Murray - Buffalo Hockey Beat

After scary concussion, Sabres’ Kyle Okposo healed, excited for new season

BUFFALO – It wasn’t Kyle Okposo’s first time on the ice. That milestone came months ago, after the Sabres winger recovered from the scary concussion that left him hospitalized in intensive care. It wasn’t his first scrimmage, either. The affable veteran played pickup hockey at home this summer in Minnesota.

Still, Okposo’s skate Tuesday inside HarborCenter, a normal early-September session with some scrimmaging at the end, was significant.... Read the full article

Jack Eichel ‘adamant’ on staying with Sabres, willing to wait for extension

BUFFALO – Sabres center Jack Eichel called it the NHL’s “new game.” Thanks to their dynamic talents, young stars barely out of their teens can earn huge long-term contracts these days.

Eichel, of course, is part of that elite group and will cash in. The Sabres and Eichel’s camp have talked this summer about a lucrative new contract.... Read the full article

Jack Eichel wants to stay with Sabres, willing to play out contract

BUFFALO – If the Sabres and Jack Eichel can’t reach an extension, the center said he has “no problem” playing out the final season of his entry-level contract.

“If that happens, that happens,” Eichel said this afternoon following a late-summer skate. “I’m pretty adamant on staying a Sabre and staying in Buffalo. It’s not something I can really control here. I can just control my play.... Read the full article

South Buffalo’s Tim Kennedy hopeful to land with new team soon

BUFFALO – Even at 31 years old, more than three years removed from his last NHL appearance, South Buffalo’s Tim Kennedy has remained a strong AHL scorer.

Last season, after joining the Rochester Americans in December, the talented free agent forward compiled 25 assists and 29 points in 47 games with the Sabres’ AHL affiliate.... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Robin Lehner not out to prove himself

BUFFALO – Robin Lehner’s agents kept telling him to take a one-year contract. After all, the Sabres goalie could parlay another strong season into a lucrative long-term deal.

But fresh off a campaign in which Lehner established himself as the Sabres’ starter and posted the NHL’s 10th-highest save percentage, he wanted a long contract right away.... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Victor Antipin excited to showcase skills in NHL

BUFFALO – Among the pro hockey players enjoying a late-summer skate Thursday inside HarborCenter, an unfamiliar face stood out, a goateed youngster in Sabres apparel sporting No. 93.

Who was it? Russian defenseman Victor Antipin, perhaps the Sabres’ most intriguing offseason addition.... Read the full article

Sabres sign goalie Robin Lehner to one-year contract

BUFFALO – The Sabres have avoided arbitration with Robin Lehner, signing the starting goalie to a one-year, $4 million contract, the team announced this morning.

Lehner, a restricted free agent, had an arbitration hearing scheduled for Thursday.

Not surprisingly, with a new regime and Lehner light on experience as a No. 1 goalie, the Sabres went with a short-term deal. Lehner will be an RFA again next year.

In his first full season as ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Brett Murray happy at Penn State

BUFFALO – In early January, as the upstart Penn State men’s hockey team vaulted up the USCHO poll to the brink of a No. 1 national ranking, the Nittany Lions welcomed a new player, Sabres prospect Brett Murray.

Penn State coach Guy Gadowsky wondered how the NCAA freshman would assimilate to a team enjoying its best season ever.

“For a freshman to come in halfway through the season, I think could be, if the guy ... Read the full article

Brian Gionta likely won’t return to Sabres

BUFFALO – The chances of veteran winger Brian Gionta returning to the Sabres for his 16th NHL season “are pretty remote,” his agent said today.

“While we haven’t slammed the door – and I don’t think they have, either – I think they’ve also been pretty honest that it’s probably going to be a fairly unlikely scenario,” Steve Bartlett told the Times Herald. “So I’ve been focusing on trying to look at other opportunities for ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Phil Housley likes defense, plans to lean on Marco Scandella

BUFFALO – In a two-week span last month, general manager Jason Botterill addressed the Sabres’ most glaring weakness by acquiring defensemen Nathan Beaulieu and Marco Scandella.

Is either player elite? Hardly. Still, as puck-moving defenders, Beaulieu and Scandella offer talents the Sabres sorely lacked last season and add some much-needed depth.... Read the full article