Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
According to reports Buffalo Sabres head amateur scout Dave Torrie, is headed to Los Angeles to join the Kings scouting department. Torrie was offered a new contract by GM Tim Murray and the Sabres, but turned it down to head to Los Angeles as a pro scout.
Buffalo assistant general manager Kevin Devine hired the former Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds general manager in September, 2011 as a regional amateur scout covering Ontario and Michigan. Very soon after, Torrie found himself in an expanded role, covering more territory with Devine and head amateur scout, Al MacAdam.
Last season, according to the Buffalo Sabres media guide, Torrie was just under the director of amateur scouting, Greg Royce. Royce was hired by Murray last August in a front office shift that saw Devine move to his new position as director of player personnel. Torrie sat atop a large amateur scouting staff of 17 scouts.
The Sabres have had quite a bit of success drafting since Torrie was hired and the scouting department expanded under owner Terry Pegula. Since a rough start in 2011, the Sabres catapulted to the top of the team prospects world last year before a number of moves by Murray depleted the ranks. Amongst the players looking to make healthy contributions to the future of the Blue and Gold are Zemgus Girgensons (2012, 14th overall,) Jake McCabe (2012, 44th,) Rasmus Ristolainen, (2013, 8th,) Nick Baptiste, (2013, 69th) and Sam Reinhart (2014, 2nd.)
Torrie heads to Los Angeles as a pro scout for a Kings team that has won two Stanley Cups over the last four years and is loaded for bear once again after missing the playoffs last season.
According to Mark Malone of the Chatham Daily News (Ontario,) Torrie felt his time with the Sabres had run it's course. “I don't know if there was any one reason (for leaving),” he told Malone. “I've been with Buffalo for four years on the amateur side of the scouting. Over the four years, there have been some changes in the organization. My contract was coming up and they made me a contract offer, but I felt maybe it was time to look at something different. After four years, it was time for a change.
"It seemed like a good time to make a change and try something different.
“It'll be more for trades and free agents and tracking and rating pro players,” he said. “I think it'll cut down a little bit on my travel. At worst, I won't be going over to Europe six, seven times a year like when I was in Buffalo.”
The difference between Buffalo and Los Angeles, like Torries new role, is night and day. While the Kings were busy as perennial Stanley Cup contenders, winning twice in the last four years, Buffalo was tearing down, something not lost on Torrie.
“It was a frustrating four years in Buffalo; we never made the playoffs. ... Buffalo's at a point where they're about to become more competitive … and have a chance down the road to be an elite team and contend for the Stanley Cup.”
There have been huge changes in the Sabres front office this summer. Team President Ted Black, who was a part of Pegula's initial team, was released and replaced by Russ Brandon who was and is President of the Buffalo Bills, also owned by the Pegulas. Vice President of Hockey Related Business Joe Batista, who was a part of Pegula's inner circle, stepped down, supposedly to spend more time with his family.
Joining Torrie on his way out the door is long-time strength and conditioning coach, Doug McKenney.
According to WIVB in Buffalo, McKenney, who had been with the team since 1995, is no longer with the team. The report states that the Sabres and McKenney have "parted ways" with his destination "unknown."
From a player personnel perspective, it's been a quiet summer on the Sabres front, but there've been some bombs coming out of the front office.
Special thanks to Malone for his article on Torrie.
Showing posts with label 2015 Off Season. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2015 Off Season. Show all posts
Friday, August 21, 2015
Saturday, August 1, 2015
Development Camp favorite Josh Chapman signs with the Amerks
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
While the 2015 Buffalo Sabres Development Camp centered around the team's tow center's of the future in 2nd overall picks Jack Eichel (2015) and Sam Reinhart (2014) there was an unheralded d-prospect who came into camp with little notice, save for his size, but left leaving an indelible mark on the organization.
Josh Chapman, a 6'3" 210 lb. defenseman, was an invite who came into camp having played in 164 Ontario Hockey League games throughout his junior career. To say that he's a defensive-defenseman may be an understatement as he was able to light the lamp a mere two times in those 164 games. But that's not what he's all about.
While the 2015 Buffalo Sabres Development Camp centered around the team's tow center's of the future in 2nd overall picks Jack Eichel (2015) and Sam Reinhart (2014) there was an unheralded d-prospect who came into camp with little notice, save for his size, but left leaving an indelible mark on the organization.
Josh Chapman, a 6'3" 210 lb. defenseman, was an invite who came into camp having played in 164 Ontario Hockey League games throughout his junior career. To say that he's a defensive-defenseman may be an understatement as he was able to light the lamp a mere two times in those 164 games. But that's not what he's all about.
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Tim Schaller could throw a monkey wrench into the Sabres' forward roster
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Buffalo Sabres forward Tim Schaller is looking to throw a wrench into the 2015-16 Buffalo Sabres roster. Not out of malice or by design, mind you, rather it's a simple case of a hard-working player setting his goal for the upcoming season.
"My mindset going into camp," he told Kevin Sylvester and Andrew Peters of Hockey Hotline on Thursday, "is that there's a spot there for me to lose. I'm going in to make the [Sabres] and I'm not going to be satisfied if I don't make it. That's where my mind's at."
Schaller's coming off of a very strong 2014-15 AHL campaign where he finished with 43 points (15+28) in 65 games in his second pro season. The 6'2" 206 lb. Merimack, NH native also played 18 games for the train wreck that was the Buffalo Sabres last season and recorded his first NHL goal at Boston with his parents in attendance.
Even though the numbers aren't awe-inspiring, "let's not sleep on Schaller," is what Kris Baker of sabresprospects/sabres.com had to say about him after Schaller was re-upped by GM Tim Murray.
Buffalo Sabres forward Tim Schaller is looking to throw a wrench into the 2015-16 Buffalo Sabres roster. Not out of malice or by design, mind you, rather it's a simple case of a hard-working player setting his goal for the upcoming season.
"My mindset going into camp," he told Kevin Sylvester and Andrew Peters of Hockey Hotline on Thursday, "is that there's a spot there for me to lose. I'm going in to make the [Sabres] and I'm not going to be satisfied if I don't make it. That's where my mind's at."
