Nick Baptiste stayed with the Sabres down the stretch last season. ©2018, Hickling Images

Sabres re-sign Nick Baptiste, Danny O’Regan

BUFFALO – The Sabres have re-signed forwards Nick Baptiste and Danny O’Regan to one-year, two-way contracts, the team announced this morning.

The deals are worth $787,500 and $874,125, respectively, in the NHL.

Baptiste, 22, earned regular NHL duty throughout the second half last season, compiling four goals and six points in 33 games with the Sabres.

The Sabres drafted Baptiste in the third round, 69th overall, in 2013. He compiled seven goals and 18 points ... Read the full article

Sean Malone has played one NHL game. ©2018, Hickling Images

Sabres re-sign West Seneca’s Sean Malone

BUFFALO – The Sabres have re-signed forward Sean Malone, a West Seneca native who spent last season in the AHL, to a one-year, two-way deal, the team announced today.

The contract is worth $787,500 at the NHL level.

After battling injuries and missing all of training camp, Malone, 23, earned regular duty as a rookie with the Rochester Americans in 2017-18, compiling 12 goals and 22 points in 73 games.... Read the full article

Steve Smith won three Stanley Cups during his playing career. ©2018, Hickling Images

Sabres hire former NHL defenseman Steve Smith as assistant coach

BUFFALO – Despite finishing dead last in 2017-18, the Sabres kept their entire coaching staff. There will, however, be one addition to Phil Housley’s crew next season.

The Sabres have hired former NHL defenseman Steve Smith, a three-time Stanley Cup winner, as an assistant coach, the team announced this morning.

Other than Housley, a Hall of Fame defenseman, the only former NHL defender on staff, Chris Hajt, played six games. Given the Sabres just drafted ... Read the full article

The Sabres drafted Rasmus Dahlin first overall June 22. ©2018, Hickling Images

Sabres sign Rasmus Dahlin to entry-level contract

BUFFALO – The Sabres have signed first overall pick Rasmus Dahlin to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced today.

Dahlin, perhaps the best defense prospect in decades, is expected to jump into the lineup next season.... Read the full article

Jack Eichel has worn No. 9 with Team USA. ©2018, Hickling Images

Sabres’ Jack Eichel switches to No. 9

Get ready to see No. 9 jerseys all over Buffalo. Sabres star Jack Eichel changed his number today, switching from 15 to the digit he wore at Boston University.

Eichel announced his new number on Instagram, first posting a picture of himself skating in a Sabres jersey with an emoji covering his back. The center later posted a photo with the No. 9 showing and the words, “New season, new number.”

No. 9 has been ... Read the full article

Griffin Luce will be a junior in college. ©2018, Hickling Images

Griffin Luce honored by invite Sabres’ development camp

BUFFALO – For defenseman Griffin Luce, the proud grandson of a Sabres legend and a fan of the team growing up, wearing Blue and Gold for four days last week was a special experience.

Luce, 20, attended other NHL development camps earlier in his career. But participating in the Sabres’ camp with his grandfather, Don, watching from the HarborCenter stands, had extra meaning for the University of Michigan defenseman.... Read the full article

Ryan O'Reilly was traded Sunday. ©2018, Hickling Images

Former Sabre Ryan O’Reilly finds spark after trade to Blues

Ryan O’Reilly sounded rejuvenated. Getting traded quickly reignited the passion he lost last season as the Buffalo Sabres trudged to a 31st-place finish.

Almost three months ago, O’Reilly, 27, stunned the hockey world, saying the disastrous year made him lose his “love for the game multiple times.”... Read the full article

Tage Thompson attended nine schools growing up. ©2018, Hickling Images

Nomadic childhood helped prepare Sabres’ Tage Thompson for NHL life

BUFFALO – Tage Thompson leaves the counting to his mother, Kim. The new Sabres winger can’t tally the exact number of places he has lived. He just knows he moved around a lot growing up because of his father’s playing and coaching career.

“Honestly, I don’t know,” said Thompson, who was acquired in Sunday’s blockbuster Ryan O’Reilly trade with the St. Louis Blues. “I know my mom’s tried to do the math.”... Read the full article

Tage Thompson moved around a lot growing up. ©2018, Hickling Images

Sabres present special opportunity for Tage Thompson

BUFFALO – Tage Thompson leaves the counting to his mother, Kim. The new Sabres winger can’t tally the exact number of places he has lived. He just knows he moved around a lot growing up because of his father’s playing and coaching career.

“Honestly, I don’t know,” said Thompson, who was acquired in Sunday’s blockbuster Ryan O’Reilly trade with the St. Louis Blues. “I know my mom’s tried to do the math.”... Read the full article

Ryan O'Reilly's departure leaves a big hole in the Sabres' lineup. ©2018, Hickling Images

Sabres GM Jason Botterill: Ryan O’Reilly didn’t need change of scenery

BUFFALO – Jason Botterill indicated months ago, long before he traded center Ryan O’Reilly to the St. Louis Blues, a significant move was needed to shake up the Sabres.

The Sabres’ wretched 31st-place finish embarrassed Botterill and the entire organization. The general manager knew the group he had wasn’t working.

“We felt that in our meetings at the end of our season as a management group, we had to change the dynamic,” Botterill said on ... Read the full article