Buffalo News

'“It would mean a lot to have this group of players experience what I was able to experience as a player and as a coach,” Ruff said. “This building shook in several playoff series that I’m involved with. I can still remember the 8-0 Philadelphia win (the Game 6 clincher in the first round in 2001), when I was sitting in the office and thinking that the building was shaking. … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Sabres are going back in time, hoping Lindy Ruff can renew their better days

'Unofficially, the Sabres averaged a 4.6 rating in the 2023-24 season, down about 15% from a 5.4 average in the 2022-23 season.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres TV ratings drop about 15% as Lindy Ruff tries to reestablish fan belief

'Ruff will be introduced as the Sabres' next coach during a news conference Tuesday at 1 p.m.' … [Read more...] about Lindy Ruff hired as the next coach of Buffalo Sabres

'There wasn't much of a search here. If you wanted Craig Berube or Gerard Gallant or Bruce Boudreau or Seth Appert, you probably weren't getting him. The grapevine says Adams and Gallant talked but this has always been about Ruff.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Kevyn Adams made it clear a Lindy Ruff reunion was in Sabres’ future

'The Stanley Cup Playoffs started Saturday. Do we even remember what those are? The Sabres are once again on the sidelines at the best time of the hockey season and once again searching for a new head coach. Not much has changed around here the last 13 years.' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: A look around the playoff rinks that the Sabres never seem to join

'“I think in our room, we have a really tight locker room,” Thompson, now 26 years old and 372 games into his NHL career, explained. “Guys that are very close with each other. Bonds that are very, very tight. And I think that’s pretty special. That’s not something that a lot of teams can say. But at the same time, when you have those bonds, you don’t want to upset or ruffle any … [Read more...] about Tage Thompson’s leadership on display as Sabres process fallout of season

'While teammates are driven to finally reach the postseason, Byram doesn’t know what life as an NHLer is like without a grueling series against a top team in the NHL. He was in Colorado’s lineup for 27 playoff games over the past two years, including the 20-game marathon that ended with him winning the sport’s ultimate prize.' … [Read more...] about After ‘tough’ transition, Bowen Byram aiming to return to Sabres a better defenseman

'Come next season, Rasmus Dahlin will be playing for his fourth NHL head coach (Phil Housley, Ralph Krueger, Granato and the new hire). Dylan Cozens also dates to the Krueger days and both Dahlin and Cozens were first-round picks of former GM Jason Botterill.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: The NHL’s harsh reality hits hard for Sabres’ young players

'Tuch and Tage Thompson both talked about the need for ice time to be taken away if the situation calls for it. Thompson said the team was often “too casual” and referenced to times when guys were “not playing winning hockey”. No names attached but you can interpolate how this would fit at times with young players like JJ Peterka, Dylan Cozens, Jack Quinn, Peyton Krebs and even … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Alex Tuch ponders his past as Sabres mull their future

'There isn’t a better match for the Sabres than Brind’Amour. The challenge, though, is his team is talented enough to play into June, and he’s reportedly agreed on a contract extension with Carolina. Sabres owner Terry Pegula would have to make Brind’Amour one of the league’s highest-paid coaches for the Sabres to have a shot at luring him to Buffalo. Even then, it is a … [Read more...] about 5 experienced coaches for the Sabres to consider and how each would fit in Buffalo

'“The past 13 years have been pretty tough,” said Killian, 38, of the Town of Tonawanda, who’s gone to games since he was 7 and the team played at Memorial Auditorium. “I keep telling myself the next season is going to be better. It’s got to be better.”' … [Read more...] about Some ‘suffering’ Sabres fans not ready to give up on season tickets, but others have

'The issues that plagued the Sabres all season reared their ugly head during their must-win games in the final weeks, though. They had too many bad first periods, not enough power-play goals and never looked like the offensive juggernaut that ranked third in the NHL in goals scored while compiling 91 standings points in 2022-23.' … [Read more...] about GM Kevyn Adams has his sights set on an experienced coach to lead the Sabres

'This firing seems a little different though. There is utter desperation within this organization to break this 13-year playoff drought that is unmatched in NHL annals and a civic embarrassment of the highest order.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: The drought was too long for Don Granato to survive. Pegula, Adams had no choice

'The Sabres took too long to fix their bad starts to games. They allowed 97 goals in the first period and finished with a negative-30 goal differential in the opening frame of games this season. Their 7-21-1 record when allowing two or more goals in the first period was a troubling trend, particularly in the first half of the season.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Don Granato mum on job status after Sabres finish season with win

'“It’s definitely been a tough year for me,” Cozens told The Buffalo News following the Sabres’ morning skate Monday. “Honestly, not even close to what I wanted, and I know that. I just know I have way more to give, and I can be way better.”' … [Read more...] about Dylan Cozens plans to use disappointing season as fuel to be difference-maker for Sabres