Archives for May 2015

'“What the players have to keep in mind is that this will be their initial contact with many NHL teams, so they have the chance to make that good initial impression,” Dan Marr, director of NHL Central Scouting, told the league website. “Some kids aren’t that comfortable when they’re in an interview environment, so it’s important they be prepared to talk about themselves, which … [Read more...] about NHL Combine puts focus on league’s future stars

'Phil Housley, the longtime Sabres defenseman who is currently an assistant coach in Nashville, appears to be the frontrunner for the job, according to Saturday's Newark Star-Ledger. The Devils were believed to be considering former Tampa Bay coach Guy Boucher, Washington Capitals assistant coach Todd Reirden and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton coach John Hynes. Dan Bylsma, Shero's … [Read more...] about Wowie! Ex-Sabres star Housley could be Devils’ next coach

'“When you’re talking about a guy working to make the National Hockey League and survive, they know they have to work hard. But for Jack Eichel and Connor McDavid, the work ethic and the details that are part of the game for star players are high, and if they want to be a star in this league, that’s where they have to be at.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ top prospects stand to benefit from Bylsma’s insights

'“I asked Pittsburgh if we can keep our own third,” he said. “It’s like I say with trades and that, a lot of these things you have to plan for that aren’t going to happen. So why would we, I guess even if I’m 90 percent sure that we’re not going to ever do it or they don’t work, why would I take that option out of our hands?”' … [Read more...] about Draft pick Sabres sent Penguins for Bylsma keeps offer sheet options open

'“I hope so,” said Pysyk. “That’s my goal, obviously, to make the Sabres, but who knows what’ll happen this summer with free agency and trades. We’ll see what it looks like closer to (training) camp. I see myself in a shutdown role, being solid defensively.”' … [Read more...] about Pysyk hopes to be shutdown defender with Sabres

'Each team will be assigned a suite inside the Sabres arena, where player interview sessions will occur. That's a switch from shuttling prospects to offsite hotels.' … [Read more...] about NHL combine shifts from ballroom to arena with Buffalo move

'The Sabres had to hire Bylsma. Bylsma had to take this job. The only surprise is what took so long for it to happen after Babcock jilted Buffalo.' … [Read more...] about New coach brings the will to win

'“I’ve done quite a bit of growing the last year looking at the game, so I plan to bring that to the coach I’ll be with the Sabres,” Bylsma said in First Niagara Center. “There is, I think, a bright future ahead for this team.”' … [Read more...] about Time off prepared Bylsma for Sabres job

'Bylsma is still a good hire for the Sabres. If Babcock was more than Terry Pegula deserved, Bylsma is a very nice consolation prize. In some ways, he’s perfect for the job. He’s a big name in USA Hockey, and Pegula is making Buffalo a prime destination for youth hockey in America.' … [Read more...] about Bylsma is antidote for Sabres’ dysfunction

'He had a season ticket for several years, occupying an aisle seat at the locker room end of the Aud. The Sabres eventually presented him with a custom team jersey, bearing the name “Twister.”' … [Read more...] about Larry Bill, the Sabres ‘Twister,’ dies at 65

'Those plums, along with a stellar young defense, some character veterans, a farm club in Rochester just 75 miles away, state-of-the-art facilities and oh yes, a billionaire owner, made Buffalo a nice landing pad for Bylsma, who was fired in a regime change last June in Pittsburgh despite a 109-point season, his fourth in six years.' … [Read more...] about After Babcock snub, Sabres score on the rebound

'“That is no way or shape the reason why I coached or want to coach or have any interest in coaching the Buffalo Sabres,” he said. “I look at the opportunity to come to an organization, develop with this team, develop into a winning culture on a winning team. I’m not coaching to prove anything to anybody else."' … [Read more...] about Dan Bylsma had eye on Sabres job

'The pick will be the better of two third-round selections the Sabres acquired in trades with the New York Islanders. One of those picks originally belonged to the Vancouver Canucks.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo hires ex-Penguins coach Bylsma

'“The rule is not as clear as it should be,” Penguins GM Jim Rutherford told Trib Total Media. “We felt that the intent of the rule was for employees that were still with the team, that were working with the team, not terminated employees.' … [Read more...] about After reinterpreting rule, draft pick sought for Bylsma’s hiring

'Bylsma, a graduate of Western Michigan Christian, was a player in the NHL for nine seasons and won a Stanley Cup in 2009 as coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins.' … [Read more...] about Grand Haven native Dan Bylsma hired to coach Buffalo Sabres