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Archives for May 2019

Report: Sabres, Jeff Skinner ‘very close’ on new contract as talks continue

‘”Ralph Krueger, the new head coach of Buffalo, has spent some time with Skinner, extolling the virtues of his program and what they think it’s going to be,” McKenzie said. “Buffalo certainly wants him back and Skinner would like to come back, but they just have to [iron out the details] to the point where both sides are happy. It’s very close, but it’s not done, and until it’s done, it’s not done.”‘

Jack Hughes, Sabres’ need at center among combine storylines to monitor

‘The Sabres have a short- and long-term need at center. Rasmus Asplund, a second-round pick in 2016, is the only prospect of note in Rochester, and Asplund projects as more of a bottom-six player. Buffalo doesn’t have a proven second-line center, Johan Larsson is a pending restricted free agent and Casey Mittelstadt is still developing.’

Report: Dialogue between Sabres and Skinner starting to intensify

‘”It’s a very crucial time,” McKenzie said. “There’s been dialogue all week long between Skinner’s representatives and Buffalo general manager Jason Botterill. The NHL Combine is in Buffalo, so agents, players, prospects, general managers of all teams are descending on Buffalo. The sense seems to be is that there’s optimism, but not to the point where either side is entirely comfortable with the numbers they are exchanging. I do expect that there is likely to be more dialogue in the next 24 hours between Skinner’s reps and the Buffalo Sabres.”‘

Sabres, NHL have interest in keeping scouting combine in Buffalo

‘Buffalo presents a unique venue for the NHL given the space available at KeyBank Center and Harborcenter, a remarkable improvement from the Toronto Congress Centre, which hosted the event prior to 2015. KeyBank and Harborcenter have hosted a number of events in recent years, including the Frozen Four and IIHF World Junior Championship.’

Trade continues to haunt Sabres as Ryan O’Reilly gets set for Cup final

‘The Sabres, meanwhile, thought they had made a solid 5-for-1 deal, getting Patrik Berglund, Vladimir Sobotka, Tage Thompson and two draft picks that included a first-rounder. They got out from O’Reilly’s $7.5 million bonus payment. And his similar cap hit. It turned out they got fleeced, trading a Selke finalist for pennies on the dollar in a deal that has left Jason Botterill’s employment as GM shaky at best.’

Traikos: O’Reilly’s love for the game is back

‘At times, O’Reilly thought the same of the Sabres. That’s why he signed a seven-year extension to stay in Buffalo, where there seemed to be so much hope around a team that included Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart and at one time Evander Kane. But it was a case of unfulfilled potential.’