'It began a troubling four-month stretch for Skinner, as the 31-year-old winger had only seven goals with 13 points in 36 games after he missed time with what the team called an upper-body injury. He skated fewer than 16 minutes in 21 of the final 23 games and averaged only 13:35 of ice time while scoring zero goals in 13 games to finish his 14th season in the NHL.' … [Read more...] about Can Jeff Skinner rebound, adapt to expectations of Sabres coach Lindy Ruff?
NHL Draft Lottery: Sabres likely won’t get chance to pick Macklin Celebrini, but should land strong prospect
'The Sabres can advance as many 10 spots or move back two. If they stay around the 11th selection, the most likely scenario, Marr said “they’re going to end up with some very interesting options.”' … [Read more...] about NHL Draft Lottery: Sabres likely won’t get chance to pick Macklin Celebrini, but should land strong prospect
Tuesday's Rochester Coverage
Appert after 2nd period: “We will win this game if we keep it three.” (WHEC-TV) … [Read more...] about Tuesday’s Rochester Coverage
Inside the NHL: If not them, who do the Sabres want to see win the Macklin Celebrini lottery?
'The Sabres will be taking part because of their own interests but will be keeping a keen eye on the results as well. Here's a look at the pros and cons of the lottery from the Buffalo point of view...'. … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: If not them, who do the Sabres want to see win the Macklin Celebrini lottery?
Sabres prospect Matt Savoie finishing junior career on tear with Moose Jaw
'The ultra-talented center has registered at least one point in his last 29 outings, including 13 contests in the Western Hockey League playoffs.' … [Read more...] about Sabres prospect Matt Savoie finishing junior career on tear with Moose Jaw
Sunday's Rochester Coverage
Amerks pull off stunning comeback, beat Crunch 4-3 in overtime to even playoff series (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle) Amerks come back to force do-or-die Game 5 back in Rochester (WGR-AM) Amerks stage furious comeback, stay alive with OT win (WROC-TV) Amerks win Game 4 in OT; back home Friday for final game in playoff series (WHEC-TV) Crunch blow lead in overtime, Amerks … [Read more...] about Sunday’s Rochester Coverage
7 Sabres who can benefit from Lindy Ruff taking over as the Sabres' head coach
'Adding another center should help Cozens’ development. While it’s admirable that he wanted to become a shutdown center shouldering the most difficult matchups, the Sabres would be wise to put him in more positions to use his gifts with the puck. Cozens led all Buffalo centers in defensive-zone faceoffs at 5-on-5 this season, according to Natural Stat Trick. He’ll learn and … [Read more...] about 7 Sabres who can benefit from Lindy Ruff taking over as the Sabres’ head coach
Dylan Cozens ‘disappointed’ himself, others during Sabres’ tough season
'“There’s not too many positives I’m going to take from this year for myself,” he said April 18 as the Sabres held end-of-season meetings in KeyBank Center. “I know I disappointed a lot of people. I disappointed myself.”' … [Read more...] about Dylan Cozens ‘disappointed’ himself, others during Sabres’ tough season
Ex-Devils coach Lindy Ruff bares all for 1st time since firing: ‘I really don’t have any regrets’
'In a long and wide-ranging interview with NJ Advance Media on Wednesday, Ruff opened up for the first time about his firing in New Jersey, how he almost stayed on staff in a non-coaching role and tried to sum up what went wrong in their cursed season. The headstrong coach hopes to use the lessons he learned with the young, upstart Devils to lift his beloved Sabres through … [Read more...] about Ex-Devils coach Lindy Ruff bares all for 1st time since firing: ‘I really don’t have any regrets’
Ruff: 'You have to win fans back by playing good hockey and winning games'
'"You have to win fans back by playing good hockey and winning hockey games. It's that simple. You can't make promises," Ruff said. "You have to play good hockey. I've talked to every player about taking the next step. It's going to take everybody to do a little bit more, even in the offseason, to have a standard that's above where it is now. You're going to have to push … [Read more...] about Ruff: ‘You have to win fans back by playing good hockey and winning games’
‘Really impressive’ | Peterka’s breakout season a testament to hard work and focus on details
'“… I think this year just being more of a pro, being in better position – I think that helped me then on the other end, on offense, to score more goals,” Peterka, who was the only Sabres skater to appear in all 82 games, said. “I think I was paying more attention in the D-zone. I think just being more responsible on the ice, [knowing] who [you are] against, and [knowing] what … [Read more...] about ‘Really impressive’ | Peterka’s breakout season a testament to hard work and focus on details
Friday's Rochester Coverage
Rochester Americans on the brink of elimination after losing Game 3 in 2OT (Buffalo News) Devon Levi makes 60 saves but it wasn't enough as Amerks fall in double overtime to Crunch (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle) Mountain of Levi saves not enough in Amerks game 3 loss (WROC-TV) Amerks drop Game 3 to Syracuse in 2OT (WHEC-TV) Amerks fall to Crunch in double overtime … [Read more...] about Friday’s Rochester Coverage
How Seth Appert's days as a college goalie showed his 'gift' to coach Sabres prospects
'“He finds a way to connect with people,” Amerks assistant coach Vinny Prospal, a longtime NHL forward, told The Buffalo News following a recent practice in Rochester’s Blue Cross Arena. “There are times when I’m exhausted and don’t want to talk to anyone, and he finds a way to talk to everyone. He’s a great communicator. You have to have a gift to, at certain times, remain … [Read more...] about How Seth Appert’s days as a college goalie showed his ‘gift’ to coach Sabres prospects
Connor Clifton not surprised he's watching playoffs this spring after seeing how 2023-24 season unfolded
'“There were just so many unforced mistakes by us and I don’t even think we’d be here if we didn’t have ‘Upie’. It was just so many mistakes in puck management and in this time of the year it’s so hard to score goals and when we’re giving up one or two in the first and then we play our game and if we don’t score two goals, we’re losing because of those three minutes we took off … [Read more...] about Connor Clifton not surprised he’s watching playoffs this spring after seeing how 2023-24 season unfolded
Sabres prospect Komarov named QMJHL defenseman of the year
'“Vsevolod had an excellent season," Sabres director of player development Adam Mair said. "He is a very smart, two-way defenseman that can move the puck, contribute offensively, and shut plays down on the D side. His growth over the last two years has been impressive, and we are very excited about his future.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres prospect Komarov named QMJHL defenseman of the year