Olean Times Herald

‘“His mode of operation and how he conducted himself and the investment he would make in himself every day gave him that self-confidence that (said), ‘Hey, I can do this,’” Schutte said.’

‘The same qualities that helped endear Adams to Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula impressed Gwozdecky and others around the Miami program more than 25 years ago.’

‘This is the eighth straight year the Sabres have a pick in the top eight.’

‘Crowe, a Kenmore native, spent the last three seasons as a pro scout with the Sabres. He joined them from the United States National Team Development Program, where he served as assistant director of player personnel and director of player personnel.’

‘The Sabres possess the lottery’s seventh-highest odds. In or around that spot – they grabbed center Dylan Cozens seventh overall last year – they should have an opportunity to draft a prospect who can fill their need, according to Marr.’

‘“Because there’s no hockey to play and because you don’t even have to worry about making those decisions, he’s got the benefit of time,” said TSN analyst Craig Button, who spent three years as the Calgary Flames’ GM in the early 2000s. “He has a massive benefit of time, and I think that that is another thing that probably influenced the Pegulas to put him in there.”’

‘“There’s no doubt in my mind it’s time,” LaFontaine said of Mogilny’s election.’

‘Yet I know full well, in buying the Bills and Sabres, the teams of which he was a lifelong fan, he felt he was doing absolutely the right thing for Western New York.’

‘“When we were in detailed discussions with Jason and how we felt we needed to move forward effectively, efficiently and economically running this franchise, we felt that there were too many differences of opinion going into the future that we just thought – since we had more time – it would be best for us to make this change,” Terry Pegula said.’

‘The Sabres drafted the 6-foot-1, 181-pound Laaksonen in the third round in 2017, 89th overall.’