Buffalo News

'Girgensons’ relentless work ethic, selflessness and desire to win have been among the few constants for the Sabres during the franchise’s 11-year playoff drought. He’s had 172 different teammates, four general managers, six head coaches and 16 assistant coaches during his 10 seasons in the NHL.' … [Read more...] about A ‘blood-and-guts’ leader, Zemgus Girgensons using wisdom, will to help Sabres

'"It will be nice. I always like getting a good road trip in early. It can bring the guys together," Sabres captain Kyle Okposo said. "We'll have a couple of days in Vancouver there we can watch football on Sunday and just kind of hang out. But we're going out there to work. We're going out there to play some really good hockey teams, trying to compete first and foremost. But … [Read more...] about Go West, Sabres: Oilers pose major challenge in opener of rugged trip

'Alex Tuch was moved to the top line in practice with Jeff Skinner and Tage Thompson, a trio that finished together in Saturday's 4-3 loss to Florida. Victor Olofsson moved off that line to a group with Casey Mittelstadt and Rasmus Asplund. Dylan Cozens was centering JJ Peterka and Vinnie Hinostroza, who was a healthy scratch the first two games, while Zemgus Girgensons was … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Don Granato flips lines in practice but will it be that way in Edmonton?

'The Sabres are 0 for 8 in the first two games, one of five NHL teams yet to score with a man advantage. They had the third-fewest chances overall in the preseason, finishing just 2 for 18. In one of the home exhibitions, where the roster had many more prominent players, they were just 0 for 1. Buffalo's top power-play guys simply haven't had enough game-situation work at it.' … [Read more...] about Sabre two-game takeaways: Power play and top line struggle, Rasmus Dahlin and goalies shine

'Comrie showed no signs of uneasiness, though. He appeared confident and technically-sound in goal, stifling the Panthers enough times to keep the deficit within reach entering the third period of the Sabres’ second game. And though Comrie couldn’t help Buffalo earn a point in the 4-3 loss to the Panthers, he showed why he received a two-year contract from general manager Kevyn … [Read more...] about Observations: Eric Comrie stands tall, Sabres’ comeback falls short

'The 4-3 defeat at the hands of the Florida Panthers in KeyBank Center might look like any other loss in the standings, but don't be fooled. Coach Don Granato was so pumped after it, you felt like he wanted to run his team back out on the ice Sunday night against the same opponent.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Even in defeat, lots for Sabres to learn from tussle with pugnacious Panthers

'“We’re eager to show operators what’s possible for stadiums and football fans,” said R.J. Horsely, chief operating officer of SpotOn. “The fan experience is a key factor in attracting fans to stadiums, convincing them to spend more than $50 billion annually on their favorite teams and leagues, and developing a relationship that will carry a fan from their first game to … [Read more...] about Sabres, Bisons use technology to reduce long stadium food lines

'“I like to think of myself as a student of the game,” said Comrie, who, at 27, has been in goal for 28 career NHL games. “I like to think about the game, I watch the game of hockey. So, you watch different guys and you can kind of say, ‘OK, this is what this guy does well here. This is what Connor does well here, this is what (Craig Anderson) does well here.’”' … [Read more...] about Eric Comrie’s debut among Sabres storylines to watch entering Game 2

'This wasn’t a flawless performance by any stretch. We saw the miscues that are typical with early-season hockey and, as expected, young players endured some challenges while adjusting to the fast-paced, physical game against an intradivisional opponent. But the Sabres’ performance validated the increased expectations and fanfare around a club that hasn’t made the Stanley Cup … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres showcase their potential in season-opening win

'Buffalo got outshot, 16-9, in a sluggish first period but the Sabres found another gear – "elevating" is Granato's catch-phrase for it – and poured 27 shots on the Ottawa net in the final 40 minutes. They had 15 of those in the second period, when they outskated the visitors plenty, killed off a 5-on-3 and got goals from JJ Peterka and Rasmus Dahlin to take their first lead of … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Sabres overcome the jitters and find stride in entertaining opener

'“What an effort,” coach Don Granato said of Anderson. “It’s amazing to think he’s 41 and this is a young man’s sport. In this sport, you’re in your prime in your mid-20s so anything after that is perseverance. Tremendous job because we don’t win that game without him holding things down at really key moments.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres goalie Craig Anderson sharp in winning eighth career opening-night start

'Now comes the first game of the new season. Tage Thompson and Mattias Samuelsson have fat new contracts, with extensions that start next season and pay them as core members of the team. Adams has an extension and, on the eve of the opener Wednesday, Granato got a richly-deserved one, as well. Game on, boys.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Yes, it’s just the season opener. But with Ottawa in town, this is a big one for the Sabres

'There’s risk involved in any contract but particularly those given to athletes with shorter track records of success, like the seven-year, $50 million deal the club gave Tage Thompson in August following his breakout 38-goal season while playing center in the NHL for the first time. The Sabres weighed past performance when preparing offers for both players, but the final … [Read more...] about Analyzing the Sabres’ 7-year ‘investment’ in defenseman Mattias Samuelsson

'More prospects will arrive in Rochester and important veterans are back, including West Seneca native Sean Malone. Some of the bigger names in the Sabres’ burgeoning prospect pipeline, including Matt Savoie, are playing elsewhere this season, but the Amerks’ roster again is filled with young, intriguing talent that wants to make it to Buffalo.' … [Read more...] about Sabres have another group of prospects learning in Rochester

'Crozier left the Sabres in 1974 after the team failed to make the playoffs, coaching the Vancouver Blazers of the World Hockey Association. He returned to Buffalo 10 years later to serve as an assistant coach under Scotty Bowman during the 1984-85 season. When Bowman was fired in 1986, Crozier left coaching and worked in scouting and then as a team ambassador in alumni … [Read more...] about Joe Crozier, Sabres coach who formed French Connection and took team to first playoff berth, dies at 93