Buffalo Sabres News and Discussion

‘The good news for the Sabres is that 2012 first round pick Zemgus Girgensons led the way with three goals, followed by three assists from Johan Larsson, picked up from Minnesota in the Pominville trade. It is encouraging, despite their limited experience, that Buffalo’s young players are performing in pressure-packed situations. Mark Pysyk and Brian Flynn did not miss a beat after rejoining the Amerks following the end of the NHL season, though neither managed any points.’

‘This is where the Sabres are with Vanek and Miller. None of this would be happening if the team were better, and certainly these two players bear some responsibility for that. Some fans may even criticize them for wanting to leave.’

‘“I’ve been growing a lot,” Enroth said. “I want to play more. My goal is to be a starter one year in the NHL, and right now Ryan is the starter here. It’s kind of hard to take the job from him here, but we’ll see what happens.”’

‘Paille and Pyatt were not stars in Buffalo by any measure, but they do serve as reminders of just how many poor decisions were made over the past seven years. That’s the starting point for the Sabres going in a downward trend that Regier either caused or failed to stop amid a barrage of poor decisions that led them to, well, here.’

‘It was just a matter of time before an NHL team hired Phil Housley as an assistant coach. Given his ties to the Sabres and Ron Rolston, it seemed Buffalo was a possibility. Not anymore.’

‘The signing leaves defensemen Adam Pardy and Alexander Sulzer as the Sabres’ remaining unrestricted free agents. They have four restricted free agents: forwards Cody Hodgson and Brian Flynn, defenseman Mike Weber and goaltender Jhonas Enroth.’

‘A California actor has admitted taking part in a scheme to extort money from Buffalo Sabres owner Terry Pegula.’

‘“I think I did well. I protected my team,” said Scott, who had zero points and 69 penalty minutes. “I think the stuff that happened last year, the year before I was there, didn’t happen this year. Hopefully, going forward none of that stuff happens again. Yeah, I think I did an all right job.”’

‘The Sabres acquired Scott by signing him to a one-year contract in free agency last summer to add size and grit to their roster.’

‘Scott joined the Sabres as a free agent last July and did not register a point in 34 games while accumulating 69 penalty minutes.’

‘Prior to the Sabres, In five NHL seasons, the native of Edmonton, Alberta has appeared in 180 career games with the Sabres, Rangers, Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild, recording five points (1+4) and 305 penalty minutes. Over 82 games that would average 139 PIM.’

‘Scott (6’8”, 270 lbs., 9/26/82) played in 34 games with the Sabres in the 2012-13 season after signing with the club as a free agent on July 1, 2012.’

‘The Sabres should tweak Steve Ott’s role next season to take some of the pressure of being a “lockdown forward” off and give him more advantages in order to get the most possession value out of his game.’

‘“They unfairly secured the deal for one bidder, and pushed Pat Kaleta and the HITS Foundation out of the market. That’s not right – the foundation deserved better, and the people of Hamburg deserved better,” Connors said. “The government shouldn’t change the rules in the middle of the game.”’

‘So how does it all fit with the playoffs? My theory is Miller’s likeliest landing point might be a team that thinks it’s close to a Cup but not getting the job done in net. Somebody in that scenario might take that one-year flyer on him. What would clearly be Miller’s first choice? Anaheim.’