ts running back Terry Metcalf also plans to sue the leag

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Sabres forward Drew Stafford has witnessed plenty of turmoil during his eight seasons in Buffalo. Following Staffords rookie season in 2007, the Sabres lost co-captains Chris Drury and Danny Briere to free agency. Last year, long-time coach Lindy Ruff was fired. What occurred during a 24-hour stretch this weekend has become the topper, leaving Stafford shaking his head in disbelief after returning to practice Sunday. "I thought I had seen it all," Stafford said. "But, I guess, theres always room for more surprises. And this ones definitely a shocker." On Friday, Stafford had difficulty keeping his emotions in check after star goalie Ryan Miller was traded to St. Louis. A day later, he was blindsided upon learning of Pat LaFontaines abrupt resignation as president of hockey operations. "Its tough," Stafford said. "Its another challenge, a little more adversity that youve got to put on top of the pile." As if the Sabres (18-34-8) needed any more distractions during a season in which upheaval and dysfunction have been common threads for the NHLs last-place team. At 2-13-1, Buffalo got off to its worst start in team history. Leading scorer Thomas Vanek was traded to the Islanders in October. The Sabres opened 0-8-1 at home, before enjoying their first win on Nov. 12. Three days later, general manager Darcy Regier and coach Ron Rolston were fired. Now this. Miller getting dealt along with captain Steve Ott, were widely anticipated moves because both were in the final years of their contracts. LaFontaines departure was a surprise, coming a little more than three months after his arrival was hailed as a positive turning point for a struggling team. "Its a lot for our fans to swallow in a short amount of time," Sabres president Ted Black said. "It creates uncertainty. And its something that fans are going to be upset by." Black failed to divulge any further details regarding the resignation except to reiterate LaFontaine wanted to resume his previous role working with the National Hockey League. Black called the resignation a disappointment, but denied speculation that there had been any discord between LaFontaine and front-office staff or owner Terry Pegula. LaFontaine has not returned messages, and on Sunday, his cell-phone mailbox was full. Whats clear is that his departure marks the latest setback for a franchise that has had difficulty establishing a winning course in the three years since Pegula bought the team and vowed to build an immediate contender. The Sabres are in jeopardy of missing the playoffs for a third straight season, and in the midst of a rebuilding plan that began with the purge of numerous high-priced veterans last year. Black said the objective has not changed, and the teams transformation will continue under general manager Tim Murray. "Pat was here for three months. It is one person," Black said. "I dont know if that impacts the greater mission or will deter us." Murray was hired by LaFontaine in January, and now assumes much of his former bosss responsibilities. It was Murray, who negotiated the Miller trade. And he is also fielding offers to make further deals before the leagues trade deadline on Wednesday. Next on Murrays priority list is negotiating a contract extension with interim coach Ted Nolan, who was brought in by LaFontaine for a second stint in Buffalo. "We want Teddy to be our coach going forward," Murray said. "If he wants to be here, I want him to be our coach." The question is whether Nolan wants to stay, something he left open following practice Sunday. "Right now, its not about my contract. Its about the situation thats happening," Nolan said. "Its about whats transpired in this organization, what happened to a very dear friend. And well leave it at that." So much for the momentum the Sabres were supposed to be enjoying with their first three-game winning streak in preparing to play Dallas on Monday. "We traded our franchise player, we traded our captain. Thats tough enough as it is. And then all of a sudden the situation with Patty," Nolan said. "Right now, I have to put my personal situation behind right now and really concentrate on those 22 guys here." Informed of Nolans comments, Murray said, "Im not going to beg anybody to come work here." Murray said its his objective to continue rebuilding the Sabres, which is what he was hired to do with or without LaFontaine. "I cant make choices for him. He makes his own choices," Murray said. "Im not one to dwell on what-ifs and sentiment and all that. But Ill forever be grateful that he hired me." CM Punk Jersey . The Missouri Tigers Defensive End and SEC Defensive player of the year is eligible for the upcoming NFL draft in May. Custom Chicago Blackhawks Jerseys . The game marks the rare occasion when two homegrown running backs, Jon Cornish of the Calgary Stampeders and Andrew Harris of the B.C. Lions, will start in the West Divisions battle for a Grey Cup berth. http://www.officialblackhawksfanstore.com/authentic-martin-havlat-blackhawks-jersey/ . "Yeah, [I heard them]," he said. "They made me miss the free throw." A year ago, Lowrys post-game antics may not have been so well received but what was snide and snarky is now endearing quick wit. Glenn Hall Jersey Tony Esposito Jersey . -- The Oakland Athletics and free agent right-hander Bartolo Colon have agreed to terms on a US$2 million, one-year contract, bolstering their depleted starting rotation.The Canadian Football League is fighting back against veteran wide receiver Arland Bruce. A former B.C. Lions player, Bruce suffered a concussion and was knocked out during a September 2012 game in Regina. He was cleared to play that November and alleged in a lawsuit filed in July that he was still suffering from the concussion when he returned to the field. Two months after Bruces lawsuit