WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
November Edition
Zemgus Girgensons could switch positions again this season. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – For a team that just endured a brutal 54-point season and might have nine new faces in the lineup opening night, the Sabres should enjoy a remarkably quiet training camp, their first under new coach Dan Bylsma.
There are, of course, still some intriguing storylines to follow. Second overall pick Jack Eichel’s first days in the NHL promise to be exciting. Sam Reinhart, the franchise’s other top prospect, will be fighting for a ... Read the full article
Sabres coach Dan Bylsma (left) and general manager Tim Murray speak at a news conference in June. ©2015, Margaret Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres veterans report for training camp physicals Thursday and have their first on-ice session of the 2015-16 season – aka, “The Jack Eichel era” – Friday. Here’s the complete schedule for the first week the team released today.
A roster is below. All sessions are at the First Niagara Center unless noted.
Thursday
Players testing and physicals.
Friday
Session one: 9-9:45 a.m.
Scrimmage: 10-10:45 a.m.
Session two: 11-11:45 a.m.
Session three: 12-1:30 p.m.... Read the full article
Jack Eichel gave Boston fits all night. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Jack Eichel had just played about half of the final 25 minutes of regulation and overtime, and following a long shift in his own zone, coach Randy Cunneyworth asked the Sabres rookie if he had anything left. The 18-year-old phenom figured he could muster one final skate.
“I figured I could go out there and see what I could do,” Eichel said modestly following his highlight-reel winning goal with 37 seconds left in ... Read the full article
Patrick Kaleta wore his Sabres jersey inside out before he signed a contract Saturday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Instead of sporting a black NHLPA jersey or turning his Sabres sweater inside out again to conceal the crest, Patrick Kaleta dressed properly for his informal skate Monday, with the logo he has worn so proudly for nine seasons displayed on his chest.
A one-year AHL contract brought Kaleta, a free agent for 10 weeks, back to the organization he loves dearly on Saturday. The Sabres also gave the popular winger a professional ... Read the full article
Dan Catenacci scored 15 goals last season. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – As last year dragged on and the losses and recalls piled up, at least one bright spot emerged for the depleted Rochester Americans, forward Dan Catenacci, an often overlooked Sabres prospect.
In his second professional season, Catenacci, 22, developed into one of the AHL club’s lone offensive threats, scoring 12 of his 15 goals in his final 38 games.
Catenacci, a third-round pick in 2011, 77th overall, is rarely mentioned among Buffalo’s ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel had a nifty assist on his first shift. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – It took just one 25-second shift, his first wearing a Sabres uniform, for rookie Jack Eichel to create his first highlight.
There will likely be many more over the coming years.
Seconds into Sabres’ 6-2 rookie camp exhibition win against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday, Eichel snagged the puck in his own zone with clear ice ahead, and the announced crowd of 5,505 inside the First Niagara Center began to buzz.
An ... Read the full article
Patrick Kaleta has played only seven AHL games since 2008. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Patrick Kaleta will be back for his 10th season in the Sabres organization.
The Rochester Americans have signed the veteran winger to a one-year AHL contract, the team announced today. Kaleta, 29, will attend Sabres training camp on a professional tryout.
The Angola native has only played seven AHL games in the last seven seasons. That short stint early in 2013-14 ended when Kaleta, on an assignment to clean up his game, ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel will play his first game in a Sabres uniform tonight. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sometimes, Josh Chapman said, he can’t help himself. When one of the Sabres’ talented youngsters like Jack Eichel or Sam Reinhart is on the ice, it’s only natural to watch them for a moment.
“You get caught staring sometimes, for sure,” Chapman said Friday after rookie camp opened. “(Eichel’s) a really flashy, skilled player. Same with Reinhart and a bunch of other guys. They’re fun to watch. But you don’t want to watch ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel moved in with Matt Moulson recently. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – A week and a half ago, Jack Eichel moved into Matt Moulson’s home with the veteran’s wife and two children. The family gave the rookie his own room, a bathroom and a set of “rules of the house and rules of living with them.”
“But,” Eichel said slyly, “it’s confidential.”
Eichel, the second overall pick in June, has a sweet setup with Moulson, who offered to take the 18-year-old in to help him ... Read the full article
Cody Franson wanted a contract longer than a year. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – After signing three straight one-year contracts, Cody Franson figured he could finally land a multi-year deal in free agency this summer and enjoy some job security. After all, the new Sabres defenseman has quietly scored 97 points in the last three years, including a career-high 36 last season.
Franson’s camp talked to some teams at the NHL Draft and again early after the market opened July 1. But within days, teams stopped calling. ... Read the full article