Buffalo News

'Pegula has long refused the model of having a president of hockey operations because he likes the direct line to the GM. The results say it’s a 14-year mistake he needs to rethink, even if he’s still spooked by whatever version of events you believe happened 11 years ago with Pat LaFontaine. Pegula needs more veteran hockey minds, just like his team needs more veteran … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: The decisions of Terry Pegula, and not Kevyn Adams, are Sabres’ biggest problem

'The 6-foot-1 left-shot defenseman is excellent at breaking the puck out of his own zone, and he had an impressive start to the season in Rochester, where he played next to veteran Jack Rathbone at 5-on-5. Johnson has zero goals and 14 assists in 48 career games in the American Hockey League. He's not going to replace the offense that Buffalo lost with Dahlin out.' … [Read more...] about Sabres practice report: Ryan Johnson could make season debut against Detroit

'“I believe in the people in our room, and I wouldn’t say that if I didn’t know the opportunity we have. His players didn’t give the fan base any reason to believe with their performance Saturday afternoon.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ sixth straight loss raises more questions about roster’s ability to contend

'This is the final season of Iafallo's four-year, $16 million contract he signed with the Kings in 2021, so there's plenty of time for this season to play out before he and the Jets have to make a decision about his future or free agency.' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Eden’s Alex Iafallo adjusts to a new life on and off the ice in Winnipeg

'Their inexperience has shown when they’re unable to convert scoring chances, like Thursday night when 2022 first-round draft pick Jiri Kulich deferred on a 3-on-1 in the first period and a 2-on-1 in overtime. The Sabres are getting better play from Dylan Cozens, though the 23-year-old center also faltered as they blew a 4-0 lead and lost to the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday … [Read more...] about Kevyn Adams expected mistakes from the Sabres’ young players. So, why count on so many?

'Remember, this is a guy who grew up in Clarence and lived in the seats of the Aud as a kid. Now he’s a hometown GM, but also the leader of a team three days removed from the most disgraceful home loss in its history. So I have no idea what the general manager was thinking when he banana-peeled his way to this 11-word gem that seems destined to land on his career epitaph the … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Watching the Sabres is no day under the palm trees, especially when you never make the playoffs

'The loss was the Sabres' fifth in a row. It's their longest skid since their eight consecutive regulation losses in November 2022. They haven't won since sweeping the three-game trip in California.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ winless streak reaches 5 with OT loss: 7 takeaways without Rasmus Dahlin

'Thompson’s 127 goals since the start of the 2021-22 season are third-most among U.S.-born players. Only Matthews and Chris Kreider have scored more during that span. Thompson’s 238 points rank 11th. The Sabres’ No. 1 center has 13 goals and 20 points in 20 games this season. He missed five games last month with a lower-body injury and scored twice in their 5-4 loss Tuesday … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch not joining Rasmus Dahlin, UPL at 4 Nations Face-Off

'Sometimes you hit those moments that feel earth-shaking to a season, and sometimes an entire organization. July 1, 2007, was one for the Sabres as Daniel Briere and Chris Drury went out the free-agency door, never to return. The night in 2014 when they traded Ryan Miller was another. There’s losing Connor McDavid in the lottery or the seminal pressers from Ryan O’Reilly and … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Tuesday was a disaster for the Sabres. It feels like a tipping point.

'Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, their starting goalie, was selected to play for Finland. A few of the Sabres' candidates didn't make their respective teams, though. Team USA didn't pick Tage Thompson or Alex Tuch, and Henri Jokiharju was expected to join Luukkonen on Finland's roster.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch not joining Rasmus Dahlin, UPL at 4 Nations Face-Off

'How did the Sabres allow the Avalanche (14-12) to roar back? Here's a timeline of the collapse, along with an analysis on how it went sideways so quickly...'. … [Read more...] about Anatomy of a collapse: How the Sabres squandered a 4-0 lead and lost to Avs

'The latest collapse sent the Sabres (11-12-2) to their fourth loss in a row and spoiled the beginning of a five-game homestand that continues Thursday night. Ruff was re-hired as coach in April to bring structure and accountability to a young roster that should have enough NHL experience to snap a 13-year playoff drought, yet some of the bad habits that plagued Buffalo under … [Read more...] about Panic-stricken Sabres crumble as Avs roar back: Takeaways from 5-4 loss

'“It was a little hectic,” he said. “But I think I probably had a sense that something was coming at some point. Did I expect it to be right then and there? No, but that’s kind of how it happens. And I think it worked out for both sides. I loved my time in Buffalo, and it was probably a good time in my career for a new chapter as well.”' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Casey Mittelstadt’s new chapter in Colorado is a work in progress

'The Sabres have played 24 games and have 24 points. They have a trio of three-game winning streaks – after not getting a single one of those last season until late February – and they have a trio of three-game losing or winless streaks. That’s 18 of the 24 games tied up in a run or a rut.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Back and forth this Sabres season goes. Where it stops, nobody knows

'“It will be a little weird, but I’m very excited to get to play against them,” Byram said. “They’re obviously a good team with a lot of talent, so it’ll be a good test for our team. For me, I’m super-excited to play against some good friends and get to see them before the game and whatnot.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: A big night ahead for Bowen Byram in first meeting vs. old mates on Avalanche