Offseason Edition
Rick Jeanneret called his final game Friday. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Coach Don Granato said he can’t simply tell his players about the Sabres’ history. They need to see and experience it for themselves.
That’s why Granato believes the Sabres’ season-long celebration of legendary play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret, who called his final game Friday, will have a lasting effect for his young team.
“Having everybody celebrate RJ this season meant they celebrated 50 years of Sabre hockey and the history,” Granato said prior to ... Read the full article
Casey Fitzgerald played his first 36 games with Buffalo this season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The Sabres made three roster moves prior to Friday’s season finale against the Chicago Blackhawks, sending defenseman Casey Fitzgerald and goalie Aaron Dell to the Rochester Americans and recalling netminder Michael Houser.
The Amerks, who thumped the Utica Comets 8-1 in Friday’s regular-season finale at Blue Cross Arena, needed the victory to stay alive the AHL North Division playoff chase. Their defense has been decimated by injuries and recalls, so Fitzgerald’s arrival was ... Read the full article
Rick Jeanneret speaks at his emotional banner raising ceremony April 1 in Buffalo. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Legendary Sabres play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret figures he has set an unbreakable record for longevity.
How many NHL announcers call games for 51 years, let alone with one team?
“That’s unheard of,” a proud Jeanneret, who will be calling his final game tonight, told the Times Herald last month. “That’ll never be matched again, not a chance.”
If Sabres fans had their way, there would be a 52nd season. It feels like everyone ... Read the full article
Malcolm Subban has played 82 NHL games. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres this afternoon addressed their goaltending, acquiring Malcolm Subban from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for future considerations.
With No. 1 goalie Craig Anderson recovering from an upper-body injury, the Sabres have been relying on journeyman goalie Dustin Tokarski.
Sabres goalie Aaron Dell, Tokarski’s backup, was pulled from his last start. The Sabres even started Tokarski back-to-back nights last week, most likely because of Dell’s struggles.... Read the full article
Buffalo drafted Jake McCabe in 2012. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
Jake McCabe’s seven-year career with the Buffalo Sabres is over.
The defenseman this afternoon agreed to terms with the Chicago Blackhawks on a four-year, $16 million contract in free agency.
McCabe makes his offseason home in suburban Chicago.
General manager Kevyn Adams said on Saturday the Sabres were still interested in re-signing McCabe, 27, but he expected him to hit the open market.
Update: On a virtual news conference, McCabe said joining Chicago is ... Read the full article
Alexander Nylander spent three seasons in the Sabres organization. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – Following another underwhelming season, it felt like only a matter of time before the Sabres cut their losses and traded winger Alexander Nylander.
Through three years as a pro, Nylander, the eighth overall pick by the Sabres’ old regime in 2016, has mostly been a bust.
Sure, the Swede has occasionally showcased his slick skills. Still, he hasn’t consistently displayed the tenacity to match them.
Nylander, 21, couldn’t develop into a dominant ... Read the full article
The Sabres drafted Alexander Nylander eighth overall in 2016. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – The Sabres traded winger Alexander Nylander to the Chicago Blackhawks today for defenseman Henri Jokiharju, a swap of former first-round picks.
The deal is hardly surprising. Following another underwhelming season in which he battled injuries, Nylander’s days in the organization seemed numbered.
The Swede, the eighth overall pick by the team’s old regime in 2016, never showcased the tenacity to match his array of talents.... Read the full article
Phil Housley is in his second season as coach. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Barely two years ago, Phil Housley was the NHL’s hottest assistant before the Sabres hired him as the 18th head coach in franchise history following the Nashville Predators’ run to the Stanley Cup final.
The move was almost universally lauded. Housley, a Hall of Fame defenseman and one of the greatest Sabres ever, was returning to a team and city close to his heart.
Housley’s defense corps in Nashville showcased the fast, aggressive ... Read the full article
Carter Hutton got yanked after 40 minutes. ©2019, Janet Schultz
BUFFALO – An agitated Phil Housley mentioned it four times during his three-and-a-half minute news conference following Friday’s ugly 7-3 loss to the last-place Chicago Blackhawks.
The Sabres don’t respect the defensive side of the game.
In their sixth loss in eight games, the Sabres, like so many other recent outings, played a one-dimensional contest, simply focusing on their offense. The Blackhawks, meanwhile, exploited seemingly every miscue, scoring five goals off turnovers.
The ugly, disjointed ... Read the full article
Casey Mittelstadt has strong chemistry with his linemates. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – One of the best stretches of Casey Mittelstadt’s 57-game NHL career – two goals and four points over seven recent contests – hasn’t boosted the Sabres rookie’s confidence.
“I don’t think I’m more confident or anything,” Mittelstadt said prior to Friday’s 7-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks inside KeyBank Center. “I don’t struggle in that department.”
Mittelstadt, 20, doesn’t lack confidence.
“I know what I’m capable of doing,” the slick center said.... Read the full article
