'Botterill has all summer to improve every aspect of the team. Given our limited time, we’ll focus on a few major issues...' … [Read more...] about Sabres ‘GM for a Day’: It’s time to make hard choices
Archives for June 2017
With Phil Housley in place, Sabres can search for assistant coaches
'Jack Capuano would fit the criteria, and his name has already been floated by TSN. Capuano spent parts of seven seasons as coach of the New York Islanders, who fired him in January. He went 227-192-64 with the Islanders, who made the playoffs in three of his five full seasons.' … [Read more...] about With Phil Housley in place, Sabres can search for assistant coaches
Meet the Housleys: One wants a Cup, the other a governorship
'Today, state Sen. Housley represents Minnesota’s St. Croix River Valley. The duration of her political career nearly overlaps that of her husband’s pro coaching career, which began in 2013 when he became as assistant for the Nashville Predators.' … [Read more...] about Meet the Housleys: One wants a Cup, the other a governorship
Sully's Mailbag: Back then, fans had their Phil of Housley
'Housley was a great talent, but he was seen as symptomatic of the team's shortcomings. He was a soft defenseman who came up small in the playoffs. A month after the series, I called for him to be traded. That June, the Sabres sent him to Winnipeg (along with Scott Arniel, Jeff Parker and a first) for Dale Hawerchuk and a first-round pick that became Brad May.' … [Read more...] about Sully’s Mailbag: Back then, fans had their Phil of Housley
Sabres' Botterill preparing for Expansion Draft
'Teams must have their expansion lists finalized by Saturday when the trade and waiver freeze also takes place. Botterill said he's already laid the groundwork, “My dialogs with other GM's in preparation for the Expansion Draft and for the Draft and for free agency, I've felt very well prepared.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Botterill preparing for Expansion Draft
Housley happy to be back where his career began
'“It means everything," Housley said with Howard Simon and Paul Hamilton on Friday on WGR. "I started my career here. I get very emotional when I think about it, to be the head coach of the Buffalo Sabres as my first opportunity. I got to thank Terry and Kim for having the confidence in me; and Jason for taking a chance on me and having confidence in me to do the job. I’m … [Read more...] about Housley happy to be back where his career began
Sabres should field offers for Kane & Lehner
'According to TSN's Darren Dreger, who joined 'The Instigators' on WGR 550 Friday morning, he believes the Sabres would be open to trading their starting goaltender and he thinks Buffalo wants to trade Evander Kane. Dreger went on to say that there's 'not much going on for Kane right now', but that he believes Botterill [and now Housley] can find a fit for him.' … [Read more...] about Sabres should field offers for Kane & Lehner
Sabres hire Phil Housley as coach, bring back piece of history
'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
Phil Housley ready to coach, build relationships with Sabres' players
'“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
Mike Harrington: With Housley, it comes down to respect
'"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
Rob Ray says, 'It's a good hire, really good' and discounts any grudge with Housley
'"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
Twitter reaction to Sabres' hiring of Phil 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
Jason Botterill sees great fit between Sabres, goalie prospect Cal Petersen as free agency decision date looms
'"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
Kyle Okposo 'will be ready' for training camp after late-season medical scare
'"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
Jason Botterill on expansion draft talks with Vegas Golden Knights: 'You never know what can change'
'"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’