Peters assumes his time with Sabres is done
Enforcer set to find new team
Published: August 17, 2009, 7:08 pm
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Andrew Peters knows there's still a place for enforcers in the NHL. He also knows Buffalo isn't one of those places.
The Sabres' designated tough guy for the last five seasons has resigned himself to the fact he won't be back for a sixth.
"I don't even know if there's been a discussion with Buffalo and my agent at all," Peters said by phone Monday. "I know that there wasn't up until July 1, and I don't think there has been one since.
"It's unfortunate, but I've enjoyed my time here. I've loved my time here. I've been through good times and bad, with successful teams and not-so-much. I've made some lifelong friends and played with some unbelievable guys. If that's what I come out of hockey with is great friendships and 200 games in the NHL — more than I ever thought I'd play — I did it with a great organization."
The 29-year-old unrestricted free agent has received interest from several teams, including a recent visit to the New Jersey Devils. Though he would have preferred to stay in Buffalo, which drafted him in the second round in 1998, he is aware the Sabres are headed in a different direction. They signed tough defenseman Steve Montador on July 1 and admire the grit of Craig Rivet, Paul Gaustad and Adam Mair.
"I started my career here," Peters said. "I've been in the organization for 11 years. My home's here, my extended family is here. It's going to be tough to go, but that is part of the game, I guess. It's the part of the game that [stinks]. But when the time comes when someone wants me and signs me, it'll be nice to know that I'm wanted."
Peters spent three years in Rochester before joining the Sabres in 2003-04. The hulking 6- foot-4, 247-pound winger has played 200 games, racking up 557 penalty minutes along with four goals and three assists.
But his numbers waned last season, when he tied his career low with just 28 games played. He was scratched in 42 of the final 47 games. He also dipped under 100 penalty minutes for the first time, recording 81.
Players of his type, however, received a boost from their brethren in late June. General managers were interested in cutting down on "staged fights" and suggested additional penalties for such battles, but the competition committee emphatically rejected the rule change.
"You've got to be realistic: Fans love it," Peters said. "What is this game about? It is truly about the fans. It's about winning games and the fans. The only two times you see everybody in the building standing up is during the national anthem and during a fight. There are people who don't even stand up for goals. Win or lose, it's entertaining."
It's why Peters, who had 11 of the Sabres' 37 fighting majors last season, according to HockeyFights.com, is still likely to be wearing an NHL jersey when training camps open next month. It'll just be a new one.
"Hopefully, something will get done here in the next week," Peters said. "It's been stressful, but there has been interest, so that's always nice."
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