'After starting the season on the top line but flaming out under Ralph Krueger and ending up as a regular healthy scratch, Thompson found a regular role under interim coach Don Granato. The line of Casey Mittelstadt between Thompson and Rasmus Asplund became a staple as Granato's third unit and Thompson finished with career highs of eight goals and 14 points while playing only … [Read more...] about World Championships: Tage Thompson to play for Team USA, Colin Miller for Canada
Archives for May 2021
Sabres’ support helped goalie Linus Ullmark get through emotional season
'“I talked and I talked and I talked to different people that I feel the closest to, obviously not just my wife back home or my mom or whatever,” Ullmark said on an end-of-season Zoom call Monday. “If I didn’t talk to people and really make them understand how I felt during the day, that would have probably led to my doom, to my downfall.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ support helped goalie Linus Ullmark get through emotional season
Seravalli: One NHL general manager says Eichel is 'untradeable' at the moment
'"In talking to people around the league yesterday, I had a NHL general manager who is potentially interested in trading for Jack Eichel say at the moment he's untradeable. So you've got a guy that's unhealthy, unhappy, and now potentially untradeable. It's a pretty ugly triumvirate for the Sabres and the worst-case scenario, I would imagine."' … [Read more...] about Seravalli: One NHL general manager says Eichel is ‘untradeable’ at the moment
Tage Thompson will play for Team USA at World Championship
'Former Sabres defenseman Matt Tennyson, now of the New Jersey Devils, has also been selected by Drury. Former Rochester Americans, and now New York Rangers winger Colin Blackwell is on the squad, as is Los Angeles Kings goalie and Sabres' 2013 fifth round pick Cal Petersen.' … [Read more...] about Tage Thompson will play for Team USA at World Championship
Hamilton Take2: Sabres cupboard is far from bare
'None of us know if or when Jack Eichel will be traded, but I need to make something clear right now. If the Los Angeles Kings want to acquire Eichel, the No. 2 overall pick of the 2020 NHL draft, Quinton Byfield, must be in the deal, and that’s non-negotiable. If he’s not, then you move on.' … [Read more...] about Hamilton Take2: Sabres cupboard is far from bare
Michael Houser's story of resiliency and hope
'That’s a feeling my wife and I can relate to because our daughter was also born with a clubfoot. Shayne has had over 30 casts, three different doctors and two surgeries. She’s not even 10 months old. So seeing an NHL goalie with TWO club feet gave my family chills.' … [Read more...] about Michael Houser’s story of resiliency and hope
Granato 'very comfortable' with coaching search
'"In this business you earn it, and you have to re-earn it every day," Granato said. "Kevyn and the organization needs to go through a process and make a decision. I'm going to have talks with him and share more extensively my philosophy and approach."' … [Read more...] about Granato ‘very comfortable’ with coaching search
As coaching search begins, Don Granato reaffirms desire to lead Sabres
'"We’re going to get better every day, and the better we can progress, the more those wins are going to come or signs of those wins are coming," Granato said during his end-of-season media availability Wednesday. "And I think our guys have felt that they know they’re building something, and that was great to be a part of and obviously, I’d like to be a part of moving forward."' … [Read more...] about As coaching search begins, Don Granato reaffirms desire to lead Sabres
Sabres GM Kevyn Adams: Jack Eichel wants surgery never performed on NHL player
'“Now it's been speculated and discussed from Jack's camp about potentially having a surgery that's never been done on a National Hockey League player before,” said Adams. “Our doctors aren't comfortable with that. But I think we all are in a position where we want the same thing and hope that when we re-image this in the timeline I laid out, Jack will have made steps and … [Read more...] about Sabres GM Kevyn Adams: Jack Eichel wants surgery never performed on NHL player
Mike Harrington: As weird saga unfolds, Sabres go on offense against Jack Eichel
'Now, perhaps one of the problems here is Eichel doesn't trust the Sabres' medical team. He wouldn't be the first. There's been a lot of weirdness going on in recent seasons in that area without much explanation. You can't do anything about Kyle Okposo's smashed cheekbone in the wake of an absurd Matt Irwin dump-in or the mangling of Jake McCabe's ACL in a collision in the … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: As weird saga unfolds, Sabres go on offense against Jack Eichel
The Editorial Board: In the age of athlete empowerment, Eichel can force his way out of Buffalo
'The Sabres hold some cards when it comes to Eichel’s contract, but don’t bet the ranch against Eichel finding a new hockey home if he follows through on wanting out of Buffalo. Eichel could file an injury grievance through the NHL Players’ Association, which could result in a hearing by an arbitrator and a chance to have the surgery if his side wins.' … [Read more...] about The Editorial Board: In the age of athlete empowerment, Eichel can force his way out of Buffalo
Strong message: Sabres’ Kevyn Adams wants ‘people that want to be here’
'“What was discussed was kind of a 12-week mark, which takes us to the end of May, early June kind of time frame,” he said. “And that’s where we still are at. So still currently in that conservative rehab process. I think you can all appreciate that everyone wants to avoid any type of a surgery.”' … [Read more...] about Strong message: Sabres’ Kevyn Adams wants ‘people that want to be here’
Sabres’ Kevyn Adams praises Don Granato, will talk to other candidates
'“I told Donnie, selfishly, I learned a ton through the coaching search process that we went through in the American Hockey League with Seth Appert ultimately being named (Rochester Americans coach),” Adams said. “I talked to a lot of different people. Every one of those conversations I learned from and I’ve said from the beginning that I want to talk to a lot of people with … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Kevyn Adams praises Don Granato, will talk to other candidates
Sabres GM disputes disconnect between team and Eichel
'To emphasize his point Wednesday, Adams borrowed the same word — disconnect — Eichel used two days earlier when the star player questioned his future in Buffalo by citing differences with the team over how to treat his herniated disk.' … [Read more...] about Sabres GM disputes disconnect between team and Eichel
Disgruntled Buffalo Sabres star Jack Eichel hasn't requested trade, GM Kevyn Adams says
'Adams said the Sabres, who finished in last place in the NHL this season, had to be willing to look at "any and all scenarios" to help the franchise improve. For Eichel and forward Sam Reinhart -- the team's leading scorer, who said he didn't want to go through another rebuild in Buffalo -- Adams said the team wants players who are committed to the franchise.' … [Read more...] about Disgruntled Buffalo Sabres star Jack Eichel hasn’t requested trade, GM Kevyn Adams says