Update:
The thing that I love about Sabres GM Tim Murray is that he doesn't pull any punches.
He shoots straight from the hip and the lip.
Murray told Sabres Hockey Hotline that he had to have another private conversation with his time-challenged Russian D-man Nikita Zadorov. Murray did all the talking. Zadorov sat and listened. Murray having to repeatedly scold a professional hockey player for repeated violations of team rules is a problem.
Murray said the reason that the 19 year old was a scratch for Sunday's Sabres-Predators game is that the former London Knights star "has issues with punctuality". Murray said that it was Ted Nolan's decision to bench the hulking 6'5 230 lb. D-man. This is the second time this month that Zadorov has gotten into trouble with his coach, GM and teammates for his personal time management issues.
Murray said that he had a one-way conversation with the kid. The GM did all the talking while Zadorov listened. One wonders if Zadorov has any idea how badly his tardiness is reflecting on him. His teammates say publicly that they support him. That's what teammates do. However, behind the scenes, I'm sure there a couple of vets who want to grind the kid for failure to comply with team rules. Zadorov is a multi-time offender when it comes to personal discipline and punctuality. How many chances will he get before the Sabres show him the zamboni dooor? Zadorov and his agent should note that Darcy Regier draft Zadorov 16th overall, not Tim Murray.
So, for the second time in a month, Zadorov had to apologize to his bunker mates for his failure to act and behave like a professional hockey player.
Is Zadorov sincerely apologetic? Or, is he the boy who cried wolf?
What Zadorov needs is to eat slabs humble pie while riding buses in the AHL. That ain't happening any time soon.
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Murray said that he liked what he saw this weekend of his newly acquired power forward Evander Kane. Murray said that he observed Kane's body language and his comfort around his new teammates and coaches as a sign that he is appreciative of this new opportunity.
Kane will go back and forth between Vancouver and Buffalo with his physical therapy. He is headed home to Vancouver now because the doctor's orders say that he cannot do anything, including riding the exercise bike, for another month. Once he's cleared for that, he will come back to Buffalo.
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Murray refused to comment on Ryan O'Reilly, who is a player under contract to another NHL team. Murray said that he and Avalanche President of Hockey Operations have't spoken since the World Juniors in Toronto. He also said that he could not comment on ROR at this time.
Murray said that he would trade for a player who has one year remaining on his current deal if the feeling was right.
Keep and eye on the O'Reilly matter. Murray said that he doesn't expect any more hockey trades the like of the Kane for Myers trade to occur in the next week before the NHL trade deadline. That doesn't rule out trade at the NHL Draft in Sunrise, Florida in June.
You know what they say about smoke and fire, eh?
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Murray said that the trade market has been "quiet" lately.
Murray said that he hasn't gotten calls on Michal Neuvirth. He said that he hasn't reached out yet to the goalie's agent to discuss gauge his interest in signing a new Buffalo contract. He said that he would after the trade deadline.
Murray said that he expects his pending UFAs will be trade deadline day transactions for contending teams.
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Listen to the full Murray interview here:
Thanks, WGR
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Mark Pysyk and Jake McCabe are going to fly to Columbus with the Sabres. Tyson Strachan will stay behind in Buffalo and deal with his infection issue. I'd sit Zadorov and play Pysyk and McCabe against teh Blue Jax.
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Sabres D Josh Gorges underwent season ending surgery today.
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Ryan Miller will undergo an MRI when he retruns tio Vancouver. Right knee appears to be the problem area.
Canusks GM Jim Benningsays that the team will go with Lack and Markstrom in the event that Miller is out long term.
GM Jim Benning speaking to the media in Boston. Said Miller is on his way back Vancouver for an MRI. Markstrom has been recalled. #Canucks
— Vancouver Canucks (@VanCanucks) February 23, 2015
#Canucks GM Jim Benning to address media at noon EST. Ryan Miller to undergo MRI in Vancouver later today. Hearing minimum 4-6 weeks.
— Dan Murphy (@sportsnetmurph) February 23, 2015
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Vancouver Canucks goaltender Ryan Miller has to be disappointed. He was injured on Sunday night and will be sent back Vancouver today for the purposes of having team doctors evaluate the lower-body injury that he sustained on Sunday night when his teammate Jannik Hansen collided with him on Long Island. According to Twitter reports, MIller was seen walking with a heavy limop after the 4-0 win on Long Island. One report noted that Miller was perhaps wearing a heavy knee brace under his suit pants.
Bad break for Miller. Thanks, Sportsnet
This according to Pierre LeBrun.
Miller will miss at least the next two games. Miller will miss the Boston and Buffalo game, two places where the former Michigan State Spartan star has excelled over the years.
Miller, 34, spent 10 productive seasons in Buffalo. He now will be forced to miss his much anticipated return to the Queen City. Miller was traded with Steve Ott to St. Louis last February.
Sabres fans who purchases tickets months ago for Miller's emotional return will surely be disappointed to not be able to give him the round of applause that he deserves for his decade of excellence on the ice and in teh Western New York community..
Eddie Lack will take over the #1 job while Miller recovers from his injury.
Miller's loss could be Jakub Markstorm's gain as the 23-year-old Swede has excelled in the AHL this season. Markstrom has managed a sparkling 17-7-2 record for the Comets, while posting an AHL leading .932 save percentage.
More to come....