Buffalo News

'“Well, I think we’re going to be able to score goals like that most of the year, but until we have a commitment to team defense, we won’t accomplish much,” Johnson, who signed a one-year contract with Buffalo in July, said. “We’re tied 2-2 with a minute left in the second, we give up a breakaway, we give up man odd-man rush and then we give up a 4-on-2 two minutes into the … [Read more...] about Observations: ‘Frustrating’ loss for Sabres shows need for better team defense

'With South Buffalo’s Patrick Kane still a free agent after hip surgery and several other local products in the AHL, Gilbert and Winnipeg forward Alex Iafallo are the only players groomed in Buffalo currently in the NHL.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: WNYer Dennis Gilbert keeps the push on for regular spot on Calgary defense

'The VR platform is a tool used by Levi between practices and games. He’d pull on the headset in his dorm room or locker room, then grab his blocker, glove and stick to face a variety of shots from virtual shooters. According to Sense Arena, which was introduced in 2018, its various modules are designed to enhance read-and-react skills and cognitive performance for skaters and … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Devon Levi a brand ambassador for VR training platform, Sense Arena

'“It’s tough,” Jost said of the healthy scratches. “You’re a hockey player, you want to play hockey games. Just try to be a pro about it. I was working a lot on the ice after practice, just on my own and trying to stay in shape. It’s hard when you’re kind of off for a week and a half, two weeks almost. You don’t want to lose that game speed and stuff like that and those … [Read more...] about Sabres notebook: Tyson Jost makes ‘impact right out of the gate’ in first game

'“Yeah, that was big to get that one, especially after giving up a goal with seven seconds left,” Cozens said. “It would have been frustrating to lose that game, but those are the type of games we need to win. Low-scoring, gritty games and games where we just find a way.”' … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres avoid ‘frustrating’ finish, earn first win of the season

'The loss of Vasilevskiy is a dire one for the Lightning, who are going mostly with former Sabres farmhand Jonas Johansson in goal largely because a salary cap crunch gives them little other choice.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Sabres among Atlantic trio targeting the Lightning, and early injuries are trouble for Tampa Bay

'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