'Now comes the first game of the new season. Tage Thompson and Mattias Samuelsson have fat new contracts, with extensions that start next season and pay them as core members of the team. Adams has an extension and, on the eve of the opener Wednesday, Granato got a richly-deserved one, as well. Game on, boys.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Yes, it’s just the season opener. But with Ottawa in town, this is a big one for the Sabres
Archives for October 13, 2022
Analyzing the Sabres' 7-year 'investment' in defenseman Mattias Samuelsson
'There’s risk involved in any contract but particularly those given to athletes with shorter track records of success, like the seven-year, $50 million deal the club gave Tage Thompson in August following his breakout 38-goal season while playing center in the NHL for the first time. The Sabres weighed past performance when preparing offers for both players, but the final … [Read more...] about Analyzing the Sabres’ 7-year ‘investment’ in defenseman Mattias Samuelsson
Sabres have another group of prospects learning in Rochester
'More prospects will arrive in Rochester and important veterans are back, including West Seneca native Sean Malone. Some of the bigger names in the Sabres’ burgeoning prospect pipeline, including Matt Savoie, are playing elsewhere this season, but the Amerks’ roster again is filled with young, intriguing talent that wants to make it to Buffalo.' … [Read more...] about Sabres have another group of prospects learning in Rochester
Joe Crozier, Sabres coach who formed French Connection and took team to first playoff berth, dies at 93
'Crozier left the Sabres in 1974 after the team failed to make the playoffs, coaching the Vancouver Blazers of the World Hockey Association. He returned to Buffalo 10 years later to serve as an assistant coach under Scotty Bowman during the 1984-85 season. When Bowman was fired in 1986, Crozier left coaching and worked in scouting and then as a team ambassador in alumni … [Read more...] about Joe Crozier, Sabres coach who formed French Connection and took team to first playoff berth, dies at 93
Don Granato, Kevyn Adams give Sabres stability: ‘We are going to win’
'The vision and close relationship Granato, 55, and Adams, 48, share makes them unique in these parts. After Darcy Regier fired Lindy Ruff in 2013, the Sabres employed six coach-GM duos over a dismal eight-year stretch. None of them generated positive results or seemed to enjoy any chemistry.' … [Read more...] about Don Granato, Kevyn Adams give Sabres stability: ‘We are going to win’
Sabres don’t see Mattias Samuelsson’s contract as risky: ‘He is the antidote’
'“One word I’ll use to describe it,” Granato said of the Sabres’ belief. “He is the antidote. So if you think of a star player on the other team, he’s the antidote. He is an athletic beast – his mobility, agility, his size, his strength. He has a great feel for his position, a great feel for the game. So he closes on people quick. He defends well. That’ll make the other … [Read more...] about Sabres don’t see Mattias Samuelsson’s contract as risky: ‘He is the antidote’
Sabres announce extensions for Granato, Samuelsson hours before season opener vs. Senators
'“When you look at something like this, and you talk about stability. Well, in our profession, there is no stability,” said Granato. “And you’re used to that. You’re accustomed to that. So this is nice. But our stability is success day to day.“' … [Read more...] about Sabres announce extensions for Granato, Samuelsson hours before season opener vs. Senators
On the brink
'While Comrie certainly should be a step up from the six netminders who defended the Sabres crease last season, it’s very evident his two-year deal is intended to serve as a bridge to prospects Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in Rochester, Devon Levi at Northeastern University or Erik Portillo with the University of Michigan. The 41-year-old Craig Anderson returns on another one-year deal … [Read more...] about On the brink
Thursday's Ottawa Coverage
Sabres host the Senators to begin 2022 season (AP) Game Day 5: Senators at Sabres (OttawaSenators.com) … [Read more...] about Thursday’s Ottawa Coverage
Sabres sign coach Don Granato to 2-year extension
'Granato had two years left on his existing contract and is now locked up through the 2025-26 season. He will make just under $2 million in each season of the extension, not including bonuses, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Sabres did not reveal the terms of the contract.' … [Read more...] about Sabres sign coach Don Granato to 2-year extension
Sabres sign D Samuelsson to 7-year, $30 million contract
'The 22-year-old Samuelsson established himself as one of the team’s top blueliners in his second NHL season last year. He finished with 10 assists in 42 games after missing the start of the season with a leg injury.' … [Read more...] about Sabres sign D Samuelsson to 7-year, $30 million contract
Sabres sign coach Don Granato to two-year extension
'Granato's arrival coincided with the first real positive movement for the Sabres as a hockey team in several years, as the 55-year-old joined the club midway through a disastrous 2021 season and proceeded to lead them to an impressive 16-9-3 finish over the final two months. And while the Sabres failed to reach the playoffs again last season, they experienced incremental … [Read more...] about Sabres sign coach Don Granato to two-year extension
Sabres sign Samuelsson to seven-year extension
'In locking in Samuelsson to this type of deal so early in his career, the Sabres are clearly hoping that the 22-year-old will blossom into the legitimate top-four defenseman they believe him to be, eventually out-performing his $4.285 million price tag and turning into a bargain asset while being under contract for a long period of time.' … [Read more...] about Sabres sign Samuelsson to seven-year extension
Sabres sign Don Granato to reported two-year contract extension
'In his first full season as Sabres head coach, Buffalo went 32-39-11, but many of the young players took huge steps in their development. None more than Rasmus Dahlin, who was struggling mightily at the beginning of last season, and by the time the year ended, he was playing like a NHL All-Star.' … [Read more...] about Sabres sign Don Granato to reported two-year contract extension
Sabres sign defenseman Mattias Samuelsson to seven-year contract extension
'Samuelsson has become one of the Sabres' top defensemen playing primarily alongside Rasmus Dahlin. It is expected that the pair will start out the 2022-23 season together, with 2021 first-round pick Owen Power likely paired with Henri Jokiharju.' … [Read more...] about Sabres sign defenseman Mattias Samuelsson to seven-year contract extension