Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres stunner: GM Tim Murray, coach Dan Bylsma fired

BUFFALO – In a stunning move today, Sabres owner Terry Pegula fired general manager Tim Murray and coach Dan Bylsma.

Obviously, the wretched Sabres’ last-place finish in the Atlantic Division this season, a year they were supposed to return to the playoffs, was too much for Pegula to handle.

The move, perhaps not coincidentally, happened a day after WGR reported star center Jack Eichel wouldn’t sign a contract extension if Bylsma remained coach. Eichel’s agent ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel’s agent says client unfairly criticized, wants to stay with Sabres

BUFFALO – Center Jack Eichel’s disdain for losing was evident throughout the Sabres’ trying season.

The second-year star often looked frustrated after losses as he searched for answers. A day after the campaign ended, a restless Eichel was curt to the media. It appeared the Sabres’ last-place finish was still tormenting him.

“He’s very frustrated, and he wears his frustrations on his sleeve,” Peter Fish, Eichel’s agent, told the Times Herald by phone today. ... Read the full article

Report: Jack Eichel has ‘no desire’ for extension if Dan Bylsma remains coach

BUFFALO – Sabres center Jack Eichel has “no desire” to sign a contract extension this summer if Dan Bylsma remains coach, according to WGR’s Paul Hamilton.

The report, published this morning, comes as general manager Tim Murray is meeting with owner Terry Pegula in Florida about the Sabres’ future following a last-place finish.

Murray said last Wednesday he wanted to pursue an extension with Eichel, a young star who scored 24 goals and 57 ... Read the full article

Heavy workload helped Sabres goalie prospect Linus Ullmark with Amerks

ROCHESTER – In what quickly became another rough season, one bright spot emerged for the Americans, workhorse Buffalo Sabres goalie prospect Linus Ullmark.

Ullmark’s numbers won’t wow you. In an AHL-high 55 games, the Swede’s 2.87 goals-against average ranked 31st in the league. His .909 save percentage ranked 24th.

But Ullmark, 23, tended goal for a sixth-place club with a porous defense. He faced a league-high 1,678 shots – 31 a contest and 136 ... Read the full article

Strong season gives Sabres’ Evander Kane value

BUFFALO – Barely a year ago, as rumors swirled the Sabres wanted to trade Evander Kane, the same question kept popping up: did the enigmatic winger possess any real value?

Kane, 25, wasn’t just coming off a disappointing 20-goal season in 2015-16. Off the ice, he partied in Toronto and missed practice, earning a one-game benching. Then in June, with the team hosting the NHL Draft, Kane was arrested.

Combine his limited production and ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie prospect Jonas Johansson learning North American game

ROCHESTER – With the Buffalo Sabres boasting some of hockey’s best goalie prospects, it can be easy for Jonas Johansson to get overlooked.

After all, Linus Ullmark morphed into one of the AHL best goalies this season, becoming the Rochester Americans’ backbone and MVP. Two years into his North American career, the Swede looks ready to graduate to Buffalo.

The Sabres also own the rights to Notre Dame junior Cal Petersen, one of the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ryan O’Reilly frustrated after ‘terrible season’

BUFFALO – On the surface, Ryan O’Reilly’s season looks decent enough. In 72 games, the center compiled 20 goals and 55 points, numbers that ranked third and second on the Sabres, respectively.

But O’Reilly, as fans here have learned throughout his two seasons, never seems content. He always expects more of himself.... Read the full article

Sabres saw late glimpses of Dmitry Kulikov’s talents

BUFFALO – Three weeks ago, after months of waiting, Sabres general manager Tim Murray finally caught some glimpses of defenseman Dmitry Kulikov’s slick talents.

First, manning a point on the power play, Kulikov fed Jack Eichel a “perfect one-time pass right on the tape,” Murray said.

“Right where it should be, and it’s a goal,” he said Wednesday during his end-of-season news conference inside KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

Tim Murray takes responsibility for Sabres’ failed season

BUFFALO – Right now, just days after the Sabres ended another disappointing season in last place, Dan Bylsma is still his coach, general manager Tim Murray said.

“He’s my coach today, I’m the general manager today,” Murray said Wednesday during his end-of-season news conference inside KeyBank Center. “There’s a review top to bottom. I have to meet with ownership next week in Florida. I’m sure I’ll be reviewed, I’m sure I’m being reviewed right now, ... Read the full article

Sabres want to pursue contract extension for Jack Eichel

BUFFALO – When Tim Murray spoke to Jack Eichel on Wednesday, the general manager told his young star the Sabres would improve after a last-place finish.

“I made the promise to him that I would do the best that I could to make the team around him better and that we would be a longtime playoff team,” Murray said of his exit meeting with Eichel.

Eichel, 20, hasn’t handled the Sabres’ struggles well. The center ... Read the full article