Buffalo News

'The New York Rangers will draft second overall after jumping four spots, and the Chicago Blackhawks, who held the 12th best odds, jumped up to the third selection. They will be followed on draft day by the Colorado Avalanche at fourth overall, Los Angeles Kings at fifth and the Detroit Red Wings will pick sixth. The Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks and Vancouver Canucks will … [Read more...] about Sabres land seventh overall pick in NHL draft lottery

'What's happened now, however, is that the Atlantic has become super competitive. Botterill has to be having the same thoughts so many folks outside KeyBank Center are having: How are the Sabres ever going to ascend in this division, given the competition?' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: With no help from lottery, Sabres face uphill climb in Atlantic Division

'"Now that the season is over, the questions are obviously going to start coming in, but it’s been two or three days," Skinner told reporters during locker cleanout Monday in KeyBank Center. "It’s not enough really to give it some proper thought that it deserves. It deserves some reflection, just like any season. We’ll take the time to do that right away, but to answer your … [Read more...] about Jeff Skinner plans to reflect on season before contemplating his future with Sabres

'"There are still a lot of strides to be taken. I want to be an elite, elite player in this league," Eichel said during an insightful 12-minute session with reporters on the Sabres' locker cleanout day. "I want to be the best. There's a long way to go. There's a lot of really good players in this league and I think I can be there with them."' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Jack Eichel has to be better and he’s not offended by the thought

'There was almost a consensus among the Sabres that the onus was on the players, not the coach, for what transpired after the team's 10-game winning streak in November.' … [Read more...] about Players react to Phil Housley’s dismissal as Sabres coach

'Center Jack Hughes of the U.S. National Development Team and Finnish winger Kaapo Kakko are widely regarded as the top two prospects. The Sabres won the lottery last year, earning the right to draft Rasmus Dahlin. The last team to draft No. 1 in consecutive years is Edmonton, which had the No. 1 pick three straight times from 2010 to 2012.' … [Read more...] about Sabres looking for luck from No. 5 slot in draft lottery

'That would indicate Botterill is searching for an experienced coach to replace Phil Housley, who missed the playoffs in each of his two seasons and finished with a 58-84-22 record. Housley was regarded as one of the sport's top assistant coaches after he helped the Nashville Predators reach the Stanley Cup final, but Botterill acknowledged Sunday that it can be difficult to … [Read more...] about Todd McLellan reportedly ‘leading candidate’ to become Sabres’ coach

'"I think it’s imperative for us moving forward that we continue to develop skill, to add skill to our forward group," Botterill said during a news conference Sunday in KeyBank Center. "It was great to see this year the success of Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart having a career year. After a tough month, it was nice to see Jeff Skinner get that 40th goal. But we relied on them too … [Read more...] about Difficult roster decisions await Jason Botterill as Sabres’ long offseason begins

'When the NHL draft is held June 21-22 in Vancouver, the Ottawa Senators, the league's worst team, are unlikely to own a first-round draft pick. They traded their selection to Colorado, which will have a league-high 18.5 percent chance to draft first overall despite qualifying for the Stanley Cup playoffs.' … [Read more...] about Sabres have fifth-best odds to land first overall pick at NHL Draft Lottery

'That second-half historic collapse was not the only factor in Botterill's decision. He became concerned with the team's flawed defensive structure, familiar defensive lapses, the Sabres' inability to quickly exit their own zone during 5-on-5 play and repeated mistakes by veteran players.' … [Read more...] about Jason Botterill says Sabres’ second-half collapse led to Phil Housley’s dismissal as coach

'As a tandem, Housley and Botterill were a colossal failure.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: In dismissing Phil Housley, Jason Botterill put himself on the clock

'Naturally, it is important to note Botterill's past relationships, particularly those in Pittsburgh's organization. That makes Jacques Martin a possibility for Buffalo. Martin, 56, has spent the past four seasons as an assistant with the Penguins, including back-to-back Stanley Cup championships, and had a 15-year career as an NHL coach. Additionally, Sabres assistant general … [Read more...] about Assessing possible candidates to replace Phil Housley as Sabres coach

'Nolan's second stint with the Sabres lasted a season and a half. He finished the 2013-14 season with a 17-36-8 record and went 23-51-9 in his lone full season before being fired again.' … [Read more...] about Here are the five Sabres coaches fired by the Pegulas

'The team then announced that Housley will have a session with reporters Monday at 2:30 and Botterill will have one Monday at 3. The fact that Housley is scheduled for a session could mean the team is not planning on a coaching change. It also could mean nothing. The team could hold Housley's session and certainly make a move later in the week or, frankly, at any point in the … [Read more...] about Housley insists he’ll return but Sabres have huge decision to make on coach

'"Hopefully it's not it for him. Just like for me, I still believe I can play in this league even though this year was not very good for myself. You know when you're done. Hopefully he doesn't feel like that yet but if it is, what a way to go out. The fans saluted him just as you expect in Buffalo."' … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: As Vanek ponders career finish, he loved Jason Pominville’s big night