'“It was a learning season for him,” Amerks coach Dan Lambert said, “mentally for him to handle the injury, to learn to deal with it. ‘How do I come back from it? And, oh my gosh, I’m not like I was when I got hurt. How do I deal with that?’' … [Read more...] about Pain steals Fasching’s pleasure during first pro season
Buffalo News
Bucky Gleason: NHL coaching merry-go-round makes your head spin
'Like most, the NHL is a copycat league. The shortage of original thought is one reason many of the same coaches are hired and fired every year. It's not as if they were qualified when they were hired, forgot how to coach, became unqualified in defeat, were fired and became qualified again and rehired.' … [Read more...] about Bucky Gleason: NHL coaching merry-go-round makes your head spin
Brendan Guhle continues to skate toward role with Sabres
'“He is what we need. We need our D to get up in the play and become that second wave of attack that we didn’t have much of this year."' … [Read more...] about Brendan Guhle continues to skate toward role with Sabres
Inside the Sabres: Money talks, Russian prospect, captain chatter and hat tricks
'*If Buffalo has an agreement with Russian defenseman Viktor Antipin, it could be a major coup. The 24-year-old is shining in the Kontinental Hockey League playoffs.' … [Read more...] about Inside the Sabres: Money talks, Russian prospect, captain chatter and hat tricks
Inside the NHL: What will Terry say to Tim?
'The coach and GM both have three years left on their deals, with Bylsma owed $3 million per season. Even a bazillionaire like Pegula might be getting tired of paying people not to work. Especially since he just jettisoned Rex Ryan after the Bills' disappointing season. The no-change theory is a good one to start next season with, as Murray needs to give Bylsma a better roster … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: What will Terry say to Tim?
Confidence takes center stage for Sabres' Evan Rodrigues
'“I continued to gain confidence as the year went on, getting put in more situations,” Rodrigues said. “I’m just going to try to grow from there, work on becoming a better centerman. Wherever they slot me next year, I’ll be ready to go.”' … [Read more...] about Confidence takes center stage for Sabres’ Evan Rodrigues
Sully's Mailbag: Has Pegula lost touch with fans?
'It's a continuing puzzlement how an owner who spends lavishly on his teams and passes himself off as a real Joe Fan can be so dismissive of his customers. As Hirschbeck wrote, "a first-class organization treats its fans with affection and respect, no matter where the team is in the standings."' … [Read more...] about Sully’s Mailbag: Has Pegula lost touch with fans?
After playing alongside Eichel, Sabres' Foligno wants to do it again
'“It’s just to make sure I get more space for those guys, maybe get a little bit more offensive awareness when I’m with them, make a little extra pass or hold on to pucks,” Foligno said. “Sometimes I wasn’t a little bit too skilled for them. I had to be a little more creative out there for those guys.' … [Read more...] about After playing alongside Eichel, Sabres’ Foligno wants to do it again
Sabres' Petersen tabbed for U.S. world championship team
'Petersen went 23-12-5 with a .926 save percentage at Notre Dame this season, leading the Fighting Irish to the Frozen Four. The junior has made 90 straight starts. Buffalo selected him in the fifth round of the 2013 NHL Draft.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Petersen tabbed for U.S. world championship team
Sabres clearly need a talking to, so Murray plans to increase demands on Bylsma, players
'“One of my complaints was we worry way too much about the opposition – way too much about the opposition,” Murray said of the coaching staff. “I think we should worry more about what’s going on in this building, and I told them that.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres clearly need a talking to, so Murray plans to increase demands on Bylsma, players
Mike Harrington: With no ringing endorsement of Bylsma, is a Ruff reunion in the offing?
'Particularly damning was when Murray said the coaches need to cut back on videos and systems, grab a cup of coffee and get to know their players better. And you know that opinion certainly came from the players themselves.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: With no ringing endorsement of Bylsma, is a Ruff reunion in the offing?
Bucky Gleason's Power Take: Sabres' tank contributes to flat performances
'Problems start with owners who endorsed a flawed plan that was made worse by Tim Murray's poor assembly. Too many players lacked maturity, passion or both before folding in a culture that once accepted – no, encouraged – losing. The Sabres were flat this season, almost as if they were run over by a tank.' … [Read more...] about Bucky Gleason’s Power Take: Sabres’ tank contributes to flat performances
Evander Kane's conflicting sides pose conundrum for Sabres
'The left winger will give everything he’s got during the game, but good luck finding him when the clock isn’t running. He carries himself like he’s Sidney Crosby, yet he has the same number of playoff points as Taro Tsujimoto. He’ll treat children to a gift-filled Christmas, then end up on the police blotter. His megawatt smile will charm one person and appear fraudulent to … [Read more...] about Evander Kane’s conflicting sides pose conundrum for Sabres
Jerry Sullivan: Murray needs to answer for same old soft Sabres
'Murray's act is beginning to wear thin. It became fashionable to overpraise him simply for not being Darcy Regier, as a scowling straight shooter who charmed the media with tough-guy quotes and wasn't afraid to take a big gamble on trades.' … [Read more...] about Jerry Sullivan: Murray needs to answer for same old soft Sabres
Injury sidelined Johan Larsson for half the season, now he's on the mend
'"I've been good. Feeling way better now," Larsson said as the Sabres packed up their gear for the summer and had their final meetings of the season with the coaching staff. "It's just going to heal a little bit. I just took out the pins and now I'm going to rest and heal for a couple of weeks and then it's good."' … [Read more...] about Injury sidelined Johan Larsson for half the season, now he’s on the mend