AP

'The Sabres have talent with forwards Tage Thompson, Dylan Cozens and JJ Peterka, and defensemen Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power and Bowen Byram. The question is whether Ruff can re-establish a culture of winning on a team that’s too often been fragile and disconnected.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres bring back Lindy Ruff to provide structure in bid to end 13-year playoff drought

'“He took charge right away,” forward JJ Peterka said of how Dahlin booked the ice, gym, hotel rooms and organized post-practice outings. “I think Ras really took the next step and took the whole team under his wing.”' … [Read more...] about Rasmus Dahlin’s evolution as Sabres leader grows with defenseman hosting summer camp in Switzerland

'The deal comes as Luukkonen, a restricted free agent, was scheduled to have his contract determined in arbitration in the next two weeks. For the 25-year-old from Finland, the contract provides long-term security for a player whose future was uncertain in Buffalo over the past two years.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres agree to sign goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to a 5-year, $23.75 million contract

'For Buffalo, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound player adds a physical presence to what is expected to be a fully retooled fourth line under new coach Lindy Ruff, who rejoins the Sabres for a second stint.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres avert arbitration by agreeing to sign forward Beck Malenstyn to a 2-year contract

'Buffalo received McLeod and minor leaguer Tyler Tullio from the Western Conference champions for 20-year-old center Matthew Savoie. McLeod had four goals in 24 playoff games as Edmonton got to the Stanley Cup Final before losing to Florida.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres acquire forward Ryan McLeod in a trade with the Edmonton Oilers

'The move comes a day after GM Kevyn Adams informed reporters at the NHL draft in Las Vegas he had initiated the buyout paperwork. And it represents yet another example of how the Sabres have mismanaged their roster during what has become an NHL-record 13-season playoff drought.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres buy out the final three years of forward Jeff Skinner’s 8-year, $72 million contract

'The move was announced Monday, three days after the Rochester Americans were eliminated from the second round of the American Hockey League playoffs. Appert went 123-94-22-10 in four seasons with the Amerks, where his experience in developing the team’s young core of players will help familiarize the incoming Ruff to Buffalo’s roster.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres promote minor-league coach Seth Appert as assistant under Lindy Ruff

'“I’m humbled by the opportunity that I’m getting,” Ruff said. “I get a chance to do something that I wasn’t able to do as a player. Then I became the coach of the team and didn’t succeed with what I set out to do. And now, I’m getting one more opportunity, in which I really feel I’m blessed to have.”' … [Read more...] about Lindy Ruff becomes Sabres coach again a little grayer, wiser and more motivated to restore success

'His return also revives the memory of Ruff’s bid to defend his job in Buffalo a week before he was fired when he said: “It’s on me to clean up this mess. ... And I’m not done trying.” The mess has grown substantially since he departed a month into the NHL’s lockout-shortened 2013 season. … [Read more...] about Sabres hire Lindy Ruff as coach. He guided Buffalo to the playoffs in 2011

'Expressing his frustration and impatience, Adams launched what now stands as the team’s eighth coaching search in 12 years by targeting someone with NHL experience to inspire a young but underperforming team that extended the franchise’s league-record playoff drought to a 13th season.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres fire head coach Don Granato after extending playoff drought to 13th season

'“It was very nice to see Dylan rewarded for the work he put in,” Sabres coach Don Granato said. “He competed hard tonight, he was strong on pucks, and obviously he was rewarded for it. He was a real pain in the neck for them the entire night.”' … [Read more...] about Dylan Cozens scores 2 goals as Sabres beat Lightning 4-2 to finish another disappointing season

'The Sabres came through with another penalty kill with the game on the line. Buffalo’s Alex Tuch took a high-sticking penalty with 34.9 seconds left in regulation. Florida didn’t get a shot on goal before the third period expired, then had a 4-on-3 advantage to begin overtime as the power play continued — and the Sabres thwarted them again. “The penalty kill was very good and … [Read more...] about Reinhart gets his 55th goal to win it, Florida tops Buffalo 3-2 in OT to clinch home ice for Round 1

'“It feels good to win. I guess if we can’t be in, we don’t want other teams to be in,” Tuch said. “We’re just trying to win, plain and simple. If we knock a team out of the playoffs in the process, that’s fine, too.”' … [Read more...] about Luukkonen stops 22 shots and Buffalo Sabres play spoilers in beating the Washington Capitals 4-2

'“If you wait until too late in the season to make your push, it’s going to catch up with you at the end, and it did this year,” Tuch said.' … [Read more...] about Pavs scores go-ahead goal with back to net in Stars’ 50th win while eliminating Sabres

'Late in the second period, after Dallas had taken a 3-2 lead, Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin reached up with his stick and lunged forward to keep the puck in the zone. Jack Quinn then knocked it into the net for a potential tying goal, but the Stars challenged this time and that tally was also overturned.' … [Read more...] about Keep those sticks down! Stars and Sabres have goals overturned after high stick challenges