'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
The Hockey News
Who Gets Fired Next: Ralph Krueger or John Tortorella?
'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?
Jeff Skinner Needs to Play in Buffalo
'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
The Jack Eichel Era is Heading Toward a Cliff 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
Buffalo Pick Returns After 20-Month Odyssey
'"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
Sabres' Dylan Cozens is Riding a Wave of Momentum
'“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
Sabres' Jack Quinn is Ready to Prove Doubters Wrong
'"I was shocked he went before Rossi," an Ontario-based scout said. "He would have been good around, say, pick 11 or 12. But eight seemed like a stretch. But we know how good is he with the puck, it's all about pushing his game to the limit now. This camp should help."' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Jack Quinn is Ready to Prove Doubters Wrong
Buffalo Sabres Re-Sign Sam Reinhart
'Really, the only question on Reinhart's end involves how much he wants to bet on himself in the future. The arrival of Hall and Staal makes Buffalo a lot more scary on offense and that could hypothetically lift up Reinhart's totals as well. If that comes to be, a long-term contract would be great for the two-way winger when he goes for his contract extension. If the 2020-21 … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres Re-Sign Sam Reinhart
Are the Buffalo Sabres Ready for the Draft?
'As for the size of his staff, Crowe didn't have a number for what his ideal scouting roster would look like once the dust settles, as he is still evaluating. He did ring off a number of benefits that he saw to the slimmed-down version he has been working with the past few months however: focused meetings, heightened sense of responsibility and clarity, for example.' … [Read more...] about Are the Buffalo Sabres Ready for the Draft?
The Eric Staal Trade Helps the Sabres in More Ways Than One
'Better yet, Staal carries a $3.25-million cap hit , meaning Adams saves $1.25 million by dealing the disappointing Johansson’s $4.5-million cap hit to the Wild.' … [Read more...] about The Eric Staal Trade Helps the Sabres in More Ways Than One
Tom Fitzgerald, Kevyn Adams well-suited for the challenges they face
'To be sure Adams has a much bigger job ahead of him than Fitzgerald does. Unlike Fitzgerald, Adams has not been an assistant GM and he’s taking over an organization where the owners can’t get seem to be able to put out a tire fire that has been almost entirely of their own making. A flat salary cap, a lean organization, a lack of depth of talent and a long look up in the … [Read more...] about Tom Fitzgerald, Kevyn Adams well-suited for the challenges they face
2019-20 Season Postmortem: Buffalo Sabres
'At 5-on-5, only the Detroit Red Wings attempted fewer shots or generated fewer scoring chances per 60 minutes. If you stopped the top line of Olofsson, Eichel and Sam Reinhart, you beat Buffalo, period.' … [Read more...] about 2019-20 Season Postmortem: Buffalo Sabres
How will the Buffalo Sabres rebuild their scouting department?
'My other concern for the Sabres is simply one of time. Assuming the draft takes place in late October or early November, they’re looking at about five months to put a new crew together – including a new director of amateur scouting.' … [Read more...] about How will the Buffalo Sabres rebuild their scouting department?
Leon Draisaitl Vs Jack Eichel: Who would you rather have?
'No more waffling. I choose Draisaitl. He’s a better faceoff man to get the puck. There is less chance he’ll make a sloppy play to lose the puck. His ability to score in tight is a bit better.' … [Read more...] about Leon Draisaitl Vs Jack Eichel: Who would you rather have?
Will Jason Botterill’s firing be enough to fix the Sabres?
'The element of the O’Reilly trade that really sunk Botterill is a name who wasn’t involved in the deal at all: Casey Mittelstadt. He was the Sabres’ No. 1 prospect and had dipped his toes in for six NHL games at the end of 2017-18. He was the 2018 World Junior Championship MVP. Our Future Watch panel of active NHL scouts and team executives named him hockey’s No. 1 … [Read more...] about Will Jason Botterill’s firing be enough to fix the Sabres?