'Skinner, who is 26 but already an eight-year veteran, heaped praise on Eichel, whom he doesn't know personally but has heard plenty about from Eichel's good friend, Carolina defenseman Noah Hanifin. While a pairing of the two players isn't a lock, the newest Sabre is penciled in on Eichel's left wing in most line projections. If that ends up being coach Phil Housley's move, … [Read more...] about Jeff Skinner excited to join Sabres ‘and be a piece of the puzzle’
Archives for August 4, 2018
Roth: Sabres' GM Botterill completes his summer homework with Skinner trade
'When a team finishes dead last in the NHL three of the last five years, a new GM gets a green light from ownership, and Botterill has kept his foot on the pedal.' … [Read more...] about Roth: Sabres’ GM Botterill completes his summer homework with Skinner trade
Young talent helped convince Jeff Skinner to join Sabres
'“First and foremost, the young group of players they have, the young core is exciting,” Skinner said of why he approved a trade to the Sabres. “There’s a lot of good players. I’m excited to join those guys and be a piece of the puzzle to them.' … [Read more...] about Young talent helped convince Jeff Skinner to join Sabres
Skinner focused on Sabres, not contract after being traded
'“Right now, our focus with Jeff is to make his transition into Buffalo as easy as possible for him,” Botterill said. “We’ll talk about things such as an extension or contract down the road.”' … [Read more...] about Skinner focused on Sabres, not contract after being traded
'I'm happy to be on his team': Jeff Skinner excited to join Jack Eichel, Sabres
'"As you continue to mature as person and as a player, you want to pass on to young guys as much as you can anything you've picked up, anything that may help the team," offered Skinner, who scored 24 goals last season in Carolina and has 204 in his career.' … [Read more...] about ‘I’m happy to be on his team’: Jeff Skinner excited to join Jack Eichel, Sabres
Jeff Skinner trade grades: Sabres buy low on high-end scoring help
'Buffalo's grade in this deal ultimately hinges of Skinner re-signing. If he doesn't, it was a waste of assets, and he'll need to be flipped at the deadline to recoup them. If he does, the Sabres addressed a critical need and acquired one of the NHL's better prime-aged scoring threats at a heavy discount.' … [Read more...] about Jeff Skinner trade grades: Sabres buy low on high-end scoring help
Sabres' Skinner said many factors went into his decision to come to Buffalo
'Many felt being from Toronto played into his decision, but he said in reality, it didn’t, “It’s a positive all things considered because my family is excited, but for me when you rank the priorities and weigh everything that goes into it, it’s nice to be close to family and friends, but for me, my focus is winning and having a good season.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Skinner said many factors went into his decision to come to Buffalo
Cullen - It's easy to say that another 30-goal season is within Skinner's reach
'"One thing that is underrated about Skinner, over the last few seasons his most frequent centers are Derek Ryan & Victor Rask... Not guys you want setting up your top goal-scorer. It's easy to say that another 30-goal season is within his reach."' … [Read more...] about Cullen – It’s easy to say that another 30-goal season is within Skinner’s reach
What the Sabres lineup could look like with the addition of Jeff Skinner
'Chances are, Sam Reinhart, another solid playmaker will be flanking the right side of the top line. While he doesn't have the speed that either Eichel or Skinner has, he can create opportunities for both pure goal scorers. In a perfect world, Reinhart will continue his red-hot offensive production from the second half of last season.' … [Read more...] about What the Sabres lineup could look like with the addition of Jeff Skinner
Skinner excited to play with Jack Eichel, young core of Sabres
'“I enjoyed my time in Carolina. It’s frustrating not reaching a goal and I think everyone involved gets frustrated. When you don’t reach goals, it’s not a good feeling," he said but added, “that’s the beauty of a new year. Every year you have a fresh start. NHL is so tight, so much parity, it’s exciting.”' … [Read more...] about Skinner excited to play with Jack Eichel, young core of Sabres
Skinner eager to join forces with Eichel, Sabres
'"I'm excited to get to know him and get to meet him," Skinner said on Friday, one day after being acquired by the Sabres for forward prospect Cliff Pu, a second-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft and a third-round and a sixth-round pick in the 2020 draft. "He's obviously one of the top centermen in the game right now, so I think any time you have that on your team, I think it's … [Read more...] about Skinner eager to join forces with Eichel, Sabres
Inside look at Buffalo Sabres
'"I think first and foremost, the young group of players they have, the young core, is exciting," said Skinner, acquired in a trade from the Carolina Hurricanes on Aug. 2. "There's a lot of good players and I'm excited to join those guys and be a piece of the puzzle. I think you name their seven, eight youngest [talented] players, Jack Eichel's probably at the top of the list. … [Read more...] about Inside look at Buffalo Sabres
Three questions facing Buffalo Sabres
'"We were very impressed with Carter's work ethic and his consistency as goalie," Buffalo general manager Jason Botterill said. "Not only last year but over the last couple years. We think he's ready to get that opportunity and run with it."' … [Read more...] about Three questions facing Buffalo Sabres
Top prospects for Buffalo Sabres
'Dahlin (6-foot-2, 181 pounds) could start the season on the No. 1 defense pair with Rasmus Ristolainen. The 18-year-old, who is a left-handed shot, set a Swedish Hockey League record for points in a season by an under-18 defenseman. He was named the best defenseman at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship when he had six assists in seven games, and he was the youngest player … [Read more...] about Top prospects for Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres key statistics
'In three NHL seasons, Eichel, a center, has scored 177 points (73 goals, 104 assists) in 209 games. That is an average of 0.85 points per game, which is 35 percent of the Sabres average of 2.42 goals per game. That ranks ninth among NHL players over that time span.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres key statistics