Schaller's coming off of a very strong 2014-15 AHL campaign where he finished with 43 points (15+28) in 65 games in his second pro season. The 6'2" 206 lb. Merimack, NH native also played 18 games for the train wreck that was the Buffalo Sabres last season and recorded his first NHL goal at Boston with his parents in attendance.
Even though the numbers aren't awe-inspiring, "let's not sleep on Schaller," is what Kris Baker of sabresprospects/sabres.com had to say about him after Schaller was re-upped by GM Tim Murray.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
The dog-days of summer putting a crimp UFA's including Cody Franson
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Mid-July through August are truly the dog-days of summer for the NHL as teams step back from a long season and events of the past few weeks to refresh themselves. This is not to say that the front office is out and about enjoying the great outdoors or getting in a early round of 18 before an evening cookout daily, it's merely a downshift from the overdrive that was the NHL draft and the beginning of free agency.
Most teams have concluded their prospect evaluations via development camps (if they have them,) and sent their youngins on their merry way. Left are the impressions as to who where each player lies on the developmental curve and the timeline for their potential debut in the NHL. When taken as a whole, events at the NHL draft, free agent signings and a close look at a team's pipeline give the personnel department a good idea as to what they'll have going into training camp.
In general, teams likely have a good idea as to where they are and what they'll need personnel-wise to get to where they want to be this fall. For free agents who've yet be signed, there's a reason they haven't been signed and summertime doesn't necessarily represent livin' easy. Rather, it can be an unsettling time where younger veterans are trying to maximize their worth and older veterans are wondering whether or not they're still wanted.
Mid-July through August are truly the dog-days of summer for the NHL as teams step back from a long season and events of the past few weeks to refresh themselves. This is not to say that the front office is out and about enjoying the great outdoors or getting in a early round of 18 before an evening cookout daily, it's merely a downshift from the overdrive that was the NHL draft and the beginning of free agency.
Most teams have concluded their prospect evaluations via development camps (if they have them,) and sent their youngins on their merry way. Left are the impressions as to who where each player lies on the developmental curve and the timeline for their potential debut in the NHL. When taken as a whole, events at the NHL draft, free agent signings and a close look at a team's pipeline give the personnel department a good idea as to what they'll have going into training camp.
In general, teams likely have a good idea as to where they are and what they'll need personnel-wise to get to where they want to be this fall. For free agents who've yet be signed, there's a reason they haven't been signed and summertime doesn't necessarily represent livin' easy. Rather, it can be an unsettling time where younger veterans are trying to maximize their worth and older veterans are wondering whether or not they're still wanted.
Saturday, July 18, 2015
More RFA signings for Buffalo
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Back on June 29th, the Buffalo Sabres tendered qualifying offers to seven of their restricted free agents, and as of yesterday only one remains unsigned.
On Monday of this week versatile forward Phil Varone agreed to a one-year, two-way contract with the team. The 5'10" 185 lb. Varone played in 28 games for the Sabres last season, including a stint on the top line, scoring five points (3+2) while averaging 13:26 minutes of ice-time/game. The two-way deal would indicate Varone's slated for Rochester unless he blows the team away with an exceptional training camp.
The following day D, Mark Pysyk signed a two-year deal. Pysyk has largely been a victim of circumstance in the debacle that was the last two seasons, and despite his readiness to play with the big club he was limited to only seven games in Buffalo, yet in those games he scored two goals and added an assist in 18:10 TOI. The smooth and steady, puck-moving defenseman with shutdown acumen looks to be penciled in on the second pairing at this point.
Back on June 29th, the Buffalo Sabres tendered qualifying offers to seven of their restricted free agents, and as of yesterday only one remains unsigned.
On Monday of this week versatile forward Phil Varone agreed to a one-year, two-way contract with the team. The 5'10" 185 lb. Varone played in 28 games for the Sabres last season, including a stint on the top line, scoring five points (3+2) while averaging 13:26 minutes of ice-time/game. The two-way deal would indicate Varone's slated for Rochester unless he blows the team away with an exceptional training camp.
The following day D, Mark Pysyk signed a two-year deal. Pysyk has largely been a victim of circumstance in the debacle that was the last two seasons, and despite his readiness to play with the big club he was limited to only seven games in Buffalo, yet in those games he scored two goals and added an assist in 18:10 TOI. The smooth and steady, puck-moving defenseman with shutdown acumen looks to be penciled in on the second pairing at this point.
Friday, July 17, 2015
Johnny Oduya heads to Dallas while Mark Pysyk re-ups in Buffalo
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Free agent defenseman Johnny Oduya is a left-handed, top-four d-man that Sabres GM Tim Murray was interested in bringing to Buffalo. But the two-time Stanley Cup winner took his talents to Dallas and signed a very team-friendly contract for two years at $3.75m/year. It's a veritable coup for the Stars as they add a veteran, top-four defenseman who fits into the up-tempo style of play Dallas plays.
"I think it's a very, very fast team, a team that wants to play hockey, a similar style I think as Chicago; wants to have the puck, create things," Oduya said. "I think the speed is the thing that stands out the most."
The Stars had recently traded for Oduya's teammate Patrick Sharp and in the process gave up 31 year old d-man Trevor Daley in the process so things fell into place rather nicely for them.
As for the Sabres, the search for a top-four defensemen continues, be it a lefty or righty.
Free agent defenseman Johnny Oduya is a left-handed, top-four d-man that Sabres GM Tim Murray was interested in bringing to Buffalo. But the two-time Stanley Cup winner took his talents to Dallas and signed a very team-friendly contract for two years at $3.75m/year. It's a veritable coup for the Stars as they add a veteran, top-four defenseman who fits into the up-tempo style of play Dallas plays.
"I think it's a very, very fast team, a team that wants to play hockey, a similar style I think as Chicago; wants to have the puck, create things," Oduya said. "I think the speed is the thing that stands out the most."
The Stars had recently traded for Oduya's teammate Patrick Sharp and in the process gave up 31 year old d-man Trevor Daley in the process so things fell into place rather nicely for them.
