Murray - Buffalo Hockey Beat

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

Sabres make 7-player AHL trade with Senators

BUFFALO – The Sabres sent three AHL players to the Ottawa Senators late Saturday night in exchange for four other minor leaguers, including Williamsville native Cole Schneider, the Binghamton Senators’ leading scorer.

Gone from the Rochester Americans are forwards Phil Varone and Jason Akeson and defenseman Jerome Leduc.

In addition to Schneider, who has 17 goals and 42 points in 54 AHL games this season, the Sabres also acquired forwards Eric O’Dell and Alex ... Read the full article

Trade from Sabres gives Mike Weber special opportunity with Capitals

BUFFALO – At times over a rough two-year stretch, as Mike Weber accumulated the NHL’s worst plus-minus rating, it appeared the ex-Sabres defenseman might never recapture his old form.

The passionate Weber, 28, often became the poster boy for the Sabres’ struggles during their run as the NHL’s laughingstock.

But Weber, not coincidentally, morphed back into his old self on the revamped Sabres this season.

Defensemen, especially reliable depth ones with Weber’s grit and ... Read the full article

Sabres trade Mike Weber to Capitals

BUFFALO – The Sabres traded gritty defenseman Mike Weber, the club’s longest-tenured player and a heart-and-soul-presence, to the Washington Capitals tonight for a third-round draft pick in 2017.

“It’s difficult to trade someone that has been a part of the organization for 10 years, but I think this is a good opportunity for the player and for our organization,” Sabres general manager Tim Murray said in a statement. “I would like to thank Mike ... Read the full article

Jamie McGinn on staying with Sabres: ‘It has to work for both sides’

BUFFALO – Sabres center Jack Eichel kept smiling and glancing over trying to get Jamie McGinn’s attention inside the dressing room as he praised his buddy earlier this week.

Eventually, the veteran winger caught on, walked over to the rookie’s media scrum and joined the interview by sticking his water bottle into the mix of microphones and recorders.

In just six months as teammates, Eichel, 19, and McGinn, 27, have grown close.

“He’s full ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Evander Kane apologizes for missing practice

Calling his actions “irresponsible,” Buffalo Sabres winger Evander Kane said Tuesday he had apologized to his teammates for oversleeping and missing practice a day earlier after partying at the NBA All-Star Game in Toronto.

The Sabres benched Kane for Tuesday’s road contest against the Ottawa Senators, the only game the 24-year-old will sit out, coach Dan Bylsma said Monday.

“First and foremost, I want to apologize, obviously, to my teammates for letting them down,” Kane ... Read the full article

Sabres suspend Evander Kane for missing practice

BUFFALO – The Sabres suspended Evander Kane for tonight’s road game against the Ottawa Senators after the winger “slept in” and missed practice Monday, coach Dan Bylsma said.

A “disappointed” Bylsma said Kane called him and general manager Tim Murray in the morning and told them he wouldn’t be coming to practice.

“Broke a team rule,” Bylsma said inside the First Niagara Center. “We’ll be dealing with it internally.”

Following the Sabres’ 4-1 home win ... Read the full article

Sabres suspend Evander Kane for sleeping in, missing practice

BUFFALO – The Sabres have suspended Evander Kane for Tuesday’s game in Ottawa after the winger “slept in” and missed practiced today, coach Dan Bylsma said.

Bylsma said Kane called his coach and general manager Tim Murray today and told them he wouldn’t be coming to practice.

“Broke a team rule,” Bylsma said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. “We’ll be dealing with it internally.”

Bylsma also said: “I’m disappointed.”

Following the Sabres’ 4-1 ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Johan Larsson playing best hockey of season

BUFFALO – Early in the Sabres’ 4-2 comeback win Wednesday in Montreal, for one of the few times this season, center Johan Larsson drove to the net with authority and narrowly missed scoring just his second goal.

With 8:14 left in the contest, the Swede skated to the crease again and was rewarded with his first score in 20 games, the winner against the Canadiens.

For Larsson, 23, it was his best performance in what ... Read the full article