Buffalo News

'"I got texts from a few teammates just congratulating me and a few nice messages," Eichel said. "I was with Jake McCabe and Sam Reinhart sitting on the couch having dinner. I went outside to take a call from (Sabres owner Terry Pegula) and when I walked back in and sat down they looked at me and didn't say anything and started laughing."' … [Read more...] about Jack Eichel happy and humbled to be in Buffalo for the long term

'There are always several leaders on any hockey team and it's easy to wonder if we make too much over who the actual captain is. That guy is the one who can go talk to the referee when there's a quibble and is often left to deal with the media after an ugly loss when nobody else wants to. (Poor Brian Gionta saw this corner a lot more after losses than wins the last three.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: With a letter or not, new deal locks in Eichel as the captain

'But there was more to discuss, much more, considering all the positive energy funneling into the Bills and Sabres over the past week. In a three-day span, the Bills improved to 3-1 and were alone in first place in the AFC East, and the Sabres made the biggest financial commitment to a player in franchise history.' … [Read more...] about Bucky Gleason: Pegula leading way as Bills, Sabres change course

'"To be honest, I don't think that happens very much anymore. I think successful teams have a collaborative model. Just like coaches, you can't have one voice. You have to empower your assistant coaches. Within the locker room I think it's important it's a group effort and having young players like Jack and (Rasmus) Ristolainen be a part of that group, but also with veteran … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Sabres will not name a captain to start the season

'"I can't WAIT for this dinner. I cannot wait for this," a smiling Jason Pominville said in the KeyBank Center when asked for his reaction.' … [Read more...] about Teammates’ reward for Eichel’s new deal: Massive dinner tab will be on No. 15’s plate

'Terms were not disclosed. The deal includes branding opportunities inside KeyBank Center, and experiences with the team for clients and prospective clients.' … [Read more...] about Key Private Bank partners with Sabres

'"It's nice, really nice," Reinhart said. "It's motivation to join him for the next couple of years. It's going to be there at the end of the year. Honestly, I'm not really thinking about it at all. I find myself as an offensive player and will try to show that on this team, whether I'm playing as a third-line center or with Jack on the wing."' … [Read more...] about Eichel roommate Sam Reinhart: ‘It’s motivation to join him for the next couple of years’

'In times such as these, you may be urged to patronize the usual suspects, like Tempo, Buffalo Chophouse, Bacchus, Russell's, Salvatore's and the Western Door. Places serving some of the finest steak and seafood around. Places where at the end of the meal, the check arrives accompanied by the complimentary sound track of an armored car backing up.' … [Read more...] about Andrew Galarneau: Hey, Jack Eichel, I hear you’re looking for a table for 20

'Eichel will be playing this season in the final year of his entry-level deal, which pays a salary of $925,000 and performance bonuses that can take the deal to around $3.7 million.' … [Read more...] about Sabres sign Eichel to eight-year, $80 million deal

'Of course, $10 million per season is already an astronomical amount. When the extension kicks in next season, Eichel will be tied for fifth in average annual salary. Edmonton's Connor McDavid will make $12.5 million. He'll be followed by Montreal's Carey Price and Chicago's dynamic duo of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane at $10.5 million each.' … [Read more...] about With Eichel poised to leap to elite, finalizing deal now will pay off for Sabres

'"I love it. It's something we didn't do as much in Montreal," he said. "Just being involved in every aspect of every play is unique. You saw them do it in Nashville and what he brought here is great. The guys like it.' … [Read more...] about After forced exit from Habs, Beaulieu finding fit with Sabres

'"I think every day you've still got to prove yourself, prove your worth and work hard," said Griffith, 24. "At the same time, I think we're getting ready to get a season going here. We want to come out strong.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Griffith cracks final roster at forward

'"Every morning I come to work and I'm ready to go," the 53-year-old said. "I get after it."' … [Read more...] about As soon as Phil Housley stepped behind Buffalo’s bench, coach knew he was in the right place

'The new coach is transforming the Sabres into an aggressive team, one that features active defensemen and quick-thinking forwards. Some parts of the system – blue-liners leading the rush or firing away from the point – will be obvious. Other things – defenders tightening their gaps and stepping up at the blue line – will be more nuanced.' … [Read more...] about It’s all systems go as Housley emphasizes aggressiveness for Sabres

'So in a real sense, Buffalo is the most distressed sports city in America. And while the Bills' drought began well before Terry and Kim Pegula came to town, the teams have traveled along parallel tracks of woe and dysfunction since they bought the Sabres six years ago.' … [Read more...] about Jerry Sullivan: In Buffalo’s race to the playoffs, do Sabres still have edge on Bills?