WGR

‘”I think it’s going to take about another week,” Butcher’s player agent Steve Bartlett said with Andrew Peters and Craig Rivet on The Instigators on Tuesday. “We started out with a very broad number of teams that had called and expressed interest, we went to a process of phone interviews, and then we started to work it down to a manageable number that he thought offered what he was looking for. He’s going to take this week to follow up with some of those teams, and ultimately make, what would be, a very difficult decision choice for him.”‘

‘One thing the team continues to produce is a family friendly environment for the fans. This year, the Sabres have added the new Blue Cross Kids Zone in the 100 level that will offer fun activities for the younger Sabres fans. The team is also offering family packs for 10 games this season with specially priced kids tickets five games.’

‘”I put in a lot of work this summer on and off the ice. Really focused on shooting, needed to get better at that.”‘

‘Eichel is not going to earn as much as McDavid got in his new deal unless he holds off on signing until next offseason and puts up a similar year of production that McDavid did in 2016-17. Plus, he will probably have to lead the Sabres to the playoffs along with beating out McDavid in scoring and win the Hart Trophy. That won’t be an easy feat to accomplish.’

‘That gives the Sabres just over $7.2 million of cap space left.’

‘The Box Office prices are the same as last year, but Mini-Packs have been reduced depending on the tier.’

‘While Butcher may be a bit undersized at 5′ 10″ and 190-pounds, he is a smooth skating, mobile, left-handed defenseman with an offensive upside to his game. With the Sabres, Butcher would likely start in the American Hockey League with the Rochester Americans with the hopes that he develops into a NHL-ready defenseman.’

‘Eichel has one year left on his entry-level deal, where he would become a restricted free agent without an extension. Connor McDavid recently signed an extension worth $100 million over eight years. The next highest paid players are Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and Carey Price who carry a $10.5 million cap hit.’

‘Komisarek now joins former NHLers Krys Barch and Adam Mair on the Sabres’ player development staff, along with goalie development coach Seamus Kotyk.’

‘Jason Botterill traded a 3rd round pick for Beaulieu on June 17th in Botterill’s first trade as a general manager. Beaulieu was the 17th overall pick by Montreal in 2011. In 74 games last season, he had 4 goals and 24 assists.’