Buffalo News

'Gerard Gallant, free agent: This is a pipe-dream candidate. Gallant is highly sought after by the New York Rangers and likely will draw interest from the Seattle Kraken. The cost to hire Gallant also likely would put the Sabres out of the running, as ownership still owes money to Ralph Krueger.' … [Read more...] about Assessing possible candidates to coach the Sabres in 2021-22

'“I’ve told many people this over the years: he’s the smartest hockey guy I’ve ever been around,” said Fohr, who is in his 10th year as an assistant coach at NTDP. “A very, very good teacher.”' … [Read more...] about How Don Granato’s career path might fit what the Sabres need in a coach

'The numbers are downright ridiculous. Hall had two goals, 19 points and a minus-21 rating in 37 games with the Sabres. In 16 games in Boston? He had eight goals, 14 points and a plus-15 rating.' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Ex-Sabres factor is high as the playoffs begin

'You must get a large package from any team and that package must include current NHL players as well as a top prospect and a No. 1 draft pick. This is a trade that cannot be about futures. After 10 straight years out of the playoffs, you can't afford to wait. There can be futures. There has to be a lot of presents.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Six rules for Kevyn Adams to follow if he trades Jack Eichel

'After starting the season on the top line but flaming out under Ralph Krueger and ending up as a regular healthy scratch, Thompson found a regular role under interim coach Don Granato. The line of Casey Mittelstadt between Thompson and Rasmus Asplund became a staple as Granato's third unit and Thompson finished with career highs of eight goals and 14 points while playing only … [Read more...] about World Championships: Tage Thompson to play for Team USA, Colin Miller for Canada

'"We’re going to get better every day, and the better we can progress, the more those wins are going to come or signs of those wins are coming," Granato said during his end-of-season media availability Wednesday. "And I think our guys have felt that they know they’re building something, and that was great to be a part of and obviously, I’d like to be a part of moving forward."' … [Read more...] about As coaching search begins, Don Granato reaffirms desire to lead Sabres

'“Now it's been speculated and discussed from Jack's camp about potentially having a surgery that's never been done on a National Hockey League player before,” said Adams. “Our doctors aren't comfortable with that. But I think we all are in a position where we want the same thing and hope that when we re-image this in the timeline I laid out, Jack will have made steps and … [Read more...] about Sabres GM Kevyn Adams: Jack Eichel wants surgery never performed on NHL player

'Now, perhaps one of the problems here is Eichel doesn't trust the Sabres' medical team. He wouldn't be the first. There's been a lot of weirdness going on in recent seasons in that area without much explanation. You can't do anything about Kyle Okposo's smashed cheekbone in the wake of an absurd Matt Irwin dump-in or the mangling of Jake McCabe's ACL in a collision in the … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: As weird saga unfolds, Sabres go on offense against Jack Eichel

'The Sabres hold some cards when it comes to Eichel’s contract, but don’t bet the ranch against Eichel finding a new hockey home if he follows through on wanting out of Buffalo. Eichel could file an injury grievance through the NHL Players’ Association, which could result in a hearing by an arbitrator and a chance to have the surgery if his side wins.' … [Read more...] about The Editorial Board: In the age of athlete empowerment, Eichel can force his way out of Buffalo

'“Whatever happens with them, it’s out of my control,” said Cozens, referring to Eichel and Sam Reinhart, both of whom expressed their frustration Monday. “Obviously, we’d love to have them both back. They’re both great players, so if they’re not, I do think there will be room for me to kind of step up and be more of a leader, for sure. But like I said, they’re both great … [Read more...] about With significant questions at center, Sabres could turn to Dylan Cozens, Casey Mittelstadt

'You've been an NHL general manager less than a year. Your top trade acquisition (Eric Staal) flamed out miserably. So did your top free agent acquisition (Taylor Hall). Your team endured a Covid-19 outbreak. Your head coach was such a disaster that he had to be fired. The team finished in last place in the NHL and missed the playoffs for a 10th straight year.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: All Sabres’ eyes, both young and old, on the GM’s next moves

'“I just had a great talk with Kevyn about that and I feel like, I probably, I’ve got to play a little bit more on the inside and be good around the net and find ways to score more goals around the net,” said Olofsson, a restricted free agent in the summer of 2022. “I know I can score from the outside, I know I have a good shot and I’m going to get my opportunities and score … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Victor Olofsson aiming to become a ‘better goal-scorer’

'One area that will get heightened attention this offseason is in net. The Sabres have deferred overhauling the position a couple of times already, running with a tandem of Carter Hutton and Linus Ullmark. Hutton and Ullmark are scheduled to be unrestricted free agents; Hutton, in particular, is at a critical point in his career at 35 and coming off his worst professional … [Read more...] about Travis Yost’s Sabre Metrics: Two intriguing free agent options in goal

'When Eichel’s wish to have surgery as soon as possible was vetoed and another season without playoff hockey in Buffalo ended, he broke his silence. His words during a 24-minute video conference call with reporters Monday will have implications that could determine the course of a franchise that finished at the bottom of the NHL in four of the past eight years.' … [Read more...] about Jack Eichel: There’s a ‘disconnect’ with Sabres about recovery from injury

'There are bad days for a franchise and then there is what Monday was for the Sabres. It wasn't July 1, 2007 – at least not yet – but it was along the lines of Ryan O'Reilly losing-his-love-for-the-game bad.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Jack Eichel’s bombshell turns up the heat on Sabres GM Kevyn Adams