Archives for April 2016

Cal O’Reilly assigned to Rochester (Sabres.com) Amerks recall Prapavessis from Elmira (Amerks.com) … [Read more...] about Wednesday’s Rochester Coverage

'Murray has not yet started contract discussions with the agent for Rasmus Ristolainen, who will be a restricted free agent this summer. Murray has not heard from Ristolainen’s camp about whether it would like a short- or long-term deal. Murray said short term has advantages because Eichel and Reinhart are still on entry-level deals and the Sabres have money to add other impact … [Read more...] about Wave of optimism

'There’s a lot more talking to be done. Now comes the tough part. It will be more difficult to get from 81 to 95 points than it was go to from 54 to 81. Whether they’re agreeing or whether they’re banging heads, it seems like Murray and Bylsma are off to a good start together fixing this mess Murray inherited. After a late rush in 2011, it’s now five years and counting with no … [Read more...] about GM, coach developing a healthy rapport

'“To be a playoff team, a contending team, you have to have an established starting goaltender who may not be your best player, but your hardest-working player,” Murray said. “You have to get a certain number of games out of him, and we haven’t done that yet.”' … [Read more...] about Season of growth has Sabres optimistic about future

'“I want to evaluate how much risk there might be to playing,” McCormick said then. “And if there’s any risk, it’s not worth it for me to try to play with where I’m at in life and put my family in the position where they would worry about me every game."' … [Read more...] about Blood clots will force Sabres’ Cody McCormick to retire

'"We did take steps, and that's good to see," Gorges said. "We're going to need to take more of them next year."' … [Read more...] about Youth-laden Buffalo Sabres finally showing signs of progress

'“Cody McCormick is not going to jeopardize his life or his family by trying to play again,” Murray said inside the First Niagara Center. “We support him in that. He was around this winter and did some other things when players were rehabbing. So I don’t know if that’s going to be a future thing or not. That’s something that he dabbled at and seemed to like.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres GM Murray says blood clot ends McCormick’s career

'“If I could improve in one other area dropping from heaven it would be a quarterbacking defenseman. If I can’t do that, we have some top end forwards and I think they’re capable in playing in that position.”' … [Read more...] about It’s a wrap

'One thing Sabres fans know they will see next season is Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart remaining linemates. "Jack and Sam started showing a real connection. And it's something that they enjoyed," Dan Bylsma said. "I have that one written down for next year."' … [Read more...] about Sabres end of season press conference

'“We have to state every year that the goal is to make the playoffs. If that's not coming from the manager and the head coach then what are the expectations for the players? So, in saying that, I've said to you guys a lot that we just want to improve every year and i think we have done that to a pretty good degree,” said Murray. “Again, the goal will be to make the playoffs. … [Read more...] about Sabres GM: Next year the playoffs may be realistic

'"I think Jack is a recruit because he's a dynamic, young center who could possibly be the best player or in the conversation for best player in this League in the next couple years," he said. "If I'm a winger, if I'm looking around the League, that's one guy that I definitely want to play with."' … [Read more...] about Murray discusses offseason plans, expectations for next season

'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