Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
For the Buffalo Sabres, and forward Jamie McGinn in particular, the trade of Winnipeg LW, Andrew Ladd to the Chicago Blackhawks yesterday was pretty big.
When it came to rental forwards this year, Ladd was at the top of the list with possibly Eric Staal being the only other pending UFA to supersede him. Staal, who has a no-trade clause, would surely fetch a hefty return should they find the proper destination, but in terms of significance for the Sabres at the trade deadline, all eyes were pretty much on Ladd and the dominoes leading to McGinn.
Following Ladd closely on the domino depth-chart is Boston Bruins winger Loui Eriksson who's in contract-extension negotiations with GM Don Sweeney and the Boston Bruins. Sweeney's in a bit of a pickle as the Bruins would like to keep Eriksson, but according to various sources, they're at an impasse as to the length of the contract. Eriksson's having strong year in Boston already surpassing his point total from the previous season while his 23 goals and 48 points in 61 games has him on pace for a 30-goal/63-point season.
Showing posts with label Randy Cunneyworth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Randy Cunneyworth. Show all posts
Saturday, February 27, 2016
Monday, August 3, 2015
On Randy Cunneyworth's hiring as coach of the Rochester Americans
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
The 2005-06 NHL heralded in great change for the NHL. After owners locked out the players for the entirety of the 2004-05 season, something that had never been done before in any of the four major North American sports, the league was coming back with a new financial structure to satisfy owners and a new, more wide open product on the ice for fans.
Cost-certainty was the key word for owners as players salaries were now tied to revenue via the salary cap. Prior to the cap, 76% of revenue went towards players salaries, a situation that caused owners to collectively lose $273 million during the 2003-04 season. With the cap in place the players share of hockey related revenue dropped down to 54% the first year of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. With this in place, the Buffalo Sabres, who for many years were operating in the red, found themselves on an even level with the rest of the teams.
On the ice, hockey fans were introduced to "The New NHL." After a decade of "clutching and grabbing," where star players were continually impeded (mugged) by the not so gifted, the NHL cracked down on any impedance to skill and created a European-style "no-touch" league where speed and talent would once again dominate the sport.
These changes lead to a rebalancing in the NHL where teams like the mighty Boston Bruins and the free-spending Toronto Maple Leafs in the Eastern Conference would be replaced by the small-market Carolina Hurricanes and Buffalo Sabres coming out of the lockout, the latter two teams playing in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The 2005-06 NHL heralded in great change for the NHL. After owners locked out the players for the entirety of the 2004-05 season, something that had never been done before in any of the four major North American sports, the league was coming back with a new financial structure to satisfy owners and a new, more wide open product on the ice for fans.
Cost-certainty was the key word for owners as players salaries were now tied to revenue via the salary cap. Prior to the cap, 76% of revenue went towards players salaries, a situation that caused owners to collectively lose $273 million during the 2003-04 season. With the cap in place the players share of hockey related revenue dropped down to 54% the first year of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. With this in place, the Buffalo Sabres, who for many years were operating in the red, found themselves on an even level with the rest of the teams.
On the ice, hockey fans were introduced to "The New NHL." After a decade of "clutching and grabbing," where star players were continually impeded (mugged) by the not so gifted, the NHL cracked down on any impedance to skill and created a European-style "no-touch" league where speed and talent would once again dominate the sport.
These changes lead to a rebalancing in the NHL where teams like the mighty Boston Bruins and the free-spending Toronto Maple Leafs in the Eastern Conference would be replaced by the small-market Carolina Hurricanes and Buffalo Sabres coming out of the lockout, the latter two teams playing in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Friday, August 22, 2014
Connor McDavid and the Erie Otters to play in Buffalo. Plus other notes
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
The Buffalo Sabres and Erie Otters held a joint press conference this afternoon to announce that the Otters will be facing off in an OHL tilt against the Niagara Ice Dogs on Wednesday, October 22 at 7pm at the First Niagara Center.
Tickets for the event are $15.
Sherry Bassin, general manager and managing partner of the Otters called the event "an exciting moment for hockey fans in Buffalo and in Erie. They’ll have the chance to see the hockey stars of tomorrow play in a future NHL home like First Niagara Center. It’s a special opportunity for the Ontario Hockey League, as a hockey town like Buffalo will provide great exposure for the top junior hockey league in the world.”
The Buffalo Sabres and Erie Otters held a joint press conference this afternoon to announce that the Otters will be facing off in an OHL tilt against the Niagara Ice Dogs on Wednesday, October 22 at 7pm at the First Niagara Center.
Tickets for the event are $15.
Sherry Bassin, general manager and managing partner of the Otters called the event "an exciting moment for hockey fans in Buffalo and in Erie. They’ll have the chance to see the hockey stars of tomorrow play in a future NHL home like First Niagara Center. It’s a special opportunity for the Ontario Hockey League, as a hockey town like Buffalo will provide great exposure for the top junior hockey league in the world.”
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, April 19, 2014
The development of Joel Armia and Mikhail Grigorenko is Randy Cunneyworth's first major task.
About a year ago I had a discussion with Kris Baker of sabresprospects.com about Joel Armia and Mikhail Grigorenko.
The gist of it was former GM Darcy Regier and his penchant for drafting or acquiring (see Tim Connolly) soft-but-skilled hockey players, with Armia and Grigorenko being the last in a long line of players like that.
The Sabres' overall philosophy was changing at the time as the team was moving towards "tougher to play against," "gritty," "bigger, stronger, faster."
Both Armia and Grigorenko have size and plenty of natural skill, but it's their will that is being severely tested at the pro level.
The gist of it was former GM Darcy Regier and his penchant for drafting or acquiring (see Tim Connolly) soft-but-skilled hockey players, with Armia and Grigorenko being the last in a long line of players like that.
The Sabres' overall philosophy was changing at the time as the team was moving towards "tougher to play against," "gritty," "bigger, stronger, faster."
Both Armia and Grigorenko have size and plenty of natural skill, but it's their will that is being severely tested at the pro level.
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Sabres development void being filled by self-confidence
Last season, with the team in disarray and in the tank, Sabres fans were venting their frustration at just about everyone in the organization save for Rip Simonick. And if fans knew that he was the long-standing (36 years) equipment manager for the team, they probably would've been blaming him for the dismal on-ice product as well.
From GM Darcy Regier to coach Ron Rolston to owner Terry Pegula, nobody was safe. And that included Head Amateur Scout/Assistant General Manager Kevin Devine.
From GM Darcy Regier to coach Ron Rolston to owner Terry Pegula, nobody was safe. And that included Head Amateur Scout/Assistant General Manager Kevin Devine.
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