Archives for June 2015

'Tim Murray’s primary objective is to trade the selection for a young, established player. The general manager has been willing to package center Mikhail Grigorenko with No. 21 in trades, a source said.' … [Read more...] about Sabres have options after No. 2 pick

'So Murray has another plan, or, perhaps more appropriately, wish. He hopes a team experiencing salary cap problems can offer the Sabres a youngster – a top-six forward or a top-three defenseman – or a No. 1 goalie for the pick.' … [Read more...] about GM Tim Murray has plan after Sabres draft Jack Eichel

'Dan Marr, the NHL's Director of Central Scouting, said his group found "no distinctive line" between McDavid and Eichel. "(But) we have to make one No. 1 and the other No. 2," Marr said. "But I think their production will be similar and their results will be similar. The difference will be that one will beat the other to win a Stanley Cup."' … [Read more...] about Childhood dream about to come true for Jack Eichel at NHL draft

'“If you think you have an abundance of forwards today, two drafts from now you’re going to say you don’t have enough wingers,” he said. “It’s the best player available. If you have a weakness or a lack of a certain position, go out and trade for that position. The draft guys could be a year away, could be three years away. You have to look big picture when it comes to the … [Read more...] about GM Tim Murray has plan after Sabres draft Jack Eichel

'“He’s going to get development there,” Murray said. “The one position there that that league probably doesn’t bother me as much as others is goaltending. You still get shots, you still get coaching. He’s still a big athletic guy that was a great interview with our guys that went down there and he has his head on his shoulders. He knows what he has to do, he knows his own … [Read more...] about Sabres have strong interest in top goalie prospect Ilya Samsonov

'If the Sabres can get 10,000 people to show up to watch Connor McDavid who had no better than a 20% chance of ending up as a Sabre, how many people will be at First Niagara Center to watch Eichel skate around wearing the Blue and Gold? I would expect sales to go through the roof once the Eichel jerseys hit the shelves.' … [Read more...] about Eichel week is finally here

'While Eichel is expected to jump right to the NHL, there are plenty of No. 2 picks who did not. Waiting didn’t hurt Daniel Sedin, Dany Heatley, Jason Spezza, Evgeni Malkin, James van Riemsdyk or Ryan.' … [Read more...] about Sudden impact?

'"I really like what we have in the system right now; it seems Ristolainen, Zadorov and Zemgus Girgensons (2012, No. 14) each have a long future ahead of them," Royce said. "We're going to get a really good player at No. 21 and then at No. 31, but obviously he won't be NHL-ready until another two or three years down the road."' … [Read more...] about Sabres general manager Murray set for defining draft

'"I told him he was not going to be a candidate for the head coaching job," Hextall said. "I said, 'I'm not sure what's going to happen with our staff, but we'll keep you in mind and I'll certainly put your name out there for other jobs.'' … [Read more...] about Terry Murray wanted to be Flyers assistant, but is with Buffalo Sabres … Here’s why

'“The basic plan is we have to get a goalie, that’s for sure,” Murray said at the team’s annual pre-draft news conference in First Niagara Center. “It’s a moving plan. The plan always moves. We would love to trade for a ‘youngish’ goalie. If that doesn’t work, we would trade for a real good short-term goalie who is older. If we could sign the best or second-best free agent … [Read more...] about Top priority for Murray, Sabres is finding a starting goalie

'“They’re a model for sure,” Murray said. “I talk to Steve a lot. I think he’s an intelligent guy. I think he’s got a plan and he’s not going to waver from it. That’s the key to me. They’ve drafted very well. They’ve made some trades that helped them. And they topped themselves off in free agency.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres would be wise to follow Lightning’s blueprint for success

'The team announced an expanded camp schedule Thursday, stretching from July 6-12 in First Niagara Center. The highlight will be a Blue & Gold scrimmage on July 10 at 7 p.m. Interest in the scrimmage is expected to be huge because of the presence of Eichel, the team’s presumptive No. 1 pick next week, so there will be tickets sold for the first time.' … [Read more...] about Scrimmage date set for development camp

'“We feel he needs time in the minors, whether that’s 10 games, a half a year, whatever it is,” Murray said. “That will depend on what kind of summer he has.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres want Mikhail Grigorenko to spend more time in minors

'“A ton of experience in both guys,” Bylsma said about Murray and Barr. “Terry is a guy who’s been a head coach in this league. He’s been an assistant coach in this league. He’s been a head coach at the American Hockey League level. He’s coached with and under some other great coaches in other great systems, organizations. Terry’s bringing that to our team. I think it’s going … [Read more...] about Sabres land experienced assistants in Terry Murray, Dave Barr

'“We would love to trade for a goalie,” Murray said. “We would love to trade for a youngish goalie. If that doesn’t work, we would trade for a real good short-term goalie who’s older. If we could sign the best or second-best free agent goalie, we’d be happy with that, too.' … [Read more...] about Sabres GM Tim Murray wants to trade for young goalie