Buffalo News

'Somebody who can bring our union together and bring our sport together, along with the NHL. It's going to be a collaborative effort to bring this game – I think this game has so much potential to go in a different stratosphere than it is now. We wanted somebody who had experiences leading unions, working with both sides, working with businessmen, working with people. That … [Read more...] about Q&A: Sabres captain Kyle Okposo on NHLPA’s search for new executive director

'Wieland's greatest coup, though, was helping the Sabres draft a player who didn't exist. Wieland, former Sabres coach George "Punch" Imlach and the team's scouting director created a fictional player – named Taro Tsujimoto – they said was based in Japan.' … [Read more...] about Paul Wieland recalled as merry Sabres prankster whose hijinks made sports fun

'“We finally decided to shoot a puck and we did not through two periods,” said Granato. “We made a lot of work for ourselves because we were unwilling to shoot a puck. We wanted to make a pretty play or a perfect play instead of just simple and hard. Upie had to keep us in there for two periods, but I give our guys a lot of credit. They did what they needed to in the third.”' … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres gain ground in playoff chase by solving Sharks in 4-2 win

'Wieland was a newspaper reporter – including a stint in the late 1960s at this very publication – before taking a job at General Motors in New York City. It was ex-journalism colleague Dick Johnston, who became a Hall of Fame reporter for The News covering the first 15 years of the Sabres, who reached out to Wieland and urged him to apply for the position to come back as lead … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Raise your sticks to the late Paul Wieland, PR head and funny man of Aud-era Sabres

'“I think seeing Hasek in the Czech jersey I designed, and then winning it all, that's still the best,” Bodamer, now 52 said with pride. “That's the best. Don't get me wrong. I loved seeing the Golden Knights come out, seeing the Sabres coming out in the 50th and all that. But that moment in time for me, at my age, where I was in my career, my favorite player of all time from … [Read more...] about Eric Bodamer’s journey from Sabres fan to designing his hometown team’s jerseys

'“I think last year was probably the hard one for me, just getting hurt,” he said. “I feel like I had so much momentum from the year before, and to miss a lot of time, I think, more than anything, you just miss games. You play and learn and get better. I do think maybe a little bit at the beginning of the year, towards now, I look back, I feel like ... I'm going to so many … [Read more...] about Casey Mittelstadt proving to be a ‘really underrated’ part of Sabres’ success

'“I really like the Sabres, and I really like Buffalo,” Johnson explained. “It's crazy that this year is going really fast. Just gonna have to wait and see, too. And obviously, just focus where I am right now. That opportunity will be great when it comes. I think Buffalo, they do have great opportunities, and it's an excellent place to play. So, I don't think that will be a … [Read more...] about Sabres, Ryan Johnson plan to discuss future when college season ends

'“I’m sure everyone would say it, we kinda needed that one,” said Casey Mittelstadt, one of seven Sabres to finish with multiple points against the Ducks.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres back to ‘feeling’ like themselves, pull away for 7-3 win

'“We've still got a lot of games,” said center Tage Thompson. “It's a big push here, obviously. Every game counts, and we need points, but I think when you hold on to losses and you let them kind of dictate how you're gonna play in the future, that's not something you want. And I think we’ve got a good opportunity to respond tomorrow and the rest of this road trip. So, it's … [Read more...] about Sabres notebook: Another practice with line changes, power-play work

'One mistake snowballed into a four-goal second period for the Kings. Special teams were again an issue for the Sabres. A turnover on the man advantage led to a shorthanded goal, and they couldn’t stop Los Angeles on two of its three power-play opportunities.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Special-teams woes continue for Sabres in fourth straight loss

'No one involved with the Sabres expected Peterka and fellow rookie winger Jack Quinn to have a seamless transition to the NHL. Both have made remarkable plays, but they’ve endured through some difficult games. Granato has sat one of the two at times throughout the season to alleviate pressure and provide a different development opportunity. The strategy has helped both as they … [Read more...] about JJ Peterka, Jack Quinn continue to ‘learn on the fly’ as rookies with the Sabres

'The drought will reach 12. The Sabres will finish with their most standings points since 2011-12 when they had 89, but it won’t be enough in a tight Eastern Conference that’s filled with playoff-hardened, veteran teams. Contenders like the Islanders are paying massive prices to win now. Adams isn’t ready to do the same. Additionally, Buffalo has one of the most difficult … [Read more...] about Sabres roundtable: Playoffs? Deadline move? MVP of second half? Dahlin’s contract

'“The issue that we had (Saturday), it's not going to be solved with strategy,” said Granato. “It's going to be solved with work ethic and that was the message before practice, that we were going to have probably our hardest practice of the year. It was right up there with it.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres notebook: Don Granato pushes players through ‘hardest’ practice of season

'The Sabres gave up four goals in the second period, with three of them coming in the early going in a span of 1 minute, 47 seconds. The tiebreaking goal came from Calgary defenseman and St. Joe's product Dennis Gilbert, who blasted a slapshot from the left wing through Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen at 4:04 for the second goal of his NHL career and first as a Flame.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres melt down in 7-2 loss to Flames as WNYer Dennis Gilbert gets game-winning goal

'Entering Sunday's play, the Sabres have 31 games left. There are 17 on the road and 17 remaining against teams in a playoff position at the start of Saturday. Buffalo, Washington and the New York Islanders all still have their California trip to play, with the Sabres opening theirs Monday in Los Angeles. Pittsburgh is on its sojourn now, wrapping it up Tuesday in San Jose.' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: The remaining schedules tell a tall tale for Sabres’ playoff push