Buffalo News

'That said, what was the owner thinking with a contract extension to a coach coming off a 75-point season? Would love to ask him someday if he ever speaks to the media again. The only head coaches with their club longer than Granato are Tampa Bay’s Jon Cooper, Pittsburgh’s Mike Sullivan, Colorado’s Jared Bednar, Carolina’s Rod Brind’Amour and Toronto’s Sheldon Keefe. I count … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: There’s plenty still to be decided as season finally hits April

'"When he’s feeling it like that, I mean, he’s one of the best players in the world," Sabres winger Alex Tuch said of Thompson. "I feel like he’s dominant out there and he just takes over games and when you’re playing with a guy like that, I’m just trying to create as much room and space and get him the puck as much as possible."' … [Read more...] about Observations: Tage Thompson, Devon Levi spark Sabres in comeback win

'“You do feel like a rookie – it’s wild,” he said, adding that his 1,048 regular-season games are the most on the Florida roster. “You know everybody in the building, you know everybody’s name, you know what makes people tick, the dynamics of the team and coaching staff and you can be a little bit comfortable. That first week here, I didn’t have any of that. I was kind of like, … [Read more...] about Ryan O’Halloran: For Kyle Okposo, a time of adjustment post-trade, anticipation pre-playoffs

'“I think in Rochester, there’s a big focus on development,” said Levi, who posted a .927 save percentage in 19 games with the Amerks. “I think that’s the reason I was there. [Sabres coach Don Granato] and [Sabres General Manager Kevyn Adams] let me know we’re using this as a resource for you to get better and to get games. So that’s what I treated it as, as a resource to … [Read more...] about Sabres notebook: Devon Levi in line to get another start to begin back-to-back

'Don Granato is armed with a contract extension that hasn't started. Doesn't even kick in until next season. The owner loves him. General Manager Kevyn Adams loves him. The players say they love him, but they have a funny way of showing it. But there's no way this franchise can move on with Granato next season.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Disgraceful first period showing many of Sabres’ warts should be end for Don Granato

'“He’s given us a chance to win every single night,” Thunderbirds coach Matt O’Dette said. “Arguably, our most valuable player this season. With a younger team, he’s seeing more shots than he normally would, more higher quality chances against, and he’s been up to the task each and every night. He’s done what we’ve asked of him, and you can just see him and his entire game take … [Read more...] about Sabres goalie prospect Scott Ratzlaff took a ‘big step’ through ups and downs in WHL

'This current 5-1 stretch has shown some real swagger against good opponents too: Shootout wins over Carolina and Edmonton, the 7-2 pounding of Las Vegas and 7-3 destruction of Detroit, and the 4-0 blanking of the New York Islanders. The only loss was the 5-2 defeat on a back-to-back against Winnipeg – when the Sabres had a 2-1 lead with 10 minutes to go.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Home is where Sabres’ last hopes lie and they have some sudden swagger here

'“It was just to try to keep getting better and staying engaged in the game,” Quinn said of the lessons from that rehab period. “Never kind of losing it from my brain and watching hockey and stuff like that. I felt like when I came back, there was a little bit of stuff with the timing. But other than that, I was mentally right in.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Jack Quinn returns to practice more than two months after injury

'“That was a grind of a game,” said Thompson, who, along with Connor Clifton, scored with Flames goalie Dustin Wolf pulled for an extra attacker. “They play hard and for us, obviously, we had a game in Edmonton where we were going into the third tied and kind of let that one slip away and get away from us. In a similar situation tonight, it was a good opportunity for us to … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres lean on lessons from brutal loss to wrap trip with 4-1 win

'“Disappointed, to be honest,” Girgensons told The News following practice Saturday in Edmonton. “We came in with higher expectations, then we went downhill, then we kind of got back on the horse a little bit. It’s disappointing because of all the skill that we have and the team that we can be. Definitely disappointed we’re not higher in the standings.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres notes: Zemgus Girgensons open to possibility of returning next season

'“Even this year was more challenging, coming into training camp and kind of starting where we left off,” Luukkonen told The Buffalo News. “It was kind of like, ‘OK, I don’t know which way we’re going here.’ I appreciate the trust the whole organization has had in me. But the start of this year, mentally, was a tough place to be at, because you really didn’t know which way … [Read more...] about Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s circuitous path from top prospect to Sabres’ No.1 goalie

'The Sabres (33-33-5) have lost three of their last four games on the road trip, which concludes Sunday in Calgary. They're falling behind in the Eastern Conference playoff race, now trailing the Detroit Red Wings by five points in the Eastern Conference.' … [Read more...] about JJ Peterka produces on new-look top line before Sabres fall apart in 8-3 loss

'Byram has three goals and five points in seven games. He’s averaging 24:09 of ice time, second on the team behind Dahlin during that span, and only two Sabres have skated on the power play more than Byram. While Byram was averaging 19:51 with the Avalanche before the trade, he wasn’t getting the opportunity that he has in Buffalo. He’s on a defense pair with Rasmus Dahlin, and … [Read more...] about Bowen Byram relishing opportunity with Sabres: ‘It’s definitely a breath of fresh air’

'The Sabres are also undertaking renovations to the KeyBank Center but more will be necessary in the coming years. The team will eventually need to address the seating bowl and building structure in the 28-year-old arena owned by Erie County but run by the Sabres.' … [Read more...] about New Bills and Sabres COO Pete Guelli has plenty on his to-do list

'The game would have been out of reach if it weren’t for Dahlin. The Sabres had only 10 shots on goal through two periods and trailed 2-0 in the third when Dahlin collected a pass from Owen Power, skated down the slot, then stickhandled around a Canucks defenseman before he sent a backhand shot on net to beat goalie Casey DeSmith with 10:22 left in regulation.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Rasmus Dahlin drags Sabres into the fight but comeback falls short