Archives for April 16, 2014

'“This year was completely unacceptable,” Murray said during the team’s wrap-up news conference in the arena on Tuesday. “I told them it wasn’t all on them. It was on management, it was on the coaching staff. A lot of it was on injuries where we had to put people into positions that they aren’t ready for. So that’s out of our hands."' … [Read more...] about Sabres GM says season ‘was completely unacceptable’

'“We’ll get a good player, and I think there’s a great chance we could get a guy that we have No. 1 on our list,” Murray said. “I think with the way the draft sets up, we probably have a better chance of getting the guy that we have No. 1 than we had a chance today of getting the first pick."' … [Read more...] about Sabres lose out in draft lottery, will pick second in NHL draft

'Say what you will about the team, which was an abject disgrace this season, Murray and Nolan give suffering fans a reason for hope. It’s faint hope, but when your team has hit rock bottom, you’ll grab onto anything you can.' … [Read more...] about Accountability in Sabreland will be a big deal with Murray

'“I’ve had some talks with people in the league. We’ve had our ‘pee-pee’ slapped once here so I’ve got to be careful what I say,” Murray said, as laughter filled the press conference room in First Niagara Center. “I’m on notice and I don’t want to have to pay that fine.”' … [Read more...] about Murray says Sabres need to earn NHL officials’ respect

'“When you tear it down, it doesn’t happen overnight,” he said. “I don’t buy into five-year rebuilds. I think when you use terminology like that as a GM you’re really setting yourself up for a long run if your owner buys into that. I could sit here and say it’s a seven-year rebuild and hopefully I get 10 years out of it. But that’s not reality and not what I want anyway."' … [Read more...] about GM Tim Murray wants higher expectations for Sabres, quick rebuild

'Murray acknowledged he wanted the Isles to move up so GM Garth Snow had a tough decision. Snow must decide by June 1. The 2015 draft has Connor McDavid, perhaps the best prospect since Sidney Crosby in 2005.' … [Read more...] about Sabres can’t keep top pick during lottery, will draft second in June

'“If you want to play, you’ve got to figure out a way to stick,” Flynn said. “And for me, I guess being more of a defensive player and killing penalties was the way to do it.' … [Read more...] about Flynn was a scorer at Maine, now a defender in the NHL

'''A lot of nights it was hard to watch,'' Murray said. ''A lot of nights we competed hard and just didn't have enough talent to put us over the top. But other nights, it wasn't pretty.''' … [Read more...] about Sabres looking to rebuild quickly

'The top two projected prospects are left wing Samuel Bennett, of OHL Kingston, who finished first in the final rankings released by NHL Central Scouting last week, and OHL Barrie defenseman Aaron Ekblad.' … [Read more...] about Panthers jump Sabres to win NHL draft lottery

'“When you tear it down, it doesn't happen over night. But I don't buy into five-year rebuilds,” Murray said.' … [Read more...] about Murray: ‘This is not going to be a five-year rebuild’

'The New York Islanders will pick 5th and have the choice of giving that pick to Buffalo or deferring it to 2015 thanks to the Thomas Vanek trade. Murray sounds like he’d rather have this year’s pick, but he didn’t come right out and say it, “No, I don’t have a preference. If it’s this year, we know where they are this year, we know it’s a top five pick this year so we know … [Read more...] about The Sabres will not draft first overall in June

'Like I said, it has to get better. The worst part of the tear down or the "suffering" is over. The old house has been demolished and now the foundation is being laid for the new house. It will take a little time for that new house to be completed but at least we can see it being built finally.' … [Read more...] about Sabres fans, the worst is over

'The Sabres have the 2nd pick, and they could also have the 5th, 6th, pick from the Islanders. I’ll be going much more in depth on each prospect as we get closer, but for now… here’s your top ten...'. … [Read more...] about View from the top