WGR

'When Jason Botterill was in Pittsburgh, the Penguins would always elevate their AHL coach to take over. I would think Rochester’s coach Chris Taylor is under heavy consideration to take over the reigns. He has another week to go in the regular season there and then will lead the Amerks into the Calder Cup Playoffs for the second straight season.' … [Read more...] about Sabres relieve Phil Housley of his head coaching duties

'"It's mainly just our results in the second half. I think we had, unfortunately, the same lapses defensively in our structure, especially when you come back after the All-Star break and play in those tight games in those tight situations. Some of those same mistakes were continually showing up. At the end of the day, this is a results driven business, and we didn't get the … [Read more...] about Botterill: ‘This was my decision’ to fire Housley

'Botterill is very much his own man. He didn’t ask Phil Housley his opinion on trades and he didn’t ask the owners for their opinion of firing Housley. Botterill called the Pegula’s Sunday morning and they supported his decision to change coaches. I think the biggest question is why now? This ship had been sinking since December and Botterill said it eventually became evident … [Read more...] about Sabres’s Botterill has no choice other than to get it right

'It simply had to be done. We could go over all of the reasons. The lineup decisions, the explanations for the lineup decisions, the “shot mentality”, saying that the team was in games when they got blown out and shut out all too frequently, especially in March.' … [Read more...] about It had to happen

'However, Buffalo blew the doors open in the second period with three goals in the middle frame. Conor Sheary was the first one to find the back of the net in the second period, tipping a point shot to score his 14th goal of the year. Skinner would score the first of his two goals after that, deking past four Red Wings to finish a pretty goal. Shortly after Skinner's goal, … [Read more...] about Sabres blow out the Red Wings, 7-1, in season finale

'It was great to see them come together as a team to make sure Jeff Skinner got to 40 goals for the first time in his career. It seemed like his teammates were more excited than him.' … [Read more...] about The Sabres end by helping Skinner to 40 goals

'"Roddy (Evan Rodrigues) and Okie (Kyle Okposo) were telling me before the game that they weren't going to shoot anything and they were looking for me out there, I saw them. Even some of the plays that didn't go our way, I think they were maybe sort of forcing it to me. And then, obviously the shift there where I got it with Eichs (Eichel) and Sammy (Reinhart), they were … [Read more...] about From the Locker Room – Sabres at Red Wings

'The organization honored season ticket holders and other loyal fans ahead of opening faceoff, as well as in-season awards for the players during the game. On the ice, Jack Eichel and Jason Pominville stole the show as Eichel registered three points on the night, and Pominville moved up the all-time franchise leaderboard with an emotional goal in the third period.' … [Read more...] about Sabres dominate Senators 5-2 on Fan Appreciation Night

'Pominville has played 732 games in a Sabres uniform and he has a respect for the crest and the city that many others on this team don’t have. Pominville has 217 goals as a Sabre and 520 points.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Pominville goes out in style

'"Not the prettiest goal, but definitely nice to get one tonight. Thought our line had good looks. Thought we deserved to get one, and the reaction from the boys and the fans was amazing."' … [Read more...] about From the Locker Room: Sabres-Senators

'I’d assume he’s some part all of those things. If I need to say so, I don’t know Eichel. I made a decision years ago to not pursue relationships with current players. I used to enjoy knowing players on a personal level and came to find that it compromised my ability to speak freely about their play, so I stopped. Besides, I’m 25-years older than Eichel.' … [Read more...] about What is Jack thinking?

'Skinner has stayed consistent throughout the season and not said much about free agency. He said, “For me I’m part of the team, I think in the midst of a season you’re trying your best as a player to try to help the team win and that’s my focus the whole season and in particular the last couple of months when things haven’t been going our way and that will continue to be my … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Skinner is still open to staying in Buffalo

'Ryan Johansen broke the tie in Nashville's favor with his 13th goal of the season early in the third period. He was able to back hand the puck into the top of the net after a good bounce off the back wall to make it 3-2 Predators. Viktor Arvidsson and Roman Josi were given the assists on the goal.' … [Read more...] about Nashville hands Sabres a 3-2 loss

'"I don't know, I'm not really looking for moral victories right now, we've gotta win hockey games. It's frustrating, I don't know, at this point of the year, you know what I mean, we've gotta find ways to win and obviously we didn't that."' … [Read more...] about From the locker room: Sabres-Predators

'I’ve heard people who know nothing about hockey or player development say the Sabres should just have all their prospects up here and see what happens which is the road to disaster. Sexson agrees, “We can put anybody in a jersey and put him on the bench, so what! We want guys who can contribute consistently and in order to do that, it takes time. Development is a process.”' … [Read more...] about Assistant GM Randy Sexton explains why players aren’t rushed to the Sabres