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[PortBeach13]

Associated Press



7/31/2004

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - Tim Connolly accepted a one-year qualifying offer from the Buffalo Sabres, making him one of three players to re-sign with the team Saturday.



The team also reached deals with backup goaltender Mika Noronen and defenceman Rory Fitzpatrick. Both were scheduled for salary arbitration hearings within two weeks.



Connolly will make $1.36 million US, 10 per cent more than last year.



The centre missed all of last season because of post-concussion symptoms from being knocked out by a hit in a pre-season game last October. He didn't begin skating until late March and has since been cleared for contact.



Acquired in a three-player deal that sent former Sabres captain Michael Peca to the New York Islanders in June 2001, Connolly has 22 goals and 48 assists in 162 games with Buffalo.



Noronen, who made $550,000 last year, is coming off an up-and-down season, his second full year with the team. He finished with an 11-17-2 record and a 2.57 goals-against average.



Fitzpatrick made $375,000 and finished with four goals and 11 assists in 60 games - all career highs - before missing the final 17 games because of a knee injury.



Five Sabres players, including starting goalie Martin Biron and leading scorer Daniel Briere, are scheduled for arbitration hearings in August.

[Jigger]

Noronen has to improve his game,if he doesn't want to play in the AHL,because the Sabers have a pretty good goalie with Ryan miller in Rochester.