Buffalo News

'The Sabres had to pay Skinner. And at $9 million per season for eight years, it's an overpay at least for now. Skinner can repay the team with some more 30- or even 40-goal seasons to make it look like a good investment, and the likely increases in the salary cap — which could be pushing past $90 million in the next three years or so — will make the investment less onerous on … [Read more...] about Jason Botterill’s only option was to make a deal with Jeff Skinner

'The Sabres are less likely to be aggressive, though, since Skinner and Eichel will account for 22.5 percent of the projected $83 million salary cap for next season. Instead, the team is more likely to use draft picks and prospects to trade for a top-six forward, specifically a center, or help on the blue line, much like the pre-deadline deal that sent Brendan Guhle and a … [Read more...] about Trades ‘more realistic’ option for Sabres to address needs

'The $9 million average annual value makes Skinner the Sabres' second-highest paid player behind Jack Eichel and the 16th-highest paid player in the NHL. Their salaries will account for 22.5 percent of the $83 million projected cap space this season, which is the sixth-highest combined total for any two teammates in the league.' … [Read more...] about Jeff Skinner signs 8-year, $72M contract to return to the Sabres

'"Although I haven’t been the [recent] head coach myself, it’s given me the opportunity to have a lot of conversations about processes that are going on, speed of the National Hockey League, how it’s increased and flow of the game, how it’s opened up a lot more," he said. "I think that’s going to be important. While we’re building, I need to be clearer on the way we want to … [Read more...] about Ralph Krueger arrives in Buffalo, ready to dedicate his time to leading Sabres

'"For me, more than anything, the conversation was about how I as a coach would like to utilize his skill set and his talent," Krueger said during the 20-minute news conference. "I work on the basis that Jeff Skinner is a Buffalo Sabre and as a result that’s how our conversation went. Everything else Jason has complete control of that process and it will happen for what is best … [Read more...] about New Sabres coach Ralph Krueger confident in Skinner’s return, Sabres’ future

'“I think to grow up in Winnipeg you know all about the history of the Buffalo Sabres. It's an organization that coming in the top 14 teams has left an amazing footprint as far as having personalities come through here. I also have many close friends who have been a part of this organization, whether it's just recently working with Miroslav Satan, Uwe Krupp who is a good friend … [Read more...] about New coach Ralph Krueger on Jack Eichel, style of play, analytics and building the Sabres

'The Sabres are thin at the position organizationally and are almost certain to take one at the draft in Vancouver later this month. And then they will sit back and watch him grow. They have no other choice.' … [Read more...] about Sabres likely to draft a goalie, but development will be a test of patience

'It's very difficult to acquire elite talent at center. Selke finalists with a 200-foot game like O'Reilly rarely get shipped out and this is a good draft for the Sabres to try to mitigate that mistake.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ draft mandate seems clear: They have to stay down the middle

'"Ralph Krueger, the new head coach of Buffalo, has spent some time with Skinner, extolling the virtues of his program and what they think it's going to be," McKenzie said. "Buffalo certainly wants him back and Skinner would like to come back, but they just have to [iron out the details] to the point where both sides are happy. It's very close, but it's not done, and until it's … [Read more...] about Report: Sabres, Jeff Skinner ‘very close’ on new contract as talks continue

'The Sabres have a short- and long-term need at center. Rasmus Asplund, a second-round pick in 2016, is the only prospect of note in Rochester, and Asplund projects as more of a bottom-six player. Buffalo doesn't have a proven second-line center, Johan Larsson is a pending restricted free agent and Casey Mittelstadt is still developing.' … [Read more...] about Jack Hughes, Sabres’ need at center among combine storylines to monitor

'Buffalo presents a unique venue for the NHL given the space available at KeyBank Center and Harborcenter, a remarkable improvement from the Toronto Congress Centre, which hosted the event prior to 2015. KeyBank and Harborcenter have hosted a number of events in recent years, including the Frozen Four and IIHF World Junior Championship.' … [Read more...] about Sabres, NHL have interest in keeping scouting combine in Buffalo

'The Sabres, meanwhile, thought they had made a solid 5-for-1 deal, getting Patrik Berglund, Vladimir Sobotka, Tage Thompson and two draft picks that included a first-rounder. They got out from O'Reilly's $7.5 million bonus payment. And his similar cap hit. It turned out they got fleeced, trading a Selke finalist for pennies on the dollar in a deal that has left Jason … [Read more...] about Trade continues to haunt Sabres as Ryan O’Reilly gets set for Cup final

'Last season was Reinhart's first of the two-year, $7.3 million bridge contract he signed during training camp. It was a show-me deal for the Sabres and a bet-on-me deal for Reinhart. Advantage to the player in Year 1.' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Sam Reinhart’s sharp play in World Championships is another good sign

'The first major conversation between player and coach looking toward the Buffalo Sabres' 2019-20 season took place this week more than 4,300 miles away.' … [Read more...] about Sabres coach Ralph Krueger thrilled by first meeting with Jack Eichel

'"I have no doubt he’s going to be successful," Shaw, now an assistant coach with the Columbus Blue Jackets, said in a phone interview. "I think one of the best things that he did for our team was, even in that short time frame, to create an identity and a culture. I think looking from the outside at Buffalo, I think that’s something that was missing. ... He’s a great … [Read more...] about How the past has prepared Sabres coach Ralph Krueger for the challenge ahead