The Sabres drafted Brycen Martin 74th overall. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres GM Tim Murray leaves draft happy: ‘I think we went after potential’

PHILADELPHIA – The rebuilding Buffalo Sabres added nine new prospects, seven of them forwards, including No. 2 pick Sam Reinhart, at the NHL Entry Draft this weekend. Of course, hold any judgments on their performance for three or four years.

On Saturday afternoon, however, in the afterglow of his first draft, general manager Tim Murray called it “outstanding,” saying, “Our guys are happy.”

“We have a potential top-two center that can play for us ... Read the full article

Brendan Lemieux thought he would be a first-round pick. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

‘Crushed’ Brendan Lemieux figured Sabres had no interest

PHILADELPHIA – Brendan Lemieux left the NHL Entry Draft on Friday night “crushed,” the agitating winger said. The 18-year-old figured he was a surefire first-round selection.

Then everyone passed on Lemieux, the son Claude Lemieux, one of the most notorious pests and clutch players in NHL history.

“They gave one of the more fiery guys in the draft, I’d say, a lot more fire,” Lemieux said this morning after the Buffalo Sabres started the second ... Read the full article

The Sabres put Sam Reinhart at the top of their list in May. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres don’t hesitate: Sam Reinhart’s their man

PHILADELPHIA – Sam Reinhart said he had been “prepared for it for a long time.” The slick 18-year-old center knew the Buffalo Sabres, a team desperate for elite forward talent, wanted to draft him with the No. 2 pick.

“I’ve certainly visualized myself in this uniform,” Reinhart said Friday inside the Wells Fargo Center after the Sabres selected him at the NHL Entry Draft. “I’m just thrilled and ecstatic to really make an impact there ... Read the full article

Florida selected Aaron Ekblad No. 1. ©2014, Margaret Hickling, Olean Times Herald

GM Tim Murray believes draft lottery changes aren’t targeting Sabres

PHILADELPHIA – The Buffalo Sabres’ chances of winning the Connor McDavid sweepstakes could be taking a small hit.

General manager Tim Murray said Friday the NHL will likely alter its draft lottery next year.

What’s going to happen?

Murray said the odds of the league’s worst team getting the No. 1 pick will drop from 25 percent to about 19 or 20 percent. The tradeoff? The 30th team can’t fall past the No. 2 ... Read the full article

Tim Murray knows the Sabres will be in contention for a lottery pick again. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres GM Tim Murray doesn’t like possible NHL Draft Lottery changes

PHILADELPHIA – Some notes from Buffalo Sabres general manager Tim Murray’s chat with the media today prior tonight’s NHL Entry Draft:

– Murray said changes are probably coming to the NHL Draft Lottery next year, which could hurt the Sabres greatly. The NHL Board of Governors discussed the alterations Thursday.

The odds of the league’s worst team getting the No. 1 pick will drop from 25 percent to about 19 or 20 percent, Murray ... Read the full article

Sam Reinhart could be a franchise-level talent someday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Slick draft prospect Sam Reinhart could be sure thing for Sabres with top pick

PHILADELPHIA – If the past tells us anything, some of these shiny NHL Entry Draft prospects, the ones expected to save their team’s sagging fortunes after getting picked early tonight, will be busts at the next level.

“We know that one or two of them aren’t going to have an impact in the National Hockey League,” Buffalo Sabres general manager Tim Murray said last week. “It’s which one or two. We hope we know which ... Read the full article

Tim Murray discussed the Sabres at length Thursday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres GM Tim Murray focusing on center for top pick, ready to add free agents

BUFFALO – In one week, general manager Tim Murray, like just about everyone else associated with hockey, expects stud defenseman Aaron Ekblad will be drafted No. 1 overall. Then the rebuilding Sabres have a franchise-altering decision.

Which slick prospect will they grab at No. 2?

“We’re taking the best player available,” Murray said Thursday inside the First Niagara Center.

Murray acknowledged the obvious, saying there’s a “very good chance” the Sabres will pick one of ... Read the full article

Tyler Ennis (63) is a restricted free agent. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres GM Tim Murray tired of talking about salary floor

BUFFALO – Tim Murray calls all the NHL salary floor speculation “very annoying.” The general manager is sick of discussing how the Sabres will reach the mark.

“I hear about it all the time,” Murray said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “It’s a distraction.”

Right now, the Sabres have just $35,930,555 committed to 15 players for next season, according to capgeek.com, $18,080,834 under the floor.

Sometimes, Murray said, he’ll be interrupted during a ... Read the full article

Tim Murray talks to the media this morning. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres will likely draft center at No. 2, still want to add another high pick

BUFFALO – In eight days, Sabres general manager Tim Murray fully expects Florida – or whoever the Panthers trade the No. 1 overall pick to – will grab defenseman Aaron Ekblad.

So what will the rebuilding Sabres do with the next selection at the NHL Entry Draft?

“We’re taking the best player available,” Murray said this morning inside the First Niagara Center.

Murray acknowledged the obvious, that, yes, the Sabres will likely select one of ... Read the full article

The Sabres waived Ville Leino on Tuesday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Ville Leino’s NHL career in jeopardy with Sabres planning buyout

BUFFALO – As expected, the Sabres placed Ville Leino on unconditional waivers Tuesday and will be using a compliance buyout on the final three seasons of the Finn’s six-year, $27 million deal, ridding themselves of perhaps the worst contract in NHL history.

Yes, the worst ever.

When he wasn’t battling a series of injuries, the 30-year-old forward produced only 10 goals and 46 points in 137 games with the Sabres, including zero goals in ... Read the full article