The Vancouver Canucks have inked Buffalo UFA D man, Rory Fitzpatrick, to a new contract. Fitz joins former Sabres teammate Taylor Pyatt in Couver. Mikka Norenen has opted to play in Euroope this season.
You'll remember that Rory was thrust up the Sabres D food chain in teh Playoffs. He went from being Buffalo's #7 D to Buffalo's top 4 D, due to the tsunami of injuries to Tallinder, Teppo, McKee and Kalinin.
Rory's a good depth guy, and a solid defensive Dman, however, his will feet prevent him from competing at a high level in the new NHL.
Fitzpatrick, 31, played 56 games with the Buffalo Sabres last season recording nine points (4-5-9) and 50 penalty minutes.
In 210 career NHL games with four different teams (Montreal, St. Louis, Nashville, Buffalo), Fitzpatrick has 27 points (9-18-27) and 144 penalty minutes. He has played in 17 NHL Playoff games, recording six points (1-5-6) and 16 penalty minutes.
The 6'2”, 210 lbs, native of Rochester, New York was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round, 47th overall, in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft.
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Buffalo's opening night tilt in Raleigh just got a bit easier. Cory Stillman's is gone for at least three months with a bum wing.
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I had a moment to speak with Buffalo's Danny Briere @ an Easton-sponsored event at the Great Skate in suburban Buffalo today. Danny's in the midst of his rigorous dryland routine, and he told me that he can't wait for camp to open on September 19th.
When I asked him if his linemate JP Dumont, would re-sign with Buffalo, he paused, frowned and said "I don't know...., don't think so".
Montreal, The Islanders, Chicago, and several otherteams want Dumont.
Look for Montreal to close the deal.
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At post time, the Yankess lead the Chowds 8-3 in the 7th. Chin Ming Wang is a witch! Groundballs suck, eh Chowd fans?
Johnny Damon has homered at Fenway. How'd ya like them apples ?!!!
Bobby Abreu is 4 for 4 for the Pinstripes.
Yanks will go into tonight's Game 2 a solid 2.5 games ahead of the suddenly silent Chowds.
Nice.
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Thats my story and I'm stickin to it
Garth
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