Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres sign Tyler Ennis to long-term deal

BUFFALO – The Sabres officially announced slick center Tyler Ennis’ new contract this morning.

It’s a five-year, $23 million deal, according to multiple reports.

Ennis, the Sabres’ last notable restricted free agent, had a team-high 21 goals in 80 games last season. The 24-year-old has 69 goals and 166 points in 267 NHL games since 2009-10.

At $4.6 million a season, Ennis is the Sabres’ third-highest paid player behind defenseman Tyler Myers ($5.5 million) and ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Hudson Fasching rapidly developing into top power forward

BUFFALO – NHL teams kept asking Hudson Fasching the same question during pre-draft interviews last year. Each time, the Sabres prospect gave them a weak answer.

“A lot of teams were saying, ‘What kind of role are you?’” the winger recalled Monday following the first session of development camp inside the First Niagara Center. “I wasn’t really sure. They were like, ‘Come on, you need to pick a role.’”

Shortly after the talks, the Los ... Read the full article

Report: Sabres’ Tyler Ennis close to signing 5-year contract worth around $23 million

BUFFALO – The Sabres are close to signing leading scorer Tyler Ennis to a five-year contract worth around $23 million, according to the NHL Network’s Kevin Weekes.

The deal has an average annual value of $4.6 million, according to Weekes.

Ennis, the Sabres’ last notable restricted free agent, had 21 goals and 43 points in 80 games last season. The center has 69 goals and 166 points in 267 NHL games since 2009-10.

The 24-year-old ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Rasmus Ristolainen looking leaner, impressing during development camp

BUFFALO – While other Sabres prospects have packed on weight this summer, defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen has “lost a couple pounds.”

“Fat, not any muscles,” the 19-year-old Finn said following Tuesday’s development camp scrimmage inside the First Niagara Center.

The 6-foot-4, 207-pound Ristolainen showcased some muscle early in the contest, hitting top prospect Sam Reinhart.

“I don’t watch who I’m hitting,” Ristolainen said. “If I get a chance, I hit. That’s all.”

Later on, Ristolainen ... Read the full article

Photo: Sabres prospects Justin Kea and Anthony Florentino fight

BUFFALO – Early in Tuesday’s Blue-White Sabres scrimmage, defenseman Anthony Florentino, who has a penchant for hitting, leveled forward Justin Kea inside the First Niagara Center.

In the second period, the prospects fought.

“Everybody’s got their niche in the game,” Rochester coach Chadd Cassidy, who’s running the camp, said about the fight. “They got to find a way to kind of get noticed. I think if there’s one thing we’ve preached to the guys, ... Read the full article

Sabres re-sign Chad Ruhwedel to 2-year deal

BUFFALO – The Sabres have re-signed defenseman Chad Ruhwedel to a two-year contract, leaving center Tyler Ennis as the club’s lone notable restricted free agent.

Ruhwedel had one assist in 21 NHL games last season. The 24-year-old four goals and 28 points in 47 games with Rochester.

The San Diego native has played 28 NHL contests. The Sabres signed him as a free agent after three NCAA seasons at the University of UMass Lowell.... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Mikhail Grigorenko takes responsibility for past struggles

BUFFALO – The comments are significant, Mikhail Grigorenko’s most telling since joining the Sabres months after they selected him 12^th overall in 2012.

In a hallway outside the First Niagara Center dressing room hours before a development camp scrimmage Tuesday, the 20-year-old Russian spoke candidly about his short career, blaming himself for his NHL struggles.

“From past experiences, I kind of realized it was probably no one’s fault but mine I didn’t stay in ... Read the full article

Sam Reinhart and deep prospect pool show Sabres could have bright future

BUFFALO – Up and down they went side-by-side, each stride drawing eyes inside the First Niagara Center. For a few moments during development camp Monday, Sam Reinhart and Brendan Lemieux, the jewels of the Sabres’ 2014 draft class, skated together, a brief-but-memorable glimpse into the future.

If the Sabres become contenders again someday, this week’s camp could be remembered as one of the building blocks.

Seven first-round picks are participating, including Reinhart, the slick ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Jordan Samuels-Thomas ready for fresh opportunity

BUFFALO – As a seventh-round pick, Jordan Samuels-Thomas faced some long odds to earn an NHL contract. But the 6-foot-4, 220-pound winger possesses size, a precious commodity in today’s game.

The Sabres have made it no secret they covet “heavy,” hard-to-play-against talent for their rebuild. So they shipped a 2015 seventh-rounder to the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday for Samuels-Thomas’ rights.

They signed the Connecticut native to a one-year, two-way contract Saturday.

“I was ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Sam Reinhart wants to play in NHL immediately

BUFFALO – Slick center Sam Reinhart has no problem saying it. The top Sabres prospect, the No. 2 overall pick last month, wants to crack the NHL immediately next season.

“In my mind, I’m thinking if I come and play the way I’m capable of playing, I feel confident I can earn a spot and make an impact next year,” Reinhart said this afternoon following the opening session of development camp inside the First Niagara ... Read the full article