was filed, the CFL, Commissioner Mark Cohon, and Charles Tator, a renowned neurosurgeon and scientist who has consulted to the CFL, filed court documents asking that the claim be dismissed. The CFL declined to comment. In court documents obtained by TSN, Tator has asked that Bruce be responsible for the doctors legal costs. The CFL also filed its response to Arlands claim. The league has asked the court to move the case to Ontario if it isnt dismissed. In what Bruces lawyer described as an expected development, the league has asked that the case be dismissed and sent to arbitration under terms of the CFLs collective bargaining agreement. The CFLs tactic is the same one that the NFL employed during its own concussion litigation. Both leagues argued that individual teams are responsible for the health and safety of players. The NFL lost its argument and the case went to trial. Arlands lawyer Robyn Wishart said it would be months before a court rules on the motions to dismiss or move the case to Ontario. "Since Arland filed the case a number of former CFL players have contacted me saying that they have had health problems arising from concussions," she told TSN. "These are sad cases. In one instance, one former player who needs daily care is being looked after by his 80-year-old mother because he is American and doesnt have Medicare." Wishart wouldnt say how many players have contacted her. She also declined to identify the players. Its unclear how many former CFL players might be suffering from concussion-related symptoms. After Bruces lawsuit, the B.C. Lions told players not to speak publicly about the case, The Vancouver Sun reported. Tony Proudfoot, a former CFL defensive back with the Montreal Alouettes and Lions, died in December 2010 after he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrigs disease. Proudfoot said before his death that he had discovered eight of the leagues 15,000 all-time players had been diagnosed with the disease. In the general population, it affects two in 100,000 people. Months before Proudfoots death, doctors at Bostonn University released a study suggesting that some deceased National Football League players who had received a diagnosis of ALS in fact didnt have the disease.dddddddddddd Rather, they had another fatal disease caused by concussion-like trauma that damages the central nervous system. The Concussion Blog, a blog run by a U.S. athletic trainer, reported last month that Toronto Argonauts running back Terry Metcalf also plans to sue the league. Metcalf, 63, who lives in Seattle and teaches kindergarten, complains of chronic ringing in his ears, memory issues, and has a 50 per cent loss of feeling in his right hand, the blog reported. Phil Colwell, another former Argo, is also suffering concussion-related symptoms, the Waterloo Region Record reported in March. After a 1981 game when he was knocked unconscious, Colwell said the only medical advice he received was not to go to sleep that night, and was allowed to drive himself 100 kilometres home after the game. Colwell returned to play a week after he was knocked out. "At the time, if I had gone on the injury list for a concussion, I would have been cut," Colwell said, according to The Waterloo Region Record. Former Argo Eric "The Flea" Allen is also in the process of suing the CFL, the blog reported. Allen, who starred with the Argos from 1973-75 can hardly walk, The Concussion Blog reported, and is being cared for by his 84-year-old mother. Tim Fleiszer, a former CFL player who runs the Sports Legacy Institute, a non-profit group committed to advancing the study of head trauma, told TSN that there probably are other players with health problems, but might not believe that theres a big financial upside to suing the CFL. "Theres obviously a lot more money in the NFL to pay out on these things," Fleiszer said. Bruce, 36, a self-described "unemployed football player" in his lawsuit, has asked the court to award him damages for medical expenses and loss of income. The CFL Players Association proposed during negotiations for collective bargaining a requirement that an independent neurologist be on the sidelines for every game, The Vancouver Sun reported. CFL officials rejected that proposal, arguing teams already have relationships with some of Canadas top physicians. The proposal for independent neurologists was not adopted when the players agreed to a five-year CBA in June. Bruces claims have not been proven in court. None of the defendants have filed substantive statements of defence. Cheap Buffalo Sabres Gear Wholesale Calgary Flames Jerseys Cheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche Jerseys Montreal Canadiens Outlet Store Wholesale New Jersey Devils Jerseys Adidas Arizona Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Adidas Boston Bruins Jerseys Cheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys Chicago Blackhawks Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys Dallas Stars Shop Free Shipping Cheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings Jerseys Anaheim Ducks Jerseys China Wholesale Edmonton Oilers Jerseys Florida Panthers Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Los Angeles Kings Jerseys Minnesota Wild Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Nashville Predators Jerseys Cheap Adidas New York Islanders Jerseys New York Rangers Winter Classic Jerseys Cheap Adidas Ottawa Senators Jerseys Cheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys Wholesale Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys Cheap Adidas San Jose Sharks Jerseys St. Louis Blues Winter Classic Jerseys Wholesale Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys Toronto Maple Leafs Outlet Store Vancouver Canucks Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights Jerseys Cheap Adidas Washington Capitals Jerseys Cheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '