Archives for September 2015

'“Everywhere you go people are saying that they’re happy to have me here, they can’t wait for the season,” O’Reilly said. “It’s a great thing to be a part of. I’ve never experienced it. Everywhere I go everyone’s talking about hockey and can’t wait for the season.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres brimming with optimism

'Translation: the likes of Colaiacovo, Donovan, Sanguinetti, Chad Ruhwedel, Mike Weber, Pysyk and McCabe will be battling for a roster position.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ McCabe is dealing with an uncertain future

'"Management did a great job with the hand they were dealt," Johnson said Thursday at the Pepsi Center, where veterans reported for training camp. "Ryan kind of put himself in a situation where he said he wanted to be here, but didn't want to be here because of his contract demands."' … [Read more...] about Avs’ Erik Johnson on the trade of teammate Ryan O’Reilly

'"The goal is to win a Stanley Cup, and I think people expect that in a few years," O'Reilly said. "For us, let's try to do that now. Your career is only so long. You never know what could happen. Every time you touch the ice, it's toward a Stanley Cup, whether it's now or in a few years."' … [Read more...] about New-look Sabres enter training camp with raised expectations

'"You go from the security of the contract, having that stability and just can focus on playing hockey, and then getting into this situation and looking at that. I feel like I kind of screwed up this thing."' … [Read more...] about Ryan O’Reilly ready to get past ‘ups and downs’ of big contract, offseason arrest

'The Sabres will have a successful season if… their offence can find chemistry. Surely it will take some time for the new-look forward corps to really hit its stride, but if/when it does, watch out.' … [Read more...] about NHL Team Preview 2015-16: Buffalo Sabres

'Kane skated with the guys Wednesday for the first time before the team golf tournament. He said he’s not the only one introducing himself, “There are a lot of new faces for everybody, I think we have 10 new guys at least, so there’s a lot of newbies, but a lot of guys that have experience in the league too.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Kane and Lehner are healthy for camp

'“(GM) Tim (Murray) made some big moves to push our team to the next level on paper now we have to go out and prove it,” said forward Evander Kane.' … [Read more...] about Sabres report to training camp

'"I feel like I'm just learning how to play hockey all over again," Kane said. "It's been a good last month for me getting back on the ice and getting the legs going, getting the speed going, getting the hands back a little bit. I'm sure there's going to be some rust throughout camp and through the preseason, especially having not played in eight, nine months. But by the time … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Evander Kane sees ’40 or 50′ goals as doable

'“Obviously the goal is to win the Stanley Cup, and I think people expect that in a few years. But for us, let’s try to do it right now,” O’Reilly said. “Your career is only so long, you never know what can happen. I expect every time we touch the ice, it’s towards a Stanley Cup – whether it’s now or in a few years or whatever game it is, we’re preparing to win that.”' … [Read more...] about Players report to camp with high expectations

'“It’s a long season, especially coming from college,” he said. “It took a little bit for me to adjust. Maybe until Christmas time, that was the first time I could put three good games together. Then I started to find my stride and play consistently the rest of the year. It was a real learning season and I took a lot from it.”' … [Read more...] about McCabe set to make his case to stay in Buffalo

'Naturally, the Sabres want to lessen the pressure on Eichel. That’s one reason they paid a steep price to land Ryan O’Reilly from the Colorado Avalanche the same day they drafted the phenom. Bylsma has already anointed O’Reilly his No. 1 center.' … [Read more...] about Even with roster mostly set, Sabres training camp has intriguing storylines

'There were many times after practice Gorges would stand and talk with Ted Nolan for long stretches of time. Gorges was trying to refine his game and has also decided there are ways he can be a better leader, “I think I learned a lot last year. I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on how things went, what I could’ve done differently and what I liked and I think I took too much … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Gorges has evolved on and off the ice

'With the signing of Cody Franson, Buffalo now has four right handed defensemen and all four will dress. Mark Pysyk played some on the left in Rochester, so the 2010 first round pick is a prime candidate to go to the left side.' … [Read more...] about Sabres climb up begins

'We already knew what kind of skill set Eichel brought to the table: he’s fast, strong with the puck and incredibly gifted offensively; his performance in the Prospects Challenge only confirmed that. The next test for the 18-year-old is to see how those skills hold up alongside seasoned NHL players.' … [Read more...] about Five Training Camp storylines to watch