Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
When Connor McDavid came to the First Niagara Center on Thursday, fans and media had a sparkle in their eye.
McDavid and Jack Eichel sit atop a very strong 2015 NHL draft class and the Buffalo Sabres may have a shot at landing one of them (or in certain scenarios, both.)
The Sabres and the OHL's Erie Otters were holding a joint press conference to announce a game on October 22 featuring the Otters vs. the Niagara Ice Dogs at the FNC. Sabres President Ted Black and Sherry Bassin, general manager and managing partner of the Otters, made all the official proclamations, but McDavid was clearly the star of the show.
Showing posts with label 2014 off season. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2014 off season. Show all posts
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Report: Buffalo to host next two Draft Combines
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
When new Sabres owner Terry Pegula was making the trek from the First Niagara Center to the Buffalo News building back in February, 2011, he was walking past years, nay decades, of neglect in downtown Buffalo.
The News building itself had seen better days. The one-time bastion of journalism looked old and worn even before the revitalization of downtown really started to take shape.
With Canalside rockin' and the Courtyard by Marriott shining bright, one would think the owner of the Buffalo News, might join the renaissance and have it's jewel of Queen City journalism leveled for a newer building.
Pegula fulfilled his mission that day which was to call off the dogs. He just purchased a mediocre team and he wanted to give his charges an opportunity to see what they had without financial restraints.
It was a disaster.
When new Sabres owner Terry Pegula was making the trek from the First Niagara Center to the Buffalo News building back in February, 2011, he was walking past years, nay decades, of neglect in downtown Buffalo.
The News building itself had seen better days. The one-time bastion of journalism looked old and worn even before the revitalization of downtown really started to take shape.
With Canalside rockin' and the Courtyard by Marriott shining bright, one would think the owner of the Buffalo News, might join the renaissance and have it's jewel of Queen City journalism leveled for a newer building.
Pegula fulfilled his mission that day which was to call off the dogs. He just purchased a mediocre team and he wanted to give his charges an opportunity to see what they had without financial restraints.
It was a disaster.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Four questions after reading the NHL.com Sabres preview
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
It's hard not to like the NHL's 30-in-30 series as they spend the slowest month in hockey chronicling one team every day.
The dog days of hockey are in August, and writers for NHL.com have given Sabres fans something to chew on today.
I love what they do. Love how they do it. And appreciate the depth of the articles.
However, while going through all the pieces I was left either curious or confounded in some places. Not that it's any life-altering big deal, but I did come up with a few questions after taking it all in.
It's hard not to like the NHL's 30-in-30 series as they spend the slowest month in hockey chronicling one team every day.
The dog days of hockey are in August, and writers for NHL.com have given Sabres fans something to chew on today.
I love what they do. Love how they do it. And appreciate the depth of the articles.
However, while going through all the pieces I was left either curious or confounded in some places. Not that it's any life-altering big deal, but I did come up with a few questions after taking it all in.
Friday, August 15, 2014
Bryan Trottier's bringing a "tried and true" championship philosophy to Buffalo
Reprinted with permission form hockeybuzz.com
With the Buffalo Sabres rebuild now fully engaged in the "build" aspect of the equation, player development is at the fore, and newly named assistant head coach Bryan Trottier will be the focal point at the NHL level.
The seven-time Stanley Cup winner with 1425 points in 1279 NHL games was on WGR' Hockey Hotline yesterday introducing himself to the Buffalo listening audience.
Although I'm sure there's a smile every time he talks about his incredible playing career "at the same time," he said, "the present and future are more important to be talking about right now."
That "present" would be bringing the knowledge of over 40 years in the game of hockey--as a player, in the front office and on the bench--to a large group of young players that constitute the Buffalo Sabres future.
Said Trottier, who fondly remembers his days as a young player full of vim and vigor, "There's a lot of knowledge I want to share with young hockey players. It's a fun time in [their] life, they're playing a game that they absolutely love to death."
With the Buffalo Sabres rebuild now fully engaged in the "build" aspect of the equation, player development is at the fore, and newly named assistant head coach Bryan Trottier will be the focal point at the NHL level.
The seven-time Stanley Cup winner with 1425 points in 1279 NHL games was on WGR' Hockey Hotline yesterday introducing himself to the Buffalo listening audience.
Although I'm sure there's a smile every time he talks about his incredible playing career "at the same time," he said, "the present and future are more important to be talking about right now."
That "present" would be bringing the knowledge of over 40 years in the game of hockey--as a player, in the front office and on the bench--to a large group of young players that constitute the Buffalo Sabres future.
