'"Found out about 'Staalsie' right before practice and just got off the ice to go wish him well," said Okposo. "He's a character guy. He's a really good person. He's a good man. He's had a heck of a career to date. And he's gonna continue to play well, so wish him nothing but the best."' … [Read more...] about In dealing Eric Staal to Habs, Kevyn Adams makes first big pre-deadline move
Archives for March 27, 2021
Sabres notebook: Granato, Ellis clear Covid protocol and will return to bench Saturday
'The team and NHL does not disclose the nature of someone's trip to Covid protocol, but the quick return of the Sabres' coaches is indicative of a false positive test that they produced or was produced by a close contact.' … [Read more...] about Sabres notebook: Granato, Ellis clear Covid protocol and will return to bench Saturday
After trading Eric Staal, Sabres know more moves coming: ‘Nobody’s naive’
'Staal approved the deal because Montreal was on his 10-team no-trade list, according to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun.' … [Read more...] about After trading Eric Staal, Sabres know more moves coming: ‘Nobody’s naive’
Don Granato, Matt Ellis clear COVID-19 protocols, join Sabres in Boston
'Appert led Friday’s Sabres practice in Boston, according to The Buffalo News. Meanwhile, in Rochester, Amerks assistants Adam Mair and Mike Weber shared the coaching duties against the Syracuse Crunch.' … [Read more...] about Don Granato, Matt Ellis clear COVID-19 protocols, join Sabres in Boston
Sullivan: Pegulas' 'economic' approach has Sabres floundering
'But does anyone believe that the Pegulas will do the right thing here? That’s one of the Sabres’ specialities, making moves for the wrong reasons — to save face, or to prop up cronies, or to show the media that no one is going to show them how to run things.' … [Read more...] about Sullivan: Pegulas’ ‘economic’ approach has Sabres floundering
Eric Staal is a Canadien, rescued from the Sabres tire fire. Taylor Hall can’t be far behind
'The Staal trade, meanwhile, opens the expected auction in Buffalo. Hall’s contract expires after this season, and he seems likely to be dealt. Defenceman Brandon Montour, rearguard Jake McCabe and goalie Carter Hutton are headed for unrestricted free agency. There’s talk Buffalo might be ready to move on from Sam Reinhart and Rasmus Ristolainen.' … [Read more...] about Eric Staal is a Canadien, rescued from the Sabres tire fire. Taylor Hall can’t be far behind
Saturday's Boston Coverage
Buffalo faces Boston on 16-game slide (AP) Berkshire Bank Hockey Night In New England: Projected Bruins-Sabres Lines, Pairings (NESN) Need to Know: Bruins vs. Sabres (BostonBruins.com) … [Read more...] about Saturday’s Boston Coverage
Saturday's Montreal Coverage
Canadiens acquire veteran centre Eric Staal from Sabres (Montreal Gazette) Eric Staal comes to Montreal (Journal de Montreal) Canadian gets Buffalo Sabers center Eric Staal (La Presse) Canadiens get much-needed safety valve with Eric Staal addition (Sportsnet) Staal: a sponsor for KK and Suzuki, one more option for Ducharme (RDS) More depth and experience with Eric Staal … [Read more...] about Saturday’s Montreal Coverage
Buffalo Sabres trade former Hurricanes captain Eric Staal
'Now 36 years old, Staal played the first 13 seasons of his pro career with the Hurricanes’ organization (including a year with the AHL’s Lowell Lock Monsters in the 2004-05 strike season) after being drafted No. 2 overall out of the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League in 2003.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres trade former Hurricanes captain Eric Staal
Sabres begin overhaul by trading Eric Staal to Canadiens
'Staal is expected to be but the first of several Sabres players on the move before the NHL’s trade deadline on April 12.' … [Read more...] about Sabres begin overhaul by trading Eric Staal to Canadiens
Buffalo Sabres trade center Eric Staal to Montreal Canadiens for pair of 2021 picks
'Staal, 36, played 32 games for Buffalo this season after being acquired from the Minnesota Wild in the offseason. Much was expected from the veteran center, but like the rest of the last-place Sabres he was a disappointment: three goals, seven assists and a minus-20 in those games.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres trade center Eric Staal to Montreal Canadiens for pair of 2021 picks
Eric Staal traded to Montreal Canadiens from lowly Sabres
'The Sabres currently have the worst record in the league by a fair margin. They sit at a 6-22-4 record, having not won a game since Feb. 25, and have a dismal goal differential of minus-49. The next closest team in terms of win percentage is a tie between the Detroit Red Wings and Anaheim Ducks, who each sit at .353 for the season. As for goal differential, that's lower than … [Read more...] about Eric Staal traded to Montreal Canadiens from lowly Sabres
Eric Staal Traded to Montreal
'Perhaps what is most eyebrow-raising is that both picks are for the 2021 draft. It might have been more prudent for Adams to make one of the selections a 2022 pick, since this year's draft class has been chaotic to scout: OHL players haven't even hit the ice yet and it's hard to say if they even will at this point. Meanwhile, the WHL regular season is being limited to 24 games … [Read more...] about Eric Staal Traded to Montreal
Sabres trade Eric Staal to Montreal for two draft picks
'The Sabres are retaining $1.625 million of Staal's cap hit and are saving $565,000 in real dollars with the move.' … [Read more...] about Sabres trade Eric Staal to Montreal for two draft picks
Don Granato, Matt Ellis clear COVID-19 protocols
'"We've experienced it a few times now with positive cases. Those newer faces on the bench, newer roles with 'Donnie' [Granato], and we were all hoping for the best news with his sake and his health," Montour said following Friday's practice. "All we were thinking about was the health of them and hopefully their safe, so we're glad everything's kind of on track with that, and … [Read more...] about Don Granato, Matt Ellis clear COVID-19 protocols