As for the Sabres, the search for a top-four defensemen continues, be it a lefty or righty.
Saturday, July 11, 2015
Still trying to figure out where Sam Reinhart fits into the equation
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Buffalo Sabres forward Sam Reinhart was drafted 2nd overall in the 2014 draft. There were three players at the top who were all considered possible No. 1 overall picks--Reinhart, C, Sam Bennett and D, Aaron Ekblad, who was the eventual 1st overall pick by the Florida Panthers. One player, forward Leon Draisaitl, snuck into the top-three when he was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers leaving Bennett to be plucked by the Calgary Flames in the No.4 slot.
Ekblad had himself a pretty good rookie season on an up and coming Panthers team. He was on the top-pairing with former Sabres d-man Brian Campbell and was on the top powerplay unit. Ekblad finished the season with 12 goals, 27 assists and was a plus-12 while on his way to the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year. After the season he headed to the Czech Republic and helped Team Canada to a gold medal at the World Championships.
The Calgary Flames had a bit more of a veteran presence than Florida and also have been the beneficiaries of some pretty good drafting the last couple of years under the leadership of team president, Brian Burke. Unfortunately for Bennett he was rehabbing from a shoulder injury for a good chunk of the 2014-15 season. He ended up playing 11 regular season for his junior club, Kingston, scoring 11 goals and adding 24 assists. After the Frontenacs were swept in the OHL playoffs he joined the Flames for the final regular season game. Calgary made the playoffs for the first time since 2009 and would make it to the second round. Bennett had four points (3+1) in 11 playoff games.
Both Draisaitl and Reinhart would start the season with their NHL clubs but end up back in junior for the balance of the season. Draisaitl played 37 games for Edmonton before the sent him back to Prince Albert. He had a very pedestrian 37-game tryout totaling only nine points (2+7) before the Oilers decided to keep his UFA year intact (had he played in 40 games, he'd have been one year closer to free agency.) After a trade to Kelowna he dominated with 53 regular season points in 34 games while adding 10 goals and 18 assists in only 19 playoff games.
Buffalo Sabres forward Sam Reinhart was drafted 2nd overall in the 2014 draft. There were three players at the top who were all considered possible No. 1 overall picks--Reinhart, C, Sam Bennett and D, Aaron Ekblad, who was the eventual 1st overall pick by the Florida Panthers. One player, forward Leon Draisaitl, snuck into the top-three when he was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers leaving Bennett to be plucked by the Calgary Flames in the No.4 slot.
Ekblad had himself a pretty good rookie season on an up and coming Panthers team. He was on the top-pairing with former Sabres d-man Brian Campbell and was on the top powerplay unit. Ekblad finished the season with 12 goals, 27 assists and was a plus-12 while on his way to the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year. After the season he headed to the Czech Republic and helped Team Canada to a gold medal at the World Championships.
The Calgary Flames had a bit more of a veteran presence than Florida and also have been the beneficiaries of some pretty good drafting the last couple of years under the leadership of team president, Brian Burke. Unfortunately for Bennett he was rehabbing from a shoulder injury for a good chunk of the 2014-15 season. He ended up playing 11 regular season for his junior club, Kingston, scoring 11 goals and adding 24 assists. After the Frontenacs were swept in the OHL playoffs he joined the Flames for the final regular season game. Calgary made the playoffs for the first time since 2009 and would make it to the second round. Bennett had four points (3+1) in 11 playoff games.
Both Draisaitl and Reinhart would start the season with their NHL clubs but end up back in junior for the balance of the season. Draisaitl played 37 games for Edmonton before the sent him back to Prince Albert. He had a very pedestrian 37-game tryout totaling only nine points (2+7) before the Oilers decided to keep his UFA year intact (had he played in 40 games, he'd have been one year closer to free agency.) After a trade to Kelowna he dominated with 53 regular season points in 34 games while adding 10 goals and 18 assists in only 19 playoff games.
Thursday, July 9, 2015
Gustav Possler in Sweden focused upon summer training for upcoming MODO season
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
When the 2015 Sabres Development Camp roster came out Monday afternoon, there was an omission that raised some eyebrows if ever so slightly in some quarters--F, Gustav Possler. The 2013 5th round pick (130th overall) is still in his native Sweden while 46 other youngins are at the First Niagara Center getting themselves acclimated to their surroundings.
The 20 yr. old Possler sits a tad down the depth-chart on a very thin left-side and of the top-three at that spot (Daniel Catennaci, William Carrier) he probably has the most pure talent.
As to why he's not at camp, there's been no definitive answer. According to Sweden's Allehanda.se, Possler initially refused to comment on the situation. In a loose translation he told Allehanda's Adam Johansson that he wouldn't be commenting on the situation other than to say that he feels good, he's not hurt and that he'll be training this summer for his upcoming season for MODO Hockey Ornskoldsvik .
SportsExpressen.se's Av Alexander Nilsson did a follow up with Possler situation and came up with the same results save for some ambiguity as to who's decision it was--Possler's, his agent or the Sabres. Clarity will come eventually as Possler said he may have been misunderstood in the Allehanda article. "I really don't know what happened," he said, "but there's really nothing to it." Nilsson would later tweet, "Possler declines NHL camp to focus on Modo: 'The best thing for me.'"
As with all things prospect-related, Kris Baker was kind enough to lend a bit of clarification to the situation (at least until an official announcement is made, if need be.) Baker pointed out that Possler has one more year on his MODO contract and even though Buffalo GM Tim Murray may have "tinkered with the idea of evaluating him at development camp, it's always been assumed that the plan was for him to play out his contract for MODO," Bakes told me.
When the 2015 Sabres Development Camp roster came out Monday afternoon, there was an omission that raised some eyebrows if ever so slightly in some quarters--F, Gustav Possler. The 2013 5th round pick (130th overall) is still in his native Sweden while 46 other youngins are at the First Niagara Center getting themselves acclimated to their surroundings.
The 20 yr. old Possler sits a tad down the depth-chart on a very thin left-side and of the top-three at that spot (Daniel Catennaci, William Carrier) he probably has the most pure talent.
