also went 11-9 with a 1.95 GAA in 20 playoff games, backstopping the Bulldogs to Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals of the Calder Cup playoffs. During his AHL career, MacIntyre has earned 142 wins, with 85 losses and 13 OTL in 261 games played with a 2.39 GAA. In two career NHL games, both with the Vancouver Canucks in 2007-08, he posted a 2.95 GAA and an 0-1-0 record. A native of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, MacIntyre was a fourth round selection (121st overall) of the Detroit Red Wings in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.
Continue reading ‘Sabres Sign Whitmore, MacIntyre & Stuart’
 Most days may not feel like it, but sooner or later the NFLPA and the owners will hammer out a new collective bargaining agreement. Indications are it could come soon and according to a report by the Washington Post on Tuesday, the stalemate could be over as soon as Sunday. That’s good news for football fans around the league as even the most ardent supporters have grown drained of headlines dominated by DeMaurice Smith, Roger Goodell, courts, judges and a slew public relations statements.
Like 31 other front offices in the league, Buffalo Bills general manager Buddy Nix will have plenty to get done with little time to do it. In a matter of a few weeks at best, Nix will have to figure out what free agents of his own he wants back and identify players from other teams that can help the Bills improve on their measly four win total of a year ago.
So when the lockout finally does end and doors are ajar for business, which direction are the Bills likely to go?
Continue reading ‘A Post-Lockout Buffalo Bills Blueprint’
 Bills.com lead journalist Chris Brown writes that an unusual offseason has actually benefitted new Buffalo Bills Assistant Head/Inside Linebackers coach Dave Wannstedt.
Film study by Buffalo Rumblings’ Brian Galliford leads him to believe the Bills are stacked with slot receivers.
Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick says that wide receiver Lee Evans is still as good as ever.
The Buffalo News reports that Buffalo Sabres’ winger Tyler Ennis likes the team prospects.
Continue reading ‘The Daily Links – July 6, 2011′
 University at Buffalo head coach Jeff Quinn announced today that quarterback Chazz Anderson (Pickering, OH/Pickering HS) has transferred to UB from the University of Cincinnati and because of NCAA rules is eligible to play this fall.
Anderson, 6-1, 207, graduated from Cincinnati this May but has one year of eligibility remaining. Due to NCAA rules, he can choose to attend graduate school at another institution and be eligible immediately, meaning the one time Ohio Division II player of the year will challenge for the quarterback job for the Bulls this fall.
“We are very excited that Chazz has chosen to finish his college football career here at Buffalo,” said Quinn, who served as Anderson’s offensive coordinator from 2007-09 before being named head coach at UB. “I have known Chazz since his recruitment at Cincinnati and he is a tremendous young man, extremely mature, a dual-threat quarterback who makes our program better simply because of the kind of person he is. He will be given the opportunity to compete for the quarterback position,” said Quinn, “but like every member of our football team, he will have to go out and earn it. In our system, if you prepare like a starter and perform like a starter, then you become the starter. We have the same expectation for everyone of our quarterbacks.”
Continue reading ‘Anderson Enrolls at UB; Eligible this Fall for Bulls’
 Buffalo Sabres defensemen Andrej Sekera has filed for salary arbitration with the team, according to his agent Allan Walsh.
Sekera, originally drafted by the Sabres in the third round (No. 71 overall) in the 2004 draft, scored three goals and had a career-high 29 points with the club last season. He scored one goal in two playoff games against the Philadelphia Flyers despite being limited late in the season with an upper body injury.
How Sekera does if the case goes to arbitration could have a ripple effect on the remainder of the team’s offseason plans. Sekera’s salary counted $1 million against the salary cap last season. As of today Buffalo is already over the salary cap for next season.
Continue reading ‘Andrej Sekera Files For Arbitration’
 In his return to the Buffalo News, Tim Graham had a fascinating read on former Buffalo Sabre Brian “Spinner” Spencer.
Toronto Sun columnist Damien Cox writes that the Sabres are trying to win now, which is music to the ears of the team’s fan base.
Scott Michalak from SabresNation.com reports that with Tim Connolly departed, the “Peca Era” has now come to an end.
Kevin King of The Examiner.com thinks that Brad Richards or not, the Sabres fans have already won.
Continue reading ‘The Daily Links – July 5, 2011′
 We’re looking for a few new journalists here at Buffalo Sports Daily to show off their writing skills.
I’m looking for writers and/or aspiring journalists that have the talent and motivation to produce quality work. Experience is helpful but not automatically necessary.
With a readership that’s growing daily, this is a tremendous opportunity to get your work out there for thousands of sports fans to see…. and help build your resume and pad your writing portfolio for bigger future opportunities.
I’m open to writers and columnists covering all topics, teams & sports. Ideally, I want candidates willing to write one or two pieces per week.
Coverage at Buffalo Sports Daily needs to be a bit more well-rounded and it will… that’s where you may come in.
If you’re interested, shoot me an email at pmoran@buffalosportsdaily.com for more details. If you have a resume or any writing samples, send that along as well.
