Posts About "Pat Lafontaine"
October 25, 1991: The End of an Era
October 25th, 2016 While the 1980s were kind to the New York Islanders, the start of the next decade was a different story. The four-time Stanley Cup Champions won just one playoff series after their "Drive for Five" stalled in 1984. Their star, Pat LaFontaine grew tired of losing, and more importantly, the uncertainty of ownership. The owner at the...
Dallas vs. St. Louis: The Off-Ice Matchup
April 29th, 2016 After vanquishing their respective first round foes, the Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues now face off in the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs. The two teams are quite evenly matched: Three of five regular season meetings between the Stars and Blues were decided in overtime or by shootout. The other two games? Blues 3, Stars...
Top 10 Players Who Played For Both Islanders And Rangers
December 2nd, 2015 The Islanders-Rangers rivalry 2015-16 edition is set to begin this Wednesday. The 255th regular-season matchup. The rivalry is now closer than ever with just 5.8 miles separating Barclays Center from Madison Square Garden. Only one person has served as both the Islanders and Rangers general manager. Neil Smith served as Rangers general...
5 Best Moves in Buffalo Sabres History
October 27th, 2015 The Buffalo Sabres have made plenty of deals that led to success of some sort for the team. From the trade that resulted in goaltender Ryan Miller being drafted to the deal that brought Chris Drury to the Sabres, there has been no shortage of exciting deals in Buffalo. But which moves are the best in franchise history? This list...
Islanders to Welcome Back Pat LaFontaine March 24
December 16th, 2014 Yesterday, the Islanders announced their promotions for the second half of the season. They will not only be honoring former players like the first half of the season as Kyle Okposo, John Tavares, and Matt Martin all have bobblehead nights scheduled. Among the promotions announced was the return of former Islanders forward Pat...
History of the Buffalo Sabres Captains Part III
September 26th, 2014 The Buffalo Sabres ended the 1980's with three straight playoff appearances which started a streak of eight consecutive, that would eventually end at the conclusion of the 1995-96 season. Things were changing including the team's logo. The team abandoned their signature logo (which they obviously and thankfully returned to), their...
Buffalo Sabres History: Part III (1992-2003)
September 17th, 2014 The next chunk of Buffalo Sabres history was a busy time that featured a lockout-shortened season as well as the team's second Stanley Cup Finals appearance. Unfortunately, Buffalo could not win it's first championship and the series was surrounded in controversy due to Brett Hull's 'No Goal' series clincher in 1999. The Sabres earned...
Religion & The Sabres Season
April 14th, 2014 When Terry Pegula took over the reins of the Sabres, Ted Black proclaimed "A clarion call should go out to the league that Buffalo is hockey heaven." Fans of the organization rejoiced as the team finally had an owner committed to putting forth a supreme on-ice product. However, Pegula seems to be more false prophet than Savior. Hockey...
Pat LaFontaine: More Like Marino Than Elway
March 3rd, 2014 The Pat LaFontaine resignation from President of Hockey Operations has sent shock waves down the Sabres organization and through the Buffalo community. This comes on the heels of the blockbuster trade that sent cornerstone-goalie Ryan Miller to the St. Louis Blues, creating an ever tumultuous time for the franchise. Instead of debating...
Mario Lemieux's Greatest (On-Ice) Performance
January 27th, 2014 Looking back on a career highlighted by his notching of one of the most important markers in Canada's rich hockey history, two Stanley Cup championships and countless awards, many may find it difficult to pinpoint Mario Lemieux's crowning achievement on the ice. But, if one is searching for Super Mario's most remarkable...
Buffalo Sabres: The Week Ahead
November 18th, 2013 Things are a little different for the Buffalo Sabres since the last time I wrote one of these. Darcy Regier was still the general manager and the embattled Ron Rolston was still head coach, hanging on by a thread. Since then? Both are gone and a few nostalgic faces have replaced them: Pat Lafontaine as the President of Hockey...
Buffalo Sabres: A New Hope
November 14th, 2013 Just as the devout followers of Hockey Heaven began to lose faith, their prayers were finally answered with the firing of GM Darcy Regier and head coach Ron Rolston. The exodus of these rebuked men came with the joyful and triumphant returns of Ted Nolan as interim head coach and Pat LaFontaine as president of hockey operations, riding...
Buffalo Sabres Make The Wrong Call Again
November 13th, 2013 Once again, the Buffalo Sabres have turned well meaning into the wrong move. It’s no secret by now that the team has relieved general manager Darcy Regier and head coach Ron Rolston of their duties. In the door? New President of Hockey Operations Pat Lafontaine and interim head coach (and blast from the past) Ted Nolan. Many felt...
