Buffalo News

'TSN's Bob McKenzie reported Friday that McLellan, who was fired as the Edmonton Oilers' coach in November, is no longer under consideration for the Sabres' coaching vacancy and never received a formal offer from the team.' … [Read more...] about Report: No deal for Sabres with Todd McLellan

'Turcotte, a teammate of Jack Hughes, is unlikely to fall to seventh since he would fill a need for both Colorado and Detroit at fourth and sixth, respectively. However, the 5-foot-11-inch prospect would be an ideal fit for the Sabres, who need to take advantage of the high-end skill atop this draft.' … [Read more...] about Five intriguing players for the Sabres to consider with the seventh overall pick

'Multiple sources say Todd McLellan, the former coach of the San Jose Sharks and Edmonton Oilers, is meeting with Sabres General Manager Jason Botterill about the team's head coaching position while he's in town to watch his son's national semifinal against Massachusetts. Reports have said McLellan also is mulling an offer to coach the Los Angeles Kings.' … [Read more...] about Todd McLellan’s son focused on Frozen Four ride with Denver

'Bryson, 21, knows this could be his last time skating with Providence. The London, Ont., native will again participate in Sabres development camp this summer, but says he’s uncertain whether he’ll return to school for his senior season or sign his entry-level deal and set his sights on the NHL.' … [Read more...] about Sabres prospect Jacob Bryson to make KeyBank Center debut in Frozen Four

'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