Girgensons - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres hope to have healthy defense corps for opener

BUFFALO – Right now, the revamped Sabres blue line that has received so much attention for its puck-moving abilities is missing some key pieces.

Just three days before the season opener, Zach Bogosian and Jake McCabe are sidelined. The Sabres still have nine defensemen in training camp, a number that might shrink in the coming days.

So, could the Sabres potentially have the defense corps they envisioned all summer together for Thursday’s tilt against the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Seth Griffith close to roster spot

BUFFALO – Among the 38 players the Sabres have used through five preseason games, very few have stood out.

Of course, center Jack Eichel has performed strongly, compiling one goal and four points in three appearances. Meanwhile, veteran winger Jason Pominville scored twice in his debut.

But those Sabres are expected to make notable contributions. What about the bubble players, the AHL guy looking to crack the big club out of training camp?... Read the full article

Sabres to face loaded Penguins lineup

BUFFALO – It’s no secret NHL teams field stronger preseason lineups at home, especially toward the end. So Sabres coach Phil Housley knew the Pittsburgh Penguins would dress better players tonight than the first time the teams met eight days ago.

“It’s getting toward the end, right?” Housley said this morning after the Sabres skated inside HarborCenter. “They’re trying to get their guys geared up. But at the same time, it puts us in a ... Read the full article

Sabres won’t see Leafs for months after weekend set

BUFFALO – How’s this for a scheduling quirk? After this weekend’s home-and-home preseason set with the Maple Leafs – the Sabres play tonight in Toronto – the fierce rivals don’t meet again until March 5.

“It’s crazy,” Sabres coach Phil Housley said this morning inside KeyBank Center. “When I looked at the schedule, here’s one of the rivals in our division, we’re not going to see them until March. Hopefully, they’re going to be real ... Read the full article

Zemgus Girgensons Sabres’ mainstay through upheaval

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Zemgus Girgensons laughed before wondering aloud, just four years into his career, exactly how many teammates he has played with here.

“It’s a lot,” Girgensons said Wednesday following practice inside HarborCenter.

No kidding. Girgensons has experienced every bit of the Sabres’ recent turmoil: two tank seasons, two 30th-place finishes, last season’s regression, three regime changes and more.

“I’ve seen so many coaches (four), multiple GMs (three),” he said. “I’ve been on ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Phil Housley excited, nervous for coaching debut

BUFFALO – Come about 7 p.m., just before the Sabres’ preseason opener against the Carolina Hurricanes, rookie coach Phil Housley will start feeling some butterflies.

“I’d be lying to you if I say when the game comes I’m (not) going to be nervous,” Housley said this morning inside KeyBank Center. “Being a head coach for the first time behind the bench, it’s quite exciting for me.”... Read the full article

Sabres re-sign Zemgus Girgensons to two-year contract

BUFFALO – The Sabres locked up their last restricted free agent today, signing forward Zemgus Girgensons to a two-year, $3.2 million contract.

Girgensons, 23, compiled seven goals and 16 points in a career-high 75 games last season, his fourth NHL campaign. The Latvian has 37 goals and 86 points in 277 career contests.... Read the full article

Sabres re-sign Nathan Beaulieu to two-year contract

BUFFALO – The Sabres have re-signed defenseman Nathan Beaulieu to a two-year, $4.8 million contract, the team announced today.

Beaulieu, a restricted free agent, had an arbitration hearing scheduled for Friday.

With Beaulieu’s deal done, the Sabres only have one unsigned RFA, forward Zemgus Girgensons.

The Sabres acquired Beaulieu, 24, from the Montreal Canadiens on June 17 for a 2017 third-round pick.

Beaulieu has played 225 NHL games over four seasons, compiling seven goals, ... Read the full article

Sabres re-sign Evan Rodrigues to two-year contract

BUFFALO – The Sabres have re-signed forward Evan Rodrigues to a two-year, $1.3 million contract, the team announced this afternoon.

With Rodrigues locked up, the Sabres have two unsigned restricted free agents: defenseman Nathan Beaulieu and forward Zemgus Girgensons.

Rodrigues, who turns 24 on Friday, enjoyed a breakout campaign as a center last season, playing regularly with the Sabres for the final two months. In 30 NHL games, the Boston University product compiled four goals ... Read the full article

Sabres face challenges adding talent in free agency

BUFFALO – For a team fresh off a last-place finish, the Sabres have a high number of contracts, including a few bloated ones, in place for next season.

Counting restricted free agents expected to be back, the Sabres already have about 19 players who could be regulars in 2017-18. Veterans Zach Bogosian, Josh Gorges and Matt Moulson combine for more than $14 million of salary cap space.

Bad teams usually don’t approach the cap, but ... Read the full article