WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Calder Cup Playoffs Edition
Robin Lehner has a history with Tim Murray. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
SUNRISE, Fla. – Parting with the 21st pick in a deep NHL Draft wasn’t easy for Tim Murray. With the Buffalo Sabres locked into picking Jack Eichel second overall Friday, the general manager recently told his scouts to focus on the team’s other first-round pick.
Murray wanted them to go deep and dig into those prospects.
But the Sabres desperately needed a goalie for next season. Murray had choices. Plenty of established ones – ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel talks after getting drafted. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
SUNRISE, Fla. – For more than two months, Jack Eichel wouldn’t say much about his future. Of course, the 18-year-old knew the Buffalo Sabres would select him second overall at the NHL Draft. But the Boston University superstar played it cool, saying things like “if the Sabres draft him.”
But deep down, Eichel had a special feeling about the Sabres. He felt a warm welcome from the community and fans when the Sabres hosted the ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel must decide whether to turn pro or stay in college. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
SUNRISE, Fla. – After more than two months of waiting, Jack Eichel is officially property of the Buffalo Sabres.
The rebuilding team selected the 18-year-old Boston University center second overall tonight at the NHL Draft inside the BB&T Center.
Stay tuned for updates. Eichel could announce soon if he’ll turn pro or return to college.
... Read the full article
Tim Murray isn’t afraid to wheel and deal. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
SUNRISE, Fla. – Buffalo Sabres general manager Tim Murray has pulled off another blockbuster trade.
The Sabres tonight acquired center Ryan O’Reilly and winger Jamie McGinn from the Colorado Avalanche for center Mikhail Grigorenko, defenseman Nikita Zadorov, winger J.T. Compher and the 31st pick in this weekend’s NHL Draft.
Stay tuned for more updates.
... Read the full article
Robin Lehner suffered a concussion last season. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Tim Murray had choices. Plenty of established goalies – perhaps five or six – are available this summer. But the general manager wanted Robin Lehner to fill the Buffalo Sabres’ vacancy.
“Robin was our target,” Murray said this morning after acquiring the 23-year-old from the Ottawa Senators. “He was the No. 1 goalie available from our estimation.”
Murray watched Lehner quickly rise through Ottawa’s organization when he served in the Senators’ ... Read the full article
Robin Lehner has played 86 NHL games. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Buffalo Sabres have a new goalie.
The rebuilding team acquired Robin Lehner and center David Legwand from the Ottawa Senators this morning for the 21st pick in tonight’s NHL Draft.
The trade is the first between Sabres general manager Tim Murray and his uncle and counterpart, Bryan Murray.
The 23-year-old Lehner is 30-36-13 with a 2.88 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage in 86 games. The emergence of ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel (left) with Chris Masters, his Jr. Bruins coach. ©2015, Chris Masters
SUNRISE, Fla. – In the beginning, Jack Eichel’s development was slow. The greatest hockey prospect the United States has produced in perhaps a quarter century was simply a very talented child, one of the best around New England at 8 or 9 years old.
But he wasn’t a phenom.
“Since he was little, it’s been a slow progression from a very good player to an elite in his area, in New England and the USA ... Read the full article
Dan Bylsma’s team has 10 afternoon home games. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
SUNRISE, Fla. – If slick center Jack Eichel joins the NHL next season, Buffalo fans will get a long look at the second overall pick October. The Sabres open the season with three straight home games for the first time in 40 years.
That’s just one highlight of the 2015-16 schedule the NHL released Thursday.
Six of the opening eight games are at the First Niagara Center, so Eichel, the phenom the Sabres will select ... Read the full article
The Sabres will select Jack Eichel second overall Friday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Jack Eichel’s close to deciding whether to turn pro and join the Buffalo Sabres or return to Boston University. In fact, don’t be surprised if the 18-year-old center announces his decision Friday night at the podium after he’s selected second overall at the NHL Draft inside the BB&T Center.
Heck, Eichel sounded ready to share his decision tonight during a pre-draft news conference. He’s clearly tired of the speculation and wants ... Read the full article
Dan Bylsma returns to Pittsburgh on Oct. 29. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Before I run to catch a cab to switch hotels, here are some highlights from the 2015-16 Buffalo Sabres schedule the NHL released this morning.
– The Sabres, and perhaps the Jack Eichel era, open Oct. 8 at home against the Ottawa Senators at the First Niagara Center. They open with a season-high three-game home stand, one of seven on the schedule. The Sabres also don’t have a road trip more ... Read the full article