Said Trottier, who fondly remembers his days as a young player full of vim and vigor, "There's a lot of knowledge I want to share with young hockey players. It's a fun time in [their] life, they're playing a game that they absolutely love to death."
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
The 2012 and 2013 draft classes are looking pretty solid
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
For the past two drafts the Buffalo Sabres have been laying a pretty good foundation for the future.
The 2012 draft was a good haul as six of the eight players drafted that year are signed with the club.
Twenty year old Zemgus Girgensons will be heading into his second NHL season and fellow first-rounder Mikhail Grigorenko will be in his third season with the club. After bouncing around, Grigorenko will be settled in to Rochester to continue his development.
Three other 2012 draftees--D, Jake McCabe (44th overall,) F, Justin Kea (73rd) and D, Brady Austin (193rd)--will begin in Rochester this season having signed their entry-level contracts.
Goalie Linus Ullmark (163rd) is on a sliding ELC and will remain in Sweden for another year before coming to North America next season.
And if this off-season is any indication, the 2013 draft class may be even stronger.
For the past two drafts the Buffalo Sabres have been laying a pretty good foundation for the future.
The 2012 draft was a good haul as six of the eight players drafted that year are signed with the club.
Twenty year old Zemgus Girgensons will be heading into his second NHL season and fellow first-rounder Mikhail Grigorenko will be in his third season with the club. After bouncing around, Grigorenko will be settled in to Rochester to continue his development.
Three other 2012 draftees--D, Jake McCabe (44th overall,) F, Justin Kea (73rd) and D, Brady Austin (193rd)--will begin in Rochester this season having signed their entry-level contracts.
Goalie Linus Ullmark (163rd) is on a sliding ELC and will remain in Sweden for another year before coming to North America next season.
And if this off-season is any indication, the 2013 draft class may be even stronger.
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Is this the apex of "analytics movement?"
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
"There are three kinds of lies. Lies, damned lies and statistics."
American satirist Mark Twain used that phrase, possibly borrowed from British politician and writer Benjamin Disraeli who was said to have coined it.
A few years down the road from now as we sit at the possible apex of the analytics movement, will National Hockey League satirists and writers end up changing "statistics" in that quote to "analytics?"
The advanced stats trend is rolling forward full force to the point where the Edmonton Oilers earlier this week just hired a blogger to help out.
The Oilers have been in a slump since losing the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals. (to this point there's been no mention of a curse on the Edmonton franchise for being the first Canadian franchise to lose the Cup to a "non-traditional market" team like Carolina)
"There are three kinds of lies. Lies, damned lies and statistics."
American satirist Mark Twain used that phrase, possibly borrowed from British politician and writer Benjamin Disraeli who was said to have coined it.
A few years down the road from now as we sit at the possible apex of the analytics movement, will National Hockey League satirists and writers end up changing "statistics" in that quote to "analytics?"
The advanced stats trend is rolling forward full force to the point where the Edmonton Oilers earlier this week just hired a blogger to help out.
The Oilers have been in a slump since losing the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals. (to this point there's been no mention of a curse on the Edmonton franchise for being the first Canadian franchise to lose the Cup to a "non-traditional market" team like Carolina)
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Growth of a Hockey Department
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
"Starting today, there will be no financial mandates on the Buffalo Sabres hockey department. There is no salary cap in the National Hockey League on scouting budgets and player development budgets. I plan on increasing... increasing our scouting budgets, both with bodies on the ground, and in areas we may not be hitting capably, and also enhancing our video department. Starting today, we will bring in more player development coaches, to help these guys become better hockey players, work on their weaknesses, or whatever the coaches think. We will aspire to be the best in the league at finding, developing, and keeping our players in their new Buffalo Sabre family."
--Terry Pegula, February 22, 2011
With those words, Sabres owner Terry Pegula began a mission to restock a bare-bones hockey department.
"Starting today, there will be no financial mandates on the Buffalo Sabres hockey department. There is no salary cap in the National Hockey League on scouting budgets and player development budgets. I plan on increasing... increasing our scouting budgets, both with bodies on the ground, and in areas we may not be hitting capably, and also enhancing our video department. Starting today, we will bring in more player development coaches, to help these guys become better hockey players, work on their weaknesses, or whatever the coaches think. We will aspire to be the best in the league at finding, developing, and keeping our players in their new Buffalo Sabre family."
--Terry Pegula, February 22, 2011
With those words, Sabres owner Terry Pegula began a mission to restock a bare-bones hockey department.
