Crevier - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Before trade, Sabres’ Louis Crevier beat long odds and developed confidence to stick in NHL

BUFFALO – In his early days with the Chicago Blackhawks, Sabres newcomer Louis Crevier couldn’t settle down. He said he played too nervously, afraid he would make a mistake.

“It was just mental,” the 6-foot-8, 236-pound defenseman said following Friday’s session of training camp in LECOM Harborcenter.

So Crevier, who joined the Sabres on June 23 in the blockbuster trade that sent defenseman Bowen Byram to the Windy City, tackled his problem.... Read the full article

Sabres preseason: Buffalo to dress full NHL lineup versus Columbus; Jiri Kulich to keep playing

BUFFALO – With the exception of one goalie, the lineup the Sabres will dress for tonight’s preseason game against the Blue Jackets is likely the one they field for their season opener Oct. 1 in Columbus.

With only four preseason games and veterans who have played 100 NHL games now limited to just two appearances, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff figured he would put his main group together tonight against the Blue Jackets’ B team.

Among ... Read the full article

Sabres begin season confident they’re better than last year: ‘We’re not the old Sabres anymore’

BUFFALO – Confidence is powerful thing, center Tage Thompson said. Fresh off a breakout 50-win, 109-point campaign in which nearly every player improved or enjoyed a career season, the Sabres entered the summer feeling pretty darn good about themselves.

Having grinded together for nine months and enjoyed so much success, the Sabres feel like they can tackle any challenge as a group this season.

“We have a lot of that with our group right now,” ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Eric Staal takes on new role as coach; Buffalo has early injuries

BUFFALO – In addition to his role as a special assistant to general manager Jarmo Kekalainen, former Sabres center Eric Staal will now be doing on-ice work during the season, coach Lindy Ruff said Wednesday.

“He’s going to help us with centermen, and he’s going to help out on the power play,” Ruff said in LECOM Harborcenter, where the Sabres will hold their first on-ice sessions of training camp Thursday. “He’s basically an assistant coach, ... Read the full article

Sabres injury updates: Jason Zucker could miss start of season after surgery

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Jason Zucker underwent offseason sports hernia surgery and could miss the first two weeks of the regular season, general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said Wednesday after players reported to training camp.

“He’s very close to the start of the year,” Kekalainen said in LECOM Harborcenter.

Meanwhile, Kekalainen said defenseman Louis Crevier, who arrived in the offseason trade that sent Bowen Byram to the Chicago Blackhawks, underwent shoulder surgery and will likely be ... Read the full article

Josh Doan says Sabres will be fine after losing players in trades: ‘A better team’

BUFFALO – Alex Tuch’s departure from the Sabres earlier this summer via a sign-and-trade deal with the Washington Capitals hardly surprised winger Josh Doan.

In the weeks before free agency opened, it appeared the veteran first-line winger’s run in Buffalo could be ending after five seasons.

“There was noise around whether or not he was staying or go,” Doan said prior to throwing out the first pitch at Saturday’s Bisons game against the Worcester Red ... Read the full article

Trading for Olen Zellweger gives Sabres defenseman with qualities similar to Bowen Byram

ORCHARD PARK – In Olen Zellweger, the Buffalo Sabres traded for a defenseman who Jarmo Kekalainen said possesses “a lot of the same qualities” of Bowen Byram.

“Really good skater, speed, puck play, the ability to move up the ice whether to pass or carry the puck out of the zone,” the general manager said Friday at One Bills Drive hours after trading for Zellweger. “We see a lot of potential in him.”... Read the full article

Bowen Byram ‘didn’t want to negotiate’ new contract, so Sabres made trade with Blackhawks

ORCHARD PARK – The Sabres tried to convince Bowen Byram to stay in Buffalo. General manager Jarmo Kekalainen said he spent all season working on a new contract, calling it his “first priority.”

But Byram, 25, wanted to become a No. 1 defenseman, an opportunity he would likely never have in Buffalo with captain Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power and Mattias Samuelsson around. So, according to Kekalainen, Byram “didn’t want to negotiate.”

“He wasn’t gonna sign ... Read the full article

Buffalo Sabres trade Bowen Byram to Chicago Blackhawks in blockbuster deal, land fourth overall pick

The Buffalo Sabres completed a blockbuster trade with the Blackhawks tonight, sending defenseman Bowen Byram and winger Jordan Greenway to Chicago in exchange for the fourth overall pick in Friday’s NHL Draft, the 45th selection and defenseman Louis Crevier.

Now, does general manager Jarmo Kekalainen have another move up his sleeve? Will the Sabres, who host the draft Friday and Saturday at KeyBank Center, make their early pick? Or could they package it with, say, ... Read the full article