‘In the final 44 games of last season, Reinhart was back around the net doing what he does best. He was making smart little plays using great vision. That had all gone away for a long period of time. He had become a turnover machine, which isn’t his game. When he’s playing well, he might be Buffalo’s smartest player. Reinhart said when the calendar turned 2018, he took a look at himself, “I took a step back and I said to myself, I’m playing my game. I think it’s more important for me to play my game and it’s more beneficial for the team and me to play my game and however that fits into the team. I don’t want to say that I said, ‘Just screw it’, but I think it was important for me to get back to doing what I did best in the past.’
The Sabres Report - August 21, 2018
Sabres GM confident a new deal for Sam Reinhart will get done ★
‘“It’s a situation where we having continuing ongoing conversations with him and his agent,” Sabres GM Jason Botterill told reporters in Rochester on Tuesday. “As we know, Sam is going to be a big part of our team moving forward here. It’s just a matter of us finding a contract that’s fair for both sides and things are positive from that standpoint. There is a dialogue that continues there.”‘
C.J. Smith eyeing his chance to crack Sabres' roster ★
‘”I’m so excited to go in there. I’m ready,” Smith said after a recent summer league game at Da Beauty League in Edina, Minn. “I have a chance to make the lineup. The way I look at it, I’m going in there to be with Buffalo. That’s my goal. That’s what every day this summer is about for me, what I’m working for.”‘
The Sabres introduce season ticket sharing ★
‘“Many fans are not able to attend all 41 of our regular season home games, but still enjoy being a season ticket holder. This program makes it simple to connect with other fans who will use those remaining tickets and share in the expense.”’
Sabres' draft pick Murray leaves Penn State ★
‘The Daily Collegian reports that Murray is not transferring to another school, but instead will play junior hockey.’
New option for splitting Sabres season tickets ★
‘The Executive Vice President of Marketing and Brand Strategy for Pegula Sports and Entertainment, Brent Rossi, says the program, “makes it simple to connect with other fans who will use those remaining tickets and share in the expense.”‘
New ticket sharing program introduced for Sabres fans ★
‘“We are constantly looking to provide greater convenience to our loyal season ticket holders,” Brent Rossi, Pegula Sports and Entertainment’s executive vice president of marketing and brand strategy, said. “Many fans are not able to attend all 41 of our regular season home games, but still enjoy being a season ticket holder. This program makes it simple to connect with other fans who will use those remaining tickets and share in the expense.”’
Sabres offer new program allowing fans to split season tickets ★
‘How does it work? Using a website, season ticketholders create listings with how many games they’d like to offer. Other fans can then come in and scoop up those games and share the costs.’
The Sabres Report - August 19, 2018
Sabres’ best bet with Reinhart would be to lock him up long term ★
‘One aspect of the deal that could be holding up matters is that Reinhart, a player who may have once been perceived as a safe bet for a bridge contract, now seems a better bet on a long-term pact. While a short-term deal would have made sense prior, the benefits of a long-term deal, particularly with Reinhart seemingly unlocking his offense, are much greater. In saying that, however, the financials of such a deal are going to be difficult to iron out.’
The Sabres Report - August 17, 2018
Friday's Rochester Coverage ★
Amerks sign AHL veteran forward Wayne Simpson (Buffalo News)
Simpson agrees to one-year deal with Amerks (Amerks.com)
Andrew Stegehuis named Amerks Equipment Manager (Amerks.com)