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Maybe Tyler Myers contract wasn't so foolish afterall
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Montreal Canadiens defenseman PK Subban just got himself one helluva contract extension yesterday.
The deal keeps him in Montreal for 8 years at an extremely high price: $72M.
The $9M average is third on the list behind Alexander Ovechkin ($9.538M) and Evgeni Malkin ($9.5M) and places the 25 yr. old Subban above Sidney Crosby ($8.7M) and Corey Perry ($8.625M.)
Amongst defenseman Subban rose far above Shea Weber ($7.85,) Ryan Suter ($7.5M) and Kris Letang ($7.25M.)
It's some pretty lofty company for Subban.
And it's a pretty strong commitment made by the Canadiens and their GM, Marc Bergevin.
Montreal Canadiens defenseman PK Subban just got himself one helluva contract extension yesterday.
The deal keeps him in Montreal for 8 years at an extremely high price: $72M.
The $9M average is third on the list behind Alexander Ovechkin ($9.538M) and Evgeni Malkin ($9.5M) and places the 25 yr. old Subban above Sidney Crosby ($8.7M) and Corey Perry ($8.625M.)
Amongst defenseman Subban rose far above Shea Weber ($7.85,) Ryan Suter ($7.5M) and Kris Letang ($7.25M.)
It's some pretty lofty company for Subban.
And it's a pretty strong commitment made by the Canadiens and their GM, Marc Bergevin.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
HOF'er Brian Trottier could be joining the Sabres as an assistant coach
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News is quoting sources as saying that NY Islanders Hall of Famer Brian Trottier will be joining the Sabres as an assistant coach.
The 58 yr. old Trottier had a stellar playing career as part of the Islanders dynasty of the late 70's/early 80's and with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the early 90's.
He won the Calder Trophy in 1976, the Art Ross and Hart Trophies in 1979 and the Conn Smythe in 1980 and was opposite Hall of Fame RW Mike Bossy during the Isles four consecutive Stanley Cups from 1980-83.
Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News is quoting sources as saying that NY Islanders Hall of Famer Brian Trottier will be joining the Sabres as an assistant coach.
The 58 yr. old Trottier had a stellar playing career as part of the Islanders dynasty of the late 70's/early 80's and with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the early 90's.
He won the Calder Trophy in 1976, the Art Ross and Hart Trophies in 1979 and the Conn Smythe in 1980 and was opposite Hall of Fame RW Mike Bossy during the Isles four consecutive Stanley Cups from 1980-83.
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Hiring Arturs Irbe might be a good start for Sabres coach Ted Nolan
Rewrote from a 4-14-2014 buffalosabresnow article and published by hockeybuzz.com
Back in April while Sabres head coach Ted Nolan was set to relieve his entire coaching staff of their duties, WGR's Paul Hamilton mentioned that long-time goalie coach Jim Corsi could possibly be replaced by former NHL goalie Arturs Irbe. Irbe was one of Nolan's assistants at the Olympics this year.
At the NHL draft two months later, The Buffalo News' Tim Vogl reported that Irbe is still the front-runner. "It's being assumed in hockey circles that Irbe is a given for the job," wrote Vogl.
Yet, as of late July, Nolan still has no assistants, but Irbe's name has popped up once again.
Nolan and Irbe have a history and it would be somewhat fitting he was Nolan's first hire.
Back in April while Sabres head coach Ted Nolan was set to relieve his entire coaching staff of their duties, WGR's Paul Hamilton mentioned that long-time goalie coach Jim Corsi could possibly be replaced by former NHL goalie Arturs Irbe. Irbe was one of Nolan's assistants at the Olympics this year.
At the NHL draft two months later, The Buffalo News' Tim Vogl reported that Irbe is still the front-runner. "It's being assumed in hockey circles that Irbe is a given for the job," wrote Vogl.
Yet, as of late July, Nolan still has no assistants, but Irbe's name has popped up once again.
Nolan and Irbe have a history and it would be somewhat fitting he was Nolan's first hire.
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
A case for D, Rasmus Ristolainen to start in Rochester
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen is on a trajectory to hit the NHL this year in a top-four role.
At 6'4" 207 lbs., the 19 yr. old Finn already has NHL-size and he showed at the 2014 Sabres Development Camp that he's much farther along than any prospects not named Zemgus Girgensons or Mark Pysyk.
The 20 yr. old Girgensons, a forward, was with the Sabres all last season (70 games) while Pysyk has played in 63 games for Buffalo over the course of the last two seasons.
