AP

'Henri Jokiharju, Mattias Samuelsson and Alex Tuch, with an empty-netter, also scored for the Sabres, who combined for three goals in their first three outings. Lindy Ruff won his first game in his second stint as Sabres coach, 4,257 days after his last victory with Buffalo — a 4-2 decision over Boston on Feb. 15, 2013.' … [Read more...] about Thompson scores go-ahead goal, and Sabres end season-opening 3-game skid with 5-2 win over Panthers

'Scoring remains an issue for a team that managed one goal in each of its two season-opening losses to New Jersey. Buffalo’s power play is now 0-of-10 after failing on all five chances against the Kings, including a two-man advantage spanning 69 seconds in the first period.' … [Read more...] about Anze Kopitar scores natural third-period hat trick to rally the Kings over the Sabres

'“We’re seeing more and more competitive players come out of there, so it’s really awesome to see,” said Cozens, who is 23. “I think I put Yukon on the map, but Gavin’s going to really put it on the map.”' … [Read more...] about The Yukon’s remote fresh waters are producing NHL-caliber talent in Dylan Cozens and Gavin McKenna

'“We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us but it’s something that you take, this is a challenge right now,” he said.' … [Read more...] about Cotter scores as Devils beat Sabres 3-1 to sweep season-opening series in Prague

'“The start was probably the biggest difference in the hockey game,” Ruff said. “They were a step faster to loose pucks, they won more 50-50 battles early on and I thought that was the difference in the game.” … [Read more...] about Devils beat Sabres 4-1 in NHL regular-season opener in Prague

'“I guess the best way to answer that is, I understand,” general manager Kevyn Adams told The Associated Press before leaving for Europe, where Buffalo opens its season in Prague against New Jersey with a pair of games. “Until you get the results, until you become a contending team and winning in the playoffs and putting yourself in position to win, then there’s going to be … [Read more...] about New-look Sabres face familiar challenge in attempting to end what’s become a 13-year playoff drought

'The Sabres have talent with forwards Tage Thompson, Dylan Cozens and JJ Peterka, and defensemen Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power and Bowen Byram. The question is whether Ruff can re-establish a culture of winning on a team that’s too often been fragile and disconnected.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres bring back Lindy Ruff to provide structure in bid to end 13-year playoff drought

'“He took charge right away,” forward JJ Peterka said of how Dahlin booked the ice, gym, hotel rooms and organized post-practice outings. “I think Ras really took the next step and took the whole team under his wing.”' … [Read more...] about Rasmus Dahlin’s evolution as Sabres leader grows with defenseman hosting summer camp in Switzerland

'The deal comes as Luukkonen, a restricted free agent, was scheduled to have his contract determined in arbitration in the next two weeks. For the 25-year-old from Finland, the contract provides long-term security for a player whose future was uncertain in Buffalo over the past two years.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres agree to sign goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to a 5-year, $23.75 million contract

'For Buffalo, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound player adds a physical presence to what is expected to be a fully retooled fourth line under new coach Lindy Ruff, who rejoins the Sabres for a second stint.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres avert arbitration by agreeing to sign forward Beck Malenstyn to a 2-year contract

'Buffalo received McLeod and minor leaguer Tyler Tullio from the Western Conference champions for 20-year-old center Matthew Savoie. McLeod had four goals in 24 playoff games as Edmonton got to the Stanley Cup Final before losing to Florida.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres acquire forward Ryan McLeod in a trade with the Edmonton Oilers

'The move comes a day after GM Kevyn Adams informed reporters at the NHL draft in Las Vegas he had initiated the buyout paperwork. And it represents yet another example of how the Sabres have mismanaged their roster during what has become an NHL-record 13-season playoff drought.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres buy out the final three years of forward Jeff Skinner’s 8-year, $72 million contract

'The move was announced Monday, three days after the Rochester Americans were eliminated from the second round of the American Hockey League playoffs. Appert went 123-94-22-10 in four seasons with the Amerks, where his experience in developing the team’s young core of players will help familiarize the incoming Ruff to Buffalo’s roster.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres promote minor-league coach Seth Appert as assistant under Lindy Ruff

'“I’m humbled by the opportunity that I’m getting,” Ruff said. “I get a chance to do something that I wasn’t able to do as a player. Then I became the coach of the team and didn’t succeed with what I set out to do. And now, I’m getting one more opportunity, in which I really feel I’m blessed to have.”' … [Read more...] about Lindy Ruff becomes Sabres coach again a little grayer, wiser and more motivated to restore success

'His return also revives the memory of Ruff’s bid to defend his job in Buffalo a week before he was fired when he said: “It’s on me to clean up this mess. ... And I’m not done trying.” The mess has grown substantially since he departed a month into the NHL’s lockout-shortened 2013 season. … [Read more...] about Sabres hire Lindy Ruff as coach. He guided Buffalo to the playoffs in 2011