Buffalo News

'Buffalo’s struggles on offense are easy to pinpoint. The top six forwards have combined for one point (JJ Peterka’s goal against the Rangers) while top defensemen Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power have one point apiece. The first line (Skinner, Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch) is a combined minus-8 while second-line center Dylan Cozens is minus-4.' … [Read more...] about Sabres looking for their big names to get the offense cranked up as part of four-game homestand

'Granato used a coach’s challenge when Cizikas scored the go-ahead goal with 6:20 left in regulation because the Sabres’ staff determined through video review that the Islanders were offside before defneseman Adam Pelech took the shot from the point. The officials disagreed, and while Buffalo made a final push to try to tie it again, another rally fell short because of … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres ‘sped it up’ but comeback fell short on controversial goal

'Granato has said multiple times prior to the season that the Sabres have turned to a much greater emphasis on winning than they have in the past, when development and experimentation were at the forefront as they built the new corps of their team. That’s not the case now, with expectations high to break their ugly playoff drought both inside and outside the locker room.' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: A higher standard, some different methods as Don Granato ups the ante on Sabres

'“I think after the first three shifts, I settled in,” he said.' … [Read more...] about NHL debut ‘surreal’ experience for Sabres rookie winger Zach Benson

'Expectations for the Sabres are higher than any point of the 12-year playoff drought. And their season opener Thursday night in front of a sellout crowd in KeyBank Center will serve as another reminder to Granato's players that they must lean on past experiences as they try to accomplish what they couldn't in April.' … [Read more...] about Sabres unable to mount comeback, drop season opener with 5-1 loss to Rangers

'The Sabres needed to shoot more to force the Rangers out of their 1-3-1 defensive structure, a system that several teams deployed last season to give them fits. Granato thought that hesitation was their primary issue because a shot can create chaos, like Peterka’s goal, and an aggressive approach can send an opponent’s team defense into a scramble. Their forwards had a … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres’ season-opening loss a reminder that ‘simplifying’ is key

'Under new coach Peter Laviolette, the Rangers flustered the Sabres with their 1-3-1 defensive scheme, a point that Buffalo captain Kyle Okposo acknowledged after the game. The Sabres' entire forward corps, in fact, had just seven shots on goal for the first two periods. It took 38 minutes for the Sabres to get a power play and that was largely because they didn't have the puck … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: For openers, the Sabres’ festivities were beautiful but you can’t say the same about the game

'Pegula should hire two people and give them the COO titles parallel with general managers Brandon Beane (Bills) and Kevyn Adams (Sabres), meaning they only report to Pegula.' … [Read more...] about Ryan O’Halloran: Hey, Terry Pegula, follow this plan point by point in search for new Bills, Sabres leadership

'The Sabres now have five players signed until at least 2029-30: Power, Dahlin, Tage Thompson, Dylan Cozens and Mattias Samuelsson. Each was a difference-maker during the team's playoff push last season, when their 91 standing points were only one shy of the Florida Panthers for the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot. After signing both defensemen, the Sabres are projected … [Read more...] about Sabres sign defenseman Owen Power to 7-year contract extension on eve of opener

'JJ Peterka, whom the Sabres selected 26 picks after Quinn in the 2020 draft, used his summer in Germany to try to become more of a complete player after he produced 12 goals and 32 points in 77 games as a rookie. He worked with a new skills coach, Alex Kercs, to try to be even more dangerous with the puck and studied his own shifts from last season to improve his awareness in … [Read more...] about JJ Peterka planning to take ‘next step’ with Sabres after learning from rookie season

'For more of their first 43 seasons, until Ryan Miller was traded to St. Louis in 2014, the Sabres have relied heavily on their goalies and most delivered. You know the names. Roger Crozier and Gerry Desjardins. Don Edwards and Bob Sauve. Barrasso and Daren Puppa. Dominik Hasek. Miller and Marty Biron. Lots of disappointment since then.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Hype and history surround Devon Levi as he claims the crease for Sabres opener

'Two sources within the organizations told The News that Roth was involved in a romantic relationship with D’Angelo, who reported to him, and thus created an unethical situation.' … [Read more...] about Shakeup at Buffalo Bills and Sabres as John Roth, Kathryn D’Angelo removed

'Chew on this: The last time the Sabres were in a playoff game was in 2011 against Philadelphia – when Benson was 5. Now he’s getting ready to suit up in his first NHL game, Thursday’s season opener against the New York Rangers.' … [Read more...] about Zach Benson’s breakout preseason play made the Sabres’ decision easy

'Delaware North will unveil the upgrades it has made to foods such as hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, barbecue, chicken tenders, nachos and hometown favorite beef on weck Thursday when the Buffalo Sabres open their season against the New York Rangers.' … [Read more...] about Classic arena fare gets reboot at KeyBank Center

'“How competitive our players are, that they felt that loss was unacceptable from a, ‘We’re so close and now we’re not in,’ ” said General Manager Kevyn Adams, reflecting on what he saw from his team as it went 9-2-1 over its final 12 games to finish with 91 standing points. “They felt that. It also showed me how much they cared about each other. They knew that they needed each … [Read more...] about ‘It’s go time’: Sabres determined to take next step in their rise as a contender