'Rieder earned the secondary assist on Stefan Loibl's opening goal during the first period, sending a pass from behind the goal line and then parking himself around the net as the shot came in. The point was his second of the tournament (1+1).' … [Read more...] about Sabres at Worlds | Rieder tallies assist as Germany remains unbeaten
Archives for 2021
From 'suffering' to 'tanking,' Sabres' shifting visions imperiled roster build
'Five months after Regier's "suffering" statement, Pegula determined he was not fit to lead the Sabres through their transformation. Ownership made the same determination about general managers Tim Murray in 2017 and Jason Botterill in 2020. Regier’s declaration preceded back-to-back tank seasons that allowed the Sabres to draft Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart second overall in … [Read more...] about From ‘suffering’ to ‘tanking,’ Sabres’ shifting visions imperiled roster build
Regime changes, impatience impede Sabres' player development efforts
'Development does not end once a player reaches the NHL. Though the Sabres employ coaches to work with their prospects from the moment they are drafted, these players must continue to improve upon reaching Buffalo.' … [Read more...] about Regime changes, impatience impede Sabres’ player development efforts
Sabres at Worlds | Thompson tallies 5 shots in loss to Finland
'Thompson had a game-high five shots in 14:56 but was unable to convert in the loss.' … [Read more...] about Sabres at Worlds | Thompson tallies 5 shots in loss to Finland
How have the Pegulas gotten things right with the Bills, but so, so wrong with the Sabres?
'The hands-on management structure and leadership style are the Pegulas’ prerogatives as owners, but that opens them up to credit and, more often, criticism, depending on how each team performs.' … [Read more...] about How have the Pegulas gotten things right with the Bills, but so, so wrong with the Sabres?
How 'drill another well' morphed into just a deep hole for Sabres
'Since then? Six coaches (it will be seven if they don't retain Don Granato) and three GMs. Four last-place finishes overall and no playoff appearances. The stability they've built with coach Sean McDermott and GM Brandon Beane of the Bills is a pipe dream for their hockey team.' … [Read more...] about How ‘drill another well’ morphed into just a deep hole for Sabres
Sabres' bad luck extends beyond just poor hiring
'Botterill let the 2018-19 season go to waste, rendering the Sabres the second team in history to miss the playoffs in a year they had a 10-game winning streak. He told ownership he trusted his players and they believed him. Big mistakes on both sides.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ bad luck extends beyond just poor hiring
How Bills and Sabres have fared under the Pegulas' ownership
'The Sabres are 291-381-99 in the regular season with no division titles and one playoff appearance under the Pegulas. That includes the portion of the 2010-11 season after the Pegulas bought the team in February.' … [Read more...] about How Bills and Sabres have fared under the Pegulas’ ownership
Couch: Born to be a goalie, facing retirement, Ryan Miller reflects on a life in net
'Sixteen goalies were taken before the Sabres selected Miller in the 1999 NHL draft. Miller doesn’t remember them all by name the way Tom Brady does the quarterbacks taken ahead of him in the NFL draft, but he remembers some of them from camps they played at together. Dean told the Sabres’ general manager on draft day, “You don't know it yet, but you got the right guy.”' … [Read more...] about Couch: Born to be a goalie, facing retirement, Ryan Miller reflects on a life in net
Thompson expects confidence to carry into next season
'"For me personally, some of the things he was preaching was just being consistent every single night and being able to take over games," Thompson said. "I know we both believed that I'm capable of that and now it's just getting to that. I think we started to see that a little bit there towards the end of the season."' … [Read more...] about Thompson expects confidence to carry into next season
Sabres at Worlds | Rieder scores in Germany's win over Italy
'Germany plays again Saturday, while Sweden (Victor Olofsson), the United States (Tage Thompson), and Finland (Arttu Ruotsalainen) open their tournaments.' … [Read more...] about Sabres at Worlds | Rieder scores in Germany’s win over Italy
Sabres will prioritize goaltending in offseason whether Linus Ullmark stays or goes
'For as difficult as some days were for the typically ever-beaming Ullmark, he was outstanding when on the ice and positioned himself to likely receive raise as an unrestricted free agent this summer. It’s unclear, though, if he signs his next contract with Buffalo or one of the NHL’s 31 other teams.' … [Read more...] about Sabres will prioritize goaltending in offseason whether Linus Ullmark stays or goes
Report: Sabres’ Kevyn Adams to talk to Bruce Boudreau, Rick Tocchet
'Adams has said he wants to talk to “a lot” of people about the position. He has never hired an NHL coach.' … [Read more...] about Report: Sabres’ Kevyn Adams to talk to Bruce Boudreau, Rick Tocchet
Report: Sabres set to interview Tocchet, Boudreau for head coaching job
'According to a report from TSN hockey insider Pierre LeBrun on Friday, the Sabres already have several candidates lined up to interview for the open head coaching job. The two names brought up by LeBrun specifically were Rick Tocchet and Bruce Boudreau.' … [Read more...] about Report: Sabres set to interview Tocchet, Boudreau for head coaching job
Report: Tocchet, Boudreau in mix for Sabres head coaching job
'"There's no secret that I want to get back to coaching. It's a real love for me, and since I think hockey 24 hours a day, it just, it's a hard thing for me to say okay, just be an analyst or retire and I don't want to do that I think I got a lot of hockey life left in me. ... I would love to get back in it if it's at all possible."' … [Read more...] about Report: Tocchet, Boudreau in mix for Sabres head coaching job