Murray - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Williamsville’s Cole Schneider paid dues to reach Sabres

BUFFALO – When Williamsville native Cole Schneider walked into the First Niagara Center on Thursday morning, it marked the first time the new Sabres winger had been in the building since he competed in a showcase of local high school players in 2008.

A lot happened to Schneider, 25, in between his trips to rink.

Schneider, who grew up cheering for the Sabres, will make his NHL debut in tonight’s home finale against the Columbus ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Chad Johnson quietly enjoying strong season

BUFFALO – Having traveled around the NHL in a secondary role for years, Sabres goalie Chad Johnson usually gets pegged as a career backup.

Johnson, after all, is just months away from turning 30 years old. Goalies usually grab the No. 1 job by their mid-20s. The Calgary native has played for five teams, including four in the last three years. He had never played more than 27 games in a season before this year.... Read the full article

Sabres sign NCAA defenseman Casey Nelson to entry-level contract

BUFFALO – The Sabres have signed Minnesota State University defenseman Casey Nelson to an entry-level contract, the team announced this afternoon.

The 6-foot-2, 182-pound Nelson, 23, was considered one of the best NCAA free agent defensemen available.

Nelson just finished his junior season with the Mavericks, compiling six goals, 22 points and a plus-14 rating in 40 games. The Wisconsin native scored 14 goals and 60 points in 99 career appearances.

“We’ve been consistently impressed ... Read the full article

Sabres sign Hudson Fasching to entry-level contract

BUFFALO – The Sabres signed winger Hudson Fasching to a three-year, entry-level contract Monday, adding to their stable of talented forward prospects.

The 20-year-old will start with the Sabres immediately, according to multiple reports, meaning the first year of his deal will likely be used this season.

Fasching just finished his junior season at the University of Minnesota, scoring a team-high 20 goals, including seven game-winners, and 38 points in 37 games. The Sabres’ best ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Chad Johnson temporary starter again

BUFFALO – In the span of six months, Sabres goalie Chad Johnson has been a backup, a starter, part of a platoon with rookie Linus Ullmark and a backup again.

For this weekend at least, with Robin Lehner sidelined, Johnson is the Sabres’ top netminder again.

Johnson started Friday’s 3-1 win over the Ottawa Senators inside the First Niagara Center, his fifth straight victory, and will get another nod tonight in Toronto against the Maple ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Matt Moulson buying into new work plan

BUFFALO – At this point, five goals and 64 games into Sabres winger Matt Moulson’s miserable season, all the work he’s putting in and the revamped training regimen he has been following is about seeing results next season.

Yes, according to general manager Tim Murray, who ripped Moulson on the radio Thursday, and coach Dan Bylsma, the three-time 30-goal scorer is still in the Sabres’ plans. They talk about the veteran, 32, returning for ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Ristolainen earns World Cup spot

BUFFALO – Forget, for a moment, that Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen has a minus-6 rating in the last five contests and hasn’t scored a goal in 22 games.

Ristolainen, 21, has mostly enjoyed a stellar campaign, becoming his team’s ace defender while skating more than 25 minutes a game. Finland rewarded Ristolainen’s breakout season today, naming him to its initial roster for the 2016 World Cup.

“It’s always a pleasure,” Ristolainen said. “It’s a huge ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Chad Johnson could return as backup

BUFFALO – Just days ago, it appeared Sabres goalie Chad Johnson’s days here were numbered.

In fact, after the backup’s strong 24-save performance in Friday’s 3-1 win in San Jose, the joke became the Sabres should’ve left him there because the Sharks needed a new No. 2 goalie badly.

But the Sharks acquired James Reimer from Toronto on Saturday, the same day St. Louis received Anders Nilsson from Edmonton.

In a matter of hours, the ... Read the full article

Sabres open to bringing Jamie McGinn back in summer

BUFFALO – Come July 1, if Jamie McGinn is available in free agency, the Sabres would be interested in re-signing the winger, general manager Tim Murray said today after trading the veteran to the Anaheim Ducks for a conditional third-round pick in 2016.

Murray had talked a bit with McGinn’s camp about an extension. McGinn, his top asset on an expiring contract, meshed quickly in his first season with the Sabres, scoring 13 goals.

“It ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jamie McGinn could be coveted before trade deadline

BUFFALO – After 12 seasons as the face of the Carolina Hurricanes, Eric Staal waived his no-trade clause to join his brother, Marc, in New York for the Rangers’ Stanley Cup-or-bust run. Former Winnipeg Jets captain Andrew Ladd is back in Chicago, where he won a championship with the Blackhawks in 2010.

Thanks to a few days of heavy action, the crop of notable rental forwards available before the 3 p.m. trade deadline – the ... Read the full article