As to why he's not at camp, there's been no definitive answer. According to Sweden's Allehanda.se, Possler initially refused to comment on the situation. In a loose translation he told Allehanda's Adam Johansson that he wouldn't be commenting on the situation other than to say that he feels good, he's not hurt and that he'll be training this summer for his upcoming season for MODO Hockey Ornskoldsvik .
SportsExpressen.se's Av Alexander Nilsson did a follow up with Possler situation and came up with the same results save for some ambiguity as to who's decision it was--Possler's, his agent or the Sabres. Clarity will come eventually as Possler said he may have been misunderstood in the Allehanda article. "I really don't know what happened," he said, "but there's really nothing to it." Nilsson would later tweet, "Possler declines NHL camp to focus on Modo: 'The best thing for me.'"
As with all things prospect-related, Kris Baker was kind enough to lend a bit of clarification to the situation (at least until an official announcement is made, if need be.) Baker pointed out that Possler has one more year on his MODO contract and even though Buffalo GM Tim Murray may have "tinkered with the idea of evaluating him at development camp, it's always been assumed that the plan was for him to play out his contract for MODO," Bakes told me.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
The youngins hit the ice today for 2015 Sabres Development Camp
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
In his prelude to the Buffalo Sabres top five prospects, Steven Ives of todaysslapshot.com provides a quick overview of the Sabres exploits on day one of the 2015 NHL Draft which includes taking some shots at the trades for Robin Lehner ("a head-scratcher") and Ryan O'Reilly ("a fairer deal would have been O'Reilly for Nikita Zadorov, straight-up.")
While understanding GM Tim Murray's motivation for making these trades, then claiming that Buffalo's draft weekend "should be considered a raging success," there's an undercurrent to Ives' piece found in his conclusion: "The Sabres prospect pool is still extremely deep, even with several players graduating and Compher being jettisoned to Colorado.
"The Sabres may have made a couple of controversial transactions at the draft, but the weekend was still a raging success if just for [Jack] Eichel donning the Buffalo jersey for the very first time. This is a future juggernaut, a team which can challenge for the Stanley Cup in the foreseeable future. Our only wish is that they would be a little more patient with getting to that point."
Generally speaking, it's a solid assessment of the Sabres at the draft, save for the patience part. Murray had spent the majority of his first year as GM being very patient while finishing the teardown and directing the bottoming-out period that lead up to the lottery and the selection of 2015 second-overall pick in Eichel. Yet, when the opportunity came for him to land three future pieces that were right in his wheelhouse, patience may have left him on the outside looking in.
In his prelude to the Buffalo Sabres top five prospects, Steven Ives of todaysslapshot.com provides a quick overview of the Sabres exploits on day one of the 2015 NHL Draft which includes taking some shots at the trades for Robin Lehner ("a head-scratcher") and Ryan O'Reilly ("a fairer deal would have been O'Reilly for Nikita Zadorov, straight-up.")
While understanding GM Tim Murray's motivation for making these trades, then claiming that Buffalo's draft weekend "should be considered a raging success," there's an undercurrent to Ives' piece found in his conclusion: "The Sabres prospect pool is still extremely deep, even with several players graduating and Compher being jettisoned to Colorado.
"The Sabres may have made a couple of controversial transactions at the draft, but the weekend was still a raging success if just for [Jack] Eichel donning the Buffalo jersey for the very first time. This is a future juggernaut, a team which can challenge for the Stanley Cup in the foreseeable future. Our only wish is that they would be a little more patient with getting to that point."
Generally speaking, it's a solid assessment of the Sabres at the draft, save for the patience part. Murray had spent the majority of his first year as GM being very patient while finishing the teardown and directing the bottoming-out period that lead up to the lottery and the selection of 2015 second-overall pick in Eichel. Yet, when the opportunity came for him to land three future pieces that were right in his wheelhouse, patience may have left him on the outside looking in.
Friday, July 3, 2015
Murray takes care of some in house business yesterday, adds some depth
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
During draft weekend someone said to Buffalo Sabres GM Tim Murray that it seemed as if he was in on every deal going down, and as said executive rattled off six or eight deals, Murray said, "Well, I guess that that I am."
What Murray came away with last Friday, while almost stealing the show in the process, were two integral pieces acquired via trades--G, Robin Lehner and C, Ryan O'Reilly--and one huge piece of the puzzle drafted second-overall--Jack Eichel.
Eichel finally put aside any and all questions as to his future as he signed his entry-level contract yesterday. There have been indications that he'd be turning pro, but he gave no clear-cut answer. But the deal got done and yesterday, July 1st, not lottery day or draft day, officially starts the Eichel-era in Buffalo.
While Eichel and Murray and owner Terry Pegula were hunkered down in the offices of the First Niagara Center calmly putting ink to paper, free agent signings and trades were happening all around them. Being the aggressive GM that he is, one would think that just like the draft, Murray was on the phone with agents, especially those of defensemen yesterday. Yet, for one reason or another, and probably for the good of the franchise moving forward, the huge contracts given to a less-than-stellar class of free agents, the Sabres were shut out on the "big" names.
During draft weekend someone said to Buffalo Sabres GM Tim Murray that it seemed as if he was in on every deal going down, and as said executive rattled off six or eight deals, Murray said, "Well, I guess that that I am."
What Murray came away with last Friday, while almost stealing the show in the process, were two integral pieces acquired via trades--G, Robin Lehner and C, Ryan O'Reilly--and one huge piece of the puzzle drafted second-overall--Jack Eichel.
Eichel finally put aside any and all questions as to his future as he signed his entry-level contract yesterday. There have been indications that he'd be turning pro, but he gave no clear-cut answer. But the deal got done and yesterday, July 1st, not lottery day or draft day, officially starts the Eichel-era in Buffalo.
While Eichel and Murray and owner Terry Pegula were hunkered down in the offices of the First Niagara Center calmly putting ink to paper, free agent signings and trades were happening all around them. Being the aggressive GM that he is, one would think that just like the draft, Murray was on the phone with agents, especially those of defensemen yesterday. Yet, for one reason or another, and probably for the good of the franchise moving forward, the huge contracts given to a less-than-stellar class of free agents, the Sabres were shut out on the "big" names.
