Buffalo News

'The Predators spent $108.5 million to sign three free agents in Steven Stamkos (from Tampa Bay), Jonathan Marchessault (Vegas) and Brady Skjei (Carolina), and it has been a complete disaster. They are tied for 31st in the league in offense.' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Nashville’s off-key foray into free agency has been a disaster

'The combination was simple: Four forward lines buzzing the net and often dominating possession in the offensive zone. Three defense pairs playing solid and steady, minimizing turnovers and coverage lapses. And goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen badly outplaying New York's Igor Shesterkin, one of the marquee netminders in hockey.' … [Read more...] about A four-line, three-pair effort is the blueprint for Sabres in rout of Rangers

'The 26-year-old has been through this before and knows preparation is the key to being able to survive in his role. The Sabres believe in him, too. They drafted him in the fourth round in 2017 and have kept re-signing him. To help keep his shot in the NHL, Bryson took a one-year deal over the summer for $900,000, which was slightly less than half of what he was making the last … [Read more...] about Jacob Bryson trying to make the most of his chance on Sabres’ defense

'"Obviously just frustrated," Samuelsson told reporters after practice Wednesday. "You want to play. You want to be in the lineup. You want to help the team win. I mean, he’s the head coach. He has to make those decisions and, obviously, I haven’t been good enough if I’m in the conversation of being sat. Just have to be better on my part."' … [Read more...] about Lindy Ruff’s ‘kick in the butt’ has Mattias Samuelsson focused on improving for Sabres

'“We’ve discussed what is necessary to win hockey games,” Ruff said after his team rolled to a full-marks, 5-1 win over the Ottawa Senators. “I’ve probably been more patient than I’ve ever been, just trying to figure these guys out. But there’s a standard you have to play to and the standard hasn’t been good enough.”' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Lindy Ruff makes big moves to enforce Sabres’ standards. How do they keep it up?

'Ruff challenged his players before practice Monday to raise their personal standard and refuse to settle for mediocrity. They weren’t playing quick enough, and he grew tired of watching them repeat mistakes that his coaching staff worked to correct. His decision to scratch Mattias Samuelsson and Henri Jokiharju to play Connor Clifton and Dennis Gilbert produced positive … [Read more...] about Sabres finally deliver ‘textbook game,’ pull away with 3 goals in third period of 5-1 win

'“It just shows me I have to wake up every morning, and I want to be the best,” the Sabres’ top prospect told The Buffalo News. “Those games, they’re showing me I have to work hard, and I can’t stop.”' … [Read more...] about Jiri Kulich gains confidence during first audition with Sabres: ‘I want to be the best’

'“Not accepting that’s good enough,” Ruff said, describing how he is pushing his team to play its best for an entire game. “Not accepting that we’ve done a lot of good things. We’ve got to win games. That’s the key. Raise the standard, raise the expectation. We talked again about the standard, about playing quicker, about don’t accept what went on in Detroit as OK. OK hockey is … [Read more...] about How the Sabres are trying to rally from 3-game skid: ‘OK hockey isn’t good enough’

'The value of the team is estimated to be $1.13 billion – a number that’s doubled over the past three years, according to sports business website Sportico. The team’s value continues to climb along with the National Hockey League as a whole, but the Sabres remain close to the bottom of the league in franchise rankings.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres’ franchise value reaches more than $1 billion

'The Sabres’ power play and penalty kill rank 31st and 28th in the NHL, respectively. The latter is a startling regression from last season, when Buffalo improved to 13th.' … [Read more...] about ‘Unacceptable’ mistakes on penalty kill drop Sabres to last in Atlantic Division

'The New York Islanders hit town on a three-game losing streak that was absurdly ugly. All they needed to feel better was a night against the Buffalo Sabres.' … [Read more...] about Sabres takeaways: Baffling mistakes give Isles spark to leave town with a victory

'In the East, the biggest surprise has been Washington’s 7-2 start under sneaky good coach Spencer Carbery. But the Caps have still played only three road games so the jury remains out. Columbus is 5-3-1 and playing hard for the memory of Johnny Gaudreau, scoring six goals apiece in home wins over the Sabres, Toronto and Edmonton.' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Sabres among the group staying in playoff range in season’s opening month

'Cozens is expected to play right wing Friday night when the Sabres host the New York Islanders in KeyBank Center. He hasn’t played the position on a full-time basis since 2020-21, when former coach Ralph Kreuger used Cozens with Eric Staal and Taylor Hall, but Ruff wants to get Cozens scoring again. He has zero goals and three assists through 10 games.' … [Read more...] about Dylan Cozens shifts to the wing as Lindy Ruff tries to unlock Sabres’ offense

'“It’s simplicity, shooting pucks. I think we’ve had a shooting mentality,” Zucker said. “If you look at our goal (Saturday against Detroit), I think we had six or seven shots or opportunities with puck recoveries. (Monday), it started off of a shot after JJ (Peterka) had a great jump off the faceoff. We lose that faceoff, but he does a heck of a job getting that puck back for … [Read more...] about Sabres’ power play still languishing last in the NHL, but is finally on a goal streak

'“I still want to be better,” said Tuch. “I still want to continue to have better puck touches, a little bit better offensive instincts. I think I’m still coming into my game a little more, too. Throwing out (the loss Monday night), I’ve gotten more opportunities and scoring chances. I’m finding myself in the right spots and finding my teammates a little more. Those are good … [Read more...] about Alex Tuch is off to a strong start for the Sabres, but wants to reach another level