McDavid - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres prospect Justin Bailey ready for pro hockey after big junior season

BUFFALO – Sabres prospect Justin Bailey had known for months the rebuilding Kitchener Rangers would likely try to trade him to an Ontario Hockey League contender.

Still, when the team offered the youngster a deal to the powerhouse Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in early January, Bailey, who had a no-trade clause, wrestled with his decision.

“It was very, very difficult,” the high-scoring winger said Wednesday.

The 19-year-old Williamsville native loved playing in Kitchener, which is ... Read the full article

Sabres lose lottery to Oilers, will draft Jack Eichel with No. 2 pick

TORONTO – All season long, as the Sabres stayed in the basement and Connor McDavid mania reached a fever pitch, this was the likely scenario: the rebuilding club would lose the NHL Draft Lottery and Jack Eichel, not hockey’s most coveted prospect, would come to Buffalo.

Sure enough, it played out Saturday in a room inside the CBC building.

Incredibly, the Edmonton Oilers, who had only an 11.5 percent chance at the No. 1 ... Read the full article

Sabres lose lottery to Oilers, get No. 2 pick

TORONTO – With only a 20 percent chance of winning, Tim Murray expected the Sabres would lose the NHL Draft Lottery tonight. The general manager was right. Sorry, Buffalo, Connor McDavid is going to the Edmonton Oilers.

The Oilers, with only an 11.5 percent chance, snagged hockey’s most coveted prospect.

The Sabres, of course, received a pretty nice consolation prize, slick Boston University center Jack Eichel. The 18-year-old Boston native would likely be the No. ... Read the full article

Sabres will get franchise-changing talent in Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel at draft lottery

TORONTO – Whether the Buffalo Sabres win the right to draft mega-prospect Connor McDavid or settle for the second pick tonight, the rebuilding team will emerge victorious from the most anticipated NHL Draft Lottery ever.

Leaving town with Jack Eichel, the consensus No. 2 selection, in your arsenal for years to come wouldn’t be a bad consolation prize, right?

“You look at what the Sabres had in the pipeline, when you add a player ... Read the full article

Quiet GM Tim Murray tells team’s Web site he assumes Sabres will lose draft lottery

BUFFALO – Tim Murray’s thoughts on the NHL Draft Lottery haven’t been conveyed in a regular forum since the Sabres general manager never had a season-ending media session.

The Sabres turned down requests from The Times Herald and other outlets to make Murray available this week. Murray won’t speak until after the lottery Saturday night in Toronto.

The team’s Web site released two comments from Murray today. Of course, they’re mostly the canned comments you ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Cody Hodgson on awful season: ‘I can’t explain what happened’

BUFFALO – Nothing could ignite Sabres enigma Cody Hodgson. Not moving from wing to center and back. Not switching lines. Not getting scratched.

In the worst season by a Sabres forward not named Ville Leino in recent memory, Hodgson mustered only six goals and 13 points in 78 games, a stunning 14-goal, 31-point drop in six more appearances.

Hodgson scored one goal in a 47-game stretch from Oct. 28 to Feb. 22. He endured ... Read the full article

Plenty of interesting names could be available to coach Sabres

BUFFALO – For the first time since the Sabres replaced Ted Nolan following his initial run almost 18 years ago, the team must search for a new coach.

Yes, it has really been that long.

Lindy Ruff, Nolan’s replacement in 1997, lasted until 2013, when former Sabres general manager Darcy Regier quickly promoted Ron Rolston from Rochester as interim coach. Regier removed the interim tag following the season without interviewing anyone.

Nolan immediately took... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Gorges feels players’ professionalism suffered

BUFFALO – A player’s mind stays focused on the current season, Sabres defenseman Josh Gorges said. Athletes live in the present. They don’t think a year ahead like their team’s brass.

“You come in with a mindset of we’re going to win, we’re going to try to win,” the veteran said Sunday morning as the Sabres cleaned out their lockers following a 30^th-place finish. “As players, our job is not to play for ... Read the full article

Sabres close tumultuous season with loss to Penguins, hear cheers

BUFFALO – The roughest season in the Sabres’ 45-year history is finally over, a 2-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday capping an 82-game slate that was tumultuous from start to finish.

The outcome, of course, hardly mattered. The rebuilding Sabres, who never quit throughout the campaign, had already locked up 30^th place and either the first or second draft pick in next Saturday’s draft lottery.

The season finale was about regaining some ... Read the full article

Sabres clinch 30th place, guaranteed Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel

Either Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel will play for the Buffalo Sabres next season.

Friday’s 4-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets clinched 30^th place for the rebuilding Sabres, meaning they can fall no lower than second during the NHL Draft Lottery next Saturday and select one of the prized 18-year-old centers in June.

The Sabres have a 20 percent chance of getting McDavid, hockey’s biggest prospect since Sidney Crosby.

On Friday, about 240 ... Read the full article