Buffalo News

'“We were not sharp," said Sabres coach Don Granato. "I felt that – we definitely feel we could have competed and worked harder. … Again, not taking enough shots or a shot mentality. So, lots of issues will transpire when you don’t have an elevated compete level.”' … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres unable to complete comeback in 5-3 loss to last-place Blue Jackets

'But the numbers are confounding: The Sabres are 12-16-2 at home, and only Philadelphia (11-15-3) is worse in the East. Buffalo is 19-8-2 on the road, and only Boston and New Jersey have more wins in the league.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Once again, it feels like any place but home for the Sabres

'“When I watch him, I see that he wants to play more aggressive,” Granato said of the 24-year-old. “He has that in him. So, running through just edits the last little bit, there's a lot of intriguing things. I think it's, in fairness to him, we play a very aggressive style and it's going to probably take him a little bit to adjust to that or (readjust) to it. …"' … [Read more...] about Sabres notebook: Don Granato sees ‘intriguing’ potential in Riley Stillman

'Stillman won't be a rental for the Sabres. He's under contract through next season with a cap hit of $1.35 million per season. Stillman, a fourth-round draft pick in 2016, stepped into a bigger role for the Canucks after Rick Tocchet was hired as their head coach in late January.' … [Read more...] about Sabres acquire defenseman Riley Stillman from Vancouver for prospect Josh Bloom

'More talent is needed. The Sabres just lost Bloom. They have yet to sign three of their prospects in Russia, including second-rounder Prokhor Poltapov. This organization has only one defense prospect close to playing pro hockey: Ryan Johnson, who’s not certain to sign with Buffalo after his senior season at the University of Minnesota.' … [Read more...] about Sabres trade deadline primer: How GM Kevyn Adams can add to his contending roster

'"It's going to be kind of a mix of different prices. So there will still be very accessible seats that will go up not very much at all," John Roth, the team's new chief operating officer, told The Buffalo News. "We're doing it partly because our costs are going up, just like everyone else is facing. You know how utility prices have been, gas prices, electric prices. We use … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres season tickets to rise an average of 9% for the 2023-24 season

'"I think what it says is, psychologically, that doesn’t affect them," said coach Don Granato. "They’re competitive people. They believe in their own ability and their ability to rise and we’re gonna need guys to rise when players are absent, specifically the caliber of Tuch and Dahlin. We know those guys are incredible hockey players, but it doesn’t say a lot if you’re worried … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres flex their scoring depth with Dylan Cozens’ hat trick in win

'Still, while it's a novel thing that the Sabres are actually in a position to be buyers instead of sellers or even tankers, let's not get crazy here. Adams isn't mortgaging the organization yet. You do that when you might be a Stanley Cup team, not a team trying to sneak into a second wild card to get rid of an organizational piano on the shoulders.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. So what does Sabres GM Kevyn Adams do this week?

'Anderson's outburst against the Panthers suddenly gives him 70 saves on 72 shots the last two games. With 25 games to go, it begs the question of how many starts will be too many for him during the playoff push.' … [Read more...] about Craig Anderson suddenly jumps to the top of Sabres’ three-headed goalie, but how much can he play?

'Tuch is believed to be battling a lower-body injury as he did not play the final 7 1/2 minutes of Friday's 3-1 win at Florida, although he did not leave the bench during that period.' … [Read more...] about Sabres place Alex Tuch on injured reserve; top-line winger’s status is uncertain

'He inherits an organization that appears to be turning a corner on the ice but still lingers near the bottom of the NHL in attendance. In addition, the Sabres appear to be in line for a major renovation of KeyBank Center, a 27-year-old arena that has become dated in many areas compared to its counterparts. PSE as well as state and local government officials likely can move … [Read more...] about New Buffalo Sabres COO John Roth knows there’s lots of work to be done on the franchise’s business side

'"Outstanding," said coach Don Granato. "He makes it look easy, reads plays read shooters, obviously he knows how we play and knows the pre-scout, how they're going to play and what's going to come at him. And you can see the calm as a result."' … [Read more...] about Observations: Craig Anderson shuts down Panthers, Sabres grab a playoff position with 25 games to go

'"Kyle is good and that is really good news because obviously it was not a nice hit, not a good hit," Granato said prior to Friday's game. "It was absolutely justified. People saw my reaction on the bench last night. The league handled that stuff."' … [Read more...] about Tampa Bay’s Erik Cernak gets two-game suspension for elbow on Sabres captain Kyle Okposo

'"I just see a straight line (of open ice). Just go as fast as possible," said a smiling Lybushkin. "I had a little bit of time but not a lot and I just tried to shoot the puck. I feel nice for my team. It's more important than for me. We try to push for the playoffs right now and it's so important for us."' … [Read more...] about Observations: In OT thriller, Sabres get the final answer over Lightning on Ilya Lyubushkin’s goal

'Still, facts need to be faced. The 6-3 beatdown the Sabres endured was the most embarrassing performance they have had under Don Granato since he took over as interim coach and dealt with the tail end of an 18-game losing streak in 2021.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Daunting Florida trip is next as Sabres try to emerge from February funk