'“It’s cool to be starting as the opening goalie, but the game Friday matters as much, hopefully, as the last game of the season and mentally it’s the same,” Luukkonen told The Buffalo News following practice Thursday in O2 Arena. “You need to perform. Nothing is given, everything is earned. It doesn’t matter what game it is. You’ve got to be ready.”' … [Read more...] about Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen finally broke through. Now, he’s driven to be even better for Sabres
The Sabres Report - Oct 4, 2024
Sabres rewind: Looking back at GM Kevyn Adams' consequential trades
'How have the Sabres done on the trade market since Adams became general manager in 2020? Here’s a glimpse at his deals and how they’ve panned out, using Evolving-Hockey.com’s Goals Above Replacement and Wins Above Replacement metrics...'. … [Read more...] about Sabres rewind: Looking back at GM Kevyn Adams’ consequential trades
You probably know the Sabres' playoff drought is at 13 years. Here's a quick look at how they got there
'It’s hard for an NHL team to miss the Stanley Cup playoffs for 13 straight seasons. As we know, the Buffalo Sabres found a way to do it. With Lindy Ruff back in charge, returning to the postseason is not just priority No. 1 for the organization; it’s a desperate need. Here’s a year-by-year look at the Sabres’ postseason drought, with overall records, point totals, winning … [Read more...] about You probably know the Sabres’ playoff drought is at 13 years. Here’s a quick look at how they got there
Around the boards: Will the Great Eight pass the Great One?
'“It’s on the top of our list in terms of potential events that we want to promote and make sure don’t slip under the radar screen,” deputy commissioner Bill Daly told reporters at the NHL Player Media Tour in Las Vegas prior to training camp. “And some people have kind of suggested that because Alex is Russian that somehow this should be marginalized in some way. We couldn’t … [Read more...] about Around the boards: Will the Great Eight pass the Great One?
NHL Power Rankings: Can the Florida Panthers make a third straight run to the Stanley Cup final?
'The Panthers are trying to join the Lightning as a rare team to make three straight finals and thus get the preseason mantle as No. 1 in our power ratings. But they’ve had a lot of roster defections, notably defensemen Brandon Montour (Seattle) and Oliver Ekman-Larsson (Toronto), forward Vladimir Tarasenko (Detroit) and much of their bottom-six core. So it won’t be easy.' … [Read more...] about NHL Power Rankings: Can the Florida Panthers make a third straight run to the Stanley Cup final?
Staff selections: Picking the winners for the 2024-25 NHL season
'Stanley Cup champion Rangers/Avalanche/Stars.' … [Read more...] about Staff selections: Picking the winners for the 2024-25 NHL season
Sabres’ Alex Tuch motivated after down season: ‘I know I need to be better’
'“First and foremost, I know I need to be better,” Tuch said last month after training camp opened in KeyBank Center. “… Going past that, each of us in that locker room have to push the guy next to us. Raising that standard individually, small groups and as a full team.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Alex Tuch motivated after down season: ‘I know I need to be better’
Friday's New Jersey Coverage
The Devils meet the Sabres in the Czech capital to open the NHL regular season (AP) Devils Open Season in Prague vs. Buffalo | Preview (NewJerseyDevils.com) … [Read more...] about Friday’s New Jersey Coverage
Opinion: Sabres are better, but how much better this season?
'If the Sabres are to eventually win the Stanley Cup, Dahlin has to elevate himself to be one of the top-two or three defensemen in the NHL. I think he’s totally capable of achieving that.' … [Read more...] about Opinion: Sabres are better, but how much better this season?
Why this will be the season the Buffalo Sabres make the playoffs
'"I think we've got a hungry group that's ready to be challenged and pushed and I reminded them of that yesterday," Sabres GM Kevyn Adams said at the beginning of training camp. "When you use words like accountability and structure, and looking for clarity and are looking for more competitive and hard practices, they're going to get it. It's one thing to say it, now we need to … [Read more...] about Why this will be the season the Buffalo Sabres make the playoffs
Devils, Sabres eager to begin season in 2024 NHL Global Series Czechia
'There were 350 Czech coaches watching Buffalo practice, all taking part in the NHL Coaching Clinic held Thursday with special guest coaches Todd McLellan and Jay Woodcroft.' … [Read more...] about Devils, Sabres eager to begin season in 2024 NHL Global Series Czechia
'We've checked all the boxes' | Sights and sounds from the Sabres' final practice in Prague
'“I really feel that we’ve checked all the boxes,” Ruff said. “We got the number of practices in that we need. We worked on a lot of system, worked on a lot of structure. We’ve talked about the mentality of all parts of a game, whether you’re leading, whether you’re leading late, how we want to start games. So, we’ve gotten to almost every piece of the game in detail whether … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve checked all the boxes’ | Sights and sounds from the Sabres’ final practice in Prague
The Sabres Report - Oct 3, 2024
WNYers Dennis Gilbert, Nick DeSimone reunite on opposite sides of Sabres, Devils matchup
'“It’s crazy,” DeSimone told The Buffalo News following the Devils’ practice Wednesday in Prague. “We’re best buddies going to different teams and, all of sudden, we’re starting the season with our teams facing each other overseas.”' … [Read more...] about WNYers Dennis Gilbert, Nick DeSimone reunite on opposite sides of Sabres, Devils matchup
Sabres Q&A: GM Kevyn Adams on rising salary cap, captaincy, gearing up for opener
'Every situation is different. If you look back to where we were three years ago, we identified some of the core, and we needed to be aggressive. We had to make sure we were setting the foundation, and build off that. You have a precedent you set in certain ways with contracts you’ve done in the past, but you have to approach each one differently because one player’s … [Read more...] about Sabres Q&A: GM Kevyn Adams on rising salary cap, captaincy, gearing up for opener
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff impressed by Zach Benson’s ability: ‘He does a lot’
'“I watched a lot of games, I liked him,” Ruff said Sept. 24 in KeyBank Center. “I think I like him more now.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres coach Lindy Ruff impressed by Zach Benson’s ability: ‘He does a lot’