Buffalo News

'"It's a great feeling to play games again against a team, with fans and all that," Sabres forward Rasmus Asplund said Monday in KeyBank Center. "It's going to be great to just be back on the ice. You're just trying to get back in your game shape and the timing and all that. It's a little bit off in the beginning of the season. So you're just trying to get in the rhythm and get … [Read more...] about Sabres notebook: Preseason opens Tuesday, and what’s with Aaron Dell’s number?

'Opponents’ strategy hasn’t been successful. Olofsson’s 20 power-play goals since his first game with the Sabres are tied for the ninth in the league during that span. He has more than Patrice Bergeron, Bo Horvat, Kyle Connor and Mike Hoffman, among others.' … [Read more...] about Sabres observations: Victor Olofsson taking aim at bigger 5-on-5 impact

'“I take that with a lot of pride and honor, to go there and represent us,” said Cozens, who was drafted seventh overall in 2019. “There’s obviously a lot of other guys who could have. I wanted the fans to know that we’re really excited about what we have here and what we’re building. I think we all see it, so that’s the message I wanted to get out there.”' … [Read more...] about Dylan Cozens embracing role as top-six center and a face of the Sabres

'The Sabres are in the relatively fair middle of the road, promising a hybrid model. The locker room is closed, a disappointment given its size and its ability to handle a relatively small media contingent, and players are being brought to the interview room for a group chat. Individual interviews that are socially distant are also being arranged. And video calls may be used … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: When it comes to media access, things are shuffled around the league

'“I am not anti-vaccine,” Allen wrote in a letter to Sabres fans, which he shared with media outlets, including The Buffalo News. “There are many people at risk who should get it. But, I am old enough to understand the importance of choice and the freedom of being an American. I had Covid in January of 2021. I now have natural immunity, so I am choosing to not get vaccinated.”' … [Read more...] about Doug Allen, iconic anthem singer, forgoing vaccine and stepping away from Sabres

'"First three years I was kind of here to see and learn but now that's done," Dahlin acknowledged. "I need to take more responsibility in the locker room and on the ice, too. I want to be more of a leader. I want to be a guy that you can trust in every single second I'm at the rink. I'm not a young talent anymore. I've got to step up and show what I can do."' … [Read more...] about New season, contract with Sabres help lift some of Rasmus Dahlin’s burdens

'"We might not have done it if there wasn't something in the venue here but it kind of forced us to think about it. And logic says it's not a bad idea. We push them hard for two days, we know they're sore on the third day. And it is harder. You have to run a different practice on the third day or you're going to get injured."' … [Read more...] about Sabres notebook: With arena booked, a quick day off starts the weekend

'"There’s a lot of competition going into camp, and Kevyn’s introductory speech yesterday to us, which was private, he was extremely forward in telling us what was going on and it quelled any questions that anybody had. So, there’s no distractions anymore. It’s all out there internally in the organization. Nobody is really thinking about it. Everybody is moving forward.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres downplay notion that Jack Eichel saga could be distraction

'They've lost all the rope and goodwill they've ever had in this town.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: In face of Eichel affair, Sabres GM Kevyn Adams knows it’s tough to earn trust

'The 21-year-old defenseman arrived in Buffalo on Wednesday, hours after his agents and the Sabres agreed to terms on the contract, but he had to go through the NHL’s Covid-19 testing protocols Thursday.' … [Read more...] about Sabres notebook: Rasmus Dahlin arrives in Buffalo, set to practice Friday

'According to CapFriendly.com, the Sabres have $16.07 million in cap space with Jack Eichel’s $10 million hit still on the books, and Dahlin is one of only six players under contract with the team beyond 2022-23.' … [Read more...] about Sabres, Rasmus Dahlin agree to terms on 3-year, $18 million contract

'This will be more annoying for the players than anything. The Eichel questions are inevitable, but those may only last the first few days of camp. After all, what can these guys say? Eichel isn’t going to be on this team and athletes tend to have a mutual understanding that business decisions must be made. You won't see anyone criticize Eichel’s decision or how the team … [Read more...] about Sabres roundtable: Who takes on a prominent leadership role and other burning questions as camp starts

'It will be the first training camp for Don Granato as Buffalo's head coach, with Granato and general manager Kevyn Adams slated to have their first media briefings of the season on Thursday morning. But the on-ice work threatens to be overshadowed immediately by whatever is taking place with captain Jack Eichel and defenseman Rasmus Dahlin.' … [Read more...] about As Sabres report to camp, no clarity evident on Jack Eichel or Rasmus Dahlin

'Anders Bjork: Acquired from Boston in the Taylor Hall trade, Bjork likely will start the season in a top-six role and his familiarity with Granato, combined with a skill set that complements the coach’s system, could lead to a breakout season.' … [Read more...] about A breakdown of the 58 Sabres on Don Granato’s first training camp roster

'“It’s obviously not a good response to be angry or mad at yourself,” recalled Johnson, a 20-year-old left-shot defenseman drafted in the first round, 31st overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in 2019. “I think the right response is to see how you can learn from it, how you can grow. And it's kind of a wakeup call to start working again.”' … [Read more...] about Tapping into offensive talent may have Sabres prospect Ryan Johnson on cusp of pro career