'"You lose a few games in the beginning of the year, you start questioning a lot of things that you do," center Jack Eichel said. "Then you're trying to dig yourself out the whole year. We were just never able to get ourselves out of the hole."' … [Read more...] about Sabres realize bad starts lead to losing seasons
Archives for April 2018
Youngster Jack Eichel could be Sabres’ captain next season
'“You saw in his exit meeting, he’s matured a lot as a young man,” Sabres general manager Jason Botterill said last Wednesday inside KeyBank Center. “Even with his game, I thought when our team was playing some of its best hockey, Jack was a big part of it. It’s not just offensively. You saw when our team had success, we did a lot better away from the puck, tracking the puck. … … [Read more...] about Youngster Jack Eichel could be Sabres’ captain next season
Sabres' Ristolainen feels he's ready to lead
'“I need to work harder, try to be a better leader and learn from this year.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Ristolainen feels he’s ready to lead
Losing takes toll on Sabres' Rasmus Ristolainen
'"I feel like I can be more vocal," he said. "I feel like I work hard every day on and off the ice, but I can be a better leader vocally. I have had some great leaders so far on the teams I've been on here and back home, and I want to learn from all those guys and be one of them."' … [Read more...] about Losing takes toll on Sabres’ Rasmus Ristolainen
Winning will help Sabres generate more excitement at home
'This season, the Sabres earned the fewest points (62) and scored the fewest goals (198). In three of the last five years, they’ve ranked last in points and scoring.' … [Read more...] about Winning will help Sabres generate more excitement at home
Sabres: Most of the players seem OK with Phil Housley
'Eichel also thinks Housley did the best he could with what he had to work with, “Listen, Phil’s done a great job. With the situation he was put in and getting off to a tough start always makes things more difficult, but I thought he stayed patient with us, he did a good job communicating, but just like us, he’s also learning and he’s only going to get better as a coach.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres: Most of the players seem OK with Phil Housley
Bucky Gleason: Enough already with dark clouds hanging over Buffalo sports
'Between Ryan O'Reilly coming to accept losing and Richie Incognito's strange exit from the Bills, we think, Buffalo's pro teams could use a little good news. Imagine the vibe if the Bills fail to land a quality quarterback in the upcoming draft.' … [Read more...] about Bucky Gleason: Enough already with dark clouds hanging over Buffalo sports
Inside the Sabres: The curious case of Ryan O'Reilly
'One of the most stunning exit interviews in Sabres history will reverberate for some time. The alternate captain and highest-paid player admitted he was OK with losing, wasn't mentally tough and lost his love of the game.' … [Read more...] about Inside the Sabres: The curious case of Ryan O’Reilly
Inside the NHL: Chiarelli is wasting McDavid and somehow surviving as Oilers GM
'Nicholson said he met with angry season ticket-holders about the Oilers' collapse from 103 points to 78, which saw them go from Game Seven of the second round to out of the playoffs entirely. And he said owner Daryl Katz is "disappointed, angered and wants us to get it right.” Sounds much the way Jason Botterill described Terry Pegula here.' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Chiarelli is wasting McDavid and somehow surviving as Oilers GM
Sabres’ Kyle Okposo plans hit gym hard to revamp game
'Still, Okposo hardly enjoyed a strong season. His wretched minus-34 rating ranked dead last among NHL forwards.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Kyle Okposo plans hit gym hard to revamp game
Sunday's Rochester Coverage
Amerks clinch third place, will face Crunch in first round (Buffalo News) Syracuse Crunch drops regular-season finale to Rochester (Syracuse Post Standard) Syracuse Crunch gets first-round playoff foe, dates (Syracuse Post Standard) The Amerks will face Syracuse in the playoffs (WGR-AM) Amerks double up Ccrunch 4-2 to close out regular season (Amerks.com) Amerks to face … [Read more...] about Sunday’s Rochester Coverage
Sabres know they have to earn fans' trust, make Buffalo loud again
'"We're going to have to earn their trust back," coach Phil Housley said. "It's providing a good, solid effort every night and a commitment in that area. The guys know that we all have to be better here at home. That was very, very disappointing the record at home here for our fans."' … [Read more...] about Sabres know they have to earn fans’ trust, make Buffalo loud again
Sabres’ Josh Gorges will think about future after decompressing
'“You’re in a tough situation. You don’t want to be walking around the rink moping and feeling sorry for yourself. Your teammates don’t need to see that. … You try to come and do the best you can and keep a smile on your face and go about your day. But it wasn’t easy.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Josh Gorges will think about future after decompressing
Trade speculation begins to circle Ryan O'Reilly
'"The sense that I've been given from the management in Buffalo, is yeah of course he's going to listen on Ryan O'Reilly...but it would take an absolute sweetheart deal for the Buffalo Sabres to consider. In saying that, he's a hell of a player. On pretty much every team in the league he's at least a #2 center isn't he? There's going to be a market for Ryan O'Reilly and Jason … [Read more...] about Trade speculation begins to circle Ryan O’Reilly
Saturday's Rochester Coverage
Rochester Americans prep for postseason with comeback victory (Buffalo News) Amerks overcome three-goal deficit to defeat B-Sens in home finale (Amerks.com) Amerks stage comeback to beat Senators (BellevilleSens.com) … [Read more...] about Saturday’s Rochester Coverage