Archives for 2014

'It has been a bit of a disaster during the past three years. Some of the fault lies with the front-office personnel, but the buck stops with Pegula. He's as complicit as anyone else in the organization's recent struggles. But if there's one thing you can say about him: he cares. Pegula is living what he called his lifelong dream of owning his favorite hockey team and it often … [Read more...] about Reviewing Terry Pegula’s tenure as Buffalo Sabres owner

'Sam Reinhart, Rasmus Ristolainen, Joel Armia and Nikita Zadorov head the list of 10 first- or second-round picks who will play this weekend. Buffalo is the only organization in the eight-team tournament that will send that many high selections.' … [Read more...] about Sabres gunning for Traverse City title

'“Sometimes you start to wonder if you’re going to get the break you need,” Benoit, who signed a one-year, $800,000 contract in July, said last week following a late-summer workout. “That’s not easy to come by all that time. But at the same time, you just have to keep motivated and keep plugging at it and never give up, because you never know when that opportunity’s going to … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Andre Benoit paid dues to earn regular NHL gig

'2014-15 prediction: The Sabres will achieve their unspoken mandate of finishing as close to the basement as possible with an eye toward drafting either Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel, both viewed as future franchise centres.' … [Read more...] about NHL 2014-15 preview: Buffalo Sabres

'The Sabres were the worst team in the NHL last season and still figure to be near the bottom this year. So why does it feel like there’s not going to be many competitions for jobs to watch at training camp?' … [Read more...] about Roster takes shape for Sabres

'The Sabres will have gumption in their game, but it won’t make up for the absence of experience and talent. Anything short of a 30th place finish and the first pick in the 2015 draft will be viewed as a failure this season.' … [Read more...] about THN’s 2014-15 NHL season preview: Buffalo Sabres

'To hit the new deadline, the work site is active for 21 hours a day, starting as early as 4 a.m. and finishing as late as 1 or 1:30 a.m, said Ryan Poropat, lead project supervisor for Mortenson Construction, the general contractor. … [Read more...] about It’s the final sprint at HarborCenter

'"We're a young team, a team with a lot of upside, a lot of potential," he said of the Sabres. "Once we make that work, put the work boots on and play as a team, I think we have a lot of potential. I'm excited about it.'' … [Read more...] about Gorges excited for ‘new chapter’ with Sabres

Amerks won’t be facing Bears this season (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle) Amerks Announce 2014-15 Regular Season Schedule (Amerks.com) Amerks Announce Preseason Games Vs. Toronto Marlies (Amerks.com) … [Read more...] about Thursday’s Rochester Coverage

'Murray and Nolan aren’t about to hold a news conference saying as much, but they have different agendas. It doesn’t mean they have a contentious relationship. Murray will say that he wants to win ASAP because he can’t send any other message to his players, to the fans, to the league.' … [Read more...] about Agenda clash adds intrigue for Sabres

'“If you haven’t heard the name Connor McDavid and you’re a hockey fan, you’re dead,” Sherry Bassin, the Otters general manager/managing partner, cracked Thursday in First Niagara Center. “You gotta check your pulse because you need a mortician.”' … [Read more...] about Top NHL prospect McDavid in town

'“It’s a pretty nice spot,” he said about Buffalo. “The fans are crazy here.”' … [Read more...] about Connor McDavid impressed with Sabres, can see himself playing in Buffalo

'Don’t get me wrong — I think landing McDavid would be huge for the Sabres. But I think Ted Nolan is the kind of coach that won’t let his team be bad enough to contend for a draft pick derby.' … [Read more...] about Don’t hold your breath for McDavid

Amerks sign, MacKenzie, Irwin (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle) Amerks sign Irwin and MacKenzie to AHL contract (Amerks.com) … [Read more...] about Friday’s Rochester Coverage

'Of biggest importance to the Sabres is the fact that the team with the worst record will only drop to No. 2 if it does not win the lottery in 2015. That’s what happened to the Sabres this year, as they finished 14 points behind every other team but lost the lottery to the Florida Panthers and thus took Sam Reinhart with the No. 2 pick.' … [Read more...] about McDavid, Eichel both to play at First Niagara Center