‘”I think it’s just an opportunity to represent your country No. 1 and be in the Olympics No. 2. It’s a great honor,” Housley said. “I think it’s just the experience of being around some veteran guys, seeing what they do, how they approach and how they prepare for the game in a short period of time. I think it will be a great experience for him.”‘
Archives for February 15, 2018
Jerry Sullivan: Sabres’ Phil Housley an early candidate for the hot seat
‘The first season after the exiles of Tim Murray and Dan Bylsma has been an abject disaster.’
Another call-up for Baptiste means another opportunity to grow into his game
‘”Every game I play it’s exciting for me. I don’t even think I’m at 30 games yet so every night’s exciting for me right now,” said Baptiste, who played his 23rd NHL game on Tuesday. “I’m just fortunate enough to be playing with such great players. I’m just trying to play my best and work my hardest to stay in the lineup every night. I think I’m starting to earn a lot more of coach’s trust and I want to continue to do that and help this team win.”‘
Sabres’ Kyle Okposo lends support to mental health campaign
‘The Sabres assistant captain has added his voice to the JustTellOne.org project, started 16 months ago by mental health and substance abuse prevention leaders across Western New York to let those struggling with mental illness know they’re not alone.’
Sabres’ declining TV ratings further tested by Eichel injury
‘The 5.2 average rating is still very strong for any National Hockey League team. Buffalo usually is near the top of the ratings, though bigger market teams have more viewers since a rating point in their markets is equal to thousands of more viewers.’
Sabres’ Chad Johnson could attract interest before trade deadline
‘“I took a chance coming to the Sabres this year on a one-year deal, had a lot of opportunity to go different places, but I believed in this team, the organization, and that’s why I came back here,” Johnson said Wednesday inside KeyBank Center. “Obviously, as an organization, it hasn’t gone the way we wanted to, and personally, it hasn’t gone the way I wanted to.”’
Sabres’ Nick Baptiste embracing fourth-line role
‘“I’ve been doing real well with the role I’m in right now,” Baptiste said this afternoon following the Sabres’ optional practice inside KeyBank Center. “I think obviously with increased minutes, I’ll be able to contribute offensively a little more. But I think right now, I’m doing the little things right.”’
Thursday’s Ottawa Coverage
Game Day: Buffalo Sabres at Ottawa Senators (Ottawa Citizen)
New-look Senators ready to host Sabres (The Sports Xchange)
Sabres at Senators preview (NHL.com)
Game Day 5: Sens vs Sabres (OttawaSenators.com)
Lined Up: Game #56 vs Sabres (OttawaSenators.com)
In Greenwich, hockey great recounts experience with head trauma
‘Later in the season, when 6-foot 6-inch François Leroux of the Pittsburgh Penguins dealt LaFontaine a brutal blow, LaFontaine’s helmet popped off and his forehead slapped the ice. That was the beginning of a dark spiral for LaFontaine. He knew something was wrong, but doctors and trainers, who had less understanding of concussions at the time, allowed him back on the ice.’
The Sabres were at their best down two men
‘Marco Scandella, Ryan O’Reilly, Jacob Josefson and Rasmus Ristolainen all had big shot blocks. O’Reilly said the coaching staff does a good job to get them ready, “We’re prepared coming in, we know the big plays that they want to run and I think we did a good job of taking those away. It starts with Johnny, he made some big saves and he was key.”’