Archives for June 16, 2017

'The 53-year-old has spent the past four years in Nashville, earning praise for running one of the NHL’s top defense corps. The Predators hired Housley in 2013 after he coached the U.S. world junior team to a gold medal and earned a bronze as an assistant for the men’s world championship squad.' … [Read more...] about Sabres hire Phil Housley as coach, bring back piece of history

'“I’m just excited to be a part of this organization and see the change that has happened from when I played to now,” Housley said in KeyBank Center. “It’s an exciting time, and it’s an exciting time for me to be able to work with incredible people here.”' … [Read more...] about Phil Housley ready to coach, build relationships with Sabres’ players

'"There is that credibility right off the bat," Botterill said Thursday in KeyBank Center after the news conference introducing Housley as coach. "Even with talking with Phil, he doesn't just rest on that. He may have credibility but you don't back it up, you're not helping them get better and it's going to dissipate very quickly."' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: With Housley, it comes down to respect

'"Everybody matures and moves on," said Ray, now 49. "All that is over. You play with guys who you dislike, guys you love and guys you never see again. You don't hold a grudge for 30 years. That was 25-30 years ago. I called [former coach] John Muckler a certain word 25 times back then. I love the old man now."' … [Read more...] about Rob Ray says, ‘It’s a good hire, really good’ and discounts any grudge with Housley

'From informative tidbits to snarky comments to bizarro humor, here is a range of social media posts responding to the news.' … [Read more...] about Twitter reaction to Sabres’ hiring of Phil Housley

'"We're gonna meet with him again next week," Sabres GM Jason Botterill said Thursday after new head coach Phil Housley's introductory press conference "Obviously, coming to the organization I didn't have a strong relationship with Cal, but I've enjoyed our dialogues with him. It's a situation, where in the CBA, he has that right" to test free agency. "Both players and team … [Read more...] about Jason Botterill sees great fit between Sabres, goalie prospect Cal Petersen as free agency decision date looms

'"We've had conversation with him. Everything's looking great from Kyle," Botterill said. "He physically looks great and mentally looks great."' … [Read more...] about Kyle Okposo ‘will be ready’ for training camp after late-season medical scare

'"I've had conversations with him and I think that's a two-step process. Obviously I think we feel comfortable where we're at right now, but you never know what can change in the next couple hours or a couple days here," Botterill said Thursday after the introductory press conference for new Sabres head coach Phil Housley. "But then there's the unknown. Once you hand your list … [Read more...] about Jason Botterill on expansion draft talks with Vegas Golden Knights: ‘You never know what can change’