WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Jason Botterill has more work to do this offseason. ©2018, Hickling Images
DALLAS – For the time being at least, Ryan O’Reilly, the versatile center several teams are trying to pry away from the Sabres, is still with Buffalo.
General manager Jason Botterill, who’s expected to overhaul the NHL’s worst team this offseason, left the NHL Draft on Saturday without making any player trades.
Of course, the league’s busy season is just getting underway. Teams can talk to free agents starting Monday and begin signing them ... Read the full article
Jason Botterill has to find a goalie. ©2018, Hickling Images
DALLAS – For the time being at least, Ryan O’Reilly, the versatile center several teams are trying to pry away from the Sabres, is still with Buffalo.
General manager Jason Botterill, who’s expected to overhaul the NHL’s worst team this offseason, left the NHL Draft without making any player trades.
Of course, the league’s busy season is just getting underway. Teams can talk to free agents starting Monday and begin signing them next Sunday. ... Read the full article
Robin Lehner received a one-year contract before last season. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
DALLAS – In cutting loose Robin Lehner, the Buffalo Sabres turned over some of their goaltending duties to a youngster with only 26 games of NHL experience.
But the Sabres believe Linus Ullmark deserves a chance to showcase his abilities after a three-year AHL apprenticeship with the Rochester Americans.... Read the full article
Robin Lehner spent three seasons with the Sabres. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
DALLAS – Robin Lehner’s career with the Buffalo Sabres is over.
General manager Jason Botterill said this morning the Sabres have informed Lehner, a restricted free agent, they won’t be making him a qualifying offer, making him a free agent.
“You finish 31st, you have to make some difficult choices,” Botterill said inside the W Dallas Hotel just hours before tonight’s NHL Draft. “We have informed Robin that he’s not coming back next year. … ... Read the full article
Robin Lehner reacts to allowing a goal last season with Toronto’s Patrick Marleau in front of him. ©2018, Hickling Images
DALLAS – In the coming days, the Buffalo Sabres could confirm what has been widely speculated for months: goalie Robin Lehner won’t be back for a fourth season.
If the Sabres can’t trade Lehner, rather than making a $4 million qualifying offer to the restricted free agent by Monday’s deadline, they might simply walk away, making him unrestricted.... Read the full article
Phil Housley won 25 games as a rookie coach. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – It’s unlikely legendary coaches Toe Blake or Scotty Bowman could’ve done much with the Sabres this season. A dearth of talent helped them finish 31st overall.
Still, following such a miserable campaign, the question had to be asked: will Phil Housley be general manager Jason Botterill’s coach again next season?
“One-hundred percent Phil Housley will be our coach next year,” Botterill said Wednesday inside KeyBank Center. “I have certainly enjoyed working with Phil ... Read the full article
Jason Botterill isn’t used to losing. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Jason Botterill is usually measured in his comments, keeping his emotions in check. But discussing the Sabres’ wretched 31st-place finish made the rookie general manager seethe.
The Sabres hired Botterill from Pittsburgh, where he won three Stanley Cups in 10 seasons and never missed the playoffs.
So a lost season in which the Sabres won 25 games and earned a meager 62 points is humbling for Botterill.... Read the full article
Despite a hot stretch during the winter, Chad Johnson ended this season with some weak statistics. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – If Chad Johnson had known the Sabres would struggle so much this season, the goalie likely would’ve looked for work elsewhere.
“I wouldn’t have put my career in a situation like that after having a lot of success and doing well,” Johnson said Monday as the Sabres cleaned out their lockers and held exit interviews inside KeyBank Center.
Thanks to two strong seasons, Johnson, 31, enjoyed some options during free agency last summer. ... Read the full article
Ryan O’Reilly wants to improve his mental toughness. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Constant losing over three seasons has taken such a large toll on Ryan O’Reilly the center said he lost his love for hockey at times as the Sabres trudged to the NHL’s worst record this season.
Yes, you read that correctly. O’Reilly made the stunning comment Monday morning as the Sabres cleaned out their lockers and held exit interviews following their wretched 31st-place finish.
To O’Reilly, the Sabres are “stuck in this mindset ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel knows the Sabres must change. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – A year ago, frustration overwhelmed Jack Eichel as he talked about the Sabres’ awful season. The center looked restless, staring off into the distance while offering mostly terse answers.
Basically, Eichel came off as immature.
This morning, however, Eichel, 21, acted like a leader discussing the Sabres’ 31st-place finish, a season much worse than a year ago. He answered every question thoughtfully, even passionately. He looked every questioner in the eye.... Read the full article
