Buffalo News

'Kekalainen, who is from Finland, became the first European-born general manager in NHL history when he was hired by the Blue Jackets in 2013 and led the team to its four highest point totals in franchise history and five of its six playoff appearances during an 11-year run. Included was a stunning 2019 first-round sweep of the Tampa Bay Lightning, who had rolled through the … [Read more...] about Sabres hire former Columbus GM Jarmo Kekalainen as senior advisor

'But Laval eliminated the Buffalo Sabres’ top affiliate with Sunday’s 5-0 victory in Game 5 of the North Division finals. The Amerks had legitimate hopes to grab their first Calder Cup since 1996, as evidenced by their 92-point season that put them tied for fifth in the 32-team league., before finally succumbing to the waves of pressure from the AHL’s top team.' … [Read more...] about Takeaways: There were lots of positives to glean from Amerks’ big season

'“I’m super grateful for this year, and I’m excited for next year,” Levi said Tuesday on a video call during Amerks breakup day in Blue Cross Arena. “I feel like I’m ready to play in the NHL, but, obviously, it’s out of my control, and I leave that up to the people in charge, people paid to make that decision. It takes time as a goalie. ... All I can focus on is being the best … [Read more...] about After a big year in Rochester net, Devon Levi hopes his NHL shot is coming

'Shanahan is a Stanley Cup winner, a Hall of Fame player, has worked in the league office as the discipline czar and has been at the front door of the Leafs’ rebirth under Marner and Auston Matthews. There have obviously been missteps along the way but you can’t question the Leafs’ regular-season success.' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: If Sabres are seeking a new voice, Brendan Shanahan would be a good call

'Another loss will mean big changes to the roster and perhaps one big change in the executive suite. With general manager Brad Treliving in his second year and coach Craig Berube in his first season, neither one of them are going anywhere. The same may not be true of president Brendan Shanahan, who has been in his post since 2014 and will get the bulk of the ire with another … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Leafs flipped the script in Florida but can this group ever win a Game 7?

'Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson notched a hat trick Wednesday, capped by the game-winning goal on a power play in overtime, as Team USA blew a big lead but pulled out a 6-5 win over Norway at the IIHF World Championships in Herning, Denmark.' … [Read more...] about Tage Thompson’s hat trick goal in OT averts Team USA collapse vs. Norway

'Levi hasn’t treated the Rochester Americans as a pit stop on the way to a career in Buffalo, even though he was one of the rare goalie prospects to jump immediately from a record-setting NCAA career to the NHL. He endeared himself to Amerks teammates with an authenticity and humility that aren’t always present in young, talented athletes who have performed under a spotlight … [Read more...] about Sabres prospect Devon Levi relishing playoff run with Rochester Americans

'Lots of ex-Sabres, including the departed Kyle Okposo and Brandon Montour, have gotten their postseason chance in Florida. Talking last week in Toronto to former Buffalo forward Evan Rodrigues, who also has played in Colorado and Pittsburgh, he peeled back the curtain on the Panthers’ day-to-day approach.' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: A look at ex-Sabres around the playoffs

'The Sabres' strength and conditioning program became a talking point during the second half of the season, with coach Lindy Ruff openly questioning the conditioning of his players following a January loss in Seattle.' … [Read more...] about Sabres name USA Hockey’s Brian Galivan as director of performance

'“As I looked for ways to enhance our existing staff, I wanted to add somebody to our group that has a fresh perspective and the direct experience of winning at all levels of hockey,” Adams said in a news release. “Eric was one of the first people I thought of when I originally became general manager, so it is fitting that he is the first addition to our organization this … [Read more...] about Why the Sabres hired former player Eric Staal as special assistant to the GM

'Just in the Eastern Conference, this is a pretty common model. Ex-players working in a similar special assistant role include Roberto Luongo (Florida), Shane Doan (Toronto), Vincent Lecavalier (Montreal), Justin Williams (Carolina), John LeClair and Patrick Sharp (Philadelphia) and Jason Spezza (Pittsburgh). Spezza, in particular, seems to be in line for a long front-office … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Eric Staal’s hiring is a good step, but Sabres have lots more to do

'It is the 11th time in 13 years that Buffalo has owned a top 10 draft pick. Previously, the Sabres selected Rasmus Ristolainen (2013), Sam Reinhart (2014), Jack Eichel (2015), Alex Nylander (2016), Casey Mittelstadt (2017), Rasmus Dahlin (2018), Dylan Cozens (2019), Jack Quinn (2020), Owen Power (2021) and Matt Savoie (2022).' … [Read more...] about Sabres own the ninth pick in a draft filled with talented forwards

'The grinding Panthers and the wondrously talented Leafs are the two remaining Atlantic teams, and Buffalo’s record against them this season was a combined 1-5-1. And the lone win, an October matinee against Florida, came with a big asterisk: The Panthers were without forwards Matthew Tkachuk (illness) and injured captain Aleksander Barkov, and played then-backup Spencer Knight … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Sabres need to learn from consistency of Atlantic’s elite finalists

'The Sabres aren’t going to bring Helenius to the NHL anytime soon. It was a surprise that he didn’t play another season in Finland’s top pro league, Liiga. He’s a talented prospect who has the potential to become a reliable, two-way, middle-six center. Helenius had 14 goals with 35 points in 65 regular-season games as the youngest player in the American Hockey League.' … [Read more...] about Sabres prospects to watch in the Rochester Americans’ next playoff round

'The Sabres have failed to give Power a steady, veteran right-handed defense partner who can mentor and complement the 2021 No. 1 draft pick. Adams acknowledged the misstep during his end-of-season news conference with Lindy Ruff and revealed that Power downplayed the importance of such a player.' … [Read more...] about Lance Lysowski: Sabres must finally find the right partner for Owen Power