Christie - Buffalo Hockey Beat

What will Sabres’ Lindy Ruff do with his assistant coaches?

BUFFALO – During Lindy Ruff’s re-introduction as Sabres coach, the assistant coaches he inherited from his predecessor, Don Granato, sat in the front row watching their new boss speak.

Ruff said he spent “what seemed like a couple hours” talking with the coaches Tuesday morning prior to his news conference.

Right now, Ruff has one open spot on his staff. The Sabres also fired assistant coach Jason Christie when they dismissed Granato.... Read the full article

Could the Sabres promote Rochester Amerks coach Seth Appert to Buffalo?

BUFFALO – General manager Kevyn Adams wants his new head coach to have already run an NHL bench, so the Sabres likely won’t consider Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert for their open job.

“Previous NHL head coaching experience, pedigree, is important,” Adams said Tuesday in KeyBank Center after firing Don Granato.

Appert, 49, is a hockey lifer, having coached since his days as a college goalie ended in 1996. He has enjoyed success at ... Read the full article

After firing coach Don Granato, Sabres GM Kevyn Adams begins search for experienced replacement

BUFFALO – In firing coach Don Granato following a disappointing season in which the Sabres missed the playoffs for an NHL-record 13th consecutive year, general manager Kevyn Adams has shifted the onus to himself.

Adams has always accepted blame for the Sabres’ troubles, and in discussing Tuesday’s dismissal of Granato and the state of his team for 45 minutes in KeyBank Center, he again shouldered his share of the responsibility for an 84-point campaign.

But ... Read the full article

Sabres fire coach Don Granato after disappointing season

The Buffalo Sabres this morning fired coach Don Granato, less than a day after they completed a disappointing 84-point season in which they missed the playoffs for an NHL-record 13th consecutive year.

No replacement was named.

The Sabres also let go of assistant coach Jason Christie and video coordinator Matt Smith.

General manager Kevyn Adams will address the media at 3 p.m. in KeyBank Center. The Sabres are looking for their seventh coach since 2013-14, ... Read the full article

Sabres announce Jacksonville Icemen as new ECHL affiliate

The Buffalo Sabres on Monday announced they have signed an agreement with the Jacksonville Icemen to serve as their new ECHL affiliate.

The Sabres spent the previous six years affiliated with the Cincinnati Cyclones. Jacksonville, meanwhile, recently served as the New York Rangers’ affiliate.

The Rochester Americans, the Sabres’ AHL affiliate, can recall players from Jacksonville when they need help.... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Jack Quinn developing confidence, starting to score goals

BUFFALO – The first quarter of Sabres rookie Jack Quinn’s season can be broken down into three parts.

In the early going, Quinn, 21, looked overwhelmed. So he embraced sitting out two games as part of the Sabres’ forward rotation, using it as an opportunity to catch his breath and study the game from a fresh perspective. The time helped him develop a better understanding of the team’s system and the intensity needed to ... Read the full article

Dylan Cozens ‘progressing every day,’ becoming trusted talent for Sabres

BUFFALO – Dylan Cozens wants to taste success right now. Sure, the second-year Sabres center respects the development process. He understands he’s a neophyte.

But Cozens, 21, also acknowledges he’s “a competitive guy.” Sometimes his patience can be tested.

“I know how good I can be, and I want to be that good now,” Cozens said following Wednesday’s practice at KeyBank Center. “But Donny (Granato) told me, I’m young, playing against lots of guys ... Read the full article

Sabres assistant coach Jason Christie enters NHL’s COVID-19 protocol

The Buffalo Sabres this afternoon placed assistant coach Jason Christie in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol.

Christie, 52, did not attend today’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings at KeyBank Center.

So far this season, 13 Sabres players and four coaches, including head coach Don Granato, have been in protocol.

... Read the full article

Don Granato’s accessibility to Sabres players ‘a huge asset’

BUFFALO – In his early days behind the bench in junior hockey and in the ECHL, Sabres coach Don Granato was one-man show. He had no assistants to help him.

“So I had to be close to players,” Granato said prior to Thursday’s 5-0 loss to the Calgary Flames at KeyBank Center. “I had to get a feel for the team and a beat on the team.”

Right away, Granato learned he must separate the ... Read the full article

Sabres change up coaching staff, retain Matt Ellis, add two new faces

Don Granato has overhauled the Buffalo Sabres’ coaching staff, retaining Matt Ellis and hiring Jason Christie and Marty Wilford as assistants, the team announced Thursday.

In addition, Justin White has been named video coordinator. Assistant coach Mike Bales, who’s charge of the goalies, and video coach Myles Fee will remain with the Sabres this season, according to the team. Both were hired by ex-coach Ralph Krueger.

Dan Girardi, an interim assistant coach last season, ... Read the full article