Archives for 2012

'“The fans of Buffalo will love this guy; he just will not quit. We talked to his coach, and he said that he’s got the leadership qualities of a Jonathan Toews and Mark Messier,” explained Devine. “He really didn’t come on my radar until the World Juniors. He really plays a different kind of game for a Latvian, a skilled game. And he doesn’t have a second gear.”' … [Read more...] about Centers of attention

'The bottom line there is this. If you wanted your GM to do something, he did. Of course we want it to work. That should go without saying. We just have no way of knowing how these things will turn out and to a degree, neither do they. This isn't to take them off the hook. Eventually, if enough of your moves don't work out you shouldn't get to keep doing the job. And I … [Read more...] about Let’s Go!

'The Sabres entered the weekend holding two first-round picks, Nos. 12 and 21. In an ideal world, they'd trade one or both for a center who can help their team immediately. If the Sabres end up making their selections, they'd probably prefer a forward before a defenseman.' … [Read more...] about Sabres like deep crop of defensemen in draft

'"We believe that the earlier 7 p.m. start time will make the travel schedule easier for our players and will make it easier for our younger fans to follow the team on school nights."' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ schedule reflects new philosophy

'They have nine selections, also picking at 73, 133, 163, 193 and 204 (via Florida). There are also strong prospects in the minors and junior. And, of course, the Sabres possess a core of established roster players. Following their third postseason DNQ in five seasons, should anyone be off limits?' … [Read more...] about Sabres have assets to deal at NHL Entry draft

'“(Owner) Terry Pegula tasked us with getting the best possible schedule for our players, regardless of whether it meant sacrificing prime home weekend dates,” Sabres president Ted Black said in a statement. “As such, our schedule-making requests and decisions this year were driven by a “Hockey-First” philosophy that sought to reduce back-to-back situations and maximize the … [Read more...] about Sabres’ 2012-13 schedule features fewer back-to-back sets

'Buffalo has been trying to move Roy for a full calendar year and there has not been a market for him. With the centerman going into the final year of his deal, it may become easier.' … [Read more...] about The Sabres have options at the Draft

'“Terry Pegula tasked us with getting the best possible schedule for our players regardless of whether it meant sacrificing prime home weekend dates,” said Buffalo Sabres President Ted Black. “As such, our schedule-making requests and decisions this year were driven by a 'Hockey First' philosophy that sought to reduce back-to-back situations and maximize the amount of recovery … [Read more...] about Sabres announce 2012-13 regular season schedule

'“If there is a position that we’re focused in on it’s probably in the middle still,” Buffalo General Manager Darcy Regier said. “Tyler Ennis obviously did an excellent job, and so did Cody Hodgson. Derek Roy is a known commodity. You can look at a size factor, and that’s certainly one area we’re looking in.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres size up help at center

'Keeping Roy, who’s entering the final season of his six-year, $24 million contract, could make the most sense. The free agent market is thin. The Sabres got torched a year ago converting Ville Leino into a $27 million center (not surprisingly, he’s a winger again).' … [Read more...] about Roy’s time with the Sabres could be running out

'The team will play seven games, including three home games at First Niagara Center.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Announce 2012 Preseason Schedule

'For every kid that has laced up his skates on a frigid Saturday morning at the Holiday or Leisure Rinks in Buffalo, the dream is always the same: to play in the NHL one day. That dream is getting closer to becoming reality for Buffalo’s own Dylan Blujus, and it’s expected to come to fruition this weekend at the NHL Entry Draft in Pittsburgh.' … [Read more...] about Hometown hopeful

'“We are very active as it relates to finding ways to improve our hockey team,” Regier said during the team’s draft preview gathering with reporters. “Some of the names you hear that are out there, we’ve had conversations with those teams. I think it’s way too early to know whether or not anything will happen. There are a lot of teams like us in similar positions.”' … [Read more...] about Regier working the phone for deals

'He wasn’t saying whether a trade is likely, only that the offers will probably get more serious as Friday’s 7 p.m. start time nears. The extra early picks do, however, provide flexibility for the Sabres to move up to get the prospect they really want, or to even obtain a proven player through trade.' … [Read more...] about Sabres have options entering NHL draft

'“It’s way too early to know if anything will happen,” Regier said Monday during a pre-draft chat inside the First Niagara Center. “I think that there are a lot of teams like us, in similar positions. … At the start of the draft week, even the week before, you start to get a sense, and then as we get closer to the draft things have a way of materializing.”' … [Read more...] about Four early picks should give the Sabres draft options