WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Calder Cup Playoffs Edition
Dan Bylsma added his first two assistants today. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Dan Bylsma let it slip. Instead of waiting for the press release to come out, the new Sabres coach announced the first two assistants to his staff – veteran NHL coach Terry Murray and Dave Barr – during a news conference this morning.
“We didn’t save the release for this afternoon,” Bylsma joked inside the First Niagara Center.
Murray, Sabres general manager Tim Murray’s uncle, spent 15 seasons as an NHL head coach. ... Read the full article
The Sabres will draft Jack Eichel next week. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The first glimpse of Jack Eichel on the First Niagara Center ice with the Sabres should come July 6-12, when the team hosts its annual development camp.
The year’s session, which the team announced today, will undoubtedly have extra buzz since Eichel, the Boston University center the Sabres will draft second overall next week, will likely participate.
On-ice sessions during the week will be open to the public. An intra-squad “Blue and Gold ... Read the full article
Krys Barch (left) fights Shawn Thortnton while with Florida. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres have hired former hard-nosed NHL forwards Adam Mair and Krys Barch as player development coaches, the team announced today.
Mair compiled 38 goals, 114 points and 829 penalty minutes in 12 NHL seasons before retiring in from professional hockey in 2012. The 36-year-old played 615 NHL games, including 498 over seven seasons with the Sabres. Mair also played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Los Angeles Kings and New Jersey Devils. He ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel could see a lot of preseason action if he turns pro. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The seven-game 2015 preseason schedule the Sabres released this afternoon features three home games and, oddly enough, two road contests in Minnesota, including the Sept. 21 opener.
Assuming he turns pro, would the Sabres play Jack Eichel, the phenom they’ll draft second overall next week, against the Wild, or hold the center out until their Sept. 23 home game against the Ottawa Senators?
The complete schedule is below. The Sabres played six ... Read the full article
Former Sabres defenseman Philippe Boucher watched most of Pittsburgh’s 2009 run to the Stanley Cup. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
The two friends met again under unusual circumstances.
It was February 2009, and Dan Bylsma, a 38-year-old rookie coach, was beginning the arduous task of replacing Michel Therrien and saving the sinking Pittsburgh Penguins’ Stanley Cup hopes. His oldest defenseman, 36-year-old Philippe Boucher, was injured and months away from retirement.
A decade earlier, as Los Angeles Kings teammates, the two had grown close. Boucher greatly respected Bylsma, who carved out a solid career as a ... Read the full article
A.J. Greer rides an exercise bike Saturday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Like everyone in the Boston University program, NHL Draft prospect A.J. Greer would benefit greatly from another season with Jack Eichel, the phenom the Sabres will draft second overall June 26.
Eichel’s incredible talents ignited the Terriers, transforming them from an also-ran into a powerhouse that fell a goal short of the national title in April.
All season, as Eichel’s legend grew, youngsters like Greer – an 18-year-old winger NHL Central Scouting ranks ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel gets measured Saturday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Jack Eichel still talks like it’s not a formality the Sabres will draft him. The 18-year-old says things like “if” he comes here.
Eichel, of course, knows the Sabres will take him second overall. He just doesn’t want to get ahead of himself. The draft is still three weeks away. Eichel’s just trying to enjoy the whole process.
Clearly, Eichel’s comfortable about joining the Sabres.
“Everyone around here’s pretty excited for the Sabres’ ... Read the full article
Dennis Gilbert goes through testing Saturday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Right away, Dennis Gilbert understood the offensive style he showcased as a high school star at St. Joe’s and with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres wouldn’t work in the United States Hockey League, the country’s best junior circuit.
So the Williamsville native, the only local prospect invited to the NHL Scouting Combine, quickly revamped his game in 2014-15. The 6-foot-2, 201-pound defenseman embraced the defensive side of the hockey, becoming a more tenacious and ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel smiles this afternoon. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Jack Eichel still talks like it’s not a formality the Sabres will draft him. The 18-year-old says things like “if” he comes here.
Eichel, of course, knows the Sabres will take him second overall. He just doesn’t want to get ahead of himself. The draft is still three weeks away. Right now, Eichel’s just trying to enjoy the NHL Scouting Combine and the draft process.
Clearly, Eichel’s comfortable about joining the Sabres.
“Everyone ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel had a lot of media interest Friday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Jack Eichel, of course, never expected his words would leak out. The superstar was simply expressing some confidence in his special abilities during pre-draft interviews this week.
Eichel told teams, including the Sabres, who will select the 18-year-old second overall on June 26, he plans on being a better player than Connor McDavid, arguably the biggest prospect in decade.
Was it cocky? Sure. But the slick Boston University center wasn’t taking a dig ... Read the full article