Pysyk is a defenseman and last season he showed that he was ready for full-time NHL duty. But the team took a cautious approach to his development and opted to send him back to Rochester during the Olympic break.
Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen is on a trajectory to hit the NHL this year in a top-four role.
At 6'4" 207 lbs., the 19 yr. old Finn already has NHL-size and he showed at the 2014 Sabres Development Camp that he's much farther along than any prospects not named Zemgus Girgensons or Mark Pysyk.
The 20 yr. old Girgensons, a forward, was with the Sabres all last season (70 games) while Pysyk has played in 63 games for Buffalo over the course of the last two seasons.
Pysyk is a defenseman and last season he showed that he was ready for full-time NHL duty. But the team took a cautious approach to his development and opted to send him back to Rochester during the Olympic break.
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Tyler Ennis at 5 years? Fine by me.
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
The Buffalo Sabres announced that they have re-signed forward Tyler Ennis to a multi-year contract.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed but the NHL Network's Kevin Weekes was first to report yesterday that the deal was a five-year deal worth around $23M, which is just about right for Ennis.
Despite his diminutive (5'9", 169 lbs,) Ennis has been able to produce over his career.
In 267 NHL games he has 67 goals and 166 points and in his two seasons of 80-plus games he's hit the 20-goal mark both times. Last year he has a career high 21 goals.
Ennis has also appeared in 13 playoff games registering three goals, none bigger then his overtime winner at the Philadelphia Flyers in Game-5.
In overtime, Ennis got behind the Flyers defense and pounced on a juicy rebound left by goalie Michael Leighton and the Sabres were headed back to Buffalo with a 3-2 series lead.
A quick aside, recently inked defenseman Andrej Meszaros was on the ice for that goal against.
Former Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff accurately called Ennis "greazy" as the slick, speedy forward almost always seems to be able to slide out of tight situations.
Buffalo is on it's third coach in just over a year and present bench boss Ted Nolan seems to be tuned in to what Ennis has and what he brings to the table. After being shackled by the X's and O's of previous coach Ron Rolston, Nolan said of Ennis, "To … say, ‘You have to be at this place’ is limiting his ability. We kind of took the reigns off."
To which Ennis responded, “That’s the biggest thing. I don’t have to think,” said Ennis last year. “I’m a little more instinctive." It a mindset which plays to his strengths.
Another thing that's helped him along is the move to center.
Since he's come into the league Ennis has be bouncing around from wing to center. Ruff had said on many occasions that center is the best spot as Ennis has much more room to maneuver. Unfortunately there was no room down the middle on the scoring lines so Ruff had him on the wing. Nolan seems to agree as Ennis spent the majority of his time at center.
Stats geeks will use various numbers concerning the 24 yr. old veteran of four NHL seasons, pointing out Ennis' numerical shortcomings.
The stats may point to an average player, but anyone who's ever watched him knows that he's a highly skilled player with deft stick work who's battling through the inconsistencies of youth.
His team worst minus-25 rating last season accurately point out that the kid needs to become more defensively responsible, which is something Nolan pointed out as well.
But there is much more going on than just number.
Ennis has jam. And GM Tim Murray took notice.
Murray has been constantly pointing to the LA Kings as a team to look at as a model. He points out their sheer size and has backed that up by acquiring big players who play the game "heavy."
Yet, back in June when asked about Ennis and what he thought about re-signing him Murray said simply, "I like the player. I like his approach to the game. I like his compete-level. I like his speed. There's a lot of things I like about him."
Murray backed that up with a $4.6M cap hit over the next five seasons for Ennis. He will be the third highest paid player on the roster right now behind Tyler Myers and Matt Moulson.
The Buffalo Sabres announced that they have re-signed forward Tyler Ennis to a multi-year contract.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed but the NHL Network's Kevin Weekes was first to report yesterday that the deal was a five-year deal worth around $23M, which is just about right for Ennis.
Despite his diminutive (5'9", 169 lbs,) Ennis has been able to produce over his career.
In 267 NHL games he has 67 goals and 166 points and in his two seasons of 80-plus games he's hit the 20-goal mark both times. Last year he has a career high 21 goals.
Ennis has also appeared in 13 playoff games registering three goals, none bigger then his overtime winner at the Philadelphia Flyers in Game-5.
In overtime, Ennis got behind the Flyers defense and pounced on a juicy rebound left by goalie Michael Leighton and the Sabres were headed back to Buffalo with a 3-2 series lead.
A quick aside, recently inked defenseman Andrej Meszaros was on the ice for that goal against.
