Archives for April 11, 2016

'Ristolainen, who has grown exponentially during his first three NHL seasons, is scheduled to be a restricted free agent this summer. Take it to the bank he won’t reach that status – and say hello to the 21-year-old as he’s making a big deposit with the teller.' … [Read more...] about Ristolainen’s play on blue line will boost his bottom line

'He’s only 24, young for goalie. That’s even though he’s still surrounded by the huge question mark about whether he can ever be a guy who can play 55-60 games. That’s what a No. 1 in the nets – especially one acquired for a first-round pick – needs to be.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Lehner looks ahead to a busy offseason

'Said Eichel: "It's a great future here. It's a great city to play in. It's a great team to be a part of. We have a young group that's headed in the right direction. It's definitely a hockey city. People care about you here. People would love to have you and it's a great place to play."' … [Read more...] about Eichel on what he would say to Harvard’s Vesey about Sabres: ‘It’s a great future here’

'“I always believed I could be relied upon to be a starting goaltender,” Johnson said Sunday. “It was proving that to myself and the media and to everybody.”' … [Read more...] about Johnson eager for a starting role, even if it’s not with Sabres

'Gionta had 12 goals and 33 points this year, his lowest totals since an injury plagued 2011-12 campaign in Montreal. But he played in 79 games and found a home on the team's shutdown line with Marcus Foligno and Johan Larsson. Gionta had two goals in Saturday's season finale in Brooklyn, including the overtime winner to beat the New York Islanders.' … [Read more...] about At 37 with deal expiring next year, Gionta says he has no plans for retirement

'“World Cup training camp starts in September,” he said. “It’s a pretty long offseason for me. I think it’ll be important for me to plan the whole thing and be able to amp it up at the right time to prepare myself for the World Cup.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Eichel, Ristolainen won’t play in world championships; O’Reilly, Girgensons will

'“I know I can play a lot of games,” Lehner said.' … [Read more...] about Sabres goalie Robin Lehner ready to carry load next season

'Over the final 41 games, the Sabres went 20-14-7, earning 47 of their 81 points. That’s a 94-point pace over a full season, which would put them in the thick of the playoff race.' … [Read more...] about Sabres believe culture changed during season of growth

'During his four seasons with the Nanooks, Johnson went 26-35-11 and was Central Collegiate Hockey Association’s Player and Goaltender of the Year and a Hobey Baker Memorial Award Finalist as a senior in 2008-09.' … [Read more...] about Former Nanook Chad Johnson tabbed as Buffalo Sabres Unsung Hero

'Eichel made the announcement Sunday, a day after the Sabres closed their season. The 19-year-old says he is looking forward to finally being able to take a breath and relax after a hectic year.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Eichel to forgo playing for US at world championships

'Rodrigues, 22, scored his first two NHL points, a goal and an assist, during Saturday's 4-3 overtime win over the New York Islanders. He has nine goals and 19 assists in 68 games for Rochester.' … [Read more...] about Sabres assign Rodrigues, Schneider, Ullmark to AHL

'The team’s point percentage was .573 in the final 41 games of the season and Eichel points to that as the point his game got going, “I think I took that turn after Christmas time, I started to take notice in my own game, take more responsibility and expect more out of myself. There are a lot of ups and downs in an 82 game season, but try to find a consistency and be better … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Eichel looks forward to a little rest

'“I understood that it’s professional sports and part of the business,” Enroth says. “I would have loved to have come back, but they had great success this year, both Chad and Robin have been playing great there so it has worked out for them and worked out for me too. I’m happy where I am.”' … [Read more...] about Jhonas Enroth preparing for playoffs with Kings and loving L.A. life

'"Coming into the start of the year with the new guys that we brought in and the guys that had made the team, the skill was there. The ability to play the game was there. But we didn't know how to play consistently the right way," said defenseman Josh Gorges. "The second half of the year, we figured a lot out of ourselves. Guys kind of bought into what their roles were and … [Read more...] about Sabres clean out lockers after season ends

'Even though the Sabres missed the playoffs, the strides made by their young players provide nothing but hope. Buffalo's top five scorers are all 25 years old or younger and if Lehner returns healthy, the way he played gave a glimpse of how steady he can be in goal. Improvement from Eichel, Reinhart and Ristolainen as they continue to grow into their games should help boost the … [Read more...] about Youth gives Sabres reason to be cheerful