Housley - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres notes: Former Sabres goalie Robin Lehner shares addiction story

BUFFALO – In a harrowing first-person essay, former Sabres goalie Robin Lehner shares details how his drug and alcohol addiction and untreated bipolar disorder led him to contemplate suicide multiple times late last season before seeking help.

“I wanted to kill myself. I was extremely close multiple times,” Lehner wrote in The Athletic New York. “The battle playing hockey was nothing compared to the battle inside my brain. It was at its worst.”... Read the full article

Accountability, communication helping Sabres as new season opens

BUFFALO – The open communication among the Sabres and the accountability it has bred is new and welcome.

In the recent past, the team’s problems often festered or worsened over time. Players clearly felt uncomfortable discussing any issues.

Then following last season’s dreadful 31st-place finish, coach Phil Housley challenged the Sabres. He wanted self-reflection. He wanted them to change before the new season, which started this morning with veterans reporting for their training camp physicals.... Read the full article

Sabres could have special rookie class

BUFFALO – Right away, the rookie’s skill set – the heavy shot, soft hands and slick speed – wowed Sabres winger Kyle Okposo.

To Okposo, a 10-year NHL veteran, the newcomer “seems to have all the tools” to succeed at hockey’s highest level.

“His release is, I mean, he scored a few goals just kind of in informal skates that just kind of make your eyes open, for sure,” Okposo said Wednesday following a ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel anxious to start season, excited about revamped Sabres

BUFFALO – More than two weeks before training camp starts, around 20 Sabres – from star center Jack Eichel to rookies preparing for the upcoming prospect tournament – are already skating regularly at HarborCenter.

Informal summer skates, of course, are common. Still, having so many guys in town so early – heck, it’s still August – sends a strong message.

“It says you want to be here, right?” Eichel said Monday. “It says you want ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Casey Mittelstadt grateful for dizzying path to NHL

TORONTO – Finally, after two whirlwind years, Casey Mittelstadt can settle down. Barring a disastrous training camp, the slick Sabres prospect will start the season in Buffalo, a place he will likely stay a long time.

“I’m definitely looking forward to that,” Mittelstadt said of remaining with one team. “I think – Green Bay, high school, the ‘U’ – I’ve been back and forth quite a bit.”

Mittelstadt, of course, left out two clubs he ... Read the full article

Young talent helped convince Jeff Skinner to join Sabres

BUFFALO – Having a no-trade clause attached to his six-year, $34.35 million contract meant Jeff Skinner controlled his future. The Sabres’ newest player could veto a deal and wait until the Carolina Hurricanes and his agent found him a new team he liked.

While Skinner denied he turned down any offers before the Sabres materialized, reports and the timing of his trade – high-profile NHL deals rarely transpire in August – suggest otherwise.... Read the full article

Jeff Skinner acquisition shows Sabres believe they can win now

Before Thursday’s acquisition of slick winger Jeff Skinner, so many of the Buffalo Sabres’ trades throughout their seemingly endless rebuild focused on the future. Deals would often net them prospects or draft picks, a sign winning wasn’t imminent.

But Sabres general manager Jason Botterill made a different swap to nab the three-time 30-goal scorer from the Carolina Hurricanes. For one of the few times in recent years, the Sabres dealt futures for a proven commodity.... Read the full article

Sabres hire former NHL defenseman Steve Smith as assistant coach

BUFFALO – Despite finishing dead last in 2017-18, the Sabres kept their entire coaching staff. There will, however, be one addition to Phil Housley’s crew next season.

The Sabres have hired former NHL defenseman Steve Smith, a three-time Stanley Cup winner, as an assistant coach, the team announced this morning.

Other than Housley, a Hall of Fame defenseman, the only former NHL defender on staff, Chris Hajt, played six games. Given the Sabres just drafted ... Read the full article

Sabres present special opportunity to goalie Carter Hutton

BUFFALO – A simple factor contributed to Carter Hutton quietly morphing into one of the NHL’s best goalies last season. Instead of relegating the veteran to backup duty again, the St. Louis Blues rewarded his splendid play, giving him extra action.

In his first five full NHL seasons, Hutton had always been labeled the No. 2 goalie. After averaging only 21 appearances over the previous three years, he played 32 games in 2017-18, stealing playing ... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin’s presence ‘inspiring,’ offers hope to Sabres

BUFFALO – With so many shiny prospects gathered together, development camp can make an NHL team’s future look brighter than the reality.

Optimism often runs rampant during the summer. When a first-round pick or two wows you up close, it’s easy to get a little more excited.

Right now, the enthusiasm for the Sabres is understandable.... Read the full article