Archives for September 30, 2015

'“We’re doing a good job causing turnovers down low and our ‘D’ is doing a great job,” Eichel said. “When you do that, sometimes you get opportunities the other way. The power play is a little bit more lenient on the defensive side of things because they’re on the power play and we’ve been lucky enough to capitalize on the kill.”' … [Read more...] about Eichel dazzles with another short-handed goal in Sabres’ 4-0 win over Toronto

'But the 18-year-old didn’t finish the game as he was knocked woozy by Toronto captain Dion Phaneuf with what appeared to be a clean open-ice hit in the second period. And the Sabres’ defense corps is now dangerously thin.' … [Read more...] about Guhle gets another game, but suffers injury

'Although he wasn’t challenged much, stopping 26 shots, Lehner looked more controlled in his crease than his two previous games. A couple of rebounds were kicked out to the middle of the ice but did not cause any issues. His best saves came in the first half of the third period, when he snared a quick wrister from Toronto winger Shawn Matthias and then stopped William Nylander … [Read more...] about Lehner, Sabres tuning up nicely for season

'The 17,357 fans inside the First Niagara Center, such a quiet building in recent seasons, erupted when Eichel whistled a quick wrist shot by Toronto goalie Jonathan Bernier 13:48 into the contest.' … [Read more...] about Jack Eichel stars in Sabres’ preseason win over Leafs

'Four notable defensemen – Zach Bogosian, Josh Gorges, Jake McCabe and Chad Ruhwedel – are injured. With Bogosian and Gorges week-to-week, the Sabres could need an extra body or two next week.' … [Read more...] about Sabres prospect Brendan Guhle could crack lineup

'“(Rodrigues) has impressed with his compete and his determination,” Buffalo head coach Dan Bylsma said.”He’s made a good impression and has continued to do so with the opportunities he’s been given.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres impressive in shutout of Maple Leafs

'“There was literally nothing we could have done differently. We never turned any teams away,” he said Tuesday prior to the pre-season game between the Leafs and Sabres. “We never laughed at any offers, it wasn’t anything like that, it was just the way the summer went. We were open-eared to everything that came in and just with the way things wound down and who teams wanted, it … [Read more...] about Former Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Cody Franson believes Buffalo Sabres the right fit for him

'“I think there’s two challenges,” he said in the hallway outside the team’s dressing room at First Niagara Center. “The first is coming together as a group and a team. But really, we have to build something because we’re coming from an environment that was not conducive to winning and we didn’t have a winning mindset. We have to build that.”' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres head coach Dan Bylsma is part cheerleader, part teacher as he tries to turn around club

Top lines fail Leafs in 4-0 fall to Sabres (Toronto Sun) Toronto Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock wants to see more from veterans after pre-season loss to Buffalo Sabres (National Post) Babcock calls out Leafs' veteran forwards (TSN) Photo gallery (Sabres.com) Photo gallery (Buffalo News) … [Read more...] about Wednesday’s Toronto Coverage

'"In the end, when you don't score any goals and they get four and all four of them come on turnovers, I mean you can't sugar coat that part of it," Babcock said. "I thought our kids were good, I didn't think we got anything out of our top two lines."' … [Read more...] about Eichel scores, Lehner records shutout as Sabres top Leafs 4-0

'Robin Lehner played all 60 minutes in net for the Sabres, turning in his best preseason performance to date. Lehner turned aside aside each of Toronto's 26 shots, coming up with several big stops in the final frame.' … [Read more...] about Eichel, Rodrigues Key Sabres Win Over Leafs

'"He made some big saves and I thought it was his best game by far," said Bylsma. "He stayed in the net, stayed poised, and made a bunch of big saves for us, especially in the third when we left him with a breakaway and a 2-on-1."' … [Read more...] about Lehner trying to get comfortable in Buffalo

'There's a good argument either way on this: Lehner is 24, acquired for a pricey first-round draft pick. They have a young team, and with that investment why wouldn't they let Lehner work through any slumps? You don't trade a first-rounder for a young goalie and then push him overboard the first year, let alone the first few months.' … [Read more...] about Lehner is Sabres’ biggest ‘what if’

'There's no way the Sabres will be as bad as they were last season. The younger talent has more experience and there is a lot of excitement with the additions of Eichel, Bylsma and a full season with Kane. Buffalo should have a better season, but reaping the benefits of the rebuild will take more than one season. Eighth in the Atlantic Division.' … [Read more...] about 2015-16 season preview: Buffalo Sabres

'“As soon as he got the puck, I think I was already standing knowing it was going in,” Rodrigues said. “If not, someone was getting the rebound, but that puck was going in the net.”' … [Read more...] about Eichel scores Sabres’ fifth shorthanded goal in win over Leafs