Buffalo News

'“I'm excited to get a fresh start,” Ennis said Friday after being traded to the Wild with Foligno in exchange for Jason Pominville and defenseman Marco Scandella. “Obviously, I just want to thank Buffalo for giving me a chance to play in the NHL. I've had so many good memories there, right from being drafted in 2008. I want to thank the Pegulas for what they've done for me and … [Read more...] about Ennis, Foligno ready to get Wild after making memories with Sabres

'"Obviously, it still continues to be a feeling-out process for myself and Robin trying to get to know each other, but we’ve had a good couple conversations, and Craig Oster and I have a very good relationship. We’ve worked on many a deal together, and I certainly have a firm belief that we’ll get something done here over the next month or so."' … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Talking contracts with Eichel, Lehner; Taylor hired for Amerks

'And Scandella was the big acquisition in Friday's blockbuster trade with the Minnesota Wild that also marked the return of former Buffalo captain Jason Pominville. Scandella is a 27-year-old with a $4 million cap hit poised to perhaps be Rasmus Ristolainen's sidekick on the top pair. He can help with the transition game, make the first pass out of the defensive zone, move the … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Good vibes continue around Botterill after first big deal

'Scandella could slide right to the top pair alongside Rasmus Ristolainen. He can take lots of pressure off others, notably Antipin's adjustment to the NHL or the overuse of Zach Bogosian. It also allows Botterill to start Brendan Guhle in the AHL without the pressure of pushing the 19-year-old immediately to the NHL.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington’s Hot Read: Botterill getting the job done rebuilding the defense

'It's an understatement to say that Buffalo Sabres fans were excited at the news that Jason Pominville is returning to the team. So much so that fans recreated a 2007 stunt, changing the "Welcome to Buffalo" sign on the Kensington Expressway to say "Welcome to Pominville."' … [Read more...] about Buffalo says welcome (back) to Pominville

'Here’s a look at the unrestricted free agents, starting with the Sabres’ biggest need.' … [Read more...] about Biggest name in NHL free agency would help Sabres’ defense

'Here’s a look at the players with a realistic shot to be in the opening-night lineup Oct. 5, plus their salary cap number (asterisks represent the qualifying offers for unsigned restricted free agents)...'. … [Read more...] about Botterill will need creativity to improve Sabres’ roster this week

'Drafted by Buffalo in 1980, Cunneyworth returned to Rochester after a 19-year playing career. He was the Amerks’ coach from 2000 to 2008. After working as an assistant coach in Atlanta and head coach in Montreal, he came back to the Sabres’ organization as a pro scout in 2013.' … [Read more...] about Sabres move on from Randy Cunneyworth, longtime scout Jon Christiano

'He is third on the Sabres' all-time list in goals with 368, and he's second in points with 804 in 837 games. Andreychuk totaled 1,639 NHL games, scoring 640 goals and 1,338 points. He won the Stanley Cup in Tampa Bay in 2004 and also played for Toronto, New Jersey, Boston and Colorado in a 23-year career that ended with the 2005-06 season.' … [Read more...] about Dave Andreychuk, Jeremy Jacobs inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame

'"They both have experience at all levels of the game, and we think they will be valuable assets for the Buffalo Sabres moving forward.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Two assistant GMs add experience, new ideas; qualifying offers

'Botterill made it clear that the Sabres weren't going to make rash moves to win in the short term. He's not out to create a big splash for the fans, as Doug Whaley and Tim Murray did in previous Pegula administrations. Fans are justifiably impatient, but this new Sabres personnel department is not.' … [Read more...] about Jerry Sullivan: Botterill knows you’re never too deep at center

'"It's disheartening because you think you made a good pick and you spend a lot of time and energy with these young players," Nashville GM David Poile said after the draft ended Saturday. "I don't want to say you're hoping because you're actually expecting they will sign, so it hurts."' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Petersen snub again shines spotlight on college free agent issue

'“Jason did a great job making us feel welcome, making us feel comfortable with his program,” Jeff Crisp, the Sabres’ head amateur scout, said Saturday. “As advertised, he was a GM-in-waiting for a lot of different NHL teams for a reason. He’s very intelligent and very prepared. I’ve learned a lot already and hope to learn more from him and work with him to help the Sabres.”' … [Read more...] about After chaotic two months, Sabres get chance to be a team again

'Botterill knows this franchise hasn't been to the playoffs in six years or won a single playoff series in a decade. But he's going on a slow roll here. There will be no more damning of the torpedos and full speed ahead.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Draft weekend gives a glimpse to Botterill’s measured approach

'The Sabres are getting a goalie who’s been strapping on the pads since he could walk. He went straight to the net when he started playing street hockey, and he stayed in the crease as soon as there was ice under his feet.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Top European goalie picked; Buffalo goes for unknown in third round