Teppo Signs!
Aug 8, 2008 NHL
My son was thrilled! Teppo Numminen signed a 1 year, 1.1 million dollar contract with the Buffalo Sabres today. I heard WGR’s interview with Darcy Regier today, and he said that Teppo feels great, as well as he has in his last few years. I’m sure he will be a steadying presence in the final defense pairing, as well as a great tutor for the youngsters that will inevitably appear because of injury.
Buffalo also signed Tyler Bouck, who captained the new AHL affiliate Portland Pirates last season. It’s players like that, career AHL’ers who helps tutor the rising stars, that the recent split team situation stopped.
Tags: bouck, buffalo, Hockey, NHL, numminen, sabres, signing
Teppo May Return!
Jul 23, 2008 NHL
The Buffalo News has an article that thrilled my son…Teppo Numminen is in talks to return to the Sabres. Numminen missed all but one game last year after a heart valve condition had to be repaired during training camp. Interesting thoughts from Ottawa coach John Paddock (who coached Teppo in the past):
Former Ottawa coach John Paddock, who coached Numminen when they were in Winnipeg, said he felt the loss of the veteran defenseman actually damaged the Sabres more than the losses of Daniel Briere and Chris Drury to free agency.
It actually makes sense…the Sabres still scored their goals but struggled at keeping opponents out of their end and clearing the puck once it was in. Thomas is watching with interest.
Random Buffalo Sports Stuff
Donte Whitner guarantees the Bills make the playoffs. Please do, while home playoff games are still played here, okay?
Steve Bernier, now of the Vancouver Canucks, signed an offer sheet with the Blues. The Canucks matched it, sparking, uh, nothing like the war of words between Lowe and Burke.
Jason Smith is off the list, and he’s with the Sens. Time to call Teppo! (my son is hopeful)
Tags: bernier, bills, blues, buffalo, canucks, Hockey, NHL, numminen, ottawa, sabres, senators, signing, smith, st. louis, vancouver, whitner
Orpik: Forget I said anything…
Jul 1, 2008 NHL
From John Vogl at the Buffalo News:
I just got off the phone with Darcy Regier. The Sabres will not be in the final running for the services of Brooks Orpik.
“We did have conversations,” Regier told me. “I don’t expect to be a part of that going forward.”
Uh, I guess that leaves a trade still out there…or seeing how Weber/Sekera/Paetsch/Numminen maybe can fill the final two spots on the blueline.
Tags: buffalo, Hockey, NHL, numminen, orpik, paetsch, sabres, sekera, weber
Ruff Makes His Point
Apr 6, 2008 NHL
The Buffalo Sabres ended their season on a high note, shutting out the Boston Bruins 3-0. Jocelyn Thibault got the shutout, and Thomas Vanek (thanks to some unselfish play from Derek Roy) had all three goals for the natural hat trick. Coach Ruff had the team playing a boring, defensive game to make a point - every team can win like that, but they don’t want to do it. I certainly enjoy the outstanding offensive plays for the past few years, and am okay with the only shutouts being the ones where the goaltending is awesomely good.
I’ll have a complete rundown of my thoughts on the season in a few days. Oh, and congratulations to Teppo Numminen on his return to the ice!
Tags: B-Lo Sports, boston, bruins, Hockey, NHL, numminen, roy, ruff, sabres, thibault, vanek
No Playoffs for the Sabres
Apr 4, 2008 NHL
Buffalo was beaten 3-1 by the Montreal Canadiens last night, thus ending all hopes of sneaking in to the playoffs. The Sabres (as has happened numerous times this year) did not play a complete 60 minute game and it cost them. Ales Kotalik scored the only Sabre goal on the power play with 8 minutes left in the game. Miller was on the bench also for that, a gamble that paid off but they couldn’t get anything before or after. Habs goalie Carey Price was excellent, it really looks like they picked the right guy to put their hopes in.
Buffalo has one more game left to close out the season, facing off against the Boston Bruins. Wonder if we’ll see Thibault or Numminen for that one.
Tags: B-Lo Sports, Canadiens, Hockey, kotalik, Miller, Montreal, NHL, numminen, price, sabres, thibault
Numminen Cleared To Return
Apr 1, 2008 NHL
Teppo Numminen has been cleared to play hockey again, according to Buffalo Sabres GM Darcy Regier. He did not crack the lineup tonight, but is eligible for next two games. Teppo is returning from surgery to repair a faulty heart valve.
Gameday - Sabres at Leafs
Apr 1, 2008 NHL
Buffalo must win tonight to keep the slim playoff hopes alive, as they visit the Toronto Maples Leafs tonight at the ACC, 7:30pm start time. Still no Kalinin, Spacek or Numminen, lineup will be the same as far as I’m aware. We’ll be seeing Andrew Raycroft in net, as the Leafs are out of playoff contention and don’t really have a need to play the hot hand in net any more.
It was pointed out on WGR’s morning show that Buffalo teams have a history of getting the help they need to make the playoffs and then not holding up their end of things, I hope that doesn’t happen tonight.
Tags: B-Lo Sports, Hockey, kalinin, maple leafs, NHL, numminen, raycroft, sabres, Spacek, toronto
Gameday - Senators at Sabres
Mar 25, 2008 NHL
Nathan Paetsch should be back in the lineup tonight as the Buffalo Sabres host the Ottawa Senators. The Sens come in after a painful loss to the Canadiens, falling behind 7-1 before getting a few goals to make it a bit closer. Once first in the conference, the Sens are now fifth. I honestly have no idea what we will see from the Sabres tonight, and that’s been the way this season has worked. They could gun down the Senators like Montreal did, or circle the drain as they did against the Leafs. Your guess is as good as mine.
Teppo says, seriously guys, what have you been doing while I was gone??
Tags: B-Lo Sports, Hockey, Miller, NHL, numminen, ottawa, sabres, senators
Quick Hits
Mar 21, 2008 NHL, They Said It
Teppo practiced with the team today at the arena. Awesome.
Numminen skated with injured defensemen Jaroslav Spacek (ribs) and Dmitri Kalinin (right shoulder) for an hour before participating in the Sabres’ workout before their game Friday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“It’s been a long journey,” Numminen said. “It’s great to be healthy and great to be back here.”
My boy is thrilled.
…
Boston College star, and Sabres prospect Nathan Gerbe is a Hobey Baker finalist. Congratulations, and here’s hoping you do better than Gino Toretta did when he won the Heisman.
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These 7:30 starts always throw me off. Darn Canadian television coverage.
…
Richard Zednik is back on the ice as well, if only for a few minutes. He’s not yet cleared to work out, though.
Tags: boston college, gerbe, hobey baker, Hockey, injury, NHL, numminen, sabres, zednik
