Bryan Trottier has won seven Stanley Cups. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres assistant coach Bryan Trottier enjoying new NHL life

BUFFALO – Two men who had spent their entire lives in hockey never met until a chance encounter almost 19 years ago outside Memorial Auditorium.

It was 1995-96, Ted Nolan’s first year as Sabres coach. Hall of Famer Bryan Trottier, an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins, was walking outside the Aud in a snowstorm when Nolan spotted him.

Nolan pulled over and offered a lift.

“We had a five-minute chat,” Trottier, one of ... Read the full article

Mikhail Grigorenko finished last season in the AHL. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Impressive training camp could earn Sabres prospect Mikhail Grigorenko roster spot

BUFFALO – The Sabres have a slew of shiny new prospects in their arsenal competing for jobs this training camp. No. 2 pick Sam Reinhart’s gunning to make the team out of junior. Rasmus Ristolainen appears to have the inside track for a defense spot.

Meanwhile, Mikhail Grigorenko, the team’s top prospect less than two years ago, has been battling out of the spotlight.

“I can just focus on my game a little bit ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan spent much of the summer finding a new coaching staff. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Ted Nolan ready for fresh start with new Sabres players and coaching staff

HAMBURG – Following the most trying season in franchise history, Ted Nolan found some time to recharge this summer. Not a lot, however. The Sabres coach spent much of the offseason preparing for the upcoming campaign and honoring commitments around Buffalo.

“A summer of getting out with the old and beginning with the new,” a smiling Nolan said Tuesday at the Wanahak Country Club prior to the team’s annual golf tournament.

Two days before training ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan hired a new coaching staff this summer. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Pursuit of another coaching candidate led Sabres’ Ted Nolan to Bryan Trottier

HAMBURG – Earlier in the offseason, Buffalo Sabres coach Ted Nolan phoned Hockey Hall of Famer Bryan Trottier to ask his old friend about a candidate he was considering for one of the vacant assistant coach positions.

Then a funny thing happened.

“I started asking him about certain things,” Nolan said this morning at the Wanakah Country Club prior to the team’s annual golf tournament. “I felt there was some enthusiasm in his voice about ... Read the full article

Tim Murray, who’s scouting this week in Lake Placid, hired his own people. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres change up front office, name new coaching staff

BUFFALO – Seven months after becoming Sabres general manager, Tim Murray has put his stamp on the front office, hiring a new assistant GM and two scouting directors.

Mark Jakubowski has been promoted to Murray’s assistant, the team announced Monday. Jakubowski was the assistant to the GM under Darcy Regier, Murray’s predecessor. Rob Murphy has been named scouting director. Greg Royce has been named amateur scouting director. Murray worked with Murphy and Royce with the ... Read the full article

Tim Murray has hired his own staff. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres revamp front office, name new assistant coaches

BUFFALO – Sabres general manager Tim Murray put his stamp on the front office today, naming a new director of scouting, director of amateur scouting and assistant GM.

Rob Murphy, who worked beside Murray with the Ottawa Senators, will run the scouting department. Greg Royce, another scout Murray worked with in Ottawa, will run the amateur side. Mark Jakubowski is Murray’s new assistant. Jakubowski was the assistant to the GM under Darcy Regier.

Kevin Devine, ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan has a long history with Danny Flynn. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Report: Sabres add Danny Flynn to coaching staff

BUFFALO – Add one more name to Ted Nolan’s new coaching staff.

The Sabres have hired Danny Flynn, the QMJHL Moncton Wildcats’ vice president of hockey operations, according to John Moore, the Halifax Mooseheads’ announcer.

Nolan and Flynn have a long history together. Flynn assisted Nolan with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds before moving up to coach the OHL club when Nolan went to the NHL. Flynn also worked with Nolan in Moncton and assisted ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan still must hire more assistant coaches. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Report: Sabres hire Hall of Famer Bryan Trottier as assistant coach

BUFFALO – The Sabres have hired Hall of Famer Bryan Trottier, one of the most decorated names in hockey history, as an assistant coach for Ted Nolan’s staff, according to the Buffalo News.

Nolan knows Trottier, who won six Stanley Cups as player, from his tenure as New York Islanders coach from 2006-08, when Trottier was the director of player development.

Trottier enjoyed an illustrious playing career, compiling 524 goals and 1,425 points in ... Read the full article