Hasek Out for Months With Injury

Dominik Hasek, the Buffalo Sabres’ star goalie, will be sidelined for months because of a groin injury instead of a few weeks, as was originally believed.

Hasek has a torn groin muscle, and will be sidelined for an indefinite period of time. “We’re talking months, not weeks,” Sabre team doctor Les Bisson said Tuesday in Buffalo, N.Y.

Hasek was injured while trying to stop a shot by Florida defenseman Bret Hedican with 33 seconds left in regulation in Buffalo’s overtime victory Friday.

“It’s a great challenge for us,” Buffalo Coach Lindy Ruff said. “We’ve always said that we’re more than a one-dimensional team, and we have a chance to prove it now.”

Hasek (1-4-1) had a tough start this season but was showing signs recently of the play that made him a two-time league most valuable player and five-time Vezina Trophy winner as the NHL’s top goalie.

Hasek, who has said he will retire after this season, had surgery in August to repair a slight hernia. Hasek missed 12 games last season because of a strained groin.

The Sabres will alternate between Marty Biron (2-1 with a 2.88 goals-against average) and Dwayne Roloson (0-2-1).

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Right wing Bill Guerin ended a bitter contract stalemate by agreeing to a reported two-year, $5.7-million contract with the Edmonton Oilers. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Guerin, who led the Oilers with 30 goals and 34 assists in 80 games last season, was a restricted free agent and had even sought a trade.

Guerin, who turns 29 next week, becomes an unrestricted free agent after the 2000-01 season.

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Pierre Page, the Ducks’ coach in 1997-98, was hired by the expansion Minnesota Wild as a hockey operations consultant. The Ducks finished 26-43-13 under Page, who also coached the Calgary Flames, the Quebec Nordiques and the Minnesota North Stars.