WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Chad Johnson talks Sunday. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Chad Johnson often talks about his desire to be a starting goalie, so not surprisingly, the Sabres veteran has already examined the jobs that could be open when he hits unrestricted free agency July 1.
“It’s hard not to,” Johnson said Sunday as the Sabres held their end-of-season meetings. “I try to stay as in the moment (as possible). I’m not going say which teams, but there’s four teams that need goaltenders or ... Read the full article
General manager Tim Murray (left) and coach Dan Bylsma are excited about the Sabres’ direction.. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Following a 27-point improvement in 2015-16, a season in which the Sabres morphed from the NHL’s laughingstock into a legitimate team again, the playoffs “may actually be a realistic goal” next year, general manager Tim Murray said.
“So that will be our statement to the players, that yes, the goal is to reach the playoffs, and that we actually do expect that we can do that,” Murray said Monday during an end-of-season news ... Read the full article
Tim Murray smiles this afternoon. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Following a 27-point improvement in 2015-16, a season in which the Sabres morphed from the NHL’s laughingstock into a legitimate team again, the playoffs “may actually be a realistic goal” next year, general manager Tim Murray said.
“So that will be our statement to the players, that yes, the goal is to reach the playoffs, and that we actually do expect that we can do that,” Murray said this afternoon during an end-of-season ... Read the full article
Ryan O’Reilly can smile about the Sabres’ future. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – When center Ryan O’Reilly joined his new teammates seven months ago, the stench leftover from consecutive 30th-place finishes – the culture of losing, it could be called – still lingered around the Sabres.
“I think you could sense it a bit, for sure,” O’Reilly said Sunday as the Sabres held their end-of-season meetings inside the First Niagara Center following a 35-36-11 finish. “I think there’s a lot of habits, when you ... Read the full article
Robin Lehner recently underwent ankle surgery. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Robin Lehner knew his pain threshold would be tested when he returned in mid-January from the high right ankle sprain he suffered opening night.
“Since that day it’s been pain, it’s been swelling after every practice, every game,” Lehner said Sunday as the Sabres held their end-of-season meetings inside the First Niagara Center.
After missing more than three months, Lehner started 20 times, often performing like the No. 1 goalie the ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel wants to rest a bit this offseason. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – When center Ryan O’Reilly joined his new teammates seven months ago, the stench leftover from consecutive 30th-place finishes – the culture of losing, you might call it – still surrounded the Sabres.
“I think you could sense it a bit, for sure,” O’Reilly said this morning as the Sabres held their end-of-season meetings inside the First Niagara Center. “I think there’s a lot of habits, when you look at winning teams, ... Read the full article
Ryan O’Reilly was named team MVP Friday. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In his first season as coach, Dan Bylsma has experienced so much excitement surrounding the Sabres he wonders how crazy it would feel if his team becomes a contender again.
The Sabres, of course, will miss the playoffs for the fifth straight season. Still, to a rabid fan base yearning for postseason hockey, the progress the Sabres have made this season – they’ve improved 25 points with newcomers Jack Eichel, Ryan O’Reilly and ... Read the full article
Cole Schneider has strong AHL numbers. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – When Williamsville native Cole Schneider walked into the First Niagara Center on Thursday morning, it marked the first time the new Sabres winger had been in the building since he competed in a showcase of local high school players in 2008.
A lot happened to Schneider, 25, in between his trips to rink.
Schneider, who grew up cheering for the Sabres, will make his NHL debut in tonight’s home finale against the Columbus ... Read the full article
Sabres rookie Evan Rodrigues (71) skates in a rookie camp game in September. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres recalled Williamsville native Cole Schneider and Evan Rodrigues from the Rochester Americans for the first time this morning.
The rookie wingers will likely make their NHL debuts in Friday’s home finale against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Schneider, 25, has 20 goals and 54 points in 69 AHL games this season. The St. Joe’s graduate has three goals and nine points since the Sabres acquired him from the Ottawa Senators organization. Despite ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel scored an exciting empty-net goal Tuesday. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Empty-net goals rarely make highlight reels. They’re usually the game’s least-exciting score. Sometimes they’re merely an uncontested 10- or 15-foot shot, hockey’s version of the layup. Other times they’re simply a long zone clear that happens to hit the net.
Then there was Sabres rookie Jack Eichel’s rugged, zig-zagging empty-netter that sealed Tuesday’s 3-1 road win against the New Jersey Devils.
“It was a battle royale from the blue line in,” coach Dan ... Read the full article