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Ramp-up to the 2015 NHL Draft Pt. 5--Centers of attention
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
There's an old adage in baseball that ties strength up the middle to success. With the Chicago Blackhawks and the Golden State Warriors putting an end to the hockey and basketball seasons, respectively, perhaps it's fitting we use that analogy as the boys of summer are really all we have right now from a competition standpoint (no disrespect to the FIFA women.)
Strength behind the plate, at shortstop and second base and in center field is at the heart of the defense while in hockey goaltending, top-pairing defense and No. 1 center is an NHL comparable. It's a combination the Hawks were built upon and their success has the hockey world linking "dynasty" to this group. Winning three Stanley Cups in six years is about as dynastic as you can get in a salary-cap world.
Chicago head coach Joel Quenneville got the goaltending from Corey Crawford during their Cup run this year while he played his top defenseman, Conn Smythe winner Duncan Keith, a ridiculous 31 minutes per game during the playoffs. However, hockey being the team sport that it is, there were contributions up and down the lineup throughout their run from the likes of d-partner Brent Seabrook, and forwards Marian Hossa, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, Teuvo Teravainen and Andrew Shaw, to name a few.
There's an old adage in baseball that ties strength up the middle to success. With the Chicago Blackhawks and the Golden State Warriors putting an end to the hockey and basketball seasons, respectively, perhaps it's fitting we use that analogy as the boys of summer are really all we have right now from a competition standpoint (no disrespect to the FIFA women.)
Strength behind the plate, at shortstop and second base and in center field is at the heart of the defense while in hockey goaltending, top-pairing defense and No. 1 center is an NHL comparable. It's a combination the Hawks were built upon and their success has the hockey world linking "dynasty" to this group. Winning three Stanley Cups in six years is about as dynastic as you can get in a salary-cap world.
Chicago head coach Joel Quenneville got the goaltending from Corey Crawford during their Cup run this year while he played his top defenseman, Conn Smythe winner Duncan Keith, a ridiculous 31 minutes per game during the playoffs. However, hockey being the team sport that it is, there were contributions up and down the lineup throughout their run from the likes of d-partner Brent Seabrook, and forwards Marian Hossa, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, Teuvo Teravainen and Andrew Shaw, to name a few.
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Ramp-up to the 2015 NHL Draft Pt. 4--Size, grit and knuckles at LW
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Unlike the right wingers in the system where there's plenty of talent and depth in the pipeline, the Buffalo Sabres are very thin at left wing in the talent department, at least near-future. There's size and grit, edginess and some speed, but overall the left side pale's in comparison to their counterparts on the right.
That being said, going into next season the Sabres have themselves a bonafide top-line LW in Evander Kane which is something they don't have on the right side. The former Atlanta Thrasher/Winnipeg Jet under contract for three more seasons. Buffalo also has a top six left-winger in three-time, 30-goal scorer Matt Moulson who signed to a five-year, free agent contract with the club in July, 2014. Those two sit atop the depth chart on the left side followed and are followed by 23 yr. old Marcus Foligno (2009, 104th-overall) and Nicolas Deslauriers, a converted defenseman who came to Buffalo in the Brayden McNabb to LA Kings swap.
When you add in centers who can play the left side, like Zemgus Girgensons, Johan Larsson and others, they're solid at left wing on the big club, but the depth and talent-level in the pipeline is another story. It's an area that should get some attention come draft time.
Unlike the right wingers in the system where there's plenty of talent and depth in the pipeline, the Buffalo Sabres are very thin at left wing in the talent department, at least near-future. There's size and grit, edginess and some speed, but overall the left side pale's in comparison to their counterparts on the right.
That being said, going into next season the Sabres have themselves a bonafide top-line LW in Evander Kane which is something they don't have on the right side. The former Atlanta Thrasher/Winnipeg Jet under contract for three more seasons. Buffalo also has a top six left-winger in three-time, 30-goal scorer Matt Moulson who signed to a five-year, free agent contract with the club in July, 2014. Those two sit atop the depth chart on the left side followed and are followed by 23 yr. old Marcus Foligno (2009, 104th-overall) and Nicolas Deslauriers, a converted defenseman who came to Buffalo in the Brayden McNabb to LA Kings swap.
When you add in centers who can play the left side, like Zemgus Girgensons, Johan Larsson and others, they're solid at left wing on the big club, but the depth and talent-level in the pipeline is another story. It's an area that should get some attention come draft time.
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Ramp-up to the 2015 NHL Draft Pt. 3-- RW size and depth
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
When Sabres GM Tim Murray traded RW prospect Joel Armia to the Winnipeg Jets as a part of the Tyler Myers/Evander Kane trade he traded away the most highly skilled winger in the system. Projections for the big Finn had him in the top-line/top-six category with "high-end scoring potential."
In looking at the prospects down the right side, there's size as well as plenty of all-around skill and depth, but the wow-factor of pure offensive upside--at least in the near-term--doesn't seem to be there at this juncture.
When Sabres GM Tim Murray traded RW prospect Joel Armia to the Winnipeg Jets as a part of the Tyler Myers/Evander Kane trade he traded away the most highly skilled winger in the system. Projections for the big Finn had him in the top-line/top-six category with "high-end scoring potential."
In looking at the prospects down the right side, there's size as well as plenty of all-around skill and depth, but the wow-factor of pure offensive upside--at least in the near-term--doesn't seem to be there at this juncture.
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Ramp-up to the 2015 NHL Draft Pt. 2--The d-pipeline
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
With the emergence of Tampa Bay's Victor Hedman and his dominant performance thus far in the Stanley Cup playoffs, the defenseman seems to be taking center stage in the NHL. And it's not just a matter of Hedman being matched up against a really good team with some top-notch players. The 6'6" 232 lb. native of Sweden has been at the fore of shutting down elite talent in the Chicago's Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane and his play has overshadowed the Blackhawk's two-time Norris Trophy winner Duncan Keith who, up until this series with the Lightning, was in serious consideration for the Conn Smythe Trophy as this year's playoff MVP.