Former Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff accurately called Ennis "greazy" as the slick, speedy forward almost always seems to be able to slide out of tight situations.
Buffalo is on it's third coach in just over a year and present bench boss Ted Nolan seems to be tuned in to what Ennis has and what he brings to the table. After being shackled by the X's and O's of previous coach Ron Rolston, Nolan said of Ennis, "To … say, ‘You have to be at this place’ is limiting his ability. We kind of took the reigns off."
To which Ennis responded, “That’s the biggest thing. I don’t have to think,” said Ennis last year. “I’m a little more instinctive." It a mindset which plays to his strengths.
Another thing that's helped him along is the move to center.
Since he's come into the league Ennis has be bouncing around from wing to center. Ruff had said on many occasions that center is the best spot as Ennis has much more room to maneuver. Unfortunately there was no room down the middle on the scoring lines so Ruff had him on the wing. Nolan seems to agree as Ennis spent the majority of his time at center.
Stats geeks will use various numbers concerning the 24 yr. old veteran of four NHL seasons, pointing out Ennis' numerical shortcomings.
The stats may point to an average player, but anyone who's ever watched him knows that he's a highly skilled player with deft stick work who's battling through the inconsistencies of youth.
His team worst minus-25 rating last season accurately point out that the kid needs to become more defensively responsible, which is something Nolan pointed out as well.
But there is much more going on than just number.
Ennis has jam. And GM Tim Murray took notice.
Murray has been constantly pointing to the LA Kings as a team to look at as a model. He points out their sheer size and has backed that up by acquiring big players who play the game "heavy."
Yet, back in June when asked about Ennis and what he thought about re-signing him Murray said simply, "I like the player. I like his approach to the game. I like his compete-level. I like his speed. There's a lot of things I like about him."
Murray backed that up with a $4.6M cap hit over the next five seasons for Ennis. He will be the third highest paid player on the roster right now behind Tyler Myers and Matt Moulson.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
The Sabres could use a placeholder or two on defense
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
As of right now, Sabres GM Tim Murray has four viable NHL defensemen on the roster--Tyler Myers, Josh Gorges, Andrej Meszaros and Mike Weber.
Add in Mark Pysyk, who's almost assured a spot and that brings the total to five leaving two spots open.
With prospects camp this week, 2013 first round draft picks Rasmus Ristolainen and Nikita Zadorov will be looking to showcase their year-over-year development hoping to serve notice that they'll be ready October 9th.
As of right now, Sabres GM Tim Murray has four viable NHL defensemen on the roster--Tyler Myers, Josh Gorges, Andrej Meszaros and Mike Weber.
Add in Mark Pysyk, who's almost assured a spot and that brings the total to five leaving two spots open.
With prospects camp this week, 2013 first round draft picks Rasmus Ristolainen and Nikita Zadorov will be looking to showcase their year-over-year development hoping to serve notice that they'll be ready October 9th.
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Ken Campbell's giddiness and Cunneyworth's importance
Reprinted with permission from hockyebuzz.com
Writer Ken Campbell of The Hockey News busted out his crystal ball today proclaiming that the Buffalo Sabres will win the Stanley Cup in the year 2020.
He figures that the Sabres will once again draft high in 2015 and then start their march to the Cup in earnest from there.
Campbell even goes full fantasy by giving ink to the perfect scenario (dream) which would have the NY Islanders finish 29th giving Buffalo the top two picks in the 2015 Draft. He asked one scout what it would mean if the Sabres were able to draft both Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel, to which the scout replied, "Might as well hand them the Stanley Cup in five years if that happens."
That the Sabres have been stockpiling draft picks is a given.
Eight picks in 2012 including two firsts and a second. Eleven picks in 2013 including two firsts, three seconds and a third rounder (Nicholas Baptiste) who has already been signed to his entry level contract.
And at the draft in Philadelphia last month Buffalo had nine picks including the 2nd overall pick (Sam Reinhart) and three second rounders.
All this will be for naught if the team fails to develop their talent properly.
Writer Ken Campbell of The Hockey News busted out his crystal ball today proclaiming that the Buffalo Sabres will win the Stanley Cup in the year 2020.
He figures that the Sabres will once again draft high in 2015 and then start their march to the Cup in earnest from there.
Campbell even goes full fantasy by giving ink to the perfect scenario (dream) which would have the NY Islanders finish 29th giving Buffalo the top two picks in the 2015 Draft. He asked one scout what it would mean if the Sabres were able to draft both Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel, to which the scout replied, "Might as well hand them the Stanley Cup in five years if that happens."
