‘”I think it’s imperative for us moving forward that we continue to develop skill, to add skill to our forward group,” Botterill said during a news conference Sunday in KeyBank Center. “It was great to see this year the success of Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart having a career year. After a tough month, it was nice to see Jeff Skinner get that 40th goal. But we relied on them too much. We have to continue to develop our young players in our organization, both in Rochester and Buffalo here. We also have to continue to look to find depth scoring.”‘
Archives for April 8, 2019
Sabres have fifth-best odds to land first overall pick at NHL Draft Lottery
‘When the NHL draft is held June 21-22 in Vancouver, the Ottawa Senators, the league’s worst team, are unlikely to own a first-round draft pick. They traded their selection to Colorado, which will have a league-high 18.5 percent chance to draft first overall despite qualifying for the Stanley Cup playoffs.’
Jason Botterill says Sabres’ second-half collapse led to Phil Housley’s dismissal as coach
‘That second-half historic collapse was not the only factor in Botterill’s decision. He became concerned with the team’s flawed defensive structure, familiar defensive lapses, the Sabres’ inability to quickly exit their own zone during 5-on-5 play and repeated mistakes by veteran players.’
Mike Harrington: In dismissing Phil Housley, Jason Botterill put himself on the clock
‘As a tandem, Housley and Botterill were a colossal failure.’
Assessing possible candidates to replace Phil Housley as Sabres coach
‘Naturally, it is important to note Botterill’s past relationships, particularly those in Pittsburgh’s organization. That makes Jacques Martin a possibility for Buffalo. Martin, 56, has spent the past four seasons as an assistant with the Penguins, including back-to-back Stanley Cup championships, and had a 15-year career as an NHL coach. Additionally, Sabres assistant general manager Randy Sexton worked under Martin in Florida, and Martin has a long history of working with young players. He also could be a candidate to return to Ottawa.’
Here are the five Sabres coaches fired by the Pegulas
‘Nolan’s second stint with the Sabres lasted a season and a half. He finished the 2013-14 season with a 17-36-8 record and went 23-51-9 in his lone full season before being fired again.’
Sabres’ second-half regression cost Phil Housley his job
‘“The bottom line is look at our record,” said an emotional Botterill on Sunday afternoon inside KeyBank Center. “You look at our record in the first 25 games, you look at our record in the last 25 games. Unfortunately, the message wasn’t getting through.”’
Sabres notes: Jason Botterill reluctant to talk about coaching search
‘“Those are things I’m not going to talk about too much right now, and the simple fact is I just had a conversation with Phil Housley a couple of hours ago,” Botterill said Sunday afternoon inside KeyBank Center. “Those are things I’ll talk to (assistant general managers) Randy Sexton about and Steve Greeley about and move forward from there.”’
Fired: Buffalo Sabres relieve head coach Phil Housley of duties
‘“I really enjoyed working with Phil the last couple of years,” said Sabres GM Jason Botterill during a press conference on Sunday afternoon. “Phil is a great man (and) put in a tremendous amount of time and effort into helping this organization. I wish him and his family all the best moving forward. Today certainly wasn’t an easy day.”’
Sullivan: Housley firing puts focus on Pegulas, Botterill
‘Just think, if not for that Andy Dalton miracle pass on the final day of the 2017 season, the Pegulas would have the dubious distinction of owning the franchises with the longest playoff droughts in both the NFL and NHL.’