Perhaps were seeing a new era in the NHL where the defenseman is King of the Hill. Both Hedman and Keith are the complete package--two-way skill, speed and smarts--although the scary part about Hedman is that he does it five inches taller and 40 lbs. heavier than Keith. Not to be dismissed in the series either is Hawks d-man Brent Seabrook, a big, strong all-around d-man with offensive acumen and a bit of a bite to his game.
With the emergence of Tampa Bay's Victor Hedman and his dominant performance thus far in the Stanley Cup playoffs, the defenseman seems to be taking center stage in the NHL. And it's not just a matter of Hedman being matched up against a really good team with some top-notch players. The 6'6" 232 lb. native of Sweden has been at the fore of shutting down elite talent in the Chicago's Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane and his play has overshadowed the Blackhawk's two-time Norris Trophy winner Duncan Keith who, up until this series with the Lightning, was in serious consideration for the Conn Smythe Trophy as this year's playoff MVP.
Perhaps were seeing a new era in the NHL where the defenseman is King of the Hill. Both Hedman and Keith are the complete package--two-way skill, speed and smarts--although the scary part about Hedman is that he does it five inches taller and 40 lbs. heavier than Keith. Not to be dismissed in the series either is Hawks d-man Brent Seabrook, a big, strong all-around d-man with offensive acumen and a bit of a bite to his game.
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Call of the desert wild. Two centers for a Yotes team that's weak down the middle
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Sportsnet's Elliott Friedman via his 30 Thoughts has the third and fourth overall picks of the NHL possibly in play this year. Arizona sits in the third spot while the Toronto Maple Leafs are right behind Coyotes at No. 4.
Friedman quotes Leafs co-GM (should they put "interim" in the title as well?) Kyle Dubas as saying (via the Toronto Star) "it's something we would definitely look at." Dubas then qualifies it by saying, “If someone else was adamant about a player, we’re pretty comfortable with the players in that (4-6) cluster," meaning they're probably not interested in going any lower than No. 6.
As it stands, the Leafs have two first-rounders (No. 24 from Nashville) but no second-round picks and according to Dubas, “We need to be acquiring as many draft pick assets as we can, as many prospects as we can. "If there was something that made sense, we’d be open to listening and having some thorough discussions on the fourth pick.”
Sportsnet's Elliott Friedman via his 30 Thoughts has the third and fourth overall picks of the NHL possibly in play this year. Arizona sits in the third spot while the Toronto Maple Leafs are right behind Coyotes at No. 4.
Friedman quotes Leafs co-GM (should they put "interim" in the title as well?) Kyle Dubas as saying (via the Toronto Star) "it's something we would definitely look at." Dubas then qualifies it by saying, “If someone else was adamant about a player, we’re pretty comfortable with the players in that (4-6) cluster," meaning they're probably not interested in going any lower than No. 6.
As it stands, the Leafs have two first-rounders (No. 24 from Nashville) but no second-round picks and according to Dubas, “We need to be acquiring as many draft pick assets as we can, as many prospects as we can. "If there was something that made sense, we’d be open to listening and having some thorough discussions on the fourth pick.”
Ramp-up to the 2015 NHL Draft Pt. 1--Goaltending Prospects in the system
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Over the course of three drafts a franchise is given a total of 21 draft picks in seven rounds by the NHL and dependent upon where said franchise is on the food chain they will either have more or less picks. Those atop the chain gunning for the Stanley Cup will have fewer picks as they bolster their roster with specific players via trade-deadline rental players. The rental players will come from those teams at the bottom of the food chain in need of building blocks.
The Buffalo Sabres have been in rebuild-mode since 2012 and have made 36 selections over the course of the last three drafts. In 2012 they picked eight players, in 2013 they picked 11 and last season they left the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA with nine. In essence Buffalo was able to pack five years worth of picks into three drafts.
More impressive than that, and the main reason that many media outlets have Buffalo with the No. 1 pool of prospects, is that they had five first-round picks from 2012-14. To augment that, the team was able to add seven second-rounders to the pool. All totaled, from the first-overall pick in those drafts until the Sabres last pick in the second rounds, Buffalo brought in 12 of the top 145 prospects or about 8% of the prospect pool.
Over the course of three drafts a franchise is given a total of 21 draft picks in seven rounds by the NHL and dependent upon where said franchise is on the food chain they will either have more or less picks. Those atop the chain gunning for the Stanley Cup will have fewer picks as they bolster their roster with specific players via trade-deadline rental players. The rental players will come from those teams at the bottom of the food chain in need of building blocks.
The Buffalo Sabres have been in rebuild-mode since 2012 and have made 36 selections over the course of the last three drafts. In 2012 they picked eight players, in 2013 they picked 11 and last season they left the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA with nine. In essence Buffalo was able to pack five years worth of picks into three drafts.
More impressive than that, and the main reason that many media outlets have Buffalo with the No. 1 pool of prospects, is that they had five first-round picks from 2012-14. To augment that, the team was able to add seven second-rounders to the pool. All totaled, from the first-overall pick in those drafts until the Sabres last pick in the second rounds, Buffalo brought in 12 of the top 145 prospects or about 8% of the prospect pool.
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Bulletin board material, Jack Eichel tells Sabres he'll be better than McSavior
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
The Buffalo Sabres are host to the NHL Scouting Combine this year and also have the second overall pick in the upcoming draft. They could've blown off the interview process when it came to prospect Jack Eichel as it's all but 100% certain that they'll take him with their second-overall pick. Some would say, why bother?
They did have a chat Eichel but passed on interviewing consensus 1st-overall pick, Connor McDavid. Perhaps they talked to him enough during the 2014-15 season as he played 90 minutes away in Erie, PA and even played in an OHL game at First Niagara Center, home to the Buffalo Sabres. But GM Tim Murray told Mike Schopp and the Bulldog on WGR550 earlier this evening that they hadn't interviewed McDavid and that it wasn't in their plans.
