'“It is a unique year because obviously expansion is something that doesn't happen that often or whatever how many times over the years, this has happened,” Adams told The Buffalo News last month. “It does create a pressure point of decisions that have to be made, but it doesn't mean you have to make bad decisions. It just means that, hey, these decisions are coming. You’re … [Read more...] about Direction of Buffalo Sabres could be determined during busy month of July
Archives for 2021
Owen Power wants to play one more season at Michigan before making jump to NHL
'Many fans are convinced that Power wants nothing to do with the Sabres and he’s going to play all four years at Michigan and give up all that money just to spite the team. No first overall pick in the draft has ever done that, and Power said he has a definite plan that is not playing four years of college hockey.' … [Read more...] about Owen Power wants to play one more season at Michigan before making jump to NHL
Power to interview with Sabres, projected No. 1 pick in 2021 NHL Draft
'Reiterating what he told NHL Network on June 11, Power said Tuesday he plans to return to Michigan next season but hasn't made a final decision. He previously said he had interviewed with 10-15 NHL teams, including the Kraken.' … [Read more...] about Power to interview with Sabres, projected No. 1 pick in 2021 NHL Draft
Sabres to meet with presumed No. 1 pick Owen Power as draft prep intensifies
'William Eklund, a talented 18-year-old winger from Sweden regarded as the top European skater, is expected to speak to Sabres brass on Wednesday. Adams and his scouting staff, led by associate general manager Jason Karmanos, are casting a wide net as they decide who to select first overall.' … [Read more...] about Sabres to meet with presumed No. 1 pick Owen Power as draft prep intensifies
Owen Power to meet with Sabres this week, might return to Michigan
'Right now, Power, who could be selected first overall by the Buffalo Sabres on July 23, said he’s “leaning toward” returning to Ann Arbor before turning pro after his sophomore season. Can you blame him?' … [Read more...] about Owen Power to meet with Sabres this week, might return to Michigan
The Sabres Just Made a Sneaky-Good Hire
'How important was this hire for Buffalo? According to the insider I spoke to, the Sabres haven't been on the vanguard of analytics compared to some other franchises in the league, but getting Ventura on board with Karmanos certainly aims them in the right direction. The Sabres also have Jason Nightingale in a dual analytics/scouting role, but the team is still building up its … [Read more...] about The Sabres Just Made a Sneaky-Good Hire
Sabres hiring Sam Ventura to lead GM Kevyn Adams' analytics department
'Ventura’s independent, public analytics work caught the eye of current Sabres associate general manager Jason Karmanos, who hired Ventura as a consultant for the Penguins in 2015. Ventura eventually ascended to the Penguins’ director of analytics. He was promoted to his most recent role in 2020, which included responsibilities in player development and scouting. Ventura’s … [Read more...] about Sabres hiring Sam Ventura to lead GM Kevyn Adams’ analytics department
Sabres name Sam Ventura VP of hockey strategy and research
'Ventura earned a bachelor’s degree in computational finance and statistics, a master’s in statistics and doctorate in statistics from Carnegie Mellon University. He also served as an assistant coach for the men’s hockey team.' … [Read more...] about Sabres name Sam Ventura VP of hockey strategy and research
Penguins analytics guru Sam Ventura hired away by Buffalo Sabres
'The Swissvale native, who graduated from Woodland Hills High School and holds a PhD from Carnegie Mellon, will now serve as the Buffalo Sabres’ vice president of hockey strategy and research. While the move will take Ventura away from his hometown and the team he grew up rooting for, it does create a reunion. Jason Karmanos was the one who initially brought Ventura into the … [Read more...] about Penguins analytics guru Sam Ventura hired away by Buffalo Sabres
Sabres hire Sam Ventura from Penguins to re-shape analytics department
'According to Penguins team reporter Michelle Crechiolo, when Ventura was hired in 2015, he was in charge of re-shaping the team’s use of analytics to take the club to another level when it comes to analytics.' … [Read more...] about Sabres hire Sam Ventura from Penguins to re-shape analytics department
Sabres hire Sam Ventura as VP of Hockey Strategy and Research
'The Swissvale, Pennsylvania native joined the Penguins as a team consultant beginning in 2015, providing analysis that helped the organization capture back-to-back Stanley Cup titles in 2016 and 2017. He was promoted to director of analytics prior to the 2017-18 season.' … [Read more...] about Sabres hire Sam Ventura as VP of Hockey Strategy and Research
Coach Don Granato wants to keep instilling pride in Sabres
'“That was on the core of everything that I wanted to try and bring to our team, to find a way to try and get our players to experience something like that, to play for something greater than just themselves,” he said. “I believe we were able to do that with some great, great leadership, with some great passion, with lots of potential.”' … [Read more...] about Coach Don Granato wants to keep instilling pride in Sabres
Seven takeaways from Don Granato's first news conference as Sabres head coach
'The status of assistant coaches Matt Ellis, Dan Girardi and Mike Bales: "That’s something we will be discussing in the next week or coming weeks. The guys that were here, I have a tremendous amount of respect for and they were incredibly effective and efficient to work for, so they are obviously in the mix moving forward as we sort this out."' … [Read more...] about Seven takeaways from Don Granato’s first news conference as Sabres head coach
Mike Harrington: It's July and it seems like the Jack Eichel drama has to end soon
'One thing that was interesting about Don Granato's introductory presser was that you barely heard the words "Jack Eichel" uttered by either the GM or the new head coach.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: It’s July and it seems like the Jack Eichel drama has to end soon
Confident Don Granato embraces challenge of coaching Sabres
'“This is the position I wanted to be in, I had hoped to be in,” Granato said on a Zoom call Thursday. “Nothing else interested me in the interim. I wanted to make that clear. I didn’t even think of pursuing or potentially pursuing anything else. I didn’t feel that was right. This is something that excites me, to be here.”' … [Read more...] about Confident Don Granato embraces challenge of coaching Sabres