'"At the end of the day, we should have put ourselves in a better position," Botterill said.' … [Read more...] about Botterill looks ahead to offseason following NHL announcement
Archives for May 2020
Sabres reflect on end of 2019-20 season
'"It pisses me off a little bit actually to not play now," Dahlin said Wednesday during a conference call with reporters. "It's going to be a long summer. I can take care of my body well. I can do all the small stuff I can to get better every day. I can be a lot better over the summer for next year.' … [Read more...] about Sabres reflect on end of 2019-20 season
Sabres receive finality, clarity with NHL announcing playoff format, lottery
'Bettman also revealed the NHL will host a 15-team draft lottery June 26 to determine the top three selections. The Sabres will be joined by the six other teams not participating in the return-to-play plan and the eight teams who lose the playoff play-in games.' … [Read more...] about Sabres receive finality, clarity with NHL announcing playoff format, lottery
What's next for Sabres with regular season officially over?
'Bettman stated that next season could begin as late as January. The NHL is focusing on completing this season before it outlines a plan for 2020-21. A later start date may buy the league enough time for fans to be able to attend games, although the past two months have taught us that long-term planning is difficult during a pandemic.' … [Read more...] about What’s next for Sabres with regular season officially over?
With bizarre playoff near-miss, Sabres' season finally goes on permanent pause
'The roll call of career games without any playoff experience continues to climb for other Sabres as well. It looks like this: Rasmus Ristolainen (493 games), Zemgus Girgensons (489), Sam Reinhart (400), Johan Larsson (393), Jack Eichel (354) and Jake McCabe (340). Ugly numbers, especially when you consider four of those six players were first-round draft picks.' … [Read more...] about With bizarre playoff near-miss, Sabres’ season finally goes on permanent pause
Jason Botterill wasn't going anywhere, but Kim Pegula's explanation defies belief
'All fans have seen is Botterill fail to lead a team to an 80-point season in his three years. And so much more: He hired a woefully overmatched coach in Phil Housley and fired him after two seasons. Made one of the worst trades in recent NHL times by dealing Ryan O'Reilly and becoming the first GM in history to trade a player who became the Conn Smythe Trophy winner the next … [Read more...] about Jason Botterill wasn’t going anywhere, but Kim Pegula’s explanation defies belief
Another win could’ve earned Sabres path to playoffs in bizarre season
'What if they didn’t implode following their scorching start, losing six straight games and nine out of 10. What if they didn’t drop six consecutive late-season contests before winning what would be their final game March 9?' … [Read more...] about Another win could’ve earned Sabres path to playoffs in bizarre season
Kim Pegula to AP: Botterill returning as Sabres’ GM
'“He’s our GM. Our plan is to continue with him,” Pegula said in a Zoom interview.' … [Read more...] about Kim Pegula to AP: Botterill returning as Sabres’ GM
Sabres GM Jason Botterill will return as team misses postseason for the ninth year in a row
'It's tough to imagine what information ownership has that puts their man in a positive light. As Joe DiBiase of WGR 550 notes, the Sabres have finished 31st, 27th, and 25th in the NHL under Botterill, and players like Ryan O'Reilly, Evander Kane, and Robin Lehner have all found success almost immediately after leaving the team.' … [Read more...] about Sabres GM Jason Botterill will return as team misses postseason for the ninth year in a row
Kim Pegula says Jason Botterill will return next season
'Since being hired in 2017, the Sabres have finished 31st, 27th, and 25th in the NHL under Botterill. In that time, players such as Ryan O'Reilly, Evander Kane, and Robin Lehner have been moved, and went on to have greater success with other teams. Outside of the acquisition of forward Jeff Skinner, there has been little added to the Sabres roster that has helped them become … [Read more...] about Kim Pegula says Jason Botterill will return next season
Buffalo Sabres season comes to an end, playoff drought continues
'It’s truly remarkable how far the Sabres have fallen. This will now be their ninth straight season failing to make the playoffs. Before the start of this current drought, the Sabres had never gone more than three consecutive seasons without qualifying for the postseason. Let that sink in for a bit.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres season comes to an end, playoff drought continues
Report: Jason Botterill will return as Buffalo Sabres GM
'“I realize, maybe it’s not popular with the fans, but we have to do the things that we feel are right,” Pegula added. “We have a little bit more information than maybe a fan does, some inner workings that we see some positives in.”' … [Read more...] about Report: Jason Botterill will return as Buffalo Sabres GM
Report: Jason Botterill will return for a fourth season as Sabres GM
'After spending a decade with the Pittsburgh Penguins organization and having several management roles there, the Sabres hired Botterill as GM in May of 2017. So far under Botterill, the Sabres postseason drought has extended to nine straight years, the latest coming when Buffalo missed the cut of the NHL’s return to play 24-team playoff format.' … [Read more...] about Report: Jason Botterill will return for a fourth season as Sabres GM
Buffalo Sabres Alumni Wine Festival has been canceled
'Organizers say a full refund will be issued for all tickets purchased and is automatic, requiring no action from the person who purchased the tickets.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres Alumni Wine Festival has been canceled
Sabres' 2019-20 season comes to an end as NHL announces playoff format
'Buffalo finishes the 2019-20 campaign with 68 points and a record of 30-31-8, finishing sixth in the Atlantic Division and 13th in the Eastern Conference under head coach Ralph Krueger, who wraps up his first season behind the Sabres bench. The team's .493 points percentage was their best since 2015-16. New Jersey, Anaheim, Los Angeles, San Jose, Ottawa and Detroit will also … [Read more...] about Sabres’ 2019-20 season comes to an end as NHL announces playoff format