‘”I have no doubt he’s going to be successful,” Shaw, now an assistant coach with the Columbus Blue Jackets, said in a phone interview. “I think one of the best things that he did for our team was, even in that short time frame, to create an identity and a culture. I think looking from the outside at Buffalo, I think that’s something that was missing. … He’s a great communicator. He’s a great leader. … I think the world of him as a guy and a hockey coach.”‘
Archives for May 23, 2019
Sabres’ Asplund thinks he’s ready to live his NHL dream
‘The center had no goals and one assist in his first 16 games with the Amerks. When the Sabres moved up to get Asplund in the second round of the 2016 NHL Draft, they talked about what a smart player he was. That came through as Asplund found his game and had 10 goals and 31 assists for 41 points in 75 games. Asplund said there were many factors that helped him get better, “I think I really learned how to play my game at a really high pace. I think that was the one thing I was struggling with a little bit, but the longer the year went, I think I got more and more used to it and got comfortable doing things at a high speed.”’
Smyth: Krueger will do ‘an excellent job’ with the Sabres
‘”Eager, excited, good hockey IQ, and a very good attention to detail person. It was unfortunate with how things fell in Edmonton for his sake. Obviously it was the lockout year, but he did a good job with what he was given there. He’s a great person, a great communicator, and he just loves the players.”‘