He also said that Eichel "would have been fine" with a lone Sabres interview, but other teams were interested in sitting down with him and "out of respect for [those] teams," he ended up doing some eight to 10 of them. The Combine interview process is that it wouldn't be the players choice as to who they would interview with, it would be the teams.
We Sabres fans, of course, don't care who he interviewed with or what was asked. We're interested how his interview with the Sabres went.
"He was great," Murray told Schopp and the Bulldog. "He came into our interview and I think he knew it was an important interview. He was ready, he was prepared. He was quick. He was sharp.
"He was impressive."
That's good to know. Just as the Sabres could've blown this off, so too could Eichel have just taken the whole thing for granted. It's impressive that he took the interview seriously enough to come in prepared.
But there was more to it than just questions about his game and what he thought of Buffalo and/or chicken wings. We found out something about Eichel that not only told us he's ready to go, but that he also has a little chip on his shoulder.
Schopp brought up an article in today's Boston Globe by Fluto Shinzawa concerning Eichel who comes from North Chelmsford, MA, which is a suburb of Boston. Shinzawa writes about the city of Buffalo and its bad-luck, bridesmaid sports teams while mentioning that Eichel had a taste of second place after his Boston University Terriers lost to Providence for the NCAA Hockey Championship this year. It's a good piece. Shinzawa is objective in his observations of Buffalo's history while sharing in the optimism that emanates from the Canal Side area of downtown Buffalo.
He noted that Eichel "got a preview of his future workplace" and during the interview process with the Sabres Shinzawa said that, "Eichel told his questioners, in a respectful but confident manner, that he would be better than Connor McDavid, his Canadian foil."
Schopp forwarded that tidbit to Murray to which the GM responded, "He said that. I think he should say that. Why not say that?
"I think he believes it. The way he played this season, we called it a two-horse race (otherwise known as McEichel) all year. So why should he not believe [he's better than McDavid]? Why should he not believe his skill-set--the whole package, size, skating ability, puck skills, hockey sense--the whole package as I said. He's confident in it and he backed up that confidence with his play this year and had a tremendous year. So, I don't know why he wouldn't believe he's the best player in the draft."
Like Chris "Bulldog" Parker said, a statement like that usually doesn't come from someone who will be playing anywhere other than in the NHL next season, to which Murray replied, "No, I can't imagine. If you believe you're the best guy in the draft and you can't wait to prove it, the NHL is where you go to prove it."
Man.
Can't wait for the season to begin.
The Buffalo Sabres are host to the NHL Scouting Combine this year and also have the second overall pick in the upcoming draft. They could've blown off the interview process when it came to prospect Jack Eichel as it's all but 100% certain that they'll take him with their second-overall pick. Some would say, why bother?
They did have a chat Eichel but passed on interviewing consensus 1st-overall pick, Connor McDavid. Perhaps they talked to him enough during the 2014-15 season as he played 90 minutes away in Erie, PA and even played in an OHL game at First Niagara Center, home to the Buffalo Sabres. But GM Tim Murray told Mike Schopp and the Bulldog on WGR550 earlier this evening that they hadn't interviewed McDavid and that it wasn't in their plans.
He also said that Eichel "would have been fine" with a lone Sabres interview, but other teams were interested in sitting down with him and "out of respect for [those] teams," he ended up doing some eight to 10 of them. The Combine interview process is that it wouldn't be the players choice as to who they would interview with, it would be the teams.
We Sabres fans, of course, don't care who he interviewed with or what was asked. We're interested how his interview with the Sabres went.
"He was great," Murray told Schopp and the Bulldog. "He came into our interview and I think he knew it was an important interview. He was ready, he was prepared. He was quick. He was sharp.
"He was impressive."
That's good to know. Just as the Sabres could've blown this off, so too could Eichel have just taken the whole thing for granted. It's impressive that he took the interview seriously enough to come in prepared.
But there was more to it than just questions about his game and what he thought of Buffalo and/or chicken wings. We found out something about Eichel that not only told us he's ready to go, but that he also has a little chip on his shoulder.
Schopp brought up an article in today's Boston Globe by Fluto Shinzawa concerning Eichel who comes from North Chelmsford, MA, which is a suburb of Boston. Shinzawa writes about the city of Buffalo and its bad-luck, bridesmaid sports teams while mentioning that Eichel had a taste of second place after his Boston University Terriers lost to Providence for the NCAA Hockey Championship this year. It's a good piece. Shinzawa is objective in his observations of Buffalo's history while sharing in the optimism that emanates from the Canal Side area of downtown Buffalo.
He noted that Eichel "got a preview of his future workplace" and during the interview process with the Sabres Shinzawa said that, "Eichel told his questioners, in a respectful but confident manner, that he would be better than Connor McDavid, his Canadian foil."
Schopp forwarded that tidbit to Murray to which the GM responded, "He said that. I think he should say that. Why not say that?
"I think he believes it. The way he played this season, we called it a two-horse race (otherwise known as McEichel) all year. So why should he not believe [he's better than McDavid]? Why should he not believe his skill-set--the whole package, size, skating ability, puck skills, hockey sense--the whole package as I said. He's confident in it and he backed up that confidence with his play this year and had a tremendous year. So, I don't know why he wouldn't believe he's the best player in the draft."
Like Chris "Bulldog" Parker said, a statement like that usually doesn't come from someone who will be playing anywhere other than in the NHL next season, to which Murray replied, "No, I can't imagine. If you believe you're the best guy in the draft and you can't wait to prove it, the NHL is where you go to prove it."
Man.
Can't wait for the season to begin.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
New Sabres head coach Dan Bylsma with some thoughts on his top forwards
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
New Buffalo Sabres bench boss Dan Bylsma made his rounds with the media just after his hire, landing on Sportsnet's, Hockey Central. The interview, which lasted over seven minutes ended up becoming the basis for one of Elliot Friedman's 30 Thoughts.
Friedman, like everyone else, is focused upon a Sabres' future featuring presumed second-overall draft pick Jack Eichel. And when he brought Evander Kane into the mix as playing on a line with Eichel, Friedman opened up a world of unicorns, rainbows and jujus to Sabres fans.
