Tim Kennedy sounded considerably more upbeat Monday than he did earlier this month, when he walked into HSBC Arena to sign a contract with the Sabres and instead received a swift kick to the stomach. He gave himself a week to mope around his apartment before pulling himself together and getting back to work.

Kennedy no longer has HSBC Arena perks such as free access to the weight room, so work these days is completed in a South Buffalo gym after skating with the usual suspects in the Northtowns Center at Amherst (nee: Pepsi). There, he can find a collection of players whose careers have taken similar twirls and tumbles.

Tim Connolly was the fifth pick overall who was traded after two seasons with the New York Islanders. Craig Rivet built a new house in San Jose and was gone for Buffalo before putting his name on the mailbox. Martin Biron is prepping for his third team in three years. Jay McKee is looking for another gig.

"It happens all the time with guys in the league," Kennedy said. "It's just more significant because I'm from this town. It's just the way the game is. It hits home a little more because I'm from here. [The Sabres] did what they thought was right. I have to move on, keep working out and find a team."

If Kennedy's first NHL season tasted like champagne, his first NHL offseason has gone down like motor oil. Hockey can be an ugly business. There's little room for hometown sentiment or sympathy when it comes down to money, especially when it involves his favorite team while growing up in South Buffalo.

Now that the smoke has cleared, who benefited? Nobody.

For what it's worth, Kennedy no longer harbors resentment toward the Sabres. Yes, he was hurt and confused after they waived him and bought out a $1 million award he received in arbitration. Their decision to send him packing knocked him for a pretty good loop.

Once the shock and frustration subsided, he plowed forward without wasting time and energy on what couldn't be undone. He had his reasons for taking them to arbitration, which was within his rights. His refusal to back down from the Sabres is part of what makes him a good player. But their response also was within their rights, no matter how classless it appeared.

"I'm not mad at them," Kennedy said. "I'm 24 years old. I'm a professional athlete, and I have to act like one. .‚.‚. Maybe it was the right call and maybe it wasn't the right call. I made the choice to go, and I live with that choice."

Presumably, you're wondering why another team didn't pluck him off waivers or hasn't signed him in free agency. Any team claiming him would have had to pay his full salary, which makes little sense when he could be had for less. Now, he's caught in a logjam of unsigned forwards that also includes West Seneca native Lee Stempniak.

Kennedy said five teams are interested, although he wouldn't reveal which ones. Toronto figures to be in the mix along with Columbus, Los Angeles, Phoenix and possibly Atlanta. All are looking for good, young forwards to fill their needs for the right price. He's looking for the right fit.

We'll see how it shakes out. More activity in the market is expected in the coming weeks with teams preparing for training camp. He was confident about signing a one-way contract that would keep him in the NHL, but he also was prepared for the reality of a two-way deal that could send him back to the minors.

No need to worry about him. He'll be fine. It was obvious in his voice.

"Everything I've been hearing has been good, so something will work out," he said. "I'm not worried about not playing next year. I know I'm going to end up somewhere. I'm just going to try to help that team."

bgleason@buffnews.comnull