Archives for June 2015

'Murray knows he’s being criticized for this trade and he’s not offended by it, "I know we're going to hear that we paid too much. Every trade I've made we've paid too much. I get that. I don't agree. You have to dig deep into this kid's background, what a starting goaltender is in the NHL. We've done our homework.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Murray has total belief in his new goalie

'“His poise and his ability to just get things done out there, at the most opportune times it seems, is something you don’t see very much in freshmen" Parker said. "I think he’s the best freshman to play in Hockey East since Paul Kariya. I knew he’d have a huge impact but I didn’t realize he’d have this big an impact.”' … [Read more...] about Former BU Coach: Eichel has everything you need

'The Sabres had acquired Ryan O'Reilly and forward Jamie McGinn from Colorado. In exchange, the Sabres sent defenseman Nikita Zadorov, center Mikhail Grigorenko, the 31st overall pick in this year's draft, and prospect J.T. Compher to the Avalanche.' … [Read more...] about Sabres draft Eichel; acquire O’Reilly

'"You're talking about an elite player with elite speed and ability to accelerate down the ice," Bylsma said. "He makes everyone on the bench and in the stands notice him right away. To be able to add that to our team is pretty exciting."' … [Read more...] about Jack Eichel drafted No. 2 by Buffalo Sabres

'O'Reilly, 24, has one year remaining on his contract that carries a $6.0 million salary-cap charge, according to War-on-Ice.com. He can become an unrestricted free agent after the 2015-16 season. The Sabres can sign him to a contract extension beginning on July 1.' … [Read more...] about Sabres acquire center O’Reilly from Avalanche

'"The reason you prepare yourself and you draft properly and you make trades like this is so you get better and you move up the standings," Murray said. "I expect that's what we're going to do."' … [Read more...] about Sabres add Eichel, O’Reilly, Lehner to speed rebuild

'“It was great. I know what it means to the franchise. I know what it means to the city. I’ve been here a short time, but I know how important it is,” Murray said of the pick. “It was one of the special moments in my drafting career. You don’t get to draft that high very often – nor do you want to. And you don’t get that caliber player very often. It was great.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres select Eichel 2nd overall

'“I have no fear because I think I’m prepared. I think my staff helps me a lot. I’m a scenario guy. Like I’ve said from the start, we have a goal in how we want to build. But it’s a moving target all the time.”' … [Read more...] about Murray: ‘It was a good day’

'A seven-year veteran, McGinn (6’1”, 210 lbs., 8/5/1988) has spent appeared in 366 NHL games with the Avalanche and the San Jose Sharks, recording 128 points (69+59) and 172 penalty minutes. Though he spent most of the 2014-15 season on injured reserve, McGinn registered career-best totals in assists (19) and points (38) in 79 games in 2013-14.' … [Read more...] about Sabres acquire O’Reilly, McGinn from Colorado

'“I think he’s a very talented, big, strong young man that is just scratching the surface. Hopefully we can bring the best out of him.”' … [Read more...] about Murray kicks off draft day with big trade

'I’ll admit – probably much like the rest of you reading this – that I was shocked at the price tag when this deal was announced. But less than an hour later (and before Tim Murray even addressed the media), I was much more understanding of how it came to be and why it made sense.' … [Read more...] about Another way to think about the Lehner trade

'A 17-year NHL veteran and second-overall pick in the 1998 NHL Draft, Legwand (6’2”, 205 lbs. 8/17/1980) joined the Senators in 2014-15 and recorded 27 points (9+18) in 80 games last season.' … [Read more...] about Sabres trade for Lehner, Legwand from Senators

'“Jack does have the benefit of being more physically mature,” said Marr. “He’s competitive, he’s a force when he’s on the ice. He thrives on the pressure, he thrives on being the coach’s guy.”' … [Read more...] about Christmas Comes Early for Two Hockey-Mad Towns

'We all know Murray is burning up the phone lines looking for those players he thinks will help this rebuild. Royce said he likes his GM’s unpredictability, “Working with Tim in the past he makes the draft very exciting. Being on his staff, we’re not sure what he’s going to do, what he’s going to pull out of his pocket, is he going to make some magic happen and it makes for an … [Read more...] about Sabres put the last minute touches on their draft plan

'"I'm really looking forward to just winding down and just spending time with them because it means a lot that all my friends and family would come down here and support me," said Eichel, who has a group of about 30 surrounding him. "Obviously, it's a nice trip to Florida for them and they all jumped on the opportunity to do it, but it's really nice to have them all here … [Read more...] about All eyes are on Eichel