In his 30 Thoughts, Friedman quoted Bylsma as saying "(Eichel’s) power numbers are extremely good. His vertical, again from what we know, would be the second-best among the entire Sabres team. He generates is an enormous amount of power. The way he can accelerate, you don’t see someone do that every day.”
New Buffalo Sabres bench boss Dan Bylsma made his rounds with the media just after his hire, landing on Sportsnet's, Hockey Central. The interview, which lasted over seven minutes ended up becoming the basis for one of Elliot Friedman's 30 Thoughts.
Friedman, like everyone else, is focused upon a Sabres' future featuring presumed second-overall draft pick Jack Eichel. And when he brought Evander Kane into the mix as playing on a line with Eichel, Friedman opened up a world of unicorns, rainbows and jujus to Sabres fans.
In his 30 Thoughts, Friedman quoted Bylsma as saying "(Eichel’s) power numbers are extremely good. His vertical, again from what we know, would be the second-best among the entire Sabres team. He generates is an enormous amount of power. The way he can accelerate, you don’t see someone do that every day.”
Friday, May 29, 2015
From Babs to Byls, the Buffalo coaching saga continues
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
After the Buffalo Sabres lost out to the Toronto Maple Leafs on the Mike Babcock sweepstakes they immediately turned their attention to former Pittsburgh Penguins bench boss, Dan Bylsma.
Bylsma had done some fine work for the Penguins but the organization, with new GM Jim Rutherford in charge after replacing Ray Shero, decided to go in another direction. Bylsma had taken over the reigns of a struggling Penguins team when Michel Therrien was fired February 15, 2009 and lead the team to the Stanley Cup that spring, ironically enough, defeating the Babcock-coached Wings in a tough seven-game series.
That Penguins team was relatively young and was lead by a "once in a generation player" in Sidney Crosby, and a definitive No. 1 center in Evgeni Malkin. Along with those two were second overall pick Jordan Staal and first-overall pick, goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. All were drafted between 2003 and 2006 and were in their early 20's that Cup-winning team.
From Rutherford and the Penguins, however, it would seem as if Bylsma rode that Cup-win long enough. After five seasons of making the playoffs, and making the conference final once, Bylsma was shown the door on June 6, 2014. He did not coach last season.
Everything seems to be in place for the Sabres to hire him save for one little hitch--Rutherford and the Penguins are looking for compensation in the form of a third round draft pick. TSN's Darren Dreger tweeted this around noon today, "Sounds like dispute/clarity over draft pick compensation is one of the few things holding up the Sabres hiring Bylsma. Can't be deal breaker."
After the Buffalo Sabres lost out to the Toronto Maple Leafs on the Mike Babcock sweepstakes they immediately turned their attention to former Pittsburgh Penguins bench boss, Dan Bylsma.
Bylsma had done some fine work for the Penguins but the organization, with new GM Jim Rutherford in charge after replacing Ray Shero, decided to go in another direction. Bylsma had taken over the reigns of a struggling Penguins team when Michel Therrien was fired February 15, 2009 and lead the team to the Stanley Cup that spring, ironically enough, defeating the Babcock-coached Wings in a tough seven-game series.
That Penguins team was relatively young and was lead by a "once in a generation player" in Sidney Crosby, and a definitive No. 1 center in Evgeni Malkin. Along with those two were second overall pick Jordan Staal and first-overall pick, goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. All were drafted between 2003 and 2006 and were in their early 20's that Cup-winning team.
From Rutherford and the Penguins, however, it would seem as if Bylsma rode that Cup-win long enough. After five seasons of making the playoffs, and making the conference final once, Bylsma was shown the door on June 6, 2014. He did not coach last season.
Everything seems to be in place for the Sabres to hire him save for one little hitch--Rutherford and the Penguins are looking for compensation in the form of a third round draft pick. TSN's Darren Dreger tweeted this around noon today, "Sounds like dispute/clarity over draft pick compensation is one of the few things holding up the Sabres hiring Bylsma. Can't be deal breaker."
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Bylsma/Buffalo inevitable?
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Puck Daddy's Greg Wyshynski seems to think that the Buffalo Sabres and Dan Bylsma would make for a pretty good marriage. "There are glaringly obvious reasons why Bylsma and the Sabres are a fit," wrote Wyshynski today. "There’s the fact that Buffalo is slowly becoming the cradle of USA Hockey, and Bylsma is a prominent part of that program. There’s the Jack Eichel connection, as Bylsma coached him as an assistant at the world championships in Prague."
Although Wyshinski does intoduce a far-reaching connection between Sabres GM Tim Murray, Cliff Fletcher and Bylsma, via Sportsnet's Elliot Friedman, he feels that there's one undeniable, underlying current in all of this:
"Let’s be honest here," continued Wyshynski, "one of the main reasons this is a match is Terry Pegula, who will meet whatever price Bylsma is asking for if Murray wants him; and after Mike Babcock spurned the Sabres for the Toronto Maple Leafs, one assumes Pegula would like to have a coach with some prominence and a Stanley Cup to his credit over, say, an AHL coach like Luke Richardson, who is also expected in the mix."
Puck Daddy's Greg Wyshynski seems to think that the Buffalo Sabres and Dan Bylsma would make for a pretty good marriage. "There are glaringly obvious reasons why Bylsma and the Sabres are a fit," wrote Wyshynski today. "There’s the fact that Buffalo is slowly becoming the cradle of USA Hockey, and Bylsma is a prominent part of that program. There’s the Jack Eichel connection, as Bylsma coached him as an assistant at the world championships in Prague."
Although Wyshinski does intoduce a far-reaching connection between Sabres GM Tim Murray, Cliff Fletcher and Bylsma, via Sportsnet's Elliot Friedman, he feels that there's one undeniable, underlying current in all of this:
"Let’s be honest here," continued Wyshynski, "one of the main reasons this is a match is Terry Pegula, who will meet whatever price Bylsma is asking for if Murray wants him; and after Mike Babcock spurned the Sabres for the Toronto Maple Leafs, one assumes Pegula would like to have a coach with some prominence and a Stanley Cup to his credit over, say, an AHL coach like Luke Richardson, who is also expected in the mix."
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