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But with a miserable season now over, players admitted during Monday's locker cleanout that the off-ice distractions were difficult, if not impossible, to ignore.
Bickering between management of the Amerks and Buffalo Sabres, along with fiscal limitations of the franchise, impacted the players' every-day activities during their 24-46-6-4 season.
"You'd tell guys from other teams what it's like and they were kind of shocked," said winger Rob Globke, who has been an Amerk for three seasons.
The Amerks themselves were sometimes stunned. Like the time Stefan Meyer's athletic supporter ripped and he was told the supply cabinet was empty.
"Top to bottom, you noticed what was happening," third-year winger Anthony Stewart said. "The coaches sort of going at it with the owner. Not having certain stuff, like Gatorade.
"We had a lot of first- and second-year guys. Everyone's inquisitive. They're all asking what's going on."
All those questions — most of which couldn't be answered — were an unnecessary and derisive distraction for a team so young and with no veteran leadership.
"There was just a general uncertainty," rookie winger Tanner Glass said.
At the same time, however, there were certainties.
"The bus always showed up; the food was always there," Glass said.
On Cunneyworth
Amerks coach Randy Cunneyworth completed his eighth season behind the bench. He's the longest tenured coach in franchise history.
He doesn't expect to return for Year 9.
"If ever there was a time to go somewhere else, this might be it," Cunneyworth said.
His one-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres expires late in the summer. There is speculation that the Florida Panthers may seek permission to speak to Cunneyworth regarding their vacant coaching job.
Cunneyworth didn't address the Panthers specifically but said he would again seek a chance to move up to the NHL. He was bypassed for jobs with the Panthers and Ottawa Senators last summer.
"Am I concerned about doing my job somewhere else? No."
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Originally Posted by stepsukie
