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BUFFALO, N. Trevor Linden Canucks Jersey .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. Pavel Bure Canucks Jersey Authentic . -- Albert Pujols is thrilled to have a reason to forget about his first two disappointing seasons with the Los Angeles Angels. Custom Vancouver Canucks Jerseys . So far, so good: Gonzalez has allowed one run through 12 innings this season. His second start came Tuesday night, when he gave up only three singles over six innings to lead the Nationals to a 5-0 victory over the Miami Marlins. Erik Gudbranson Canucks Jerseys - Authentic Adidas Erik Gudbranson Womens Jerseys Sale . Kerber will next play Estonias Kaia Kanepi, who beat American qualifier Victoria Duval 6-1, 6-3. In other first-round matches, Lucie Safarova beat 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone 6-4, 6-4 and American Bethanie Mattek-Sands had a 6-4, 6-3 win over Canadas Eugenie Bouchard.TORONTO - As DeMar DeRozan finished addressing the media ahead of Friday nights game, the first time hes spoken publicly since going down with his injury last week, one reporter pointed out hell need some new suits. DeRozan has missed the Raptors last four games with a torn tendon in his groin and will be a spectator for the foreseeable future. But the 25-year-old All-Star guard and iron man did not watch his teams 105-91 loss to Cleveland from the bench. He stood in the tunnel for some of it but spent most of the night sitting in front of a television. He watched the previous three games from his couch, as the Raptors were out West, and had avoided sitting on the sideline during the three contests he missed last season. Its not for a lack of leadership or interest on his part. Its also not for a lack of suits. Its simply too difficult for him. Thats been the biggest adjustment as he continues to recover from the first serious injury of his five-plus year career. Its definitely tough, just for me personally, the Raptors leading scorer admitted before Fridays game. Im used to being out there. Its more just frustrating than anything, because I always want to be out there every single night with my teammates. DeRozan had missed just 11 of a possible 394 games over his first five seasons and into his sixth. A self-made star, he has become known for his relentless work ethic, a player that has spent countless hours in the gym each day for the bulk of his life. Now, hes got a bunch of time on his hands and, understandably, its driving him crazy. Where does he spend most of his time? On the couch, he responded. If theres no basketball game on Im playing Madden. Thats been my day, every single day, just to keep my sanity. I dont have a choice now. Its different when you have a choice but I dont have no choice now. Ive just got to stay positive and just become more of a student and grow mentally. Just because hes not watching from the bench doesnt mean hes not watching. DeRozan hopes to use this time as an opportunity to see the game in a new light. Dwane Casey has asked him to sit in on the coaches meetings, something hes looking forward to doing. Hes just happy to get off the couch. I think this is going to definitely help me out mentally, just becoming more of a student of the game and really scouting and looking at the game a different way, he said. Just understanding a lot more about the game, outside of being a basketball player, honestly. Seeing how coaches approach the game. DeRozan sustained the injury a week ago, slipping and falling awkwardly in a loss to the Mavericks. Toronto has split the four games hes missed, scoring over 120 points in two of them. But they could have used him Friday. With the Cavs in town, the Raptors red-hot offence turned ice cold in a hurry. Amir Johnson aside - he scored a season-high 27 on 11-for-15 from the field - Toronto struggled to find any kind of rhythm. We go from a game at altitude [in Utah], where we shoot 57 per cent and tonight we couldnt buy a bucket, Casey said after his team shot a mere 41 per cent against Cleveland. We couldnt hit the side of a barn with a bass fiddle. Its one of those things that you look at the schedule and you kind of expect that. But were better than that. I know this team tonight wasnt us, he continued. First game back from a west-coast trip, the [last] team you want to see is a team as talented as Cleveland. Two weeks ago it was DeRozans surprising defence on James and his big second-half effort that helped the Raptors erase an early 18-point deficit to knock off the struggling Cavaliers in Cleveland. They havent lost since, winners of six in a row. Even without DeRozan, this is a deep team that should have enough talent to steal at least half their games and compete more often than not. But against the leagues best, theyll need all hands on deck. This is a tight-knit group and the chemistry theyve built over the last year is something DeRozan values now more than ever. Its definitely helpful, DeRozan said. Amir texted me one night, couple nights ago and he just said he was walking down the hotel hallway screaming my name and he was used to me popping my head out the door. Something like that goes so far because it just shows the appreciation that your teammates have for you and the relationship that you have together. It keeps him integrated with the team, added Kyle Lowry, who has picked up the slack with his teammate out, scoring 22 in the loss to Cleveland. I think when youre still integrated with the team you dont feel as lonely. It can get lonely not traveling with the team, not being with the team but our growth and the relationship with our teammates, were like family. The Raptors still dont have a timetable on DeRozans return to the court. Surgery is not being considered, instead theyre taking a patient approach to his recovery, reevaluating his progress on a week-to-week basis. Im feeling better each day, he said. Just trying to stay off it as much as I can, get as much rest as I can, continue to eat well and just let it heal. I always looked at it like it could be worse. It could be a lot worse. Im still going to come back, Im still going to play. Returrn of T-Mac Tracy McGrady isnt the first controversial former Raptor to be honoured as part of the teams continued 20th anniversary celebrations, and likely wont be the last. Ryan Miller Canucks Jersey. When its all said and done, theyll have paid homage to something in the neighbourhood of 15 players from their past and the unfortunate reality is you can probably put an asterisk next to most of their Raptor tenures. Some of them werent here long, some didnt win enough, some left on bad terms. McGrady checks all three of those boxes. The ninth overall pick in 1997, Torontos third ever first-round selection, McGrady spent three seasons north of the border before bolting for his hometown in Orlando ahead of his 22nd birthday. Drafted straight out of high school, he didnt play a prominent role until his third season for the Raptors first ever playoff team. Like his former teammate Vince Carter, McGrady has been booed each time hes returned to the Air Canada Centre as a visiting player, but his case is a little bit different, having left as an unrestricted free agent. The way it ended with me and it ended with [Carter] was totally different, said the retired 15-year NBA vet. I mean, I just left to go play [at] home, it was no hard feelings or anything involved. It was a little bit different for him because of the statements that he made a little bit later on. Same as his distant cousin and the rest of the teams honourees to this point - Alvin Williams, Antonio Davis and Jalen Rose - McGrady was given a standing ovation after a video tribute was shown on the big screen early in Friday nights game. Speaking ahead of tip-off, McGrady expressed some regret over his decision to escape Carters shadow and move on so early in his career. Looking back, yeah, I wish I would have stayed, because I didnt expect myself to pan out to be that type of player that I turned into, said the seven-time All-Star, who went on to win two scoring titles with the Magic before spending five seasons in Houston. And to team up with Vince and what we built there, if you listen to Kobe [Bryant], if you look back on what Kobe said a while back, he said had I stayed here we probably would have been playing the Lakers in a couple of championships. So, I dont like to look back. It was great times here, I just felt like at the time... let me say this, if the organization was the way it is now back then, theres no way I would have left. And in the end, thats what it comes down to: closure. The Raptors are thriving as an organization and theyre off to their best start in franchise history. As they say, living well is the best revenge and with the team turning a corner, it seems some fans are finally able to let go. After all, perspective is important here. These arent jersey retirement ceremonies, theyre 60-second video montages. Hoping to lure stars to Toronto in the future, its important to the organization that they show some love to players of the past. Theres no question for me, said Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri. When I came here, you think about it and I know theres all the talk on how they left and all that stuff, but thats gone. Lets think about the future. These guys helped inspire young kids in Canada and look at where basketball is. Every young kid, prospects, they mention those guys and how they elevated them to get to play the game. So for me, 20 years, embrace it, man. Were lucky to have Tracy McGrady, were lucky to have Vince Carter, were lucky to the great fans that we have. Lets move on. Lets embrace the guys we have now and share it and move on. Giant of Africa Toronto laid out the red carpet Friday, welcoming basketball royalty to town for Ujiris event - The Giant of Africa - honouring the life of his hero Nelson Mandela. Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson and Dikembe Mutombo sat courtside and were among those in attendance as the Raptors turned their practice facility into a pre-game cocktail reception. On the first anniversary of Mandelas passing, Ujiri hosted the evening-long celebration of the late former South African President and Nobel Peace Prize winner, also supporting the Nelson Mandela Foundation and Giants of Africa, his not-for-profit organization. The world is not in a good place, in my opinion, and [Mandela] makes it better, Ujiri said, tearing up. I think hes going to be bigger, even though hes passed. He was bigger than life. Its incredible. To see Magic, Dikembe, Charles, all these guys here, you cant ask for anything better, and they came just like that. Its touching for me. The Raptors welcomed all three NBA legends with highlight videos, each of them receiving a standing ovation from a sellout crowd. The team is one of the top two or three teams in the East, Johnson said of the Raptors. Theyre a powerhouse now, its no more the Raptors we used to know. Wed mark down, okay, theres two wins for us with the Raptors, we wont worry about them. Now, this is a serious Eastern Conference championship team so [Ujiris] built a wonderful team. Hes done a wonderful job but hes showing people also that he has a heart and soul and that the Toronto Raptors are not just about playing winning basketball, theyre also about touching the world and I love that. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '