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 is something they might not be used to doing.’

‘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 coach in Pittsburgh, was also a candidate before taking the job in Buffalo.’

‘“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.”’

‘“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?”’

‘“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.”’

‘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.’

‘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.’

‘“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.”’

‘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.’

‘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.”’