Derek Roy on locker cleanout day
Cody Hodgson cleans out his locker at First Niagara Center
BUFFALO, N.Y. - Two days after a disappointing season came to an end, the Buffalo Sabres are taking part in locker clean out, before heading sperate ways for the off-season.
The Sabres failed to make the playoffs despite high expectations.
On Monday morning, forward Derek Roy made it clear that his relationship with head coach Lindy Ruff could be better.
He told reporters that Ruff should keep criticism "behind closed doors" as opposed to in media. He also hesitated when asked about Ruff's effectiveness as a coach and responded "in different ways."
Goaltender Ryan Miller was the last player to speak to the media on Monday. he admitted he has questions about the overall direction of the franchise.
"We'll see... I can't answer that one right now because I'm frustrated and disappointed. We're obviously not going in the right direction now because we're not in the playoffs. But who's to say in a few months we won't have the right combinations of guys and the attitude."
Defenseman Tyler Myers was quick to place the blame for a wasted season on the players. He told 2 On Your Side's Adam Benigni that the team mindset needed to be better early in the season. Myers believes the Sabres struggles are not a coaching issue.
"I know I consider the season a failure. Especially knowing the kind of potential we had in the season and the way we played the last 30-games of the year knowing we could play that well."
Forward Thomas Vanek had a similar comment. He told reporters that he is critical of his own game in the second half of the season. Vanek added that he wants to return to Buffalo next season.
For some players, this will be their final time in First Niagara Center as a member of the Sabres. Forwards Jochen Hecht and Brad Boyes are both unrestricted free agents. There is plenty of speculation they will not return next season.
WGRZ