co-captains Chris Drury and Danny Briere to free agency

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Sabres forward Drew Stafford has witnessed plenty of turmoil during his eight seasons in Buffalo. Following Staffords rookie season in 2007, the Sabres lost co-captains Chris Drury and Danny Briere to free agency. Last year, long-time coach Lindy Ruff was fired. What occurred during a 24-hour stretch this weekend has become the topper, leaving Stafford shaking his head in disbelief after returning to practice Sunday. "I thought I had seen it all," Stafford said. "But, I guess, theres always room for more surprises. And this ones definitely a shocker." On Friday, Stafford had difficulty keeping his emotions in check after star goalie Ryan Miller was traded to St. Louis. A day later, he was blindsided upon learning of Pat LaFontaines abrupt resignation as president of hockey operations. "Its tough," Stafford said. "Its another challenge, a little more adversity that youve got to put on top of the pile." As if the Sabres (18-34-8) needed any more distractions during a season in which upheaval and dysfunction have been common threads for the NHLs last-place team. At 2-13-1, Buffalo got off to its worst start in team history. Leading scorer Thomas Vanek was traded to the Islanders in October. The Sabres opened 0-8-1 at home, before enjoying their first win on Nov. 12. Three days later, general manager Darcy Regier and coach Ron Rolston were fired. Now this. Miller getting dealt along with captain Steve Ott, were widely anticipated moves because both were in the final years of their contracts. LaFontaines departure was a surprise, coming a little more than three months after his arrival was hailed as a positive turning point for a struggling team. "Its a lot for our fans to swallow in a short amount of time," Sabres president Ted Black said. "It creates uncertainty. And its something that fans are going to be upset by." Black failed to divulge any further details regarding the resignation except to reiterate LaFontaine wanted to resume his previous role working with the National Hockey League. Black called the resignation a disappointment, but denied speculation that there had been any discord between LaFontaine and front-office staff or owner Terry Pegula. LaFontaine has not returned messages, and on Sunday, his cell-phone mailbox was full. Whats clear is that his departure marks the latest setback for a franchise that has had difficulty establishing a winning course in the three years since Pegula bought the team and vowed to build an immediate contender. The Sabres are in jeopardy of missing the playoffs for a third straight season, and in the midst of a rebuilding plan that began with the purge of numerous high-priced veterans last year. Black said the objective has not changed, and the teams transformation will continue under general manager Tim Murray. "Pat was here for three months. It is one person," Black said. "I dont know if that impacts the greater mission or will deter us." Murray was hired by LaFontaine in January, and now assumes much of his former bosss responsibilities. It was Murray, who negotiated the Miller trade. And he is also fielding offers to make further deals before the leagues trade deadline on Wednesday. Next on Murrays priority list is negotiating a contract extension with interim coach Ted Nolan, who was brought in by LaFontaine for a second stint in Buffalo. "We want Teddy to be our coach going forward," Murray said. "If he wants to be here, I want him to be our coach." The question is whether Nolan wants to stay, something he left open following practice Sunday. "Right now, its not about my contract. Its about the situation thats happening," Nolan said. "Its about whats transpired in this organization, what happened to a very dear friend. And well leave it at that." So much for the momentum the Sabres were supposed to be enjoying with their first three-game winning streak in preparing to play Dallas on Monday. "We traded our franchise player, we traded our captain. Thats tough enough as it is. And then all of a sudden the situation with Patty," Nolan said. "Right now, I have to put my personal situation behind right now and really concentrate on those 22 guys here." Informed of Nolans comments, Murray said, "Im not going to beg anybody to come work here." Murray said its his objective to continue rebuilding the Sabres, which is what he was hired to do with or without LaFontaine. "I cant make choices for him. He makes his own choices," Murray said. "Im not one to dwell on what-ifs and sentiment and all that. But Ill forever be grateful that he hired me." Frederik Gauthier Jersey . Jose Bautista homered for the fifth straight game in the sixth inning, following a two-out solo homer by Melky Cabrera. 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A top pitching prospect, one who the ball club is pinning some of its future hopes, takes the spot of a veteran who once was viewed as a future ace but who, to this point, hasnt realized his potential and may never.Wales tour of New Zealand suffered a heavy blow as they went down 40-7 to the Chiefs at FMG Stadium Waikato on Tuesday. Wales were outscored by the Chiefs six tries to one, and are now left to pick up the pieces ahead of their second Test against the All Blacks this Saturday.Warren Gatlands men pushed the All Blacks for close to 80 minutes last weekend, but were rarely in the encounter against the 2012 and 2013 Super Rugby champions on Tuesday. Tries from scrum-half Brad Weber, No 8 Tom Sanders and second rower Dominic Bird gave the hosts a 21-0 lead at the break, with full-back James Lowe, winger Toni Pulu and replacement back Sam McNicol all crossing in the last 10 minutes. Warren Gatland says a lot of fringe players did not perform in Wales 40-7 defeat to Chiefs, promising changes to the line-up against New Zealand Kristian Dacey scored Wales only try in a loss that marks Wales heaviest defeat since 2010, when they lost 42-9 to the All Blacks.It was a second-string Wales team, who had rested their Test stars, but equally the Chiefs were missing players away on international duty with the All Blacks.The victory was led by former New Zealand fly-half Stephen Donald. The 32-year-old, who famously cut short a fishing trip on the Waikato river to help the All Blacks to their 2011 World Cup triumph, was replaced to a standing ovation after 68 minutes. Chiefs captain Stephen Donald says his sides win over Wales was not pretty but hes very proud of the teams performance Making his first start of 2016, Donald kicked four out of four conversions, set up Webers opening try and had one of his own chalked off when it was adjudged that he had not grounded the ball.Donald was firing from the outset. In the eighth minute the fly-half weaved his way through the Welsh defence after a lineout steal and offloaded to half-back partner Brad Weber, who ran 25 metrees unopposed to the posts.ddddddddddddDonald added the conversion and Wales had received an early reminder that even with 20 players ruled out through international commitments and injury the home side were going to be highly competitive. Ieuan Evans gives his verdict on Wales humbling defeat to the Chiefs Wales recovered their poise and should have scored as they dominated the rest of the opening quarter. Scrum-half Gareth Davies got to within five metres, wing Eli Walker was hauled down inches short and then No 8 James King was scragged on the line and conceded a penalty.Having ridden their luck, the Chiefs came back onto the offensive and they ended the half with a flourish as Sanders drove over for a try at the posts before Bird crossed wide out. Donald converted both and Wales were all at sea. Gareth Davies makes a break Things got better in the second half as the tourists kept the ball tighter and the introduction of Taulupe Faletau and Bradley Davies added extra impetus.Eventually they were able to make their pressure tell as they drove replacement hooker Dacey over for a try after 56 minutes which Rhys Priestland converted. Luke Charteris says Wales heavy defeat to Chiefs was a tough lesson to take and that Warren Gatlands men let themselves down That was the high point for Wales, who then conceded three more tries before the end. Donald added a fourth conversion before leaving the field to a standing ovation and James Lowe knocked over the final conversion to make it a 33-point gap - Wales biggest provincial defeat in New Zealand.The second test against the All Blacks takes place in Wellington on Saturday with the third in Dunedin a week later. ' ' '