That the Sabres have been stockpiling draft picks is a given.
Eight picks in 2012 including two firsts and a second. Eleven picks in 2013 including two firsts, three seconds and a third rounder (Nicholas Baptiste) who has already been signed to his entry level contract.
And at the draft in Philadelphia last month Buffalo had nine picks including the 2nd overall pick (Sam Reinhart) and three second rounders.
All this will be for naught if the team fails to develop their talent properly.
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Sabres Development Camp Roster annouced.
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
From Sabres.com
FORWARDS
Armia, Joel RW 6’3” 192 Pori, Finland
Bailey, Justin RW 6’3” 190 R Buffalo, New York
Baptiste, Nicholas RW 6’0” 196 R Ottawa, Ontario
Brown, Christopher C 6’0” 179 R
Caggiula, Drake C/LW 5’9” 180 L Pickering, Ontario
Carrier, William LW 6’1” 194 L LaSalle, Quebec
Catenacci, Daniel C 5’9” 186 L Richmond Hill, Ontario
Compher, J.T. LW 5’10” 182 L Northbrook, Illinois
Cornel, Eric C 6’2” 186 R Peterborough, Ontario
Fasching, Hudson RW 6’2” 213 R Burnsville, Minnesota
Girgensons, Zemgus C 6’1” 190 L Riga, Latvia
Grigorenko, Mikhail C 6’3” 209 L Khabarovsk, Russia
Jacobs, Colin C 6’1” 204 R Coppell, Texas
Karabacek, Vaclav RW 6’0” 196 R Brandys Nad Labem, Czech Republic
Kea, Justin C 6’4” 210 L Woodville, Ontario
Lemieux, Brendan LW 6’0” 206 L Denver, Colorado
Malone, Sean C 5’11” 186 L Buffalo, New York
Martin, Jonathon RW 6’2” 212 R Winnipeg, Manitoba
Olofsson, Victor RW 5’11” 177 L Ornskoldsvik, Sweden
Pecararo, Liam LW 5’11” 164 L Canton, Massachusetts
Reinhart, Sam C 6’1” 185 R North Vancouver, British Columbia
Russell, Patrick RW 6’1” 200 R Birkerod, Denmark
Samuels-Thomas, Jordan LW 6’3” 195 L Hartford, Connecticut
Schaller, Tim C 6’2” 206 L Merrimack, New Hampshire
Sundher, Kevin C 6’0” 179 L Surrey, British Columbia
Willman, Maxwell C 6’0” 181 L Barnstable, Massachusetts
DEFENSMEN
Austin, Brady D 6’3” 234 L Bobcaygeon, Ontario
Florentino, Anthony D 6’1” 226 R Boston, Massachusetts
Gauthier-Leduc, Jerome D 6’1” 192 R Quebec City, Quebec
Martin, Brycen D 6’2” 195 L Calgary, Alberta May 9, 1996
McCabe, Jake D 6’1” 210 L Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Prochno, Andrew D 5’11” 185 L Edina, Minnesota
Prophet, Brandon D 6’2” 202 L Brockville, Ontario
Pysyk, Mark D 6’1” 192 R Sherwood Park, Alberta
Ristolainen, Rasmus D 6’4” 219 R Turku, Finland
Zadorov, Nikita D 6’5” 220 L Moscow, Russia
GOALTENDER
Johansson, Jonas G 6’4” 198 L Gavle, Sweden
Lieuwen, Nathan G 6’5” 186 L Abbotsford, British Columbia
Makarov, Andrey G 6’1” 178 L Kazan, Russia
Petersen, Cal G 6’2” 175 R Waterloo, Iowa
Ullmark, Linus G 6’3” 195 L Lugnvik, Sweden
http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=725989&navid=DL%7CBUF%7Chome
From Sabres.com
FORWARDS
Armia, Joel RW 6’3” 192 Pori, Finland
Bailey, Justin RW 6’3” 190 R Buffalo, New York
Baptiste, Nicholas RW 6’0” 196 R Ottawa, Ontario
Brown, Christopher C 6’0” 179 R
Caggiula, Drake C/LW 5’9” 180 L Pickering, Ontario
Carrier, William LW 6’1” 194 L LaSalle, Quebec
Catenacci, Daniel C 5’9” 186 L Richmond Hill, Ontario
Compher, J.T. LW 5’10” 182 L Northbrook, Illinois
Cornel, Eric C 6’2” 186 R Peterborough, Ontario
Fasching, Hudson RW 6’2” 213 R Burnsville, Minnesota
Girgensons, Zemgus C 6’1” 190 L Riga, Latvia
Grigorenko, Mikhail C 6’3” 209 L Khabarovsk, Russia
Jacobs, Colin C 6’1” 204 R Coppell, Texas
Karabacek, Vaclav RW 6’0” 196 R Brandys Nad Labem, Czech Republic
Kea, Justin C 6’4” 210 L Woodville, Ontario
Lemieux, Brendan LW 6’0” 206 L Denver, Colorado
Malone, Sean C 5’11” 186 L Buffalo, New York
Martin, Jonathon RW 6’2” 212 R Winnipeg, Manitoba
