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BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Sabres President Pat LaFontaines two-month search for a general manager ended with an unexpected addition. In hiring Tim Murray to take over as GM on Thursday, LaFontaine also announced the addition of Hockey Hall of Fame executive Craig Patrick to serve as a special adviser to assist in transforming the NHLs worst team into a contender. "Its comfortable for me to be in the middle, having played centre my whole life," the former Sabres captain said, seated between Murray and Patrick. "To have these wingers is pretty special." Murray has the background, decisiveness and even a hockey pedigree LaFontaine was seeking in a general manager. The 50-year-old Murray is the nephew of Senators general manager Bryan Murray, and has spent much of his 20 years in the NHL being mentored by his uncle, including the past seven in Ottawa as an assistant GM. "I think we have the next great eye for talent," LaFontaine said. "Hes earned it. Hes done every job to get to this point. Hes had success everywhere hes been. And hes going to have success here in Buffalo." Patrick assumes a role similar to the one he held the previous two seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Its LaFontaines belief that Patricks 30-plus years of experience -- including 17 with the Pittsburgh Penguins -- can provide focus to a team in transition after general manager Darcy Regier and first-year coach Ron Rolston were fired in mid-November. "Craigs going to help evaluate. Hes got the experience," LaFontaine said. "Hes won Stanley Cups. Hes gone through rebuilds." The Sabres front-office has begun taking shape in the two months since LaFontaine took over. "Im on a mission to bring the right people here," LaFontaine said. "Im still not done. We still have a lot of work." Now comes improving the team on the ice, which sits last in the NHL with 12-26-4 record entering its home game against Florida on Thursday night. Though Buffalo has shown improvement in going 8-11-3 under interim coach Ted Nolan, Murray made clear he has plenty of work to do. Murray intends to continue the process begun under Regier by building through the draft. And he wont be averse to trading any of Buffalos remaining core players -- including goalie Ryan Miller. "This teams in last place right now," Murray said. "Everybody can be traded." Miller, along with captain Steve Ott and newly acquired forward Matt Moulson, are in the final year of their contracts. Another issue is the status of Nolan, who was hired by LaFontaine with the opportunity to continue on as coach once the new GM was hired. Murray is open to working with Nolan beyond this season. "Its a clean slate here," Murray said. "Theres no preconceived notions. Hes the coach of the hockey team, and Im looking forward to getting to know him." Nolan, who is back for a second stint in Buffalo, said he had no input on Murrays hiring, and is eager to getting to know his new boss. "My status has always been the same since Pat asked me to come here," Nolan said. "Im here to coach this team as best as I can. Im not worried about tomorrow, Im just worried about here today." Murray believes the Sabres have several pieces already in place, including a large stock of high draft picks and up-and-coming prospects in their system. "The cupboards not bare," Murray said. "This was an attractive, attractive time for me to just branch out on my own and try to put my stamp on the game of hockey." The Sabres could have as many as two first-round and three second-round selections in this years draft. The Sabres also have a solid group of prospects in their farm system. They include defencemen Rasmus Ristolainen and Nikita Zadorov, who were both drafted in the first round in June. Murray has a solid track record as a talent evaluator, and has had input in numerous personnel decisions during his previous stops in Detroit, Florida, Anaheim and the New York Rangers. In Anaheim, he had a hand in the Ducks selecting future star forwards Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry in the first round of the 2003 draft. "I would consider myself somewhat aggressive," Murray said of his philosophy. "I dont think it takes you two days to make a decision or two weeks to make a decision." Thats a departure from the conservative approach the Sabres took under Regier, who was criticized for being overly cautious when it came to shaking up his roster. Murrays decisiveness and directness is what owner Terry Pegula was seeking in his new GM. As for Patrick, Pegula has been a long-time fan of the executive he first got to know in Pittsburgh. "Craigs a smart man," Pegula said. "Hes probably forgotten more than most people know about hockey." Cheap San Francisco 49ers Jerseys Online . The Vancouver coach and an announced sellout crowd of 18,910 watched in dismay as the Canucks lost 7-4 to the New York Islanders on Monday night by squandering a 3-0 lead in the third period. Wholesale San Francisco 49ers Jerseys . To get things started, heres a little photo tour to get you acquainted with all the main characters. http://www.cheap49ers.com/187a-cheap-mitch-wishnowsky-jersey-49ers.html . It was the most lopsided loss in Lakers history. Darren Collison had a team-high 24 points while starting at shooting guard for the injured Jamal Crawford. Chris Paul added 13 points and 11 assists for the Clippers, who apparently are trying to make up for decades of humiliation at the hands of the Lakers all in one season; theyve won the last two meetings by a combined 84 points. Cheap San Francisco 49ers Gear . The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcement was made. By releasing Bailey, the Broncos would open up cap space with the 12-time Pro Bowl player scheduled to make around $10 million next season. Stitched San Francisco 49ers Jerseys . -- Stanley Johnson scored all 18 of his points in the second half, T.ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - The Denver Broncos havent missed tight end Julius Thomas — until they reach the red zone.The Broncos (9-3) have scored just six touchdowns on 15 trips inside the opponents 20-yard line since Thomas sprained his left ankle in the first quarter at St. Louis three weeks ago.That 40 per cent red zone efficiency pales in comparison to the 77 per cent success rate (24 for 31) they had before Thomas got hurt.Julius is one of our top players and when you have one of your top players go out, you are going to miss him, Peyton Manning said Wednesday. We hope to get Julius back out there. Theres no question when hes out there he makes a difference, he makes a lot of plays for us.Thomas leads the league with a dozen TD catches even though he hasnt scored since Nov. 9. He was limited at practice Wednesday and hopes to return to action this weekend against the Buffalo Bills (7-5).Last week at Kansas City, the Broncos settled for five field goals from Connor Barth after stalling at Kansas Citys 4, 6, 11, 14 and 19.Im looking forward to getting back, Thomas said, so maybe my presence can have us kicking a little bit less field goals.Manning called it unfair to blame Denvers red zone woes solely on the absence of Thomas.I cant point it there, said Manning, who lamented his missed connections with Demaryius Thomas and Jacob Tamme last week when the Broncos scored on just one of six trips inside the 20 before a game-ending kneel-down at the 7.Every red zone opportunity has its own story, Manning said. Nobody wants to hear it. They just want to see if you got a touchdown or a field goal. Some way, weve got to find a way — Ive got to find a way — to help us get into the end zone with Julius or without him.Thomas return would add an intriguing challenge not only for the Bills but for the Broncos, who have had success emphasizing the run in Thomas absence.Behind an O-line thats jelling after a midseason shake-up, the insertion of third tackle Paul Cornick and the return of physical tight end Virgil Greeen, C.ddddddddddddJ. Anderson has run for 335 yards in back-to-back wins over Miami and Kansas City.C.J. has been awesome the past couple of weeks and its been awesome to watch, Manning said.If Thomas returns to the lineup, I dont really know how its going to change them, Bills coach Doug Marrone said. Obviously, theyve got another great player coming back. They can do so many things. They can hurt you so many ways. Thats a challenge and you have to be careful. If you try to take someone out or you try to take someone away, they have so much talent on that offence that theyll exploit whatever weakness you have whether its by putting too many guys in the box or putting too many in coverage.The Broncos want Thomas on the field but they dont want to take Green out — he was sorely missed in all three of Denvers losses. The game plan was built around him as a fullback and a second tight end at Seattle in Week 3, but he sustained a concussion on the first drive. His calf injury sidelined him at New England and St. Louis.With Green back in the lineup, Denver has piled up 415 yards rushing the last two weeks.Thomas said his return to action wouldnt necessarily mean the Broncos will go back to throwing the ball more. Were going to go with whatevers working well, and for us, weve been able to run that ball consistently well, and if thats the case, well continue to do that when I get back, he said.Green said he cant venture a guess as to what happens upon Thomas return, but he knows one thing: Hes a red zone nightmare.Notes: WR Demaryius Thomas (foot) and C Will Montgomery (knee) were limited Wednesday. ... Bills QB Kyle Orton didnt want to reminisce about his time in Denver. Asked at the end of a five-minute conference call what comes to mind when he thinks about Denver, he replied, The mountains, then added See ya, and hung up.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL___Follow AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapleton Cheap Buffalo Sabres Gear Wholesale Calgary Flames Jerseys Cheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche Jerseys Montreal Canadiens Outlet Store Wholesale New Jersey Devils Jerseys Adidas Arizona Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Adidas Boston Bruins Jerseys Cheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys Chicago Blackhawks Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys Dallas Stars Shop Free Shipping Cheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings Jerseys Anaheim Ducks Jerseys China Wholesale Edmonton Oilers Jerseys Florida Panthers Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Los Angeles Kings Jerseys Minnesota Wild Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Nashville Predators Jerseys Cheap Adidas New York Islanders Jerseys New York Rangers Winter Classic Jerseys Cheap Adidas Ottawa Senators Jerseys Cheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys Wholesale Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys Cheap Adidas San Jose Sharks Jerseys St. Louis Blues Winter Classic Jerseys Wholesale Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys Toronto Maple Leafs Outlet Store Vancouver Canucks Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights Jerseys Cheap Adidas Washington Capitals Jerseys Cheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '