McLeod - Buffalo Hockey Beat

After breakout season, Bowen Byram wants to sign new contract with Sabres

BUFFALO – When the Sabres traded for Bowen Byram before the 2024 deadline, general manager Kevyn Adams acknowledged they weren’t sure how he would fit in their lineup.

In Byram, they saw a talented defenseman drafted fourth overall who had won the Stanley Cup in 2022. Players of his caliber who have sipped from hockey’s holy grail rarely become available in their early 20s.

Adams couldn’t pass up adding a high-end defenseman, so he dealt ... Read the full article

Can late-season growth keep Sabres’ offseason changes to a minimum?

BUFFALO – Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin processed the question, searched for the right words and moved back in his chair a bit.

What has general manager Kevyn Adams told him that makes him believe the Sabres can finally get it done and reach the playoffs?

Dahlin, sporting a white hoodie and black Bills hat with a blue backdrop adorned with Sabres logos behind him, spoke confidently. While he refused to get into specifics of his ... Read the full article

Lindy Ruff records 900th win as Sabres close season; James Reimer has injury scare with skate blade

BUFFALO – As his 900th NHL win approached, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff refused to give it any thought, saying he could care less.

The Sabres brought the franchise legend back this season to help them earn that elusive playoff berth. Instead, their NHL-record drought reached 14 years.

Clearly, the Sabres’ struggles throughout a trying campaign – most notably, their season-killing 13-game winless skid – gnaw at Ruff. He knows he failed to deliver.

So not ... Read the full article

Sabres win again, sweep season series from Senators; Tyson Kozak injured

OTTAWA – The Buffalo Sabres’ recent victories – Tuesday’s 5-2 win over the Senators was their second straight and fifth in their last six games – come with a caveat. They fell out of playoff contention long ago, meaning the contests, at least standings-wise, are meaningless.

The pressure has been off the Sabres for weeks. Playing looser surely helps them.

Still, these wins illustrate coach Lindy Ruff’s message is sinking in. While it took months, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jack Quinn on torrid streak, still disappointed in season: ‘Pretty brutal’

OTTAWA – In the midst of a career-best stretch, fresh off consecutive three-point outings, Buffalo Sabres winger Jack Quinn’s disappointment is still evident.

Quinn, 23, entered Tuesday’s game against the Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre on a tear, having scored four goals and eight points in his last four outings.

But in what was expected to be a breakout season, he has struggled at both ends of the ice – he began Tuesday’s game ... Read the full article

Sabres fight their way to shootout win over Golden Knights after Jiri Kulich injured: ‘We look like a real team’

BUFFALO – Tomas Hertl had the game-clinching goal on his stick, only open ice and an empty net ahead, when he decided to give former Sabres captain Jack Eichel another chance to tell the locals to buzz off.

Instead of shooting the puck from the right circle with 37 seconds left to give the Vegas Golden Knights a two-goal lead, the veteran backhanded it to Eichel in the slot.

Eichel, who had put Vegas up ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Norris misses practice with injury; Buffalo recalls prospect

BUFFALO – Sabres center Josh Norris missed Friday’s practice with an undisclosed injury he has been battling, coach Lindy Ruff said.

Ruff did not have an update on Norris, who was acquired from the Ottawa Senators prior to last Friday’s trade deadline.

“He’s just being evaluated by our medical staff today,” Ruff said following the session in KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

Sabres score early in blowout win over Rangers; Alex Tuch leaves game injured

BUFFALO – The genesis of the Sabres’ five-goal, first-period outburst in Saturday afternoon’s 8-2 shellacking of the New York Rangers can be traced to their practice sessions earlier in the week.

When the Sabres reconvened Tuesday following a nine-day break for the 4 Nations Face-Off, coach Lindy Ruff began driving them hard, demanding pace. They practiced with purpose.

Their first two sessions were the longest of the season. After doing off-ice work Thursday, they had ... Read the full article

Sabres eke out win over Devils, don’t go after Stefan Noesen following illegal hit on Tage Thompson

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Lindy Ruff cut off a reporter, refusing to let him finish the question.

“Bull(crap). Bull(crap),” an agitated Ruff interjected when asked about the perception his team did not respond properly Sunday afternoon when New Jersey Devils winger Stefan Noesen hit leading scorer Tage Thompson in the head, knocking him out of the Sabres’ 4-3 win. “Let’s go. Next question.”

Ruff said Thompson, who scored one goal and three points as the ... Read the full article

On Rob Ray’s special night, Sabres get two goals from Jiri Kulich, beat Preds

BUFFALO – Early in Friday’s 4-3 come-from-behind win, it appeared the Sabres might ride the emotion of Rob Ray’s induction into the team’s hall of fame to a convincing victory.

As Ray gave a heartfelt pregame speech on the KeyBank Center ice, the Sabres, all sporting blue shirts of the legendary tough, watched from the bench.

Then they pounced on the Nashville Predators, jumping out to an early 2-0 lead with owners Terry and Kim ... Read the full article