Olofsson, Victor RW 5’11” 177 L Ornskoldsvik, Sweden
Pecararo, Liam LW 5’11” 164 L Canton, Massachusetts
Reinhart, Sam C 6’1” 185 R North Vancouver, British Columbia
Russell, Patrick RW 6’1” 200 R Birkerod, Denmark
Samuels-Thomas, Jordan LW 6’3” 195 L Hartford, Connecticut
Schaller, Tim C 6’2” 206 L Merrimack, New Hampshire
Sundher, Kevin C 6’0” 179 L Surrey, British Columbia
Willman, Maxwell C 6’0” 181 L Barnstable, Massachusetts
DEFENSMEN
Austin, Brady D 6’3” 234 L Bobcaygeon, Ontario
Florentino, Anthony D 6’1” 226 R Boston, Massachusetts
Gauthier-Leduc, Jerome D 6’1” 192 R Quebec City, Quebec
Martin, Brycen D 6’2” 195 L Calgary, Alberta May 9, 1996
McCabe, Jake D 6’1” 210 L Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Prochno, Andrew D 5’11” 185 L Edina, Minnesota
Prophet, Brandon D 6’2” 202 L Brockville, Ontario
Pysyk, Mark D 6’1” 192 R Sherwood Park, Alberta
Ristolainen, Rasmus D 6’4” 219 R Turku, Finland
Zadorov, Nikita D 6’5” 220 L Moscow, Russia
GOALTENDER
Johansson, Jonas G 6’4” 198 L Gavle, Sweden
Lieuwen, Nathan G 6’5” 186 L Abbotsford, British Columbia
Makarov, Andrey G 6’1” 178 L Kazan, Russia
Petersen, Cal G 6’2” 175 R Waterloo, Iowa
Ullmark, Linus G 6’3” 195 L Lugnvik, Sweden
http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=725989&navid=DL%7CBUF%7Chome
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Darcy Regier and his seeds scattered in the wind
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Former Sabres GM Darcy Regier signing on with the Arizona Coyotes, and like seeds flying in the wind, he and his former core landed all over the place the last few days.
Regier signed a multi year deal to become Senior Vice President and Assistant GM in Arizona. He'll have his hands in every aspect of the hockey operations department.
'Yotes GM Don Maloney has known Regier for a long time and considers him "his closest friend on the management side of the NHL" according to Sarah McClellan of azcentral.com.
Said Maloney of the hire, "He's done it all. If you think about the experience he's had over the last 17 years in Buffalo, everything from great success, Stanley Cup final, bankruptcy, coming out of that. There was a point at the end where there were limited resources. So there's nothing he hasn't seen or done or tried."
Former Sabres GM Darcy Regier signing on with the Arizona Coyotes, and like seeds flying in the wind, he and his former core landed all over the place the last few days.
Regier signed a multi year deal to become Senior Vice President and Assistant GM in Arizona. He'll have his hands in every aspect of the hockey operations department.
'Yotes GM Don Maloney has known Regier for a long time and considers him "his closest friend on the management side of the NHL" according to Sarah McClellan of azcentral.com.
Said Maloney of the hire, "He's done it all. If you think about the experience he's had over the last 17 years in Buffalo, everything from great success, Stanley Cup final, bankruptcy, coming out of that. There was a point at the end where there were limited resources. So there's nothing he hasn't seen or done or tried."
Brian Gionta the key to Josh Gorges trade
Reprinted with permission form hockeybuzz.com
Former Montreal Canadiens captain Brian Gionta pretty much knew that the writing was on the wall with the Habs as the 11th hour (both literally and figuratively) was approaching Tuesday.
According to the Montreal Gazette, Gionta and his agent had been negotiating with Habs' GM Marc Bergevin throughout the weekend but just couldn't come together on term. The 35 yr. old Gionta, who has a wife and three children was looking for the security of a multi-year deal. Bergevin was offering one year.
