Buffalo News

'This group is weighed down by external pressure. The expectations inside and outside the dressing room. The franchise’s utterly disastrous playoff drought. The feeling of several of the key players that have to play up to the level of their bloated new contracts – instead of just playing the same way that got them those deals.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Don Granato’s trip to the video shows last year’s swagger that Sabres are missing

'The Buffalo Sabres’ No. 1 draft pick in 2022 was the centerpiece of a major trade Thursday as the Wenatchee (Wash.) Wild sent him to the Moose Jaw Warriors for seven draft picks.' … [Read more...] about Sabres prospect Matt Savoie is centerpiece of blockbuster WHL trade

'“That’s going to be super-special. Being in that building will be really, really cool,” Levi said after practice Wednesday in KeyBank Center. “Last time I’ve been in there, it’s probably a while back when I was a kid watching the Habs game. It will be cool to be on the other side of it."' … [Read more...] about As Sabres settle into having two goalies, Devon Levi prepares for his Montreal homecoming

'Doctors cleared Thompson to return for a game against Detroit on Dec. 5, but with one bothersome caveat: He had to wear a brace on his left hand.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Tage Thompson finally ‘back to normal’ after shedding bothersome brace

'“Even in-game, you feel like you would in the press box or as a defensive coordinator or something like that, absolutely a different perspective when it came to puck drop and game time,” said Granato. “Fortunate we were able to have Seth come in and keep everybody in their spots and keep moving with some continuity.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres notebook: Don Granato returns to work after missing 2 games with illness

'The Sabres (15-19-4) had a 46-31 advantage in shots on goal but that was really nothing more than shiny window dressing in a loss to the Eastern Conference's worst team. The reality is they gave up far too many odd-man rushes, did nothing of note as usual in going 0-for-3 on the power play and turned another backup goalie into a star.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres bid adieu to 2023 with dreary loss in Ottawa

'Comrie is 1-5-0 this season with a 4.01 goals-against average and .863 save percentage. He’s on the second year of a two-year deal signed on free agency day in 2022 that carries a cap hit of $1.8 million. The contract and his performance likely mean he will clear waivers and could be sent to the Amerks as early as Monday afternoon.' … [Read more...] about Sabres end goalie logjam by putting Eric Comrie on waivers

'“In between periods, Apps was pretty funny,” Mittelstadt said. “He’s like, ‘I haven’t been here, but it seems to me like you guys are playing great, so just keep going.' Yeah, that’s what we did. I thought we played great in the first two. We had so many chances, and they weren’t going in. Obviously, we found a way to win, which was huge for our club.”' … [Read more...] about Observations: Unusual day for Sabres ends with Seth Appert behind bench for OT win

'KeyBank Center has become about the most toxic environment in the NHL. Understandably frosted by the longest playoff drought in league history and the summer hype that has turned into a winter of discontent, the fans jump the Sabres at the first opportunity. Power play failures and quick deficits, which happen far too often, are great opportunities for that.' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: In 2023, home was not where the Sabres’ heart-and-soul efforts played out

'Saturday's final score was Buffalo Bills, 38.5, Buffalo Sabres, 1.6.' … [Read more...] about Alan Pergament: Here’s how much more popular the Bills were than the Sabres on Saturday with TV viewers

'The Sabres’ plan for Levi runs counter to how teams typically develop their goalie prospects. The traditional school of thought suggests that athletes at that position should have approximately 100 games in the AHL, ECHL or European professional leagues before they ascend to a full-time role in the NHL.' … [Read more...] about Devon Levi ‘learning how to manage’ challenges as a rookie goalie for the Sabres

'If Jost clears waivers, he will likely become the third Sabres player on a one-way contract to join the Rochester Americans this season. The Sabres would be paying Jost and defensemen Jacob Bryson and Riley Stillman a combined $5.25 million to play for the Amerks. They’re also spending a combined $2.075 million for five veteran players to be in Rochester: Dustin Tokarski, … [Read more...] about Sabres’ decision to waive Tyson Jost raises more questions about roster-building strategy

'Another early deficit made it challenging for the Sabres to mount a comeback. They own the league’s worst first-period goal differential (-22), and no team has allowed more goals (42) in the first period this season. The Bruins led 2-0 only 13:42 into the game because of a pair of coverage mistakes on goals by Mason Lohrei and Charlie Coyle.' … [Read more...] about Observations: Ineffective special teams the difference in Sabres’ loss to Bruins

'Cozens’ long-term contract, which takes him through the 2029-30 season and all the way to age 29, crept onto the ice far more than it should have this year. Players earn those deals because of their natural ability. They don’t think the game. Instincts rule. But Cozens was too cautious with his play much of the time.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: A chat with the GM has Dylan Cozens refocused on the right numbers

'The hope is that game may have been a seminal moment for this club as it has followed that performance with two strong ones, a 9-3 thumping of Toronto and Saturday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the New York Rangers in Madison Square Garden.' … [Read more...] about Sabres get another chance at the national spotlight as Bruins hit town