Buffalo News

'Ruff’s influence has grown since his return in April 2024, and he’ll have a say on how the Sabres use the approximately $21.4 million available in salary-cap space for next season. Defensemen Mattias Samuelsson and Connor Clifton may be on the hot seat. Jack Quinn’s status may also be uncertain as Buffalo tries to snap a 14-year playoff drought. He will need to earn a spot in … [Read more...] about Which Sabres are staying? Who may be leaving? 5 players to watch this offseason

'In 2019, old friend Lindy Ruff wanted the Sabres job back six years after he was fired. But Botterill wasn’t interested. Instead, he was at the world championships in Slovakia getting sold a bill of goods by quick-talking Ralph Krueger. We’ll never know how Sabres history would have been different if Botterill and the Pegulas hadn’t succumbed to the charade of the worst coach … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: As his second chance comes in Seattle, reflections on Jason Botterill’s time as Sabres GM

'“I think ‘Kuli’ is an unbelievable player, and he’s going to be for a long time in this league, and I think the Sabre fans should be extremely excited about him and his game,” said Zucker. “I think the one thing that I think gets overlooked with him more than anything else is just, like, the matchups he had this year.' … [Read more...] about How can Sabres center Jiri Kulich improve in the playoffs with Rochester?

'Vernon will oversee ticketing and sponsorship operations for the Sabres, as well as the team’s business intelligence department. He spent the past 12 seasons with the Timberwolves and Lynx, most recently serving as chief sales officer. Vernon led all initiatives related to ticketing, membership service, premium sales, fan experience, group events and concession partnerships. … [Read more...] about Jake Vernon joins Sabres as CCO after 12 seasons with Minnesota Timberwolves

'His firing in Buffalo was an infamous moment in the history of the Sabres. A few weeks prior, Kim Pegula endorsed Botterill in an interview with The Associated Press. Behind the scenes, however, Kevyn Adams and the Pegulas were concocting a new plan for the Sabres' hockey operations. Botterill was fired after he refused to run the team in Terry Pegula's vision that the owner … [Read more...] about Former Sabres boss Jason Botterill named Seattle Kraken’s general manager

'Ruff and his players eventually bridged this disconnect, and the youngest team in the league began to embrace the habits that Ruff was pushing them to adopt. The Sabres finally showed their potential in the final weeks of the season by winning nine of their final 14 games. There’s optimism that the progress will lead to a productive training camp and a long-awaited … [Read more...] about Inside the Sabres’ disconnect between Lindy Ruff and his players – and how they worked together to fix it

'Adams reminded reporters that he has daily conversations with owner Terry Pegula about the direction of the franchise 14 years into an NHL-record playoff drought, but he wouldn’t say if they have discussed a question that’s loomed for the Sabres since they sank to last place in the Eastern Conference with a 13-game winless streak. Will Adams remain as general manager?' … [Read more...] about Kevyn Adams’ meeting with owner Terry Pegula will determine Sabres’ direction

'There’s no excuse for the Sabres’ failure to be there. Boston, the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh fell out of the way. Buffalo went 4-0 against Ottawa this year and still finished 15 points behind the Senators. Montreal was last in the East in early December while the Sabres were third in the Atlantic at Thanksgiving. Who’s playing and who’s sitting home?' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Kevyn Adams wants to keep learning from the playoffs, which is where the Sabres should be

'“I believe in the group,” said Dahlin. “I believe in the players we have. We have so much talent in that group. It’s such a young group, and I think you need experience to become a winning hockey team, and we haven’t had a lot of experience. … But now we’ve had a couple years now when the same team has been together, so I think it’s time now to take the next step.”' … [Read more...] about Rasmus Dahlin wants to see Sabres finally ‘take the next step’ after tumultuous season

'Speaking in his exit interview with reporters Saturday at KeyBank Center, Power said he avoided any major damage and has been told he should stay off the ice for about two months. Assuming he can skate again in late June, that means he should be fully ready to go for training camp in September.' … [Read more...] about Sabres defenseman Owen Power avoids knee surgery, will stay off ice 2 months

'“I think they manage the puck pretty good. They get it in behind you,” said Sabres coach Lindy Ruff. “There’s not a lot of risk when it comes to giving up big opportunities because of mismanaging the puck. That’s a quality of a lot of good teams.”' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: This could be the year the Maple Leafs put away the curse of 1967

'“I feel bad for even saying this, but it just didn’t seem like they really cared. So, if they really didn’t seem to care, why should I really care? Why should I be investing this money and paying for parking and paying for food?” said the East Amherst resident, who had season tickets with her husband, Brian, the past three years. “Why am I doing that? I felt like I cared more … [Read more...] about ‘I cared more than they did’: Fed-up Sabres fans drop season tickets amid playoff drought

'“The arena is decrepit,” Fiebelkorn said. “It feels like nobody does much of anything to maintain that place. Our rink is not that old, but it feels like it’s aged quickly.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres hope changes at arena win back fans, but US tariffs could scare off Canadians

'Clifton, remember, played in the Stanley Cup Final as a rookie in Boston in 2019 and was with the 65-win, 135-point Bruins of 2023 who were upset in overtime of Game 7 in the first round against Florida. He then came to Buffalo looking for ice time on an up-and-coming team, and has simply been part of Years 13 and 14 of this franchise’s hideous playoff drought.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Sabres’ blueliner Connor Clifton has lived both ends of wacky Atlantic Division

'"It’s obviously good relationships, and I’d love to be back here and be here for a while and help us take that next step to make the playoffs and do something special here," said McLeod. "Yeah, I love it here."' … [Read more...] about Sabres notes: Ryan McLeod wants to stay in Buffalo to ‘do something special here’