"We were in constant contact with Bergevin over the last week and even a few times (Tuesday) morning trying to figure out where each could go. There are no hard feelings."
The Sabres offered Gionta a 3yr./$12.75M contract, which was just shy of the $5M/season he had been making previously.
Former Montreal Canadiens captain Brian Gionta pretty much knew that the writing was on the wall with the Habs as the 11th hour (both literally and figuratively) was approaching Tuesday.
According to the Montreal Gazette, Gionta and his agent had been negotiating with Habs' GM Marc Bergevin throughout the weekend but just couldn't come together on term. The 35 yr. old Gionta, who has a wife and three children was looking for the security of a multi-year deal. Bergevin was offering one year.
"We were in constant contact with Bergevin over the last week and even a few times (Tuesday) morning trying to figure out where each could go. There are no hard feelings."
The Sabres offered Gionta a 3yr./$12.75M contract, which was just shy of the $5M/season he had been making previously.
Friday, July 4, 2014
2 hours, 15 minutes (Andre Jeszaros, Cody McCormick)
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
When Sabres GM Tim Murray mentioned that he was surprised at how much interest there was in the Buffalo Sabres, it was hard to gauge just how much.
Talk is talk but putting signatures to a contract is another matter.
And when Murray mentioned that the interest in Buffalo came from legitimate NHL players, we weren't really sure just how legit.
For Buffalo Sabres fans, the start to free agent yesterday was a somewhat of a shocker.
In a good way.
Murray inked five legitimate NHL'ers who, he said, "wanted to come to here."
When Sabres GM Tim Murray mentioned that he was surprised at how much interest there was in the Buffalo Sabres, it was hard to gauge just how much.
Talk is talk but putting signatures to a contract is another matter.
And when Murray mentioned that the interest in Buffalo came from legitimate NHL players, we weren't really sure just how legit.
For Buffalo Sabres fans, the start to free agent yesterday was a somewhat of a shocker.
In a good way.
Murray inked five legitimate NHL'ers who, he said, "wanted to come to here."
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Hitting the cap-floor may not be as difficult as many thought
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
With Sabres GM Tim Murray announcing that defenseman Christian Ehrhoff will be bought out, the team finds itself even farther away from the salary cap floor of roughly $51M than most expected.
Ehrhoff was the second compliance buyout used buy Buffalo this off season, the first was Ville Leino and his $4.5M cap hit.
According to capgeek.com, the Sabres have 14 players on the roster for next season with a total cap hit of roughly $31M.
That gap equals about $20M under the cap floor leaving some work to do for Murray and Co.
Of note: F, Patrick Kaleta spent last season in Rochester. He has one more year remaining on his contract that pays $1.25M and, according to Murray, he'll be a Buffalo Sabre when training camp opens.
Free agency begins on Tuesday and money will be flowing once the bell rings at noon.
With Sabres GM Tim Murray announcing that defenseman Christian Ehrhoff will be bought out, the team finds itself even farther away from the salary cap floor of roughly $51M than most expected.
Ehrhoff was the second compliance buyout used buy Buffalo this off season, the first was Ville Leino and his $4.5M cap hit.
According to capgeek.com, the Sabres have 14 players on the roster for next season with a total cap hit of roughly $31M.
That gap equals about $20M under the cap floor leaving some work to do for Murray and Co.
Of note: F, Patrick Kaleta spent last season in Rochester. He has one more year remaining on his contract that pays $1.25M and, according to Murray, he'll be a Buffalo Sabre when training camp opens.
Free agency begins on Tuesday and money will be flowing once the bell rings at noon.
Tim Murray talks Reinhart, Ehrhoff and the future
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Sabres GM Tim Murray hit WGR's Hockey Hotline this morning after a very busy weekend dealing with the draft and the decision to use an amnesty buyout on veteran defenseman Christian Ehrhoff.
Host Kevin Sylvester dove right in, asking about the Sam Reinhart pick and Murray reiterated that he was the consensus No. 1.
Murray also reiterated that he had been trying to trade Ehrhoff and that his discounted asking price was low-balled even more and that the d-man could've been traded.
But he balked.
Sabres GM Tim Murray hit WGR's Hockey Hotline this morning after a very busy weekend dealing with the draft and the decision to use an amnesty buyout on veteran defenseman Christian Ehrhoff.
Host Kevin Sylvester dove right in, asking about the Sam Reinhart pick and Murray reiterated that he was the consensus No. 1.
Murray also reiterated that he had been trying to trade Ehrhoff and that his discounted asking price was low-balled even more and that the d-man could've been traded.
But he balked.
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