Buffalo Sabres GM Darcy Regier announced today the Sabres have re-signed defenseman Mike Weber to a multi-year contract.
Weber (12/16/1987, 6’2”, 211 lbs.) played a career-high 58 games this season, and led all Sabres in hits with 158. The 23-year-old Weber also posted career highs in goals (4), assists (13) and points (17), giving him 20 points in 81 career NHL games with Buffalo. Weber played in all seven games of Buffalo’s first-round playoff series against Philadelphia, and was third on the team with 17 hits.
A native of Pittsburgh, PA, Weber was selected by Buffalo in the second round (57th overall) of the 2006 Entry Draft.
**UPDATE**- The contract is for two years and totals $1.9 million.
 In a move that takes them out of the Brad Richards sweepstakes, the Buffalo Sabres have signed left winger Vielle Leino to a six-year deal worth $27 million, according to a report by TSN’s Bob McKenzie.
Leino scored 19 goals and had 34 assists for the Philadelphia Flyers last season and the Sabres became all too familiar with him in the postseason. Leino scored three goals for Philadelphia, all in Flyers wins as they eliminated the Sabres in seven games during the first round of the playoffs.
The 27-year old broke out in the 2009-10 playoffs with seven goals and 14 assists in 19 games, which tied a NHL rookie record for postseason points.
Leino was rated as the second-best available forward in NHL free agency according to Yahoo Sports, behind only Richards.
Clearly, many fans had their hearts set on Richards, but Leino along with defensemen Robyn Regehr and Christian Ehrhoff has made for an exciting offseason. Plus, the Sabres are likely still to make a move or two.
There’s also a player or two currently on the roster who will have to go. Leino is a winger and the Sabres clearly still need a top six center. The team is now at around $4.7 million under the cap and if they hope to land a big center via trade, they’ll have to dump some salary.
We’ll have more details as they become available.
**UPDATE** Darcy Regier said that the team plans to use Leino at center and will still explore other moves.
The Buffalo Sabres re-signed one of their own just minutes into free agency Friday afternoon, giving forward Cody McCormick a three-year deal worth $3.6 million.
McCormick played well for Buffalo last season, mainly on the fourth forward line. He scored eight goals and 12 assists last season and added another goal in the playoffs. McCormick also had 142 penalty minutes.
Meanwhile, the Sabres figure to be one of several teams bidding for free agent center Brad Richards today, though the reports of Pegula flying out to meet him personally I hear are inaccurate.
Keep checking back for updates.
 It’s no longer a secret that the Buffalo Sabres are looking to add a first-line center when free agency begins this afternoon and have their hearts…and wallet set on Brad Richards. However, there will be stiff competition for Richards as the New York Rangers, Philadelphia, Toronto, Los Angeles and possibly Tampa Bay among others are ready to jump into the bidding war.
So what happens if Richards chooses to play elsewhere than the HSBC Arena for the next several years? Several people both covering and following the team think the Sabres would try to trade for Jason Spezza (Ottawa) or Paul Stastny (Colorado.) It’s definitely possible, but the price would be high financially, not to mention unlike Richards it would cost the team plenty of personnel compensation.
For those wondering, Stastny has three years remaining on a deal that will have a cap hit of $6.6 million per season. Spezza meanwhile has four years at $7 million per year.
Continue reading ‘The Cost For Stastny, Spezza Or Stamkos’
 I’m not attempting to report anything groundbreaking this morning because frankly, it’s hardly a secret. I’ve talked to a pair of people with knowledge of operations inside the Buffalo Sabres organization and can confirm the rumors you’re hearing regarding Brad Richards are true. The Sabres have every intention on being major players for Richards and in fact, a source told me that owner Terry Pegula’s offer will exceed any financial incentive Richards would get anywhere else.
By frontloading a deal, Buffalo could pay Richards a large sum upfront and still have a manageable cap figure. The Sabres are paying Ehrhoff $40 million over 10 years but are giving him $18 million over the first two. His cap figure is still only $4 million.
Continue reading ‘Sabres Will Go After Richards Today’
 For those who know about the deal but not about the report, I want every reader of this site to know that it was Joe Pinzone from Buffalowins.com that first reported the Buffalo Sabres signing Christian Ehrhoff yesterday— not TSN, the Buffalo News or the other mainstream media that was reporting as such.
Joe Buscaglia from WGR550 was literally the only mainstream media member to acknowledge as such– so props to him.
TSN’s Bob McKenzie was the first to find out the details of Ehrhoff’s contract, which will pay him $40 million over 10 years including $18 million in the first two seasons.
Buffalo News reporter John Vogl says that signing Ehrhoff sends a strong message to the rest of the league.
Continue reading ‘The Daily Links – July 1, 2011′
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On Sunday afternoon I reached a personal milestone, though I’m not exactly sure it’s one I should undergo pride in. I reached my 10,000th tweet on Twitter and feeling spirited, I used the personal landmark to take an admitted pot shot at Buffalo Bills safety Donte Whitner.
