hree points for the Premiership leaders.The former Hib

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- First, Ryan Miller. Now, Pat LaFontaine. A day after trading their star goalie to St. Louis, the Buffalo Sabres lost another face of their franchise after LaFontaine abruptly resigned as president of hockey operations on Saturday a little more than three months after being brought in to provide a new direction to the NHLs last-place team. The Sabres announced the decision in a news release issued after speculation had been raised of a potential front-office shake-up involving LaFontaine. "I would like to thank Pat for all he has done for the organization," Sabres owner Terry Pegula said in the release. "Pat joined us at a very difficult time, and helped transition the organization down a new path." The Sabres said LaFontaine would be returning to his previous role working with the National Hockey League. LaFontaine had been working with the league on player safety issues before being hired by the Sabres in mid-November. The former Sabres captains arrival was hailed as a major turning point for a struggling team. LaFontaine took over following a change in the front office during which general manager Darcy Regier and coach Ron Rolston were dismissed following the Sabres 4-15-1 start. LaFontaines first move was hiring former Sabres coach Ted Nolan to take over as coach on an interim basis for the remainder of the season. LaFontaines next step came in January, when he hired Tim Murray as general manager. "Terry Pegula hired me in November, and my primary objective was to lead the Sabres organization through a time of transition," LaFontaine said in the Sabres release. "Im proud of what weve been able to accomplish in a short period of time, and want to thank Terry and Kim Pegula for the opportunity and their support during my time with the Sabres." LaFontaines resignation still comes as a major surprise. In January, LaFontaine talked openly about how he would use his connections to USA Hockey in a bid to lure national and international events to Buffalo. He leaves a day after Murray made his first big splash by trading star goalie Ryan Miller and captain Steve Ott to the St. Louis Blues. In exchange, the Sabres acquired goalie Jaroslav Halak, forward Chris Stewart, prospect William Carrier, a 2015 first-round pick and a conditional 2016 third-round pick in a deal reached in advance of the NHL trade deadline on Wednesday. The Sabres (18-34-8) had the day off on Saturday, and return to practice on Sunday before travelling to play at Dallas on Monday. They remain in last place, but are enjoying their first three-game winning streak following a 4-2 win over the San Jose Sharks on Friday. This is not the first time LaFontaine has abruptly stepped down as an NHL team executive. In July 2006, LaFontaine quit the New York Islanders a little over a month after being brought in to serve as senior adviser to owner Charles Wang. In Buffalo, LaFontaines absence was notable this week once the team returned to the ice following the leagues Olympic break. He was not spotted in the press box during the Sabres three-game homestand that began with a 3-2 win over Carolina on Tuesday. That was unusual because LaFontaine had previously spent time watching games from the press-box level in Pegulas box, alongside Murray and several of the owners associates. LaFontaine also missed the teams "Power Play Luncheon" for fans on Friday, when he was scheduled to speak along with fellow former Sabres greats Gilbert Perreault, Rene Robert and Danny Gare. The crowd was informed LaFontaine had the flu. The Sabres have become a top-heavy organization since Regiers dismissal. Pegula created the position of president of hockey operations to hire LaFontaine. And Pegula did so only after LaFontaine declined a chance to become the GM by saying he didnt think he had enough experience for that job. Along with hiring Murray, the Sabres also brought in Hockey Hall of Fame member and long-time executive Craig Patrick to serve as a special adviser. LaFontaine backed the hiring of Murray and Patrick, by referring to both as his "wingers." He also discussed how important it was for him to be building a front-office team that could work together in rebuilding a team that has missed the playoffs in each of the past two seasons, and not won a playoff round since reaching the 2007 Eastern Conference finals. Its not clear what effect LaFontaines departure will have on the teams short-term future, including Nolans status. Murray said this week hes already had discussions with Nolan about extending his contract beyond this season. Randy Moss Jersey .C. -- Kurt Busch put his chances at "70 per cent" at running the Indianapolis 500 this year because of recent developments that have pushed a potential program along. Chuck Foreman Jersey . The eighth-year point guard played in his 500th career game on Sunday, a 98-93 win over the Orlando Magic. Does he feel like hes played in that many games? "No," he said initially, before reconsidering. http://www.authenticvikingspro.com/Brett...vikings-jersey/. First reported by FOX Sports Ken Rosenthal, its unknown if the impetus for the deferral proposal came from players or management, but it never left the preliminary stages. Adrian Peterson Jersey . - The Toronto Blue Jays have optioned pitchers Kyle Drabek, Chad Jenkins and Sean Nolin to triple-A Buffalo. Chris Doleman Jersey . I suppose Sternberg has earned the right to speak out since his Rays, despite one of the lowest payrolls in the Majors at $58 million, are entering the final weekend of the regular season holding down the first Wild Card spot in the American League, one game ahead of Cleveland and two up on Texas.Former Celtic captain Stephen McManus says Leigh Griffiths will be a key player in Sundays Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers. The Motherwell defender was given an unwelcome reminder of the Celtic strikers single-minded attitude last Saturday when Griffiths struck twice at Fir Park to earn three points for the Premiership leaders.The former Hibernian player had earlier missed a penalty and showed what it meant to break a four-game duck - which included Scotlands friendly with Denmark - by racing the entire length of the pitch to celebrate his opener infront of the visiting fans. Griffiths has now scored 37 goals this season and McManus predicts he will have a major say in the outcome of the Glasgow derby, live on Sky Sports. Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths celebrates his winning goal at Motherwell Strikers need to score goals for themselves, for the pressure of it. Playing for Celtic you get a lot of chances and sometimes that can play on your mind when you are not scoring, said McManus, who made over 150 appearances for Celtic between 2003-2010.But the most important thing is he still in there, and hes going to be a big, big player for Celtic at the weekend.Leigh Griffiths has had a tremendous season. Its not easy scoring goals at the Old Firm, certainly not Celtic. You need to be the right type of charracter to handle the pressure, to relish the pressure that comes with it, and Leigh has certainly done that.ddddddddddddHe will now be looking to advance on his next aim, to become a regular for Scotland. But he has had a terrific season and when you have someone like him in your side you know you are going to get chances and you know you will get an opportunity to score goals. L to R David Clarkson, Stephen Pearson, Ryder Cup golfer Stephen Gallacher, Stephen McManus and Linlithgow golf pro Kenny Monaghan McManus was promoting a charity golf challenge he is undertaking with Motherwell team-mates David Clarkson and Stephen Pearson along with Kenny Monaghan, a resident professional at Linlithgow Golf Club. The four will attemptto play 72 holes in one day on May 20.Weve been good mates with Kenny, the four of us hang about together, McManus said. Kenny lost his mum to cancer five years ago and we decided to do the Longest Day Golf Challenge for Macmillan Cancer Support.It will be a tough day but it will be enjoyable and its a great cause so hopefully we can raise as much money as we can. Also See: Celtic video Celtic fixtures Celtic stats Get ￡10 free bet! 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