The Sabres have completed practice in Amherst and Darcy Regier will speak to the media shortly after 3 p.m. in HSBC Arena. It appears Tim Connolly is staying put as Lindy Ruff told us that newly acquired Brad Boyes will be put on the wing on a line with Connolly, his former junior teammate, for Tuesday night's game in New York.
"We really feel we've got a guy that can help one of our power-play units," Ruff said. "He's a good two-way player that offensively should help us , make us stronger through those top nine players. ... He's great at getting pucks to the net, he's got a niftyness down from the top of the circles and creates his own chances at times."
Boyes played with Tim Connolly with the OHL's Erie Otters in 1998 and Ruff said he's likely to put Boyes on a line with his ex-junior teammate. Ruff confirmed what Darcy Regier said Saturday that he does not expect Connolly to be moved.
"That's what I've always wanted to do: Stay in Buffalo and try to have an opportunity to win a Cup here," Connolly said. "First and foremost, we've got to try to make the playoffs. That's our main goal. The addition of Boyes will help us down the stretch here."
Ruff said he had no status report on Jordan Leopold, who missed practice with an upper-body injury that kept him out of Saturday's game. Ruff said Leopold will be examined later today by team doctors. Ruff was hoping Boyes could meet the team here before they go to New York but it's likely he will go right to the Big Apple. Ruff said Boyes, who played last night in Calgary, may not take the morning skate tomorrow.
Here's audio from Ruff, Connolly and Thomas Vanek on the deal:
Lindy Ruff
Tim Connolly
Thomas Vanek
---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington)
