Buffalo News

'In a flat-cap world, how do the Sabres get more than seven goals for the $9 million a season Jeff Skinner takes of their cap? And remember, they're on the hook for him for six more seasons. Skinner turned 29 Sunday, and will be 34 when the contract runs out at the end of 2026-27. The Pegulas, in fact, owe Skinner another $52 million of the eight-year, $72-million deal he … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: At this price, Sabres need Jeff Skinner to find a shred of his game

'Under new rules this year, the lottery selects only the top two choices, meaning a team can only drop two spots. That ensures the Sabres of no worse than the No. 3 pick and the Kraken no worse than No. 5.' … [Read more...] about NHL announces June 2 as date for draft lottery; Sabres have top odds at 16.6%

'The first-place finisher will receive a $25,000 donation to benefit a charity or charities of his choice. The two runners-up each will receive a $5,000 donation to benefit a charity or charities of their choice. Former Sabres center Ryan O'Reilly was the St. Louis Blues' nominee.' … [Read more...] about Jack Eichel is Sabres’ nominee for NHL’s leadership, humanitarian award

'You can try to solve this problem by offering Reinhart more money than any other team would match, but that’s the sort of mistake that’s hurt this organization for years. Adams should approach Reinhart with a realistic long-term contract offer. If the answer is no, then you must consider a trade. Remember, Reinhart’s value has never been higher. Offers including … [Read more...] about Sabres Mailbag: Would trading Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart trigger a rebuild?

'"It has been coming really fast at me. I guess it hasn't all really sunk in quite yet," Houser said Monday on the Amerks' breakup day. "Just because it was eight games in two weeks, I just tried to stay in the moment as best I could just because it's been so much hockey. Two months ago, I would have taken a week or two like this over not playing any time. So I'm never going to … [Read more...] about After memorable Sabres stint, Michael Houser finishes strong in Rochester

'Peterka, meanwhile, is coming off a season in which he had nine goals and 20 points in 30 regular-season games for EHC Red Bull Munchen of Germany's top professional league. Drafted in the second round by General Manager Kevyn Adams, Peterka also played for Germany at the IIHF World Junior Championship and exceled in 12 games for EC Red Bull Salzburg of Austria's top league.' … [Read more...] about World Championships: Arttu Ruotsalainen to play for Finland, JJ Peterka for Germany

'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