Sportsnet

'Like the best player in the trade, we too are still wrapping our heads around this deal — a clear win, in our books, for rookie Sabres GM Kevyn Adams, a former teammate of Staal’s in Carolina.' … [Read more...] about Quick Shifts: Why stunning Eric Staal trade is a clear win for Sabres

'Still, things can go sideways quickly for a 36-year-old player. So, are there any signs that this trade isn’t the massive win it appears to be on the surface for Buffalo?' … [Read more...] about Can Eric Staal be the second line centre upgrade Buffalo needs?

'"It’s a tough situation, especially for Jack. He is one of my good friends, and I know firsthand how competitive he is and how much he just wants to win more than anything. He’s not really concerned with individual accolades or anything like that. He’s aware that you have the most fun at the rink when you’re winning. So, it’s for sure very frustrating for him."' … [Read more...] about Bruins’ Grzelcyk feels for Eichel: ‘He wants to win more than anything’

'Any time a person is installed in a role beyond their experience, their best chance to succeed comes when they’re surrounded by good, experienced people. People to lean on. Kevyn Adams seems to be left mostly flapping in the wind here, devoid of any transition team. I can’t imagine sitting in that office today, closing the door, and being like, “OK! First order of business: … [Read more...] about What comes next for Buffalo Sabres after major course change?

'While Eichel’s extension was a safe bet and an easy investment decision, Skinner’s $9-million annual salary cap hit seemingly has the potential to be worrisome if the 28-year-old can’t continue producing at a high level. Through 59 games in 2019-20, Skinner only had 14 goals and nine assists to go with a minus-22 rating.' … [Read more...] about Jason Botterill’s best and worst moves as Buffalo Sabres GM

'No matter how Herculean his efforts, Eichel’s task has been Sisyphean. The boulder rolls back down the hill. Listen below. This is feeling like rock bottom, or darn close.' … [Read more...] about Quick Shifts: Anger, pain, trade speculation swirls in Buffalo

'“I’ve already started preparing for next season now,” Eichel said. “I’m already doing things to try and better myself for the start of next season whenever that is. (But) I’d be lying if I said I’m not getting frustrated with the way things are going.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres captain Jack Eichel ‘fed up’ and ‘frustrated’ by losing

'“Every time he steps out there he seems like he’s just got another gear over everyone else,” he wrote. “To do that night in and night out? That’s impressive.”' … [Read more...] about Jets’ Mark Scheifele says Sabres’ Jack Eichel deserves Hart Trophy

'“His demeanour, the way that he handles himself in the locker room in front of everyone everyday,” Eichel said. “He’s somebody that I look up to a lot as a role model for leadership. There’s such a great respect there and I think that it’s mutual between the two of us.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Eichel says head coach Ralph Krueger is ‘somebody that I look up to’

'“The hospital (Boston Medical Center) is in a lot of distress right now, and it’s a tough position,” the 23-year-old captain of the Buffalo Sabres said Monday. “She’s actually been at home for the last few weeks, which somehow is really lucky. Wouldn’t want her going in. It’s such a high risk.”' … [Read more...] about Eichel on COVID-19 pandemic: ‘We really don’t know what tomorrow holds’

'“His skating was really coming along, he had a real natural high hockey IQ – he was seeing the ice very well and understood the game,” said Lawrie. “He was ahead of the other players that were playing very often. So that’s probably when you started hearing whispers around town and around the rink that there’s a young guy that might go a long way in this sport.”' … [Read more...] about How Dylan Cozens beat the odds, became Sabres’ top prospect

'This is a cautionary tale of what can happen when you gleefully dive head first into a rebuild you assume will turn out rosy after making a few high draft picks.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres fans are ready to snap – and you can’t blame them

'He is willing Buffalo back into a game it didn’t show up for, and giving, as always, hope for hockey in Western New York. “Jack scores a big goal there,” teammate Kyle Okposo says. “Then we start to believe.”' … [Read more...] about Why ‘heart and soul’ Jack Eichel is building a case for MVP

'This is undeniably the Eichel show, though. And in a season where the Sabres are honouring their past, nobody is providing more hope for a happy immediate future.' … [Read more...] about Red-hot Sabres star Jack Eichel providing hope for playoff-starved team

'Today he is the captain of Djurgardens in the SHL and playing for less than a tenth of what he would have been earning in Buffalo. But he’s in a much better place overall. “I don’t know how much money you need to be happy, but I’m good,” said Berglund.' … [Read more...] about Why Patrik Berglund’s decision to walk away from NHL was no decision at all