Archives for December 2015

'“But you’re a part of the league now, too,” Eichel said. “You’ve worked (to get) there. I can’t think about it too much because sometimes you get in awe and you start staring, and then they’re on you and they score a goal.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres rookie Jack Eichel ready for return to Boston

'According to Mike Kaminska, the club’s director of merchandise, the run on Eichel items has been “just crazy.’’ Normally, he said, he might stock 144 sweaters ($180 each) and name-and-number T-shirts ($32) for any other Sabres player, and that would be enough for a full season. But the store already has sold 2,000 each of just those two Eichel items.' … [Read more...] about In Buffalo, everybody likes ‘Eich’

In Buffalo, everybody likes ‘Eich’ (Boston Globe) Jack Eichel mum on BU scandal as he visits Bruins (Boston Herald) Sabres-Bruins Preview (AP) Jack Eichel Returns Home For First Time As Sabres Visit Bruins At TD Garden (NESN) Eichel admits 'nerves' in homecoming to face Bruins (CSN New England) Bruins host Sabres with Atlantic lead in sight (NHL.com) As B's Get Set for … [Read more...] about Saturday’s Boston Coverage

'“A doctor telling me it wouldn't be a good idea to play again. That was a month before training camp. After training and you have a focus, and everything is starting to build up, and you have these new players coming in, and there's excitement in town and you're told you shouldn't be a part of it for your medication and your medical needs. That was pretty tough.”' … [Read more...] about Cody McCormick: career at a crossroads

'“He’s a young player, playing in a hard league,” Sabres general manager, Tim Murray said with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog last Thursday at (716) Food and Sport. “There’s gonna be hills and valleys, but I think he’s certainly a little frustrated. He thinks he can play better, which is a great thing, but the pressure he puts on himself by thinking that way, I think, gets in the … [Read more...] about Finding a linemate for Eichel via the NHL Draft

'Short and Gott aren’t alone. Though the Sabres boast an impressive 16,000 season-ticket holders for their 19,070-seat arena, empty seats show hundreds if not thousands are staying home nearly every game. Vacant rows in all four corners prove fewer people are buying tickets, too.' … [Read more...] about Despite Sabres’ upgrade in talent, attendance levels lagging

'“I know he went to school here, but he knew everybody that worked in the arena,” Johansson recalled last week on the BU campus. “He knew the people in the cafeteria. He knew their names and knew about them.' … [Read more...] about USA Hockey excited for what Eichel can be on international stage

'Reinhart, who said he’s spent at least an extra 20 hours on the ice honing his skills, is by far the Sabres’ most improved player this season. In 34 games, he has eight goals – as many as Marcus Foligno, Zemgus Girgensons and Matt Moulson have combined – and 15 points. Reinhart has four goals and eight points in the last 11 contests.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Sam Reinhart improved game quickly

'How quickly we’ve forgotten that this young man has already played the bulk of a college schedule in games this season. Not to mention against bigger, stronger, faster, smarter, tougher, meaner (shall I go on) competitors than he has ever faced. Oh ya, and they don’t care he’s Jack Eichel either. They play him the same way they would any other young talented player, they’ll … [Read more...] about Jack Eichel – Struggling or just adjusting?

'"Really kinda wanted to get here and get a sweat, not a lot of structure to today at all but get a sweat and kick ‘em out the door and get them on their way to their break wherever they’re going," Bylsma said.' … [Read more...] about Sabres skate off to Christmas break

'“Turnovers were high and we just didn’t play our brand of hockey,” coach Dan Bylsma said of the road trip. “There were wide-open scoring chances – 20 against, which is eight too many. Since we’ve been home, whether it’s playing a tough team in L.A. that sharpened our focus,” they got back to allowing “10 scoring chances or under and back to the way we need to play.”' … [Read more...] about Team finding its game

'“We’ve had a lot of hockey in the last month,” Bylsma said. “They’ve come at us in back-to-backs, out West, coming back home. This is a much-needed break for our group.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres begin Christmas break

'“We went out west, turnovers were high, we got the lead in some of those games, but we just didn’t play our brand of hockey. It got wide open, scoring chances got up to 20 against which is eight too many, but since we’ve been home, it sharpened our focus and we got back to giving 10 scoring chances or under and getting back to the way we can play.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres head off on break

'"Everybody's happy," Sabres forward Nicolas Deslauriers said. "Christmas brings joy to everybody. This day was fun. We definitely need that. We have such a tight group here and you can see it on the ice on a little day like this to sweat and say, 'Merry Christmas' to everybody and 'See you on the 26th.'"' … [Read more...] about Sabres go into holiday break with heads held high

'The Sabres played nearly mistake-free for 57 minutes against the defending Stanley Cup winners. They didn’t take a penalty. They kept Jonathan Toews, Artemi Panarin, Duncan Keith, Artem Anisimov and Brent Seabrook off the score sheet. The only noise accompanying Kane was booing from folks in his hometown who’ve seen too many transgressions, alleged and otherwise.' … [Read more...] about Sabres can’t escape double trouble in shootout loss to Blackhawks