Jack Eichel moved in with Matt Moulson recently. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

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

The Sabres acquired Jamie McGinn on June 26. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

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

Matt Moulson wants Jack Eichel to feel comfortable during his rookie year. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Matt Moulson happy to open home to rookie Jack Eichel

BUFFALO – Sabres veteran Matt Moulson joked he has already picked out rookie Jack Eichel’s bedroom at his home for the upcoming season.

“He’ll be sharing a room with my son,” Moulson cracked Wednesday following a late-summer skate.

Eichel, of course, won’t be splitting a room with George, who will turn 2 years old in October. Moulson plans to give Eichel, 18, his own space so his son and daughter, Mila, who just turned 3, ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel often talks about earning his spot with the Sabres. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres rookie Jack Eichel’s wild summer almost over

TORONTO – The Summer of Jack is almost over. Believe it or not, in 10 days, Jack Eichel will be in a Buffalo Sabres uniform for a rookie camp prospects game against the New Jersey Devils, officially ending what the phenom called a “whirlwind” offseason.

“I think it’s starting to get real,” Eichel, the second overall pick, said Tuesday at the NHLPA Rookie Showcase inside Mattamy Athletic Centre, site of the old Maple Leaf Gardens.... Read the full article

Jack Eichel has heard great things about Matt Moulson. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres rookie Jack Eichel plans to live with veteran Matt Moulson

TORONTO – Shortly after the Buffalo Sabres drafted Jack Eichel second overall June 26, veteran winger Matt Moulson, his future teammate, congratulated the 18-year-old and then asked the center a surprising question.

The 31-year-old Moulson, one of the most experienced and accomplished Sabres, asked Eichel if he wanted to live with his family during his rookie season.

Eichel hadn’t made any living arrangements yet, so he decided moving in with the Moulson clan – his ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel has already drawn one big crowd in Buffalo. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres to host prospects tournament in September

Jack Eichel’s first game action in a Buffalo uniform is just a month away. The Sabres will host a three-team “Prospects Challenge” tournament from Sept. 12-14 at the First Niagara Center and HarborCenter, the team announced today.

Eichel, the slick 18-year-old center the Sabres drafted second overall in June, will almost certainly participate in the round-robin challenge against prospects from the Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils. Each team plays two games.

Tickets are $10 ... Read the full article

Forme Sabres president Ted Black (right) sits at the team’s draft table last month with scout Jerry Forton. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres hire Russ Brandon as president to replace Ted Black

BUFFALO – On Russ Brandon’s drive to the rink to discuss his new role as Sabres president and alternate governor, a job he was awarded Monday in addition to his gig as managing partner and president of the Buffalo Bills, he reflected back to a year ago, when the NFL club’s future here was shaky.

Back then, Brandon was focused on finding a viable owner for the Bills. Terry and Kim Pegula’s interest in the ... Read the full article

Brendan Guhle turns 18 years old Wednesday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres sign Brendan Guhle to entry-level contract

BUFFALO – The Sabres have signed defenseman Brendan Guhle, the 51st overall pick last month, to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced Monday.

The 6-foot-1, 186-pound Guhle, the Sabres’ next pick after they drafted center Jack Eichel No. 2, will turn 18 years old Wednesday. The second-rounder had five goals, 32 points and 36 penalty minutes in 72 games last season with the Western Hockey League’s Prince Albert Raiders.

Guhle will almost ... Read the full article

Ted Black joined the Sabres in 2011. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres name Russ Brandon president, ‘part ways’ with Ted Black

BUFFALO – The Sabres today named Russ Brandon team president and announced former president Ted Black and the organization had “mutually agreed to part ways.”

Brandon, the managing partner and president of the Buffalo Bills, a team also owned by Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula, will oversee all aspects of the business operations for both teams and report directly to the Pegulas.

“Since we purchased the Buffalo Bills last October, we have been highly ... Read the full article

Josh Chapman laid out a big hit and fought Friday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Josh Chapman unlikely standout at Sabres development camp

BUFFALO – The nifty winning goal in today’s three-on-three development camp tournament wasn’t scored by Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart or one of the Sabres’ other high-end forward prospects.

Try 6-foot-3, 210-pound Josh Chapman, an undrafted defenseman the Sabres invited.

“Someone asked him how many goals he scored this year,” said winger Evan Rodrigues, Chapman’s teammate in the eight-team tournament. “He said none.”

That’s right, Chapman scored zero goals in 44 games last season with ... Read the full article