Buffalo News

'Playing behind a struggling Sabres team inside Little Caesars Arena, Luukkonen allowed five goals on 31 shots in a 6-2 loss that illustrated how much work is ahead for coach Don Granato and his players before the season opens Oct. 14.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has ups, downs in Sabres’ loss

'"It’s fun to see him now ... to see him as an older individual player (26)," Granato said. "I had him when he was 17, 18, and he was great for us then. Haven’t been with him, obviously, since, but to see the growth and maturity in him, the confidence in him, is great. I’ve known him since then as a very talented guy and he remains that, so I’m glad he’s here. He’s done a real … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: After a wild year in Preds organization, WNYer Sean Malone is back

'“It gives you confidence when the coach kind of trusts you and believes in you,” Skinner, 29, said following practice Wednesday in KeyBank Center. “Obviously, at the same time, you’ve got to earn that. You’ve got to work for it. You’ve got to make sure that you’re proving him right.”' … [Read more...] about ‘I still feel I’m an impact player’: Sabres’ Jeff Skinner eyes a bounce-back season

'A seventh-round pick in 2017, Weissbach played four years at Wisconsin and just signed his entry-level contract in April. The winger has showed plenty of speed and a nose for the puck during prospect games and training camp.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Linus Weissbach sparks Sabres’ big rally in preseason opener

'“Jason Christie was a big part of things for me because of all his years of head-coaching experience,” Granato explained. “I mean, the crisis management that you have at the ECHL level and being a head coach is amazing. You're dealing with not only agents and players, the entire staff, training, medical, all that stuff, immigration, you do everything. So, for Jason, he's like … [Read more...] about Sabres coach Don Granato will lean on Jason Christie’s history in ‘crisis management’

'"For me, it's no different, really, I don't think, or at least the way I think about it," Power said Monday night as Michigan held a preseason media day via video call. "I've just kind of been going about it the same way, just continuing to try to get better every day and worrying about myself, my own game and the team. Just kind of letting myself play."' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ top pick Owen Power doing his best to downplay the hype at Michigan

'"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