Murray - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres goalie Robin Lehner out of World Cup

Buffalo Sabres goalie Robin Lehner, who’s still recovering from season-ending ankle surgery in late March, has pulled out of next month’s World Cup of Hockey, Team Sweden announced today.

Former Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth, who signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday, will replace Lehner.

The Sabres expect Lehner, 25, to be their starting goalie in 2016-17 following a season in which he suffered a high right ankle sprain opening night and battled ... Read the full article

Jimmy Vesey signs with Rangers

Jimmy Vesey, the Hobey Baker Award winner whose negotiating rights the Buffalo Sabres owned for 57 days, signed a two-year, $1.85 million entry-level contract Friday with the New York Rangers, ending an odd five months in which the college star spurned the Nashville Predators to become a free agent.

Vesey, 23, officially became unrestricted on Tuesday, and, as expected, a slew of teams tried recruiting the high-scoring former Harvard University winger.

In addition to ... Read the full article

Jimmy Vesey’s hype the product of modern times

BUFFALO – Ten years ago, Jimmy Vesey wouldn’t have become front-page news or a household name in these parts. The Hobey Baker Award winner’s summer hockey games in Foxborough, Mass., wouldn’t have been discussed, let alone attended by fans and media members.

In an era now long gone, Vesey, whose rights the Sabres acquired June 20, would have simply been another strong prospect. Upon turning pro, the former Harvard University star would have reported ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Evander Kane arrested, charged in bar incident

Buffalo Sabres winger Evander Kane has been arrested and charged with one misdemeanor count of criminal trespass and four counts of non-criminal harassment in connection with an incident at a downtown bar last month.

Kane, 24, turned himself into Buffalo police this morning and was handcuffed before being released, according to multiple reports. He is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 1.

Kane’s attorney, Paul J. Cambria, told The Buffalo News, “Without a doubt, ... Read the full article

Pro experience helped Sabres prospect Rasmus Asplund develop

BUFFALO – Almost two years ago, in the midst of a high-scoring junior season, Rasmus Asplund’s success forced the Sabres prospect to “start from scratch,” he said.

Asplund had already scored 25 points in 19 games when Färjestad BK, a team in the Swedish Hockey League, the country’s highest pro circuit, recalled the center.

That meant Asplund, then just 16 years old, would start competing against men.

“It’s a different type of game when you ... Read the full article

Sabres sign top pick Alexander Nylander to 3-year, entry-level contract

BUFFALO – The Sabres have signed winger Alexander Nylander, the eighth overall pick last month, to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced tonight.

“We are extremely pleased to sign Alex to his entry-level deal,” Sabres general manager Tim Murray said in a statement. “When we selected Alex, we obviously knew he was a talented, skilled player. We look forward to him coming to training camp and competing for a job.”

On Tuesday, after ... Read the full article

Sabres GM Tim Murray knows Jimmy Vesey could sign elsewhere

BUFFALO – The constant talk about whether former Harvard University star Jimmy Vesey will sign with the Sabres amazes general manager Tim Murray.

No one, of course, has more invested in Vesey than Murray, who traded a third-round pick for the Hobey Baker Award winner’s rights on June 20, a deal he has called a “gamble.”

If Vesey signs, Murray might have a first- or second-line winger to skate beside Jack Eichel or Ryan O’Reilly. ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Michael Campoli released from hospital

BUFFALO – For about 20 minutes Tuesday morning, as defenseman Michael Campoli stayed motionless on the ice, the 1,000 or so fans inside HarborCenter watching a three-on-three Sabres prospects tournament barely made a sound.

Campoli, an invite to development camp, had just been hit into the boards by winger William Carrier. The defenseman managed to get up but stumbled and fell down again.

The ensuing scene, with Sabres medical staff and Buffalo Fire Department ... Read the full article

Sabres GM Tim Murray on Jimmy Vesey: ‘This is his show right now’

BUFFALO – Tim Murray sounded like he was venting a bit. For the Sabres general manager, the pursuit of Jimmy Vesey, the NCAA star whose rights he recently acquired, is just one thing on his plate.

“I’ve talked about this literally less than anyone else in Buffalo,” Murray said this afternoon after development camp ended inside HarborCenter. “I hear the guys on the radio and people are mad. This is like top-end news. I ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Michael Campoli transported to hospital

BUFFALO – Sabres prospect Michael Campoli was stretchered off the ice this morning with his neck stabilized after getting hit into boards late in a three-on-three development camp scrimmage.

Campoli, 18, was knocked by William Carrier and tried to skate off the HarborCenter ice before falling down. Campoli, a defenseman, stayed motionless on the ice for about 20 minutes surrounded by team medical personnel and the Buffalo Fire Department.

New Update: The Sabres and Campoli ... Read the full article