"NEWS: The Buffalo #Sabres today announced Pat LaFontaine has resigned his position with the Sabres to resume his previous role with the @NHL" — Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres)

LaFontaine reportedly was absent from Friday's activity surrounding the Ryan Miller trade, which raised eyebrows considering LaFontaine had made it clear he wanted to keep the goaltender in Buffalo.

“Terry Pegula hired me in November and my primary objective was to lead the Sabres organization through a time of transition,” said LaFontaine. “I'm proud of what we've 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.

"I also want to convey my best wishes to all of the players in the Sabres organization and to wish them the best of success in the future. Most importantly, I want to convey my heartfelt appreciation to the great fans of the Sabres for the way I have been treated here as a player and as an executive.”

General manager Tim Murray, whom LaFontaine hired in January, will likely take over as the team's primary decision-maker. 

“I would like to thank Pat for all he has done for the organization,” said Buffalo Sabres owner Terry Pegula. “Pat joined us at a very difficult time and helped transition the organization down a new path. Tim Murray will continue as General Manager and Craig Patrick will continue as a Senior Hockey Advisor. As has been the case since I bought the team, we’ll continue to do whatever is needed to rebuild the organization and keep it on path towards our ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup.”


JAGR'S MILESTONE


Jaromir Jagr became the seventh player to score 700 NHL goals, reaching the mark in the second period on Saturday in the New Jersey Devils' game against the New York Islanders.

The New Jersey forward moved into this elite group when he netted his 19th goal of the season. The Islanders have been Jagr's favorite target in his 20 NHL seasons. He has 61 goals and 88 assists in 101 career games.

Jagr was surrounded by his teammates who were on the ice with him and then skated across the front of the bench, patting gloves along the way. He received a nice ovation from the crowd when his milestone was announced.

The Islanders are the only team from the old Patrick Division for which Jagr, a recent Czech Republic Olympian, has never played. This is his first season with New Jersey.

Jagr is only eight goals behind Mike Gartner, who is sixth on the NHL career list. Wayne Gretzky holds the record of 894. Jagr is seventh in career points with 1,740.

NHL 600 career goals list

(a-active)

1. Wayne Gretzky 894

2. Gordie Howe 801

3. Brett Hull 741

4. Marcel Dionne 731

5. Phil Esposito 717

6. Mike Gartner 708

7. a-Jaromir Jagr 700

8. Mark Messier 694

9. Steve Yzerman 692

10. Mario Lemieux 690

11. a-Teemu Selanne 682

12. Luc Robitaille 668

13. Brendan Shanahan 656

14. Dave Andreychuk 640

15. Joe Sakic 625

16. Bobby Hull 610

17. Dino Ciccarelli 608

18. Jari Kurri 601

Gretzky netted his 700th goal on Long Island on Jan. 3, 1991, while with the Los Angeles Kings. Marcel Dionne, then of the New York Rangers, also reached the mark against the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum, hitting the milestone on Oct. 31, 1987. Dionne is fourth on the list with 731 goals.

Jagr later set up Marek Zidlicky's power-play goal that pushed the Devils ahead 4-1 in the second period. It was Jagr's 1,040th assist, tying him with Dionne for ninth place in NHL history.


OVECHKIN HITS 800


Alex Ovechkin quickly recovered from his disappointment at the Sochi Olympics.

The Capitals winger reached his 800th career point with his second goal during Washington's 4-2 win over the Boston Bruins.

"Alex Ovechkin with 2 goals so far today (42, 43). The 2nd goal was his 800th career point. He's the 150th player to 800 points all-time." — ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo)

Joel Ward and Eric Fehr also scored, and Braden Holtby made 36 saves for the Capitals, who won their fourth straight in their chase for one of the Eastern Conference's final playoff spots.

Ovechkin had the go-ahead goal and two assists in a 5-4 win at Florida on Thursday. It's his first season of 40-plus goals since collecting 40-plus in his first five seasons from 2005-06 to 2009-10.


ONE MORE YEAR


Forward Tim Jackman has agreed to a one-year, $637,500 contract extension with the Anaheim Ducks for next season.

The Ducks announced the deal Saturday.

Jackman has fit in well in just 20 games with the NHL-leading Ducks, who acquired him from Calgary for a sixth-round draft pick on Nov. 21, 2013.

The rugged right wing has two points and 48 penalty minutes with Anaheim, his sixth NHL team. He has played several roles for the Ducks, filling in on multiple lines and providing physical defensive play.

Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau also said center Mathieu Perreault's upper-body injury is likely to keep him out of their home game against Carolina on Sunday night. Perreault was hurt early in the third period of Anaheim's 1-0 win over St. Louis on Friday.

Contributors: Tadd Haislop, The Associated Press

PHOTOS: Stadium Series 2014 in pictures