Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

'“First off, we know Charles Barkley speaks a ton of garbage,’’ said Eichel, not swayed by Barkley’s professed love of hockey. “For someone to say athletes aren’t role models is a pretty ridiculous statement. Anyone can be a role model, whether it’s parents, someone in the community, athletes who play professionally you look up to, or it’s an athlete that’s on your team. … I do … [Read more...] about Take that, Charles Barkley! Bills’ Williams and Sabres’ Eichel don’t shy from being role models

'Mittelstadt, 6-0, 201 pounds, was ranked the No. 3 overall player among North American skaters by the NHL’s Central Scouting. Six of the top 10 ranked North American skaters and seven of the top 10 internationally ranked skaters were available to the Sabres when their pick came up.' … [Read more...] about Sabres select center Casey Mittelstadt, Minnesota high school’s ‘Mr. Hockey’

'“I’ll do whatever it takes,’’ Eichel said. “To be honest, I want to be the best, and he’s the best right now, so I got to be better than him.’’' … [Read more...] about Eichel gives McDavid his props but makes it clear he’s gunning for his MVP title

'Those photos of Eichel and Williams are just about guaranteed to be placed next to Greif's jersey with autographs from the Rochester Rhinos, Rochester's professional soccer team.' … [Read more...] about Kyle Williams and Jack Eichel visit Golisano Children’s Hospital before AGR awards

'Botterill, with Housley's input, will name the Rochester Americans coach after interviewing candidates at the NHL Draft next week in Chicago.' … [Read more...] about Sabres name former defenseman, Hockey Hall of Famer, Phil Housley as coach

'Teams can protect only one netminder from being selected by the Las Vegas Golden Knights and the Sabres will surely protect Robin Lehner, their No. 1 goalie, who is also scheduled to be a restricted free agent. Each team’s list of protected players (seven forwards, three defensemen, one goaltender or eight skaters regardless of position and one goalie) must be submitted by … [Read more...] about Amerks MVP Ullmark gets contract extension with Sabres

'You’re more likely to see a Zamboni fly than to witness a sitting GM of another team welcomed back into the fold like this. But it speaks volumes as to how much Botterill is respected by the Penguins and how much his work over 10 seasons was appreciated.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Botterill deserved chance to be Penguin for one more day

'The resumes of Botterill and Beane are interchangeable, two men who worked their way up the sports business food chain starting as coffee-fetching interns. Where many traditional GMs travel the hard-scrabble road of scouting, Botterill and Beane came up in the world of contract negotiations, salary cap management, budgets and logistics, all the office stuff scouts can’t stand … [Read more...] about Terry Pegula’s new Bills/Sabres GMs said the right word: ‘Collaborate’

'“I think it’s a great hire,'' said Rory Fitzpatrick, a teammate of Botterill's with the Sabres and Amerks. "Obviously, from a player’s perspective he was a hard-working, respected team guy and very smart. From a management side, he’s put the time in and helped build one of best franchises in the NHL, so I think it’s a really good hire."' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres select ex-Rochester Amerk Jason Botterill as new GM

'Murray said himself he was left to do his own thing by Pegula while Bylsma was pretty much left to do his own thing by Murray. How is that possible? But then, structure and communication faults also hastened Ryan’s dismissal with the Bills.' … [Read more...] about Pegula’s mantra to fix Buffalo Sabres inspiring but not convincing

'“It’s a business, pro sports, I’ve been around and I know how it works,’’ said Gionta, who spoke Thursday night at the Rochester Press-Radio dinner where he received the prestigious Major Don Holleder Award. “But my views haven’t changed. I’d love to see this through. I think there is potential with the team and I’d love to be part of that, but at end of the day it’s on the … [Read more...] about Sabres captain Brian Gionta ‘shocked’ by housecleaning

'Lambert, 47, can’t be eliminated as a candidate to return to the Amerks as coach but it’s not likely.' … [Read more...] about Amerks coach Dan Lambert a likely casualty of Sabres shakeup

'The owners expect to discuss more about their decision Friday morning. The Pegula family also owns the Sabres' American Hockey League affiliate, the Rochester Americans.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres fire GM Tim Murray and coach Dan Bylsma

'As the “savior" of the franchise who undercut his coach, threw teammates under the bus and pouted before the media after missing a $2 million bonus by the smallest of percentage points for not finishing in the Top 10 of points-per-game scoring in the NHL, Eichel has only one way to live this down: deliver a Stanley Cup to the starving hockey masses of western New York.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres’ Jack Eichel has nowhere to hide after housecleaning

'“He’s going to put in the work, I truly believe that,’’ Amerks coach Dan Lambert said. “He’s a wonderful young man who wants to be an NHLer and who has the skills and ability. There are a few things he needs to do, and certainly strength is one, and his compete level — his willingness to play north. But those are things he did learn this season and got better at.’’' … [Read more...] about Sabres give Alex Nylander summer homework: Get stronger