Buffalo News

'While teammates are driven to finally reach the postseason, Byram doesn’t know what life as an NHLer is like without a grueling series against a top team in the NHL. He was in Colorado’s lineup for 27 playoff games over the past two years, including the 20-game marathon that ended with him winning the sport’s ultimate prize.' … [Read more...] about After ‘tough’ transition, Bowen Byram aiming to return to Sabres a better defenseman

'Come next season, Rasmus Dahlin will be playing for his fourth NHL head coach (Phil Housley, Ralph Krueger, Granato and the new hire). Dylan Cozens also dates to the Krueger days and both Dahlin and Cozens were first-round picks of former GM Jason Botterill.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: The NHL’s harsh reality hits hard for Sabres’ young players

'Tuch and Tage Thompson both talked about the need for ice time to be taken away if the situation calls for it. Thompson said the team was often “too casual” and referenced to times when guys were “not playing winning hockey”. No names attached but you can interpolate how this would fit at times with young players like JJ Peterka, Dylan Cozens, Jack Quinn, Peyton Krebs and even … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Alex Tuch ponders his past as Sabres mull their future

'There isn’t a better match for the Sabres than Brind’Amour. The challenge, though, is his team is talented enough to play into June, and he’s reportedly agreed on a contract extension with Carolina. Sabres owner Terry Pegula would have to make Brind’Amour one of the league’s highest-paid coaches for the Sabres to have a shot at luring him to Buffalo. Even then, it is a … [Read more...] about 5 experienced coaches for the Sabres to consider and how each would fit in Buffalo

'“The past 13 years have been pretty tough,” said Killian, 38, of the Town of Tonawanda, who’s gone to games since he was 7 and the team played at Memorial Auditorium. “I keep telling myself the next season is going to be better. It’s got to be better.”' … [Read more...] about Some ‘suffering’ Sabres fans not ready to give up on season tickets, but others have

'The issues that plagued the Sabres all season reared their ugly head during their must-win games in the final weeks, though. They had too many bad first periods, not enough power-play goals and never looked like the offensive juggernaut that ranked third in the NHL in goals scored while compiling 91 standings points in 2022-23.' … [Read more...] about GM Kevyn Adams has his sights set on an experienced coach to lead the Sabres

'This firing seems a little different though. There is utter desperation within this organization to break this 13-year playoff drought that is unmatched in NHL annals and a civic embarrassment of the highest order.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: The drought was too long for Don Granato to survive. Pegula, Adams had no choice

'The Sabres took too long to fix their bad starts to games. They allowed 97 goals in the first period and finished with a negative-30 goal differential in the opening frame of games this season. Their 7-21-1 record when allowing two or more goals in the first period was a troubling trend, particularly in the first half of the season.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Don Granato mum on job status after Sabres finish season with win

'“It’s definitely been a tough year for me,” Cozens told The Buffalo News following the Sabres’ morning skate Monday. “Honestly, not even close to what I wanted, and I know that. I just know I have way more to give, and I can be way better.”' … [Read more...] about Dylan Cozens plans to use disappointing season as fuel to be difference-maker for Sabres

'And the Amerks’ lineup got even better recently with the addition of 2023 second-round pick Anton Wahlberg from Sweden. The 18-year-old power forward has a goal and three assists in six games. He’s a skilled, 6-foot-3 forward who can play center or wing – though he’s skated only at the latter in Rochester. And his skill set is an ideal complement to the plethora of speed and … [Read more...] about Sabres notebook: Anton Wahlberg making instant impact for surging Amerks

'They need to manage situations in games the way they did Saturday night. It was only the second time since Dec. 23 that Buffalo earned a point by losing in overtime or a shootout. The Sabres’ 38 wins are more than the Metropolitan Division’s third-place New York Islanders (37), but the latter is in a playoff spot because they have 16 loser points. The standings would look … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres’ OT loss to Panthers a reminder that loser points matter

'Then Quinn wrecked his ankle in the January win at San Jose and needed surgery. He will play only 27 games this season and you see the glimpses of what he was going to be for the season. He’s on a 26-goal pace even with several games just to get up to speed. No stretch to say Quinn could have been a 30- to 35-goal scorer this year if healthy.' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: A look at 13 moments that led to Year 13 of Sabres’ playoff drought

'The Sabres finished above .500 at KeyBank Center (21-19-1) for the first time since 2019-20. They won nine of their last 12 in Buffalo and finished with a plus-7 goal differential on home ice, a vast improvement from the negative-18 from last season.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Jack Quinn, Dylan Cozens score in third to help Sabres win home finale

'What should Thursday have been in KeyBank Center? Probably the most important hockey game the Buffalo Sabres have played downtown since the failed playoff race of 2012.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Fan Appreciation Night and this whole season should have meant so much more for Sabres

'Vancouver defenseman Tyler Myers is the only player remaining in the league to have suited up in a playoff game for the Sabres. Myers, now 34, was traded in 2015 and is nine games away from playing in the 1,000th of his career.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: As they enter home finale, Sabres’ playoff drought has now become a teenager