The Hockey News

'How important was this hire for Buffalo? According to the insider I spoke to, the Sabres haven't been on the vanguard of analytics compared to some other franchises in the league, but getting Ventura on board with Karmanos certainly aims them in the right direction. The Sabres also have Jason Nightingale in a dual analytics/scouting role, but the team is still building up its … [Read more...] about The Sabres Just Made a Sneaky-Good Hire

'As a head coach, Granato has achieved immense success across numerous professional hockey leagues. He led the USHL's Green Bay Gamblers to a league championship in 1996, won the Kelly Cup with the Peoria Riverman of the ECHL in 2000, and was named the AHL Coach of the Year in 2001 while with the Worcester Ice Cats.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Announce Granato Will Return as Coach

'Robert never failed to fall below the 62-point mark in seven complete seasons with the club, making up a spot of the famed "French Connection" line with fellow Quebecers Gilbert Perreault and Richard Martin. The line was one of the most deadly in the league at the time and a staple of Sabres legend.' … [Read more...] about Rene Robert, Member of Famed ‘French Connection Line’, Passes Away

'Acquiring Eichel would bring the Kings one top-six forward but his hefty contract won't leave sufficient cap space to acquire another. They could instead have more affordable short-term options in their sights, perhaps someone like Eichel's teammate Sam Reinhart.' … [Read more...] about Which Teams Are Calling About Jack Eichel?

'Power is currently playing for Team Canada at the World Championship in Latvia and the fact the Canadians brought a teenage defenseman to the tournament speaks volumes about the young man. Power didn't get much ice time to start the tourney, but the reins were taken off late in the round robin and he really thrived, giving Canada minutes and offense when the team needed it.' … [Read more...] about Draft Lottery Winners: Buffalo and Seattle

'If the netminders who came before him are any indication, Houser’s two-game sojourn may not be so temporary after all. Of the 18 goalies who fit the above criteria, five (Roman Cechmanek, Martin Gerber, Tim Thomas, Fredrik Norrena and Niklas Backstrom) would go on to play at least 100 games in the NHL. That is no guarantee, but it’s not a bad ratio when you consider three of … [Read more...] about An Ode to the 28-Year-Old Rookie

'The deal is the first major move for rookie GM Kevyn Adams since the team appointed him as the boss back in the summer. And it's one that comes with raw emotions for many Sabres fans because while Hall was undeniably having a rough year, the return makes you wonder if the Sabres could have gotten anything more out of the seven-time 50-point player.' … [Read more...] about Boston Bruins Add Big Trade Piece in Taylor Hall

'The Panthers check more boxes than any other team when it comes to a hospitable Hall environment. They rank among the top Stanley Cup contenders in the NHL at the moment. They need a true No. 2 left winger behind Jonathan Huberdeau rather than mixing and matching the likes of Mason Marchment, Anthony Duclair and Frank Vatrano. In matchup master Joel Quenneville, they have a … [Read more...] about Top Five Trade Destinations for Taylor Hall

'Perhaps what is most eyebrow-raising is that both picks are for the 2021 draft. It might have been more prudent for Adams to make one of the selections a 2022 pick, since this year's draft class has been chaotic to scout: OHL players haven't even hit the ice yet and it's hard to say if they even will at this point. Meanwhile, the WHL regular season is being limited to 24 games … [Read more...] about Eric Staal Traded to Montreal

'But seriously, the Sabres could very well be tanking. Not the players or the coach, because that is simply not in their DNA. They’re really just that bad for whatever reason. Tanking has to happen at the managerial level. And owners Kim and Terry Pegula and first-year Sabres GM Kevyn Adams have done nothing to dispel the notion that their plan is to add more gasoline to this … [Read more...] about Maybe the Sabres Actually Are Tanking This Season

'Krueger appears to be losing the room, and he’s losing credibility, as evidenced by the latest soap opera surrounding Eichel. The Sabres’ captain seemed to hurt his foot or ankle last Tuesday night when he collided with Devils captain Nico Hischier. He took the warm-up on Thursday night, but he didn’t play. Krueger maintained that Eichel had been injured in the warm-up … [Read more...] about Who Gets Fired Next: Ralph Krueger or John Tortorella?

'When Skinner was racking up the goals in Buffalo, he was doing so on the wing of franchise center Jack Eichel and talented winger Sam Reinhart - the two best offensive players on the roster. Of course, that was also back when Phil Housley was still the coach in Buffalo - not Krueger.' … [Read more...] about Jeff Skinner Needs to Play in Buffalo

'It’s becoming tougher and tougher to feel optimistic about this franchise’s short- and medium-term future. So perhaps Adams has to seriously entertain the Eichel offers, not necessarily during this season but definitely come summertime.; … [Read more...] about The Jack Eichel Era is Heading Toward a Cliff in Buffalo

'"He's a special talent," Lamoureux said. "He's a fourth-round NHL draft pick but he's probably more talented than a fourth-rounder. He has NHL attributes with his skill and his vision and his hockey sense. He has an exceptional feel for the game; what's coming at him and where his space is and how to elude defenders and play with or without the puck. He has a knack for … [Read more...] about Buffalo Pick Returns After 20-Month Odyssey

'“The competitiveness, mixed with his size and speed, make him really special,” said Andre Tourigny, Cozens' coach at the world juniors. “When you see a big boy like that who can move, who is so driven and plays with that pace...' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Dylan Cozens is Riding a Wave of Momentum