WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
October Edition
Will Butcher has represented Team USA. ©2021, Dan Hickling
BUFFALO – As NHL general managers scramble to make offseason moves and fit fat contracts under the $81.5 million flat salary cap, they’ve been gifting talented, high-priced players and draft picks to teams willing to accept big money.
Prior to free agency, the Chicago Blackhawks acquired a combined $12 million cap hit in goalie Marc-Andre Fleury and forward Tyler Johnson.
For the 2020-21 Vezina Trophy winner and a regular on the past two Stanley Cup ... Read the full article
Rasmus Asplund enjoyed regular duty late last season. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres have rewarded Rasmus Asplund’s breakout stretch late last season, re-signing the restricted free agent to a two-year, $1.65 million contract, the team announced Friday.
Asplund, 23, had a career-best run after coach Don Granato took over as coach, scoring six of his seven goals and 10 of his 11 points in 23 games. He tied for fifth in goal scoring on the Sabres with winger Jeff Skinner, who played 25 more contests.... Read the full article
Matt Ellis will move behind the bench permanently. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
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
John Hayden began his career in Chicago. ©2021, TNS
The Sabres added more depth to their bottom-six forward group today, signing John Hayden to a one-year, $750,000 contract.
Hayden, 26, is the ninth player the Sabres have inked since free agency opened Wednesday.
The 6-foot-3, 223-pound Hayden spent last season with the Arizona Coyotes, recording two goals and five points in 29 games.... Read the full article
Vinnie Hinostroza scored a career-high 16 goals with Arizona in 2018-19. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
Three and a half hours after free agency opened today, the Buffalo Sabres made their first move, signing forward Vinnie Hinostroza to a one-year, $1.05 million contract.
Hinostroza, 27, knows Sabres coach Don Granato from their days together with the Chicago Blackhawks. The American offers the Sabres depth and versatility to play up and down the lineup.
The 5-foot-10, 177-pound Hinostroza has compiled 38 goals and 112 points in 272 career NHL games.... Read the full article
Buffalo claimed Drake Caggiula on April 9. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres have re-signed winger Drake Caggiula, who enjoyed regular duty on the fourth line late last season, to a one-year, $750,000 contract, the team announced tonight.
Caggiula, 27, could’ve become an unrestricted free agent Wednesday. He recorded two goals and three points in 11 games after the Sabres claimed him off waivers April 9.
The 5-foot-10, 176-pound Caggiula gives the Sabres much-needed depth and versatility. He’s a natural center.... Read the full article
The Sabres are expected to be busy this summer. ©2021, Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres have made a significant analytics hire, naming Sam Ventura vice president of hockey strategy and research, the team announced Monday.
Ventura, 33, spent the last six seasons in the Pittsburgh Penguins’ front office, winning the Stanley Cup in 2016 and 2017. In Pittsburgh, he worked under Jason Karmanos, who was hired as the Sabres’ associate general manager April 13.
Jason Nightingale, who recently served as the director of analytics and assistant ... Read the full article
Don Granato quickly learned about the passion for the Sabres. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
It was Sept. 1, 2019, and Don Granato, one of the Buffalo Sabres’ new assistant coaches, was wandering the halls of Park Country Club in Williamsville looking for the banquet room.
Granato had been invited to the team’s annual alumni golf outing, and before everyone hit the course, they gathered for a meeting. When Granato found the room and sneaked in through a back door, the number of alumni in attendance shocked him.
“I ... Read the full article
Don Granato was hired as Buffalo’s permanent coach Tuesday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
After the Sabres’ tumultuous season ended, Don Granato told general manager Kevyn Adams how much he coveted the team’s permanent head coaching position.
Granato, having transformed the Sabres into a competitive group during his 28-game stint as interim coach, likely could’ve pursued opportunities on higher-profile clubs.
But Granato, who on Tuesday was named the 20th coach in franchise history, wanted to stay in Buffalo.
“This is the position I wanted to be in, I had ... Read the full article
Matt Ellis (pictured) moved behind the bench when Don Granato was promoted. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
As the Buffalo Sabres’ interim coach, Don Granato worked with a staff he inherited.
When general manager Kevyn Adams fired coach Ralph Krueger and assistant coach Steve Smith on March 17, he moved Matt Ellis, his director of player development, and Dan Girardi, a development coach, behind the bench.
Ellis replaced Granato, who ran the power play as an assistant under Krueger. Girardi, meanwhile, took over Smith’s role in charge of the defense.... Read the full article