The Hockey News

'Difficult as it might be to imagine at the moment, the Sabres’ five-year timeline gives Buffalo something of a logjam down the middle. Jack Eichel, who will be right in the thick of his prime come the 2023-24 season, is the no-doubt No. 1 center, but who takes the second-line center spot is anyone’s guess after that.' … [Read more...] about Five-year forecast: Your 2023-24 Buffalo Sabres

'Buffalo has more than $5 million in cap wiggle room today, making next summer – when the team has 10 UFAs and three RFAs (in this case, all big-money signings) – extra important. The Sabres won’t have a reason to bring back expensive defenders Zach Bogosian and Marco Scandella with some of the young blueliners they have in the system, especially with both nearing 30. Buffalo … [Read more...] about Expansion plan: Projecting the Buffalo Sabres’ protection list for the 2021 expansion draft

'So which teams make for intriguing trade partners? These three come to mind...'. … [Read more...] about It’s time for Buffalo to trade Rasmus Ristolainen. Where?

' Jokiharju was solid with Chicago prior to the World Junior Championship over the winter, but was sent down to Rockford afterwards to get further seasoning. However, the Blackhawks’ acquisitions of Olli Maatta and Calvin de Haan meant Jokiharju wasn’t guaranteed a spot with the big club. He now has the opportunity to step into a spot on a Sabres team that’s still rebuilding … [Read more...] about Blackhawks send Jokiharju to Sabres for Nylander in surprising prospect swap

'Landing a secondary scorer had to be a priority for the Sabres, who scored 226 goals last season, the second-fewest in the Eastern Conference. Johansson fits the bill. And if he can find chemistry alongside Casey Mittelstadt, for whom Buffalo has second-line center hopes, Johansson will help the Sabres have a top-six that can rely on output from more than Jack Eichel and Jeff … [Read more...] about Sabres add scoring mojo, sign Johansson to two-year, $9-million deal

'And further to that point, Skinner’s $9-million cap hit doesn’t stand to put Buffalo in a bind anytime soon. At present, the Sabres have an additional $28-million set to come off the books ahead of next season, and while a few players – Reinhart, Casey Mittelstadt and Brandon Montour – will need extensions next summer, there’s more than enough money to go around.' … [Read more...] about Why spending big bucks to keep Jeff Skinner was worth it for the Sabres

'And it’s that kind of thinking that is going to ultimately get the Sabres out of this rut in which they find themselves. This is not a case of Jason Botterill making like he’s smarter than everybody else. This is a young man who is clearly comfortable making unconventional choices, one who has enough confidence in himself that he’s prepared to make a move that he knows will be … [Read more...] about Sabres GM Jason Botterill puts his job on the line with out-of-the-box hiring of Ralph Krueger…and that’s a good thing

'The Toronto Maple Leafs intend on keeping Mike Babcock around. Thus, after a couple fantastic seasons with the Marlies, with whom he won the AHL’s Calder Cup in 2018, it’s time for Keefe to get a serious look at an NHL job. Keefe, the winner of the 2015 CHL top coach award, has done wonders for the Marlies in his short time in the AHL and any team looking for a fresh face with … [Read more...] about With Gronborg gone, which coaches should the Oilers, Senators, Ducks and Sabres chase?

'The Sabres’ willingness to give Dahlin important minutes while allowing him to make mistakes is what has given him the opportunity to make such an impact as an 18-year-old.' … [Read more...] about Dahlin passes Orr, marking major milestone in 18-year-old Sabres rookie’s superb season

'But the reality is that Housley, for whatever faults he may have, has done some good this season. The Sabres are a middle of the road team when it comes to most possession metrics. Buffalo has shown continued improvement in those areas under Housley, and that’s one of the few positives the Sabres have seen this season. So, while he may not be the answer, it would seem he’s not … [Read more...] about Unbelievable scoring drought highlights Sabres’ shortcomings in yet another lost season

'Buffalo’s challenge now is to grow organically without getting discouraged, or pressured into making panic moves – because that’s how you become a constant rebuilder like Edmonton.' … [Read more...] about The Buffalo Sabres have a daunting road ahead of them in the Atlantic

'That’s a great addition for Buffalo, too. Barring a subsequent deal that sends recently rumored trade chip Rasmus Ristolainen packing, the Sabres will now trot out a top-four that includes Ristolainen, Mountour, Jake McCabe and rookie standout Rasmus Dahlin. Already with a defense that was 16th-ranked in the NHL in terms of goals against and had mid-range underlying metrics, … [Read more...] about Wild-card contending Sabres don’t stand pat, acquire Montour from Ducks for Guhle, first-round pick

'Some may call that foolish or cry asset mismanagement. Some will inevitably compare it to the Columbus Blue Jackets’ situation with Panarin, another star winger set to become a free agent this summer, and list myriad reasons why it makes sense to trade Skinner, not keep him when the assets have potential to help the cause down the road. The difference, however, is that there’s … [Read more...] about Keeping Skinner through deadline will be a gamble for the Sabres — but it’s a risk worth taking

'Do the Sabres make the post-season? It’s no guarantee. But the real Buffalo lies somewhere between the 10-game winning streak and the league bottom feeder that has struggled ever since, and if they can find that middle before it’s too late, the Sabres may very well be able to sneak in and snap their seven-year drought.' … [Read more...] about The Sabres are sliding in aftermath of their early season winning streak, but don’t count Buffalo out

'Having the additional spending room gives the Sabres the ability and flexibility, should they so choose, to go dollar-for-dollar with any other suitor for Skinner’s services. Sure, engaging in a bidding war could lead to potential overpayment, but having additional cap space lessens the immediate and likely the long-term cause for concern.' … [Read more...] about Sabres can make best of bad situation with Berglund contract termination