WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Free Agency Edition
Tim Murray talks this morning. ©2016, Margaret Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – If Tim Murray wants to lure winger Jimmy Vesey to the Sabres, the general manager has a strong recruiter in center Jack Eichel, who’s currently playing summer hockey with the Hobey Baker Award winner in their native Massachusetts.
“We might potentially use Jack as a tool,” Murray said this morning, less than a day after acquiring Vesey’s rights from the Nashville Predators. “I guess I would be a tool not to.”
The Sabres ... Read the full article
Tim Murray has a history of making big trades. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres’ acquisition of Hobey Baker Award winner Jimmy Vesey’s rights Monday could be the first of several notable moves general manager Tim Murray makes this NHL Draft week.
Murray, of course, has a penchant for wheeling and dealing, and with the Sabres hosting the draft and 11 picks in their arsenal, he might want to make a big splash.
The Sabres traded a 2016 third-round pick, 76th overall, for the 6-foot-2, ... Read the full article
Jimmy Vesey possibly wants to wear the Sabres logo. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres today acquired the rights to Hobey Baker Award winner Jimmy Vesey from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a third-round draft pick, 76th overall, in this weekend’s NHL Draft.
The Sabres have until Aug. 15 to sign him.
Vesey, 23, refused to sign with the Predators, who drafted the forward in the third round, 66th overall, in 2012, following a 24-goal, 46-point senior season at Harvard University in which ... Read the full article
Captain Brian Gionta’s Sabres open against Montreal. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres will open their 2016-17 home schedule Oct. 13 against the Montreal Canadiens, the NHL announced this afternoon.
What about the rest of the slate? Well, you have to wait for it. It’s coming at 1 p.m. Tuesday.
Stay tuned for more details.... Read the full article
Logan Brown enjoyed a huge second half in 2015-16. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – As fall turned to winter and Logan Brown kept struggling, the 6-foot-6 Windsor Spitfires center began searching for answers to his goal-scoring woes.
In his draft season, traditionally a breakout campaign for junior prospects, Brown had mustered only six goals by the 35-game mark.
“I believe he was humbled by his start, and when you get humbled like that, you look for help,” Windsor coach Rocky Thompson said.
Earlier in his career, Brown, ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel, a big draw last year, likely won’t participate in development camp next month. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres will hold their annual summer development camp July 6-12 at HarborCenter, the team announced this afternoon.
Approximately 40 prospects, including this year’s draft picks, will participate. On-ice sessions will be open to the public. The intrasquad Blue and Gold Scrimmage will be July 9. Ticket information and other camp details will be released later.
The Sabres nearly sold out the FNC last year when center Jack Eichel, the second overall pick, ... Read the full article
Alex DeBrincat has scored 51 goals twice. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Just two games into the Erie Otters’ season, with star centers Connor McDavid and Dylan Strome beginning their NHL careers, the junior hockey world learned Alex DeBrincat’s 51-goal rookie campaign wasn’t simply a creation of their dynamic playmaking abilities.
After scoring in the season opener, the 5-foot-7, 160-pound DeBrincat, the only established threat left in the Otters’ arsenal, scored a franchise-record five goals Oct. 1.
“I think that was definitely a time for ... Read the full article
Mikhail Sergachev could be the first defenseman drafted. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Mikhail Sergachev walked into his first meeting at the recent NHL Combine, spotted 20 people in the room and immediately wondered what was about to transpire.
“I was like, ‘Oh my God, what’s going on?’” the Russian defenseman said about talking to the Sabres.
Other draft prospects have probably experienced similar thoughts interviewing with the Sabres. The team has quickly developed a reputation for asking youngsters challenging questions in a packed room.
Sergachev’s ... Read the full article
Griffin Luce used to battle his grandfather, Don, in video games. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Grandfather and grandson used to “butt heads a little bit,” Griffin Luce said. Growing up, the NHL Draft prospect learned firsthand why Don Luce, the respected Sabres Hall of Famer, enjoyed a successful 13-year NHL career.
“He used to take advantage when I was a little guy,” Griffin Luce, 18, said Saturday following fitness testing at the NHL Combine inside HarborCenter. “He’s just really competitive.”
Luce, a 6-foot-3, 214-pound defenseman set to attend ... Read the full article
Brad Tapper will serve on Dan Lamber’s first Rochester staff. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
The Rochester Americans have hired Lockport native Chuck Weber and former NHL winger Brad Tapper as assistants on new coach Dan Lambert’s staff, the Buffalo Sabres’ AHL affiliate announced today.
Former assistants Paul Fixter and Chris Taylor were let go last week by Lambert, who took over the Amerks last month.
Weber, 43, was the Amerks’ head coach in 2010-11, their last season with the Florida Panthers before the Sabres bought the team. He was ... Read the full article