Archives for June 2013

'“So when you look at the bigger picture and you include two good second-round picks in what is a good draft, it provides a real solid opportunity for us to project down the road in a year or two and look at a group of very good young players.”' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres look to rebuild with a deep NHL draft

'Finding an identity would at least give Sabres fans a reason to believe in the future. The ship of hoping that a group of hap-hazard moves will magically bond into a Cup champ has long sailed. And thinking they'll lose and eventually land the next Crosby might as well be hoping to roll a pair of 7s about 50 times in a row.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Must Begin Forming Identity on Draft Day

'So how is the depth after that? Second round pick in 2004 Mike Funk was a bust. Marc Gragnani was taken in the third round of the 2005 draft and was traded to Vancouver. He’s played 74 NHL games and is out of the league and not considered a good pick. Fourth round selection Chris Butler was traded to Calgary and has played 267 NHL games.' … [Read more...] about Sabres young depth on the blue line

'So how likely is it the Buffalo Sabres will be able to trade up into a top five slot for Sunday's draft? If recent history is any indication, the answer is not likely.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Regier has his work cut out for him

'“Mike is very happy,” said Weber’s agent, Howard Gourwitz, who began negotiating Monday with Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier and his assistant, Mark Jakubowski. “They have been saying Mike was in the future plans and they count on Mike as one of their top defensemen and they count on Mike for leadership and everything. I said, ‘Then you have to make a commitment. A … [Read more...] about Sabres keep Weber with three-year deal

'After years of struggling to stay in the lineup, the 25-year-old appears to have finally earned a regular spot. Weber sat the first five games last season before playing 42 of the final 43 tilts.' … [Read more...] about Sabres re-sign Mike Weber to 3-year contract

'He earned a regular role last year, during which he emerged as one of the team's more dependable, defensive-minded players.' … [Read more...] about Sabres re-sign D Mike Weber to 3-year contract

'That could leave the Sabres on the outside looking in Sunday, when forwards Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin, and defenseman Seth Jones are projected to be taken with the first three picks.' … [Read more...] about Sabres stalled in bid to deal up in NHL draft

'Defenseman Mike Weber tweeted, “Really excited to be staying in Buffalo for 3 more years.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres Weber says he’s in the fold

'In parts of five NHL seasons, the Pittsburgh, Penn. native has appeared in 174 games for the Sabres, tallying 32 points (6+26) and 236 penalty minutes, with a plus-6 rating.' … [Read more...] about Weber signs multi-year extension

'Trading Miller and Vanek now would remove any possibility of the Sabres not being fully committed to rebuilding. I dive into the notion of rebuilding reluctantly, mostly because I don't have a lot of faith in the man at the wheel right now. But if you're going to do it, do it. Go big or go home.' … [Read more...] about Strange Days

'Now that he's employed elsewhere, now that he's holding up another team's jersey – that team's jersey – it just doesn't look right. It's going to take time before it does.' … [Read more...] about Ruff looks out of place as a Dallas Star

'Buffalo's weakness has always been its inability to ratchet up the physical part of their game. Part of it stems from the fact that the team does not have any particularly physical players, especially after trading Robyn Regehr to Los Angeles. Though Steve Ott added some grit, he is not an imposing physical force.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres 2013 draft preview

'Both owner Terry Pegula, in the “interview” he gave last week on Sabres State Run Radio, and General Manager Darcy Regier say they want to keep Miller and Vanek. Good luck with that. The reality is neither wants to stay with the Sabres in their current state of rebuilding under scattershot management.' … [Read more...] about Sabres in middle of expected wild week for NHL

'The general idea now is slashing payroll as much as possible, which gives me more flexibility; acquiring as many good young players as possible with the idea several will emerge as good players and, eventually, strong leaders; and blending in willing veterans who can help with the transition.' … [Read more...] about Embracing Project Overhaul