Buffalo Sabres GM Wants To Win Draft Lottery

Buffalo Sabres coach Ted Nolan and general manager Tim Murray met with the media on Tuesday in the team's annual end of season press conference.  Neither of the two were in those roles last year and refused to get involved in any statements or philosophies that may have been presented before.  One thing Murray wants to do right off the bat is to win something with this team, starting with the draft lottery for the number draft pick.  They need the talent because this season was unacceptable.

When asked about the comments of former GM Darcy Regier warning about a season of suffering, Murray said it wasn't his word and won't use it.  He said the rebuild will take time, but doesn't have the patience for more than a couple of years.

One of the themes that many of the players used as they cleaned out their lockers on Monday was that the team must return in the fall with a new attitude and that the team's culture of losing must change.  Nolan was asked about it. 

Nolan says he'll get together with Murray on possible changes to the coaching staff.  He says he also expects his team to come into training camp in better condition and they better because camp will be a lot tougher than what the players may have been used to in the past.

How will the team be rebuilt?  Murray said it all starts with the draft.

The Sabres seemed to come out on the short end of officiating calls during the season and Murray says that when you're a 30th place team you don't deserve the respect that a first place team gets.  He promised it will change. 

Murray and Nolan also revealed the knee injury to goaltender Matt Hackett will require surgery.  Marcus Foligno is facing shoulder surgery and Henrik Tallinder will need a minor surgery on his ankle.