Buffalo News

'Tage Thompson lamented that some players were too comfortable straying from Don Granato’s game plans. Alex Tuch told reporters the day after Granato was fired that he and his teammates needed a coach who holds players responsible for their mistakes. Rasmus Dahlin, an early favorite to be named their next captain, wanted to see more focus and intent in practices.' … [Read more...] about Accountability, structure come into focus as Sabres begin camp with Lindy Ruff

'Ruff commands the entire building. Forget about just KeyBank. I’ve heard The Voice when the Sabres needed to practice at places like Riverside and Cazenovia rinks and the Northtown Center of Amherst. Wonder what it will be like in LECOM Harborcenter, which was a bunch of steel beams when Ruff got fired Feb. 20, 2013.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: With Lindy Ruff back in charge of Sabres, there will be no sounds of silence

'You’ll see more Rochester players in preseason games, particularly in North America, than usual, but the stakes will still be high and there’s expected to be competition for roster spots.' … [Read more...] about Position-by-position look at Sabres’ training camp roster under Lindy Ruff

'It may have been the most dominant performance by a forward in the nine-year history of the event, and it occurred right before a training camp in which he must impress Lindy Ruff to earn a spot on the NHL roster.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Jiri Kulich makes case for NHL roster with 2-goal effort in prospects finale

'The Sabres outshot the Devils, 35-16, and controlled play for most of their matchup in the Prospects Challenge, but New Jersey added a pair of empty-net goals following Kulich's miss as the Devils pulled away for a 5-2 win.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Jiri Kulich scores his third goal of Prospects Challenge in Sabres’ loss

'“The days can be boring and hard,” Quinn recalled during a recent one-on-one conversation with The Buffalo News at KeyBank Center. “The honest answer is that you don’t have a choice. My job is what I love to do, and I have to get better, so all feelings are out of it. I’m going to do anything I can to not be injured because that feeling of being injured and not being out there … [Read more...] about Jack Quinn ready to ‘prove people wrong’ after injuries cut Year 2 with Sabres short

'Alumni Plaza has been untouched for a more than a decade, since the French Connection statue was unveiled in 2012. Where’s the statues for Dominik Hasek and Rick Jeanneret? The fire-ravaged Cobblestone district should be developed. The DL&W Railway Station behind the arena has felt like a missed opportunity since the building opened in 1996. Now, developer Douglas Jemal has … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Hurricanes unveil development plan around arena, a trend that intrigues Sabres

'"I honestly think this is a better position for me than it was in Edmonton," said Tullio, a 2020 fifth-round draft pick. "Obviously the Oilers are looking to win the Cup every year now and here is a place they’re looking to develop guys and uplift their careers. I think if I have a really good camp that I can show the staff and management that I’m a real player. ... I just … [Read more...] about Tyler Tullio, a forgotten player in the Matt Savoie trade, excited about reset with Sabres

'We’re not there yet, but they are going to be approaching the point of diminishing returns in the AHL soon and they will need to be challenged in the NHL. Kulich and Rosen got eight games combined with Buffalo last season, posting nary a point. That needs to change. Especially for Kulich, who looks closest to the NHL.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Big picks from Sabres’ big deals looking to make their impact

'“Probably be more physical,” Kulich said of his offseason goal. “With my strength coach, we had probably the best workouts this summer. And I was working on the net-front and (other on-ice drills to improve physicality) because I thought I’m just a shooter from the (one-timer) spot,” said Kulich. “I have to do the right things to be more physical, go net-front, don’t be scared … [Read more...] about Jiri Kulich focused on playing more physical as he vies for spot with Sabres

'Both can strengthen their cases this week during rookie camp practices and the Sabres’ three games in the Prospects Challenge, beginning Friday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Kulich and Rosen may have been given the weekend off in a normal year because they’ve previously appeared in the showcase and both are important depth pieces for the Sabres, but the unusual … [Read more...] about Jiri Kulich, Isak Rosen among Sabres who can benefit from Prospects Challenge

'Kulich and Rosen headline a roster dotted with high draft picks, most notably 2024 first-round selection Konsta Helenius, a Finnish center who is expected to be their teammate in Rochester at the start of the season. Helenius’ skill tantalized during development camp in July, and he decided to forgo the final year of his contract in Liiga to pursue his dream of becoming a … [Read more...] about Konsta Helenius, Jiri Kulich headline Sabres’ roster for Prospects Challenge

'“It makes you really cherish the time that you have with your family,” Tuch said Saturday in Sahlen Field after throwing the ceremonial first pitch before the Buffalo Bisons’ game against Lehigh Valley. “The last time I talked to Johnny was at the faceoff circle (on Feb. 23), the day after Johnny Junior was born. Just congratulated him, and we had a quick conversation right … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: As camp nears, Sabres winger Alex Tuch reflects on his days with Gaudreau brothers

'“The roof and the scoreboard are just Phase I. That’s all. I’ve not even been here six months yet, but we’re in the mode where everything’s on the table,” Guelli said in a chat with The Buffalo News last week. “We want to evaluate the building, listen to fan feedback and strategically determine what’s next. Being candid, we’ve got a big appetite.”' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: As new scoreboard rises, Sabres COO Pete Guelli ponders what’s next for KeyBank Center

'Modeled after the primary uniforms the team wore from the arena’s 1996 opening through the 2005-06 season, the black and red design resurfaced as an alternate jersey in 2022 with fanfare off the ice and great success on it. The Sabres are 18-7-2 while wearing the jerseys the last two seasons, scoring five or more goals in 14 of those games.' … [Read more...] about Sabres announce home jersey schedule, with goatheads making 15 appearances