Archives for June 30, 2015

‘The Sabres’ decision would have been tougher if Hodgson’s troubles began next season. He is 25 years old. Buyouts typically cost two-thirds of the remaining salary, but the rules are different for players age 25 and under. They can be bought out for just one-third of their remaining salary.’

‘“It’s flattering to be looked at that way,” the 24-year-old said. “To come in with confidence in myself and them having confidence in me, it’s definitely a huge honor.”’

‘“I think it’s going to be a big challenge with me,” O’Reilly said this afternoon on a conference call. “I think in the past with Colorado I wasn’t really looked at as much of a leader. I think … with the Sabres I have to be a more vocal guy, be that more off-ice leader and on-ice as well.”’

‘It’s easy to forget now, but less than two years ago Hodgson was a player the Sabres began to build around.’

‘The Latvian, a former NHL-All Star, earned high praise last season for helping the Sabres’ regular goalies – Jhonas Enroth, Anders Lindback and Michal Neuvirth – thrive despite poor defensive play all around them. The Sabres allowed a league-high 35.6 shots a game.’

‘“I got to thank Seymour and Norty Knox, the owners of the Buffalo Sabres, and Scotty Bowman, for taking a chance on a high school kid that probably weighed about 165 pounds soaking wet,” Housley said. “It was a great time for me.”’

‘”Yeah, I think negotiations were always difficult,” said O’Reilly, who is represented by agents Pat Morris and Mark Guy of Newport Sports Management Inc. “(But) I don’t think there’s anything I would have done differently. My agent has done phenomenal things for me in my career.”‘

‘”Obviously in the past I’ve heard some bad things, but with the new ownership, with (owner Terry) Pegula there, definitely a lot of positive things have been happening and hopefully a lot more,” D’Amigo said. “I’m excited for it and I’m glad to be in the organization.”‘

‘Sabres general manager Tim Murray said the move was being considered as recently as two weeks ago. It follows a near-complete teardown of the roster.’

‘”Everything’s new and let’s see how it all comes together in training camp,” Murray said. “I think we’ve taken big strides.”‘