SabreSpace

'Dahlin, the Sabres’ captain, explains that the Olympics trumps even the NHL when it comes to national pride through sports in Sweden. Sweden doesn’t have a Super Bowl. It doesn’t herald the Stanley Cup as North America does, unless there’s a Swedish superstar playing deep into the postseason. The Swedish Hockey League, Dahlin explained, is the spectator sport. But a nation … [Read more...] about From Olympic dreams to Olympic teams: Buffalo’s hockey stars share their inspirations

'But the players wanted this. Badly. And the league was undoubtedly right to cede to that request during collective bargaining negotiations. You've got guys who have been in the league for a decade like Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Nathan MacKinnon and Auston Matthews who have not gotten the chance to be in the Olympics a single time because the NHL hasn't gone since the 2014 … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Olympic faceoff looms as players finally getting long-awaited chance

'"It's tough when you let something like that slip," admitted Tage Thompson, who snuck in his 30th goal of the season before hitting the skies for the Olympics in Italy. "We've still got a lot of hockey left. You can't let one game affect the mind moving forward. We've done a great job all year just turning the page, whether it's a win or loss, just refocusing and getting ready … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Dud of a defeat before break is food for thought for Sabres

'“From the minute I arrived, it was pretty clear that there was still a tremendous amount of support for the Sabres, but I think it was just that fans were a little disenfranchised,” Guelli said. “Last year, we put in the due diligence and spent a lot of time talking to our season ticket holders and looked at ways to build a foundation that we can all capitalize on.”'' … [Read more...] about Return of Sabres fever? Hot streak bringing back ‘disenfranchised’ fans

'“We picked the wrong time to kind of pitch a dud,” Ruff said.' … [Read more...] about Even with Olympic break, Sabres must reset and refocus after loss to Pittsburgh

'“It’s definitely different,” Krebs said of the NHL’s break for the Winter Olympics, from Feb. 6-24. “Having this long a break kind of feels like the end of the season, or the start of the season, in a way. “Make sure we stay sharp. Taking a few days off to keep the body good, because we’ve had a lot of hockey here. And then making sure you’re taking care of your nutrition, … [Read more...] about ‘It’s going to be 25 playoff games’: How the Sabres will handle Olympic break, postseason pursuits