Archives for July 1, 2017

‘The 27-year-old Scandella is the centerpiece of the deal for Buffalo. The left-handed shot had 11 goals and 23 points in 64 games in 2014-15. He has been up and down the past two seasons. Scandella had four goals and 13 points in 71 games last year.’

‘“I’m excited about this year, and I think we can make strides,” said Pominville, who spent his first 11 seasons in the organization. “Every team is competitive. Every team wants to be in the playoffs. It’s not easy to do. If you look at the squad and the team and the depth that is on paper, I think we can get in. That’s the goal.”’

‘The primary goal of the captain, who is an unrestricted free agent, is to re-sign with the Sabres. He’s been contacted by other teams during this week’s interview process, but he was waiting to see if a fit could be found with Buffalo. At the moment, it’s hard to find one.’

‘“I’m excited to get a fresh start,” Ennis said Friday after being traded to the Wild with Foligno in exchange for Jason Pominville and defenseman Marco Scandella. “Obviously, I just want to thank Buffalo for giving me a chance to play in the NHL. I’ve had so many good memories there, right from being drafted in 2008. I want to thank the Pegulas for what they’ve done for me and for that city. I have a great relationship with the people in Buffalo.”‘

‘”Obviously, it still continues to be a feeling-out process for myself and Robin trying to get to know each other, but we’ve had a good couple conversations, and Craig Oster and I have a very good relationship. We’ve worked on many a deal together, and I certainly have a firm belief that we’ll get something done here over the next month or so.”‘

‘And Scandella was the big acquisition in Friday’s blockbuster trade with the Minnesota Wild that also marked the return of former Buffalo captain Jason Pominville. Scandella is a 27-year-old with a $4 million cap hit poised to perhaps be Rasmus Ristolainen’s sidekick on the top pair. He can help with the transition game, make the first pass out of the defensive zone, move the puck with mobility and be an anchor on the penalty kill.’

‘Scandella could slide right to the top pair alongside Rasmus Ristolainen. He can take lots of pressure off others, notably Antipin’s adjustment to the NHL or the overuse of Zach Bogosian. It also allows Botterill to start Brendan Guhle in the AHL without the pressure of pushing the 19-year-old immediately to the NHL.’

‘It’s an understatement to say that Buffalo Sabres fans were excited at the news that Jason Pominville is returning to the team. So much so that fans recreated a 2007 stunt, changing the “Welcome to Buffalo” sign on the Kensington Expressway to say “Welcome to Pominville.”‘