Buffalo News

'“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

'After a wave of promising young talent finally reached Buffalo at the tail-end of a 10th consecutive season outside the playoffs, General Manager Kevyn Adams is faced with the challenge of signing Ullmark and McCabe, both pending unrestricted free agents, before they reach the open market July 28.' … [Read more...] about Sabres futures uncertain for Reinhart, McCabe, Ullmark, Ristolainen

'Tokarski went 2-8-2, 3.54/.904 for the Sabres this year in 13 games but became the club's No. 1 goaltender for a spell due to injuries to both Carter Hutton and Linus Ullmark. On April 13 in Washington, he earned his first NHL victory since December 12, 2015, when he was with Montreal.' … [Read more...] about Goalie Dustin Tokarski is Sabres’ nominee for Masterton Award

'Jeanneret and Mark Preisler, the executive vice president of Pegula and Sports Entertainment, said last week they planned to talk about next season sometime after the season ended.' … [Read more...] about Alan Pergament: Rick Jeanneret suggests his future is up to Sabres; Buffalo Bills primed to get some night games

'6-24-2 – Record vs. East playoff teams Pittsburgh, Washington, Boston and the New York Islanders.' … [Read more...] about By the numbers: Lots of ugly ones and some surprising ones from Sabres’ season

'Under Granato’s watch, the Sabres posted a 9-16-3 record, including a mark of 9-11-2 since their franchise-record 18-game winless streak. He padded his résumé by implementing an effective, up-tempo system that prioritized puck possession and suited the talent on the roster.' … [Read more...] about Inside the Sabres: Coaching hire to kick-start a busy offseason for GM Kevyn Adams

'Buffalo was shut out for the ninth time this season, but this wasn’t a flat performance. The Sabres finished with 29 shots on goal, as the Penguins (37-16-3) received a remarkable performance from third-string goalie Maxime Lagace, a 28-year-old with only 17 games of NHL experience.' … [Read more...] about The Wraparound: Michael Houser magnificent, but Sabres drop season finale

'Once considered an unlikely source for offense, Asplund has become a top-six fixture with six goals and 10 points in 22 games since Granato took over on March 17. While much of the praise heaped on Granato has revolved around Casey Mittelstadt’s breakthrough or Rasmus Dahlin’s rejuvenation, and rightfully so, the ascent of Asplund is another silver lining to a 10th consecutive … [Read more...] about Thriving in a ‘contract year,’ Rasmus Asplund wants to be part of Sabres’ future

'Ullmark has been a solid option when healthy the past two seasons, totaling a .916 save percentage. But he has missed approximately 28 games with unrelated lower-body injuries during that span.' … [Read more...] about Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark ruled out for season finale in Pittsburgh

'Buoyed by confidence-inducing back-to-back wins to cap their home schedule, the Sabres suddenly fell into bad habits. They appeared to have a blind faith that they had the speed and skill to skate off victorious, prioritizing risky offensive players over the calculated approach that’s led to success under interim coach Don Granato.' … [Read more...] about Observations: ‘Inexperience’ leads to Sabres’ mistake-filled night in Pittsburgh