WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Ryan O’Reilly spent three seasons in Buffalo. ©2018, Hickling Images
Not much has changed for ex-Sabres center Ryan O’Reilly in St. Louis. The Blues utilize him constantly, relying on him to play big minutes. Just like in Buffalo, the versatile center quickly seized his opportunities, morphing into perhaps his new team’s best player.
And just like in Buffalo, O’Reilly has endured a lot of losing.
The Blues, one of the NHL’s heavyweights for years, just missed the playoffs last season, earning 94 points. When they ... Read the full article
Patrik Berglund (10) left the Sabres after less than half a season. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
Forward Patrik Berglund cleared waivers today, meaning the Buffalo Sabres can terminate his contract.
The Sabres placed Berglund, 30, on unconditional waivers Wednesday, four days after they suspended the 11-year veteran for failing to report to the team.
Berglund has three years left on his contract. The Swede will lose $12,579,032 from the termination, according to capfriendly.com. The Sabres are also free from his $2.235 salary cap hit this season and his $3.85 million yearly ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel has been on a tear. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Thirty-four games into his fourth NHL campaign, Sabres captain Jack Eichel is enjoying more than just a career year; the ultra-talented center is putting together one of the greatest seasons in franchise history.
Fresh off a four-goal, nine-point week, Eichel is up to 14 goals and 45 points entering tonight’s tilt against the Florida Panthers inside KeyBank Center. At his current pace, he would compile 34 goals and a whopping 109 points over ... Read the full article
Patrik Berglund has struggled this season. ©2018, Hickling Images
The Buffalo Sabres have suspended newcomer Patrik Berglund indefinitely for failure to report to the team.
Berglund, 30, missed two games and wasn’t seen around the team this week. Sabres coach Phil Housley said then the forward had the flu.
“From my knowledge, talking to the medical staff, he was ill,” Housley told reporters prior to tonight’s road tilt against the Washington Capitals. “So we handled it that way. Obviously, it developed it into something ... Read the full article
Remi Elie has been the 13th forward much of the season, ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – An upper-body injury will sideline winger Conor Sheary tonight against the San Jose Sharks, meaning Remi Elie will play again as the Sabres gun for their 10th consecutive victory.
Of course, Sabres coach Phil Housley might’ve kept Elie, his 13th forward much of the season, in the lineup if Sheary could play.
In his first appearance following 10 consecutive healthy scratches, Elie, 23, stood out in Saturday’s 3-2 shootout win in Detroit.... Read the full article
Conor Sheary has been a welcome addition to the Sabres. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
PITTSBURGH – Almost five years ago, Conor Sheary’s pro prospects were dim.
After scoring nine goals and 28 points in 34 games as a senior in 2013-14, only one team showed interest in the diminutive University of Massachusetts product.
“I didn’t have any offers, really,” the speedy Buffalo Sabres winger said prior to Monday’s 5-4 come-from-behind overtime win against the Penguins inside PPG Paints Arena. “Pittsburgh was the only offer I had.”
Well, technically, it ... Read the full article
Conor Sheary played three seasons with Pittsburgh. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
PITTSBURGH – Almost five years ago, Conor Sheary’s pro prospects were dim.
After scoring nine goals and 28 points in 34 games as a senior in 2013-14, only one team showed interest in the diminutive University of Massachusetts product.
“I didn’t have any offers, really,” the speedy Buffalo Sabres winger said this afternoon inside PPG Paints Arena. “Pittsburgh was the only offer I had.”
Well, technically, it wasn’t even Pittsburgh. The Penguins’ affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel doesn’t turn 22 until Oct. 28. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Jack Eichel was at home cooking dinner Tuesday night when his coach, Phil Housley, called and said the Sabres’ brass wanted to meet with him.
So Eichel left and drove to KeyBank Center. When he arrived, Housley, general manager Jason Botterill and owner Terry Pegula told the talented center he would be the 19th full-time captain in Sabres history.
“Really humbling moment,” Eichel said Wednesday inside KeyBank Center, where the Sabres open the ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel is the 19th full-time captain in Sabres history ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Jack Eichel was at home cooking dinner Tuesday night when his coach, Phil Housley, called and said the Sabres’ brass wanted to meet with him.
So Eichel, 21, left his dinner and drove to KeyBank Center. When he arrived, Housley, general manager Jason Botterill and owner Terry Pegula told the talented center he would be the 19th full-time captain in Sabres history.
“Really humbling moment,” Eichel said this afternoon following practice. “I feel ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel wore a letter last season. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Jack Eichel is the Sabres’ new captain.
The Sabres, who open the season Thursday against the Boston Bruins, announced late this morning Eichel, 21, would wear the prestigious ‘C.’ Coach Phil Housley also appeared to tell his team as practice wound down.
Eichel, the second overall pick in 2015, is beginning his fourth NHL season. The Sabres went without a captain last season.... Read the full article
