It is probably a die-hard Braves’ fan’s most impossible dream, but it isn’t beyond speculation.
The idea occurred to me when I read an article by a Clippers (formerly Buffalo Braves) correspondent stating the obvious about his team—that they are not loved in LA and have been unable to win there. He cited “location,” as the problem and suggested a move to Anaheim.
The following is the article I posted with a Clippers label. I’m guessing it has more interest in Buffalo, so I’m posting a link here, for your information and entertainment.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/210855-would-buffalo-welcome-the-braves-back-apparently-la-wouldnt-miss-them
I’d be interested in hearing from Buffalo fans regarding this idea, were it to actually take place.
Also, be sure to listen to my commentary on NPR’s WBFO 88.7 FM in Buffalo or www.wbfo.org (click listen live) on July 8th, regarding Randy Smith, the Braves, and the demolition of the Aud. The commentary will run at 6:30 and 8:30 a.m. and will be available at the website for some time afterward.
It is probably a die-hard Braves’ fan’s most impossible dream, but it isn’t beyond speculation.
The idea occurred to me when I read an article by a Clippers (formerly Buffalo Braves) correspondent stating the obvious about his team—that they are not loved in LA and have been unable to win there. He cited “location,” as the problem and suggested a move to Anaheim.
The following is the article I posted with a Clippers label. I’m guessing it has more interest in Buffalo, so I’m posting a link here, for your information and entertainment.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/210855-would-buffalo-welcome-the-braves-back-apparently-la-wouldnt-miss-them
I’d be interested in hearing from Buffalo fans regarding this idea, were it to actually take place.
Also, be sure to listen to my commentary on NPR’s WBFO 88.7 FM in Buffalo or www.wbfo.org (click listen live) on July 8th, regarding Randy Smith, the Braves, and the demolition of the Aud. The commentary will run at 6:30 and 8:30 a.m. and will be available at the website for some time afterward.
I have a friend whose lone reminiscence of tough guy defenseman Steve Montador is, in his words, “Getting his face broken by Taylor Pyatt.”
And since Pyatt’s rep consists mainly of sending droves of teenage girls into a frenzy with his looks and picking up the Sedin twins’ garbage in Vancouver, that probably doesn’t bode too well for Montador and the Buffalo Sabres.
But, if you’re Sabres general manager Darcy Regier, and 143 PIMs, 21 points and a +17 looks good to you, then so be it.
Montador signed with the club Wednesday, the first day of the National Hockey League’s free agency period. The 29-year-old unrestricted free agent signed a two-year deal worth $3.1 million, according to The Buffalo News.
Regier is looking to instill some grit and leadership on a team with very little of either at the moment. A team which finished with 91 points, 10th place in the NHL’s Eastern Conference.
He’s also looking to bolster a blueline corps which lost Jaroslav Spacek to free agency.
Spacek signed a 3-year, $11.5 million contract with the Montreal Canadiens Wednesday according to the Boston Globe and reported on TSN.
Montador split time between the Anaheim Ducks (65 games, 4 goals, 16 assists) and the Boston Bruins (13 games, 1 assist) in 2008-09 while suiting up for 11 playoff contests with the B’s, recording a goal and two assists.
Apparently, Buffalo Sabres GM Darcy Regier has changed his mind.
Regier, who had previously said that the Sabres would be acquiring new players through trade only, has signed defenseman Steve Montador on the first day of free agency.
The deal is reported to be for 2 years, $1.55 million/year.
Montador, who spent last year with the Anaheim Ducks before being traded to the Bruins, is a gritty defensemen who finished last season with four goals and 17 assists, a plus-17 rating and 143 penalty minutes in 78 games.
The 6-foot, 211-pound defenseman could fill one of several empty spots on the Sabres blue line this year, as both Jaroslav Spacek and Teppo Numminen are free agents.
However, Numminen has yet to announce whether or not he will be returning to the NHL at all for the upcoming season.
The Buffalo Sabres have announced that they have agreed to terms with defenseman Steve Montador. This will be Montador’s fifth different NHL team in 10 seasons.
Montador, 30, had 21 points (4G, 17A) in 78 games this season for the Anaheim Ducks and then Boston Bruins, who acquired the D-man at the trade deadline.
Jesse Connolly of HockeyBuzz.com reports the deal is in the range of two years, at $1.55 million per season.
At 6-foot, 210 pounds, Montador adds size to the Sabres’ blueline. He also adds much needed toughness, as he recorded 143 penalty minutes last season.
The signing immediately brings up a few questions. Jaroslav Spacek, Sabres free agent defenseman, will likely receive big offers from teams looking for a veteran offensive-defenseman. Spacek had 45 points for the Sabres last season.
This also means that Darcy Regier is likely to pass on former Sabre and veteran defenseman Jay McKee.
