Michael Peca is one of Buffalo’s all-time fan favorites. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Michael Peca relishes opportunity to rejoin Sabres organization as coach

When former Buffalo Sabres captain Michael Peca retired following the 2008-09 season, he said an offer to become an assistant coach quickly materialized.

But having bounced around and played for four teams in five years, Peca knew it was time to step away after 14 seasons and dedicate more time to his family. He couldn’t accept the coaching job.

“The family makes sacrifices and has to do a lot for your career to succeed,” said ... Read the full article

Riley Sheahan joined Buffalo on a professional tryout contract last week. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Riley Sheahan has ‘soft spot’ for Sabres, sees opportunity in Buffalo

Sabres forward Riley Sheahan grew up about 30 miles from Buffalo in St. Catharines, Ontario, so he has carried what he called a “soft spot” for his new team.

Growing up, Sheahan would make the trip across the border to watch the Sabres or see them when they visited his hometown for training camp.

“I’ll be honest, I was a little bit of a (Toronto Maple) Leafs fan but Sabres tickets were more affordable and ... Read the full article

John Muckler helped the Sabres establish themselves as an NHL power again. ©2021, Janet Schultz

John Muckler, coach and GM of Sabres in 1990s, dies at 86

John Muckler, the coach and general manager of the Buffalo Sabres for much of the 1990s, died Monday. He was 86.

Glen Sather, who brought Muckler to the Edmonton Oilers as they began their Stanley Cup dynasty in the early 1980s, told the Edmonton Journal his friend had been in failing health.

“John had a heart attack, then he had heart surgery, then he fell in his recovery, then he got COVID,” Sather told the ... Read the full article

Alexander Mogilny scored 76 goals in 1992-93. ©2020, Janet Schultz

Pat LaFontaine wants Sabres legend Alexander Mogilny in Hall of Fame

Eleven players Pat LaFontaine called teammates over his 15-year career have been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The former Buffalo Sabres superstar joined the New York Islanders at the end of their dynasty, so he played with Mike Bossy and Bryan Trottier, who combined to score nearly 1,100 goals. In Buffalo, LaFontaine watched Dominik Hasek morph into perhaps the greatest goalie in history. In LaFontaine’s final NHL season with the New York ... Read the full article

Clint Malarchuk (left) and Drew Ryan talk about more than hockey. ©2020, Drew Ryan

Former Sabres goalie Clint Malarchuk passionate about helping veterans

They spent an hour catching up. Hockey, as it often does during conversations with Clint Malarchuk, was discussed. Drew Ryan, a goalie like Malarchuk, explained how a stretching regimen has added seven inches to the butterfly motion he plans to utilize.

Ryan treats tending goal for the USA Warriors Ice Hockey team so passionately he recently started developing a new, more composed style. He’s 57.

The retired Army colonel likes to say he’ll do ... Read the full article

Dominik Hasek performed dynamically during the Sabres’ run to the 1999 Stanley Cup final. ©2020, Janet Schultz

10 ‘Sabres Classics’ from 1999 playoffs to air over next two weeks

Ten more “Sabres Classics” – this time playoff games from 1999, including three Stanley Cup final contests – will be rebroadcast on MSG over the next two weeks.

Before falling to the Dallas Stars in the final, the Dominik Hasek-led Sabres roared through the Eastern Conference, needing only 15 games to reach the final.

The games are being aired because the COVID-19 pandemic forced the NHL to suspend its season indefinitely March 12.... Read the full article

Daniel Briere enjoyed a breakout season in 2005-06. ©2020, Janet Schultz

Five ‘Sabres Classics’ from 2005-06 season to air next week on MSG

Five more “Sabres Classics” – this time regular-season games from 2005-06, one of the most memorable campaigns in franchise history – will be rebroadcast on MSG next week.

That season, of course, the Sabres morphed into a powerhouse after the NHL lockout ended, roaring to the Eastern Conference final. Co-captains Daniel Briere and Chris Drury led what was arguably the league’s deepest and most exciting lineup.

The games are being aired because the COVID-19 pandemic ... Read the full article

Dave Hannan (14) faces off against the New York Islanders’ Travis Green in the early 1990s. ©2020, Janet Schultz

Sabres at 50: Dave Hannan fondly remembers overtime goal versus Devils

A few years ago, former Buffalo Sabres center Dave Hannan sat down to watch a little television before bed and spotted a replay of the wildest six hours of his 15-year NHL career.

In the years since he scored 5:43 into the fourth overtime on April 27, 1994, he had only caught a few periods of the 1-0 playoff classic the Sabres and New Jersey Devils played until 1:52 a.m. inside Memorial Auditorium.

So Hannan ... Read the full article

Dominik Hasek’s 70-save performance will air again. ©2020, Hickling Images

Five ‘Sabres Classics’ to air next week on MSG

For hockey-deprived fans waiting for the NHL season to resume, five memorable Buffalo Sabres games will be rebroadcast next week on MSG and also be available on the team’s YouTube channel.

So get ready to relive goalie Dominik Hasek’s legendary 70-save performance, the final game at historic Memorial Auditorium and other “Sabres Classics.”

The games, of course, are being aired because the COVID-19 pandemic forced the NHL to suspend its season indefinitely March 12.

The ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel has already scored 24 goals. ©2019, Hickling Images

MVP-type season earns Sabres captain Jack Eichel spot in NHL All-Star Game

BUFFALO – A stellar season in which he has scored 24 goals and 52 points in 39 games and generated MVP talk has helped Sabres captain Jack Eichel earn a spot in the NHL All-Star Game for the third straight season, the league announced today.

Eichel, who will play for the Atlantic Division, was one of 37 players selected by the NHL’s Hockey Operations Department. The league previously announced the captains of the four divisions.... Read the full article