Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Jack Eichel wows early in Sabres’ win against Devils

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

Amerks sign Patrick Kaleta to AHL contract

BUFFALO – Patrick Kaleta will be back for his 10^th 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

Sharing ice with Sabres rookie Jack Eichel special opportunity for Josh Chapman

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

Sabres rookie Jack Eichel ready for ‘Prospects Challenge’

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 excited for fresh opportunity with Sabres

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

Sabres still interested in re-signing Patrick Kaleta

BUFFALO – The Sabres are still interested in re-signing agitating winger Patrick Kaleta, although it appears they would likely want the veteran for insurance purposes or a mentorship role with the Rochester Americans.

Sabres general manager Tim Murray never mentioned the AHL, but he strongly hinted an NHL spot isn’t available for the free agent right now.

“I have an interest in him, for sure,” Murray said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. ... Read the full article

Cody Franson happy long summer ends with Sabres contract

BUFFALO – After signing three straight one-year contracts, Cody Franson figured he could finally ink a multi-year deal in free agency this summer and enjoy some job security. After all, the Sabres defenseman has quietly scored 97 points in the last three years, including a career-high 36 last season.

Franson, 28, talked to some teams at the NHL Draft and again early when the market opened July 1. But within days, teams stopped calling. Over ... Read the full article

Report: Sabres set to sign defenseman Cody Franson; Update: Buffalo announces contract

BUFFALO – Free agent defenseman Cody Franson will likely sign a two-year deal with the Sabres on Thursday worth about $3.3 million a season, according to TSN’s Bob McKenzie.

Update: The Sabres announced the contract Thursday morning. The deal is worth $3.325 million a season, according to ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun.

Sabres general manager Tim Murray talked openly earlier this summer about adding another veteran defenseman before the season starts. Training camp opens next week.... Read the full article

Sabres newcomer Jamie McGinn wants to prove his worth

BUFFALO – Amid all the commotion surrounding one of the busiest and perhaps most pivotal days in the Sabres’ 45-year history, winger Jamie McGinn’s name got lost.

That happened because McGinn arrived in a blockbuster trade from the Colorado Avalanche with star center Ryan O’Reilly moments after the Sabres drafted phenom Jack Eichel and hours after they acquired starting goalie Robin Lehner in another big deal.

So McGinn, 27, a seven-year veteran, quickly became an ... Read the full article

Patrick Kaleta staying positive, wants to return to Sabres

BUFFALO – Among all the blue and gold on the ice during an informal late-summer workout of local players earlier this week, one color stood out, the black Patrick Kaleta was wearing.

Instead of proudly sporting a Sabres jersey, the passionate Kaleta, a free agent, skated in an NHLPA sweater the union gave its players during the lockout three years ago.

Two weeks before NHL training camps open, Kaleta, 29, doesn’t have a job for ... Read the full article