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ROR-Dutchy Reunion On Time

May 11, 2016, 4:52 PM ET [20 Comments]
GARTH'S CORNER
NHL news by Garth • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Team Canada are 3-0 at the Worlds in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Former Colorado Avalanche teamnmates Ryan O'Reilly and Matt Duchene have been playing leadership roles for the Canadians.

In the first three games of the tourney, Duchene has 2G, 3A while ROR has 2G, 2A. Canada will whip the Germans on Thursday.

The Factor and "Dutchy" played together for six seasons in Denver. ROR was traded to Buffalo in a blockbuster deal at the 2015 NHL Draft.

There were rumblings of a beef between the two forwards in the weeks following the trade. Duchene was quoted as saying that O'Reilly was a good teammate, at the rink. Avs D Erik Wilson mouthed off about ROR after he was traded but it sounded like sour grapes due to the fact that O'Reilly and his agent were seemingly always embroiled in contract squabbles. Be it over team elected arbitration or via the infamous offer sheet that the Calgary Flames signed ROR to which prompted the Avs to immediately match it.

It all seems lIke water over Niagara Falls now. O'Reilly scored 21 goals and accumulated 60 points in 2015-16. He is being groomed to succeed Brian Gionta as Buffalo's next captain after the 2016-17 season.

Duchene scored 30 goals for the Avs, yet still managed to annoy and tick off his opiniated head coach, Patrick Roy.

In early April, Duchene, 25, notched his 30th goal of 2015-16 late in the third period of Colorado’s 5-1 loss to St. Louis, with the marker coming on a deft deflection in front of the Blues net. Following the goal, Duchene pumped his fists upwards and celebrated his achievement.

Not a good look for Roy.

“The thing I have a bit of a hard time with is the reaction of (Duchene) after he scores. It’s a 4-0 goal. Big cheer,” Roy said post-game. “Are you kidding me? What is that? It’s not the (reaction) that we want from our guys. Not at all.”

Roy’s displeasure went beyond just Duchene, though, as he said the entire core of the Avalanche hasn’t proven they have enough leadership to take Colorado “to another level.”

“Eventually, we have to admit, isn’t it? We need more from these guys,” Roy said. “I love these guys. I think (captain Gabriel Landeskog) is pretty much alone in that. I think (Erik Johnson) is trying. But we need more from these guys. These guys need to prove to us that they’re capable of carrying this team.”

Duchene got Roy's message loud and clear.

“I won’t enjoy it tonight,” Duchene said after that game.

“Maybe it’s something I’ll look back on after the season and enjoy on a personal level. You play and try to score goals to make the playoffs. If you’re not in the playoffs, it doesn’t mean as much as you want it to mean. No one remembers that, and no one cares. Everyone just cares about who’s in the playoffs. That’s all we care about, and all I care about.”

I'll bet you that Duchene has gotten has gotten chirped by his Avs and Team Canada teammates regarding his 30th goal celebration.

I'm sure that O'Reilly has jabbed Duchene about his transgression.

They say that time heals all wounds.

On Tuesday, after Team Canada practice in St. Petersburg, ROR and Dutchy busted chops as they discussed topics including Shania Twain, excessive chest hair and Canadian tuxedos.



Thanks, ESPN

Sabres GM Tim Murray is actively searching for a winger to skate with Jack Eichel and Samson Reinhart.

In 495 career games, Duchene has scored 156 goals and 221 assists.

Duchene plays left wing and center.

He will earn $6M AAV for the next three seasons.

Maybe it's time for Roy and Duchene to part company.

The Avs need defensive help in a bad way.

Tim Murray has difference making defenseman and 21 draft choices wit which to crate a deal.

Murray, Roy and Joe Sakic are no strangers to making blockbuster trades.

Who knows. Maybe we will see an ROR-Dutchy reunion in Buffalo.


**





Ever notice how I never post the names of corporate sponsors of NHL arenas in this space?

There are two reasons why I refrain from pimping the sponsors:

1. I'm not paid to shill their brands.

2. The naming rights change more and more frequently than ever before due to leverage buyouts, hostile take overs and consolidation of business competitors.

Case in point:

The home of the NHL Buffalo Sabres is once again changing it's name.

 The First Niagara Center will be known by another corporate moniker come opening night 2016.
 
KeyBank Corp. is finalizing a merger with First Niagara Bank. It stands to reason that the management team of the merged company will want tge crib to be known by the new, merged brand name.




Key Bank is awaiting federal regulators’ approval to complete its deal for First Niagara. Key hopes to complete the deal in the third quarter.



Introducing the Key Bank Center.

Boring, eh?

So, all of your Sabres fans who love to text your bros to meet you at the FNC second level bar between periods will have to incorporate the new naming rights partner's name into your lifestyle.

 
This will be the fourth such corpirate sponsor name change since it opened in 1996. For those keeping score at home, it was first known as Marine Midland Arena from 1996 unail 2011 when it changed to HSBC Arena. Then it segued to First Niagara Center. Now, it will be known as Key Bank Center.

Heretofore, I will only refer to the arena where team the Sabres play as Jack and Samson's House.

I can always be persuaded to change my mind for a few thousand benjamins.







 
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