Regeln » going to be out multiple weeks, he did not

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- First, Ryan Miller. Now, Pat LaFontaine. A day after trading their star goalie to St. Louis, the Buffalo Sabres lost another face of their franchise after LaFontaine abruptly resigned as president of hockey operations on Saturday a little more than three months after being brought in to provide a new direction to the NHLs last-place team. The Sabres announced the decision in a news release issued after speculation had been raised of a potential front-office shake-up involving LaFontaine. "I would like to thank Pat for all he has done for the organization," Sabres owner Terry Pegula said in the release. "Pat joined us at a very difficult time, and helped transition the organization down a new path." The Sabres said LaFontaine would be returning to his previous role working with the National Hockey League. LaFontaine had been working with the league on player safety issues before being hired by the Sabres in mid-November. The former Sabres captains arrival was hailed as a major turning point for a struggling team. LaFontaine took over following a change in the front office during which general manager Darcy Regier and coach Ron Rolston were dismissed following the Sabres 4-15-1 start. LaFontaines first move was hiring former Sabres coach Ted Nolan to take over as coach on an interim basis for the remainder of the season. LaFontaines next step came in January, when he hired Tim Murray as general manager. "Terry Pegula hired me in November, and my primary objective was to lead the Sabres organization through a time of transition," LaFontaine said in the Sabres release. "Im proud of what weve been able to accomplish in a short period of time, and want to thank Terry and Kim Pegula for the opportunity and their support during my time with the Sabres." LaFontaines resignation still comes as a major surprise. In January, LaFontaine talked openly about how he would use his connections to USA Hockey in a bid to lure national and international events to Buffalo. He leaves a day after Murray made his first big splash by trading star goalie Ryan Miller and captain Steve Ott to the St. Louis Blues. In exchange, the Sabres acquired goalie Jaroslav Halak, forward Chris Stewart, prospect William Carrier, a 2015 first-round pick and a conditional 2016 third-round pick in a deal reached in advance of the NHL trade deadline on Wednesday. The Sabres (18-34-8) had the day off on Saturday, and return to practice on Sunday before travelling to play at Dallas on Monday. They remain in last place, but are enjoying their first three-game winning streak following a 4-2 win over the San Jose Sharks on Friday. This is not the first time LaFontaine has abruptly stepped down as an NHL team executive. In July 2006, LaFontaine quit the New York Islanders a little over a month after being brought in to serve as senior adviser to owner Charles Wang. In Buffalo, LaFontaines absence was notable this week once the team returned to the ice following the leagues Olympic break. He was not spotted in the press box during the Sabres three-game homestand that began with a 3-2 win over Carolina on Tuesday. That was unusual because LaFontaine had previously spent time watching games from the press-box level in Pegulas box, alongside Murray and several of the owners associates. LaFontaine also missed the teams "Power Play Luncheon" for fans on Friday, when he was scheduled to speak along with fellow former Sabres greats Gilbert Perreault, Rene Robert and Danny Gare. The crowd was informed LaFontaine had the flu. The Sabres have become a top-heavy organization since Regiers dismissal. Pegula created the position of president of hockey operations to hire LaFontaine. And Pegula did so only after LaFontaine declined a chance to become the GM by saying he didnt think he had enough experience for that job. Along with hiring Murray, the Sabres also brought in Hockey Hall of Fame member and long-time executive Craig Patrick to serve as a special adviser. LaFontaine backed the hiring of Murray and Patrick, by referring to both as his "wingers." He also discussed how important it was for him to be building a front-office team that could work together in rebuilding a team that has missed the playoffs in each of the past two seasons, and not won a playoff round since reaching the 2007 Eastern Conference finals. Its not clear what effect LaFontaines departure will have on the teams short-term future, including Nolans status. Murray said this week hes already had discussions with Nolan about extending his contract beyond this season. Adidas Korbinian Holzer Jersey . 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Adidas Corey Perry Jersey .com) - Mikko Korhonen carded a 5-under 67 on Thursday to claim medalist honors at the European Tours Final Qualifying Stage tournament.SANTA CLARA, Calif. - San Francisco 49ers centre Daniel Kilgore is scheduled to undergo season-ending surgery Tuesday on a fractured left ankle sustained in the third quarter of Sunday nights loss at Denver.Coach Jim Harbaugh said Monday the injury is similar to what nose tackle Ian Williams suffered in Week 2 of the 2013 season at Seattle that required four operations and kept him sidelined until training camp this year. Kilgore, who will be placed on injured reserve, was carted off after getting hurt when linebacker Brandon Marshall inadvertently ran into his lower leg at the end of a run by Frank Gore during a 42-17 loss to the Broncos.Its similar. He was disappointed. He played well in the game. So thats an obstacle to overcome. Hes made of the right stuff. No doubt that hell overcome, Harbaugh said. Hes been playing really well, better and better each week. Like I said, I thought he played really well in this game. Say a prayer and hope the surgery goes real well tomorrow, which Im confident it will and well start healing.Marcus Martin, a 20-year-old rookie third-round draft pick, is the favourite to fill in for Kilgore on the starting offensive line. Martin recently returned to practice following a training camp knee injury.Martins NFL debut would likely be Nov. 2 at home against the Rams after the bye.Well be moving forward and making that determination as we go, Harbaugh said, noting Martin has the upper hand.Harbaugh said he would expect linebacker Patrick Willis, who missed Sundays loss with a strained toe, and rookie cornerback Jimmie Ward (quadriceps) will return once the 49ers (4-3) are back from their week off. Players watched game film Monday, then were set to part ways for the week. Harbaugh said the 49ers would haave Thursday through Sunday off from any work with coaches.ddddddddddddReplacing Kilgore is a big task.Its always tragic to lose a player, quarterback Colin Kaepernick said after the game.While Martin hasnt played this season, he has ample experience at the position.The 70th overall pick out of Southern California, he played 38 games — with 33 starts — over three seasons with the Trojans. Martin started all 13 games at centre last year while helping USC rush for 2,419 yards and 29 touchdowns, and earning First-Team All-Pac-12 honours.Hes exceled at the mental aspects— before and after he was injured. Ive been real impressed with that, Harbaugh said. Even when he knew he was hurt, knew he was going to be out multiple weeks, he did not ease off in terms of the classroom and the study. I think that bodes well. Bright youngster and hes champed at the bit to get back on the field and didnt take the opportunity to let the injury linger. So, good signs. Excited about his progress and I look forward to good things.Versatile offensive lineman Joe Loney also could take some snaps at centre if needed.A subdued Harbaugh hardly wanted to rehash the ugly defeat in Denver. He was pleased enough with special teams, but not much else went well.They outplayed us. Not going to go over every single specific phase of each of those two phases, he said. Theres going to be some obvious, Why didnt this? Why didnt that? Right, didnt.Harbaugh himself planned to stick around and work, along with his staff.We have work to get done this week, he said. Preparation for upcoming opponents and self-scout and there will be players that will come in and well be available to those players.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '