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BUFFALO, N. Patriots Jersey .Y. - General manager Tim Murray decided defenceman Christian Ehrhoff and his hefty contract did not fit in his long-term vision for rebuilding the Buffalo Sabres. Former Sabres captain Steve Ott, on the other hand, just might. Fresh off clearing Buffalos books of the remaining seven years of Ehrhoffs contract, Murray is targeting veteran role players to augment his teams young roster once the NHLs free-agency period opens Tuesday. "Id like to acquire a couple of veteran guys who can play the game, but can also show our kids how to be pros," Murray said Monday. "So Im going to focus on at least two of those guys." And that makes Ott a candidate to return to Buffalo after he was part the Sabres trade that also sent goalie Ryan Miller to St. Louis in February. Murray said Ott is on the teams list of free-agent candidates, and added hes had preliminary discussions with the players agent. Ott was expendable at the time of the trade because he was in the final year of his contract. Murray, who spoke highly of Otts leadership ability before the trade, was careful to make sure Ott left on good terms by dealing him to a contender. As for Ehrhoff, who signed a 10-year, $40 million contract three years ago, Murray said the defenceman wasnt interested in being part of the teams rebuilding process. The way Ehrhoffs contract was structured was another factor. Under NHL rules, the Sabres would have faced a significant salary-cap penalty if Ehrhoff retired before the final year of his deal. "This seemed to be the best course of action for us to move on, be out from under that contract," Murray said. "And now we dont have to worry about it. Now we just have to focus on rebuilding, bringing in good young players and get going here." Murray, who took over in January after Darcy Regier was fired, is taking a patient approach to rebuilding a team that is coming off one of the worst seasons in franchise history. Buffalo (21-51-10) finished last in the NHL standings, set a franchise record for losses and established a post-NHL-expansion-era low by scoring just 150 goals. Murray has set his sights on rebuilding through youth, a process that continued at the NHL draft last weekend. The Sabres made nine picks, starting with playmaking centre Sam Reinhart at No. 2 overall. Buffalo is scheduled to have three first-round picks in next years draft, which leaves Murray preaching patience. "We all want to speed things up. As soon as we got (Reinhart), I said I wish it was 2016. But its not. And you have to do it properly," Murray said. "Its not easy. Its hard. It takes a long time. And I think that were on the right track." Aside from convincing free agents to buy into his rebuilding plan, Murrays other challenge is upping the Sabres payroll to the NHL salary cap minimum of $51 million. The Sabres are currently at about $30 million after buying out Ehrhoff and the final three years of underperforming forward Ville Leinos contract two weeks ago. Murray is confident the Sabres will reach the cap minimum before the start of the season, and can do so without handcuffing the teams salary structure with expensive long-term contracts. "Im not worried about the floor," Murray said, and then broke into a smile while pointing to a reporter. "Ill sign you if I have to." The Sabres have extended qualifying offers to retain the rights of a number of restricted free agents, including centres Tyler Ennis and Luke Adam, forward Marcus Foligno, defenceman Chad Ruhwedel and goalie Matt Hackett. Defenceman Jamie McBain will become an unrestricted free agent after the Sabres did not extend him and offer. Rob Gronkowski Jersey . Bouchards high stick hit Blue Jackets winger Matt Calvert in the face following a faceoff in the Wilds 4-2 season-opening victory over Columbus. Calvert lost teeth and needed stitches on his lip but returned and got an assist in the third period.Stevan Ridley Jersey . -- U.S. captain Tom Watson said Monday that Tiger Woods latest back injury "doesnt bode well right now" for Woods playing in the Ryder Cup. LONDON -- Manchester United bounced back from its derby humiliation by cruising to a 3-0 victory over forth-tier club Aldershot in the League Cup, while Arsenal overcame Premier League rival Bolton 2-1 to advance to the quarterfinals on Tuesday. Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Owen and Antonio Valencia scored Uniteds goals at Aldershot after being left out of the team that lost 6-1 to Manchester City on Sunday. "Sometimes you need a kick in the teeth to get going again," Owen said. "And we were eager to bounce back." Arsenal, which lost last seasons League Cup final to Birmingham, recovered from a goal down against Bolton, with Andrei Arshavin and Chu-Young Park securing the home sides progress. In Tuesdays other cup matches, Cardiff beat Burnley 1-0 while second-tier leader Southampton lost 2-0 to Crystal Palace. United had the perfect tonic after its heaviest home defeat in the league since 1955, with a completely changed team having little trouble disposing of the lowest-ranked side left in the League Cup. Berbatov netted his first goal of the season after 15 minutes after a one-two between Park Ji-sung and Tom Cleverley on the edge of the box ended with the Bulgaria striker slotting into the net. He turned provider just before half time, setting up Owens third goal of the campaign. The English forwards shot straight down the middle managed to beat goalkeeper Ross Worner. And the victory was put beyond doubt by Valencias fierce strike three minutes into the second half. "We were under a little bit of pressure after the result at the weekend," Owen said. "We had Uniteds reputation to look after . Chandler Jones Jersey. .. we wanted to bounce and thankfully we got the result." At Emirates Stadium, after a scoreless first half, the match went into overdrive after the interval, with three goals in less than 10 minutes. Bolton opened the scoring in the 48th, when Fabrice Muamba dispossessed Emmanuel Frimpong near the halfway line. Muamba turned and charged through the middle toward goal, exchanging passes with Darren Pratley before volleying past Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski from inside the area. Arsenal equalized six minutes later when Arshavins run down the right evaded Boltons defence and he curled a shot past Bolton goalkeeper Adam Bogdan. Three minutes later, Arshavins run through the middle drew three Bolton defenders and the Russian passed to Park, who was alone on the left. The South Korea international curled a powerful shot past Bogdan to make it 2-1 in the 57th. Bolton had several chances to equalize, including in the 74th when Fabianski misjudged a shot from Chris Eagles and nearly pushed the ball over his head and into his own net. Arsenal centre back Thomas Vermaelen played his first match in two months following ankle surgery, but picked up a calf injury toward the end of the match. Manager Arsene Wenger said he didnt think the injury was serious, but that Vermaelen would likely miss the Premier League match against Chelsea on Saturday. There are four all-Premier League matches in the competition on Wednesday. Man City, which is five points clear at the top of the Premier League, travels to Wolverhampton Wanderers, Chelsea is at Everton, Stoke hosts Liverpool and Blackburn faces Newcastle. cheap jerseys ' ' ' |
