'Granato, 51, has coached at all levels – junior, college, pro and NHL – over his 26-year career. He spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach with the Chicago Blackhawks.' … [Read more...] about Sabres hire Don Granato, Mike Bales as assistant coaches
Olean Times Herald
Reports: Sabres to hire Mike Bales as goalie coach, retain Steve Smith
'Bales, who played 23 NHL games, knows Sabres general manager Jason Botterill well from their days together in Pittsburgh. Bales spent six seasons with the Penguins, where Botterill was the associate GM.' … [Read more...] about Reports: Sabres to hire Mike Bales as goalie coach, retain Steve Smith
Comfort helped convince Jeff Skinner to sign long-term contract with Sabres
'“It was a lot of change and there was a lot of adjustments, I think,” Skinner said Tuesday during a news conference to discuss the eight-year, $72 million contract he signed Friday. “(They were) sort of little things you don’t really think about, and I think they kind of add up. For me, the adjustment here went smoothly. Everything went positive.”' … [Read more...] about Comfort helped convince Jeff Skinner to sign long-term contract with Sabres
Rewards of Jeff Skinner’s long-term contract outweigh risks for Sabres
'“Probably one of the next questions is going to be about giving an eight-year contract to a 27-year-old,” Botterill said of Skinner’s $72 million deal on a conference call Saturday, a day after awarding the hefty contract. “But there’s always going to be risk sometimes in doing that. But we feel very comfortable in how Jeff handles himself off the ice, how he’s dedicated to … [Read more...] about Rewards of Jeff Skinner’s long-term contract outweigh risks for Sabres
Sabres re-sign Jeff Skinner to eight-year, $72 million contract
'Letting Skinner walk in free agency would’ve been a disaster for the Sabres, who own an eight-year playoff drought, the NHL’s longest. The Sabres need Skinner as much for his ability to draw fans as his goal-scoring talents.' … [Read more...] about Sabres re-sign Jeff Skinner to eight-year, $72 million contract
Sabres coach Ralph Krueger arrives in Buffalo ready for new challenge
'“While we’re building, I need to be clearer on the way we want to approach the game and what’s best for the final roster that we have and how I can put those pieces into play,” Krueger said.' … [Read more...] about Sabres coach Ralph Krueger arrives in Buffalo ready for new challenge
Ralph Krueger believes Jeff Skinner wants to stay with Sabres
'“It was really just the flow of the conversation that made me feel comfortable. I felt he really loved to be here and that he was happy to be here.”' … [Read more...] about Ralph Krueger believes Jeff Skinner wants to stay with Sabres
Cole Caufield could be too talented for Sabres to pass up at NHL Draft
'“It was something it kind of opened my eyes,” Caufield said of his tryout experience. “I really needed to start working harder at it. I got the chance to make the team, so I took the most of it. I think I never looked back.”' … [Read more...] about Cole Caufield could be too talented for Sabres to pass up at NHL Draft
Alex Turcotte could be attractive option for Sabres at NHL Draft
'“It helped me show up and compete every game,” Alex, 18, said Friday inside Harborcenter, where the NHL Scouting Combine has been going on this week. “I guess not being on the best team sometimes I had to … be at my best at all times, didn’t really have anyone holding my hand. I think it taught me how to be competitive and be consistent.”' … [Read more...] about Alex Turcotte could be attractive option for Sabres at NHL Draft
Coach Chris Taylor will likely stay put with Amerks
'Many players speak highly of Taylor, crediting him with changing the culture of the team. They clearly love playing for him.' … [Read more...] about Coach Chris Taylor will likely stay put with Amerks
World Cup coaching gig helped lead Ralph Krueger to Sabres
'“That definitely confirmed that in my heart of hearts I’m a coach,” Krueger said on a conference call Wednesday after being introduced as the 19th head coach in Sabres history. “My kids have been telling me ever since that’s the happiest I’ve looked in the last six years was when I was coaching hockey at the World Cup.”' … [Read more...] about World Cup coaching gig helped lead Ralph Krueger to Sabres
Visiting bars helped Sabres coach Ralph Krueger get feel for Buffalo
'“It was very enlightening,” Krueger said on a conference call this afternoon after being introduced as the 19th head coach in Sabres history. “I certainly could feel the spirit of the city. I loved the city, the architecture and just the size. I can feel it’s a hardworking community and it’s a place that my wife and I feel very comfortable coming to live there."' … [Read more...] about Visiting bars helped Sabres coach Ralph Krueger get feel for Buffalo
Sabres notes: GM Jason Botterill knows Jeff Skinner interested to see coach
'Given Skinner’s age and scoring prowess – he just finished a career-best campaign and has scored 244 career goals – he will likely command a long-term contract worth perhaps $8 million or more a season.' … [Read more...] about Sabres notes: GM Jason Botterill knows Jeff Skinner interested to see coach
Report: Sabres to name Ralph Krueger next coach
'The Oilers fired Krueger – incredibly, former GM Craig MacTavish dismissed him during a Skype conversation – so they could hire Dallas Eakins, who lasted less than two seasons.' … [Read more...] about Report: Sabres to name Ralph Krueger next coach
Sabres’ Lawrence Pilut undergoes shoulder surgery, out five to six months
'The Sabres’ dwindling depth, of course, will almost certainly alter general manager Jason Botterill’s offseason plans for the blue line.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Lawrence Pilut undergoes shoulder surgery, out five to six months