Stafford skating, still unsigned
Drew Stafford is taking part in the Sabres' on-ice testing this morning in HSBC Arena, but a member of the public relations department said there has not been a contract agreement with the restricted free agent.
It's a risk for Stafford to skate without a contract. Should he blow out a knee while doing sprints, he coughs up his chance for a large pay day. That said, it's also a show of good faith to management and his teammates that he wants to be in Buffalo. It could also mean he's close to a deal, though neither side of the negotiation gave any inkling Friday that was the case.
12:30 UPDATE WITH DARCY REGIER COMMENT: "We made some progress yesterday. I think both sides worked very hard at trying to get a deal done. Unfortunately, we still don’t have a deal. But we’ll continue working today, and in light of that Drew wanted to be here, and we thought it was best that he is here for the start."
12:40 UPDATE WITH DREW STAFFORD COMMENT: "It's business. You just have to be professional about it. It's part of playing. There is the business side of it and you have to learn how to deal with it. All I was focusing on over the summer was making sure I was getting better, making gains.
"I came here to get ready for camp. I put the work in over the summer, had a very good summer in Minnesota. I was excited to come into camp to be around my team and get to see the guys. It's exciting for everyone to be back. There's a good feeling in the air for this season and I want to be around for it."
Stafford added there's been no decision made as to whether he'll scrimmage when the team starts to go full-tilt on Sunday.
---John Vogl
