Buffalo News

'“It will be a little bit strange, but at the same time, it was such a great group to be around,” Ruff said. “It’s hard, but it’s part of the business. I don’t know if (there are) a lot of times (when) a coach changes teams and his first two games are going to be against the team he just left.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres notes: Lindy Ruff facing his former team, players this week in Prague

'“The good thing for us is we’re going out several days before our NHL games, so we have opportunities to practice, look at how players are reacting and then adjust them, really, for those two games,” Gannon explained to The News. “That’s what it’s all about. If they’re going into the Munich game still carrying some jet lag, which they will be, that’s fine. We can keep … [Read more...] about How the Sabres’ strength, equipment staffs prepared for Europe and return home

'Czech hockey fans will be cheering for the Sabres when their season opens with their game against the Devils on Friday at 1 p.m. Eastern time. Not only are two players on Buffalo’s roster from Czechia, but the Sabres are beloved by a group of rowdy supporters who made the trip to Western New York last season.' … [Read more...] about Sabres touch down in Prague, shift focus to series-opening series against Devils

'You want your big-money guys to be leaders, and the Sabres have gone down that road. But while it is clear they forced the issue with Eichel when he was likely too young to handle it, it feels like they’ve hit the sweet spot with Dahlin.' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: It feels like this is a perfect time for Rasmus Dahlin to take role as Sabres captain

'“It was a very emotional moment for me. Honestly, I think I had thousands of emotions when they called my name,” Dahlin said Friday morning on a video call with Buffalo media from the team hotel in Munich. “To get to do it with this team and where we’re at, where I am in my career, what we are capable of and what we can do, just to be a part of that is special."' … [Read more...] about Rasmus Dahlin on being named Sabres captain: ‘It was a very emotional moment for me’

'“Probably his hunger for success,” Ruff said of what he’s learned about Dahlin as a person. “The fact that he wants this team to be a winner. He wants to be part of this team. I think sometimes it’s easy to say, ‘Well, I don’t want to be part of it anymore.’ He wants this group to be successful, and he wants to be the guy who helps lead.”' … [Read more...] about Rasmus Dahlin named captain of the Buffalo Sabres for 2024-25

'“I’m going to be hard on them again,” a smiling Appert said last week during a break in camp. “They know my goal is to make them elite NHL players and help us win.”' … [Read more...] about From Amerks boss to Sabres assistant, Seth Appert fosters trust and hard truths with players

'Friday’s game is a 2:30 p.m. Eastern time start (8:30 in Munich), and will be televised live on MSG in the Sabres’ home markets.' … [Read more...] about Sabres notebook: Main team opens practice in Germany, prospects prep for exhibition in Ottawa

'I’m told it is normal procedure for the teams in international games not to send their announcers. The same sources said the Devils aren’t expected to send their announcers to Czechia, either.' … [Read more...] about Dunleavy, Ray to call Sabres openers against the Devils in Prague from Buffalo

'“We’ve got to make sure we get something out of it every day,” said coach Lindy Ruff. “It’s great to be together because when you’re at home for a training camp, after the day’s done, you’re on your own and you go your own way. Now being together, we’re going to fly together, practice, we’ll be in the hotel together. Meals will be together. There’s a lot of really positive … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: It’s wheels up for Sabres as Buffalo camp ends and European journey begins

'However, it was the final exhibition game in North America for most, if not all, of the Sabres in the lineup. The 23 players projected to be on the opening-day roster, and as many as four others, will board a plane Tuesday night for Munich, where they'll continue their training camp and play a German pro team Friday night. The team will then head to Prague to begin … [Read more...] about Sabres takeaways: Lindy Ruff ‘loved the answer’ after ugly stretch in preseason win

'Alex Tuch, Jacob Bryson, Jiri Kulich and Lukas Rousek are not playing after skating Saturday in the win over the Penguins. The entire game day roster is McLeod, Zucker, Greenway, Gilbert, Clifton, Nicolas Aube-Kubel, Peyton Krebs, Dylan Cozens, Zach Benson, Jack Quinn, Sam Lafferty, Beck Malenstyn, Tage Thompson, Bowen Byram, Owen Power, Henri Jokiharju and Mattias … [Read more...] about Ryan McLeod set for Sabres preseason debut as Rasmus Dahlin continues to progress

'We start with the reality check: These were the Baby Penguins on the other side Saturday night, as the visitors from Pittsburgh left all of their star power home and fielded a lineup of mostly AHL players who are going to spend the season in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres explode in second, get Peterka hat trick in rout of Penguins

'McLeod, remember, played 105 games in a 2023-24 season that stretched for 9½ months – 81 in the regular season and 24 more in the playoffs. How has he looked so far? Not to worry. The speed has been there in practices. His role as the team’s No. 3 center is locked in ink and he feels ready to go.' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Short summer after long playoff run with Oilers doesn’t faze Sabres center Ryan McLeod

'“You’re always following somebody,” he said during one of multiple interviews with The Buffalo News. “I’ve walked in after somebody and they don’t always leave under the best of circumstances. I felt I was uniquely qualified for this opportunity, so it didn’t concern me at all.”' … [Read more...] about How 9-hour interview told Pete Guelli dual role with Bills, Sabres was ‘dream job’