Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres want Canisius product Cory Conacher to help establish new culture

BUFFALO – Cory Conacher woke up early Wednesday morning knowing he’d have a new team by noon. The ensuing hours weren’t easy. The 24-year-old winger said he experienced a mix of excitement and sickness passing through waivers.

Finally, late in the morning, the Canisius College product found out the rebuilding Sabres had claimed him from the Ottawa Senators.

“I’m very excited,” Conacher told the Times Herald by phone Wednesday afternoon. “It was a long 24 ... Read the full article

Sabres GM Tim Murray on trade deadline: ‘It’s a good day’

BUFFALO – Tim Murray’s first NHL trade deadline as general manager was a busy one. The Sabres made three deals, sending veterans Jaroslav Halak, Matt Moulson and Cody McCormick away. Murray also made one surprising deal, trading prospect Brayden McNabb to the Los Angeles Kings.

Here’s more from Murray:

On if today was a good day:

“I think it’s a good day. I think the combination of the picks that we’ve added and the young ... Read the full article

Sabres trade goalie Jaroslav Halak to Capitals

BUFFALO – Jaro, we hardly knew ye.

As expected, the Sabres have flipped goalie Jaroslav Halak, trading him to the Washington Capitals today with a 2015 third-round draft pick for goalie Michal Neuvirth and defenseman Rostislav Klesla.

The Sabres acquired the 28-year-old Slovak in Friday’s Ryan Miller trade. Halak never played with the Sabres, only dressing for Monday’s 3-2 loss in Dallas.

Halak, an unrestricted free agent following the season, is 24-9-4 with ... Read the full article

Sabres trade Matt Moulson and Cody McCormick to Wild

BUFFALO – The Sabres have traded winger Matt Moulson and forward Cody McCormick to the Minnesota Wild for winger Torrey Mitchell and a draft pick, according to reports.

Moulson, a three-time 30-goal scorer, is an unrestricted free agent following the season. The 30-year-old’s a legitimate first-liner and a respected veteran presence.

Given the Sabres’ sorry state and his value, Moulson seemed like a goner immediately after his Oct. 27 arrival from the New York Islanders.... Read the full article

Canisius product Cory Conacher thrilled to join Sabres

BUFFALO – Cory Conacher woke up early this morning knowing he’d have a new team by noon. The ensuing hours weren’t easy. The 24-year-old winger said he experienced a mix of excitement and sickness passing through waivers.

Finally, late in the morning, the Canisius College product found out the rebuilding Sabres had claimed him from the Ottawa Senators.

“I’m very excited,” Conacher told the Times Herald by phone this afternoon. “It was a long 24 ... Read the full article

Sabres trade Brayden McNabb and draft picks to Kings for two prospects

BUFFALO – The Sabres have made their first trade of the day, sending 23-year-old defenseman Brayden McNabb and two second-round picks to the Los Angeles Kings for 18-year-old wing prospect Hudson Fasching and 23-year-old AHL winger Nicolas Deslauriers.

Fasching, the 118^th overall pick in June, has 12 goals and 27 goals in 31 games as a freshman at the University of Minnesota. The American’s 6-foot-2 and 207 pounds.

Deslauriers, the 84^th overall pick ... Read the full article

Sabres claim Canisius product Cory Conacher off waivers

BUFFALO – Cory Conacher is returning to Buffalo, where he starred at Canisius College for four seasons.

The Sabres claimed the 24-year-old winger off waivers today, a move many expected after the Ottawa Senators waived him Tuesday.

Thanks to their 30^th overall standing, the Sabres had the first claim.

Todd Reynolds, Conacher’s agent, said by phone Tuesday he wouldn’t be surprised if the rebuilding Sabres nabbed him.

Given the connections – Sabres general manager ... Read the full article

Sabres have plenty of assets to offer before trade deadline

BUFFALO – Expect the rebuilding Sabres to be busy prior to today’s 3 p.m. NHL trade deadline. No one’s off limits this year. Remember, new general manager Tim Murray has no attachment to any players on the roster.

This could be the team’s busiest and biggest deadline ever. Today might help reshape the franchise for the next five or 10 years.

Here are some Sabres who could be dealt and their contract status:

Winger Matt ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan focusing on Sabres, will worry about new contract later

BUFFALO – Two days after Ted Nolan appeared devastated discussing the sudden departure of his close friend, Pat LaFontaine, igniting speculation he could also be leaving the Sabres, the interim coach sounded like someone who’s staying put.

Nolan has an extension on the table from the Sabres, something he said he might tackle next week.

“There’s a lot more important issues than getting my contract signed,” Nolan told reporters Tuesday in Tampa Bay. “It’s in ... Read the full article

Don’t be shocked if Sabres pass on Canisius product Cory Conacher (update: OK, maybe they won’t)

Hey, winger Cory Conacher might fit in pretty well in Buffalo. The 24-year-old Canisius product has four goals and 20 points in 59 games this season. Only five Sabres have more points.

The Ottawa Senators waived Conacher today, immediately igniting speculation the Sabres, who have the first claim thanks to their 30^th overall ranking, would grab him.

On the surface, it seems like a natural fit. Conacher’s the most decorated local NCAA product ever. ... Read the full article