'"It is the unknown," admitted Sabres General Manager Jason Botterill. "You look at the fact the cap maybe didn’t go up as much as some teams expected or probably the industry expected and it made it tighter. You look at the fact these are significant contracts and as much as it’s a difficult process going through salary arbitration, at least we get our players signed and at … [Read more...] about Dilemma with RFAs has NHL locked up with lots of decisions still coming
Archives for 2019
Former Sabres captain Mike Ramsey enjoying life away from hockey
'“I wasn’t burned out,” said Ramsey, who was quick to note he still loves hockey. “It’s just the coaches now, they put in hours, and if you have a family, you don’t see your kids go to school and come home from school. You don’t, so it was just time.”' … [Read more...] about Former Sabres captain Mike Ramsey enjoying life away from hockey
Sabres Dahlin tells AP he’s better prepared for 2nd season
'“I feel more prepared. I feel more mature,” said Dahlin, who turned 19 in April. “Like that one year of experience, I know what’s coming this season. I feel more comfortable in my position.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres Dahlin tells AP he’s better prepared for 2nd season
10 storylines to watch as Sabres prepare for training camp to open
'Krueger will need to install the type of sound defensive structure the Sabres lacked during Phil Housley's tenure as coach. Training camp will provide at least a few clues as to how Buffalo will try to protect its own net in 2019-20.' … [Read more...] about 10 storylines to watch as Sabres prepare for training camp to open
Sabres Mailbag: Will Rasmus Ristolainen remain in Buffalo?
'General Manager Jason Botterill won't pull the trigger on a trade unless he gets the package he wants in return. That seems unlikely to materialize anytime soon, though the season doesn't start for another six weeks. The league's salary cap has led to some significant late-summer transactions in recent years, most recently San Jose acquiring defenseman Erik Karlsson from … [Read more...] about Sabres Mailbag: Will Rasmus Ristolainen remain in Buffalo?
Hutton helps young athletes train like a pro
'“I was fortunate enough, my parents worked hard. We didn’t come from a ton of money by any means, but they spent a lot of money so I could play hockey. Goalie equipment and things like that aren’t cheap. I look at the doors that opened for me in sports and the things I’ve learned, so it’s a great event where you can come out and help a great charity that helps a lot of kids.”' … [Read more...] about Hutton helps young athletes train like a pro
Former Sabre Pominville still would like to come back
'Pominville is back in Buffalo and working out at Harborcenter with a handful of guys that include Rasmus Dahlin. Pominville said it’s day-by-day, “I definitely would like to play, I’ve kept myself ready, skated and worked out and so I still enjoy playing, but I don’t know if I’d go anywhere to be honest, so if it’s the right opportunity, I’d like to play.”' … [Read more...] about Former Sabre Pominville still would like to come back
Botterill: Sabres trying to put Ristolainen 'in positions to have success'
'"We’re continuing to try to set this team up where we’re putting 'Risto' in positions to have success," Botterill continued. "Yeah, he wants to win. We also want to put him in a situation where he plays very well, and that’s what we’ve tried to do with some of the acquisitions, add depth to our defence, add competition to our defence."' … [Read more...] about Botterill: Sabres trying to put Ristolainen ‘in positions to have success’
Sabres new coach Ralph Krueger is still listening to the fans
'Before Kruger got the job as head coach of the Sabres, he walked around town for two days. He watched playoff hockey in bars talking to fans that had no idea who he was. On Saturday, he got another chance to interact with fans at Fan Fest and he said, “It keeps getting confirmed over and over again from my first walks in the city and today I got a deeper understanding of the … [Read more...] about Sabres new coach Ralph Krueger is still listening to the fans
Tuesday's Rochester Coverage
Amerks sign John Wiitala to one-year AHL contract (Amerks.com) … [Read more...] about Tuesday’s Rochester Coverage
Henri Jokiharju impressed Sabres GM Jason Botterill before up-close look
'“It certainly helps things out to see a player play on that big a stage and not wilt under it, but actually thrive and have success,” Botterill said during Saturday’s Sabres Fan Fest inside KeyBank Center, an event that celebrated the team’s 50th anniversary season. “What made us just comfortable making the move is we had a track record from our scouts watching him very … [Read more...] about Henri Jokiharju impressed Sabres GM Jason Botterill before up-close look
Sabres insist there's no change in Rasmus Ristolainen's status
'"We’re continuing to try to set this team up where we’re putting 'Risto' in positions to have success," Botterill said. "Yeah, he wants to win. We also want to put him in a situation where he plays very well, and that’s what we’ve tried to do with some of the acquisitions, add depth to our defense, add competition to our defense."' … [Read more...] about Sabres insist there’s no change in Rasmus Ristolainen’s status
Gilbert Perreault, Rene Robert laud decision to return to royal blue next season
'"It's great. The crest, the color are very important," said Hall of Fame center Gilbert Perreault, the franchise's first draft pick and still its No. 1 scorer. "This was a new franchise from the 70s. First color. Got to keep the crest and color. When you change the crest, it kills the alumni. You've got to keep the same crest, the same color. That's very important to me."' … [Read more...] about Gilbert Perreault, Rene Robert laud decision to return to royal blue next season
Sabres want to put Rasmus Ristolainen in ‘positions to have success’
'It’s no secret Ristolainen, 24, is frustrated. Since joining the Sabres in 2013-14, the former first-round pick has endured a lot of losing, never sniffing the playoffs. The Sabres have finished dead last three times in his career. Ralph Krueger, who was hired in May, is his fifth coach.' … [Read more...] about Sabres want to put Rasmus Ristolainen in ‘positions to have success’
Sabres' Botterill is enjoying the 50th anniversary
'Vladimir Sobotka did not want to be in Buffalo last season and took very little if no responsibility for his poor play. One solution would be to loan Sobotka to a team in Europe. Botterill said, “I would say that maybe he wasn’t a happy player, but none of our players were very happy at the end of the season, we didn’t have a successful second half of the season and our … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Botterill is enjoying the 50th anniversary