WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
October Edition
Tim Murray discussed the Sabres’ future bluntly Tuesday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Tim Murray has thought about how an NHL team could tank a season. The general manager even discussed some scenarios with the media. But he has no intention of keeping the Sabres at the bottom of the league.
With a couple of franchise-altering talents available in the 2015 draft, plenty of teams could purposely field less-than-stellar lineups next year.
The Sabres, whose previous regime played for draft picks, won’t be among them.
“I ... Read the full article
The Sabres could draft Sam Reinhart this June. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Chalk up one more loss for the Sabres this season.
The rebuilding club couldn’t retain the No. 1 overall pick during Tuesday’s NHL Draft Lottery in Toronto. Instead, the Florida Panthers moved up one spot to the top selection.
The Sabres will pick second in June. Thanks to their 30th ranking this season, the Sabres had a 25 percent chance of keeping the top pick, more than any other team. The ... Read the full article
The Sabres might have an opportunity to select Sam Bennett at No. 2. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Chalk up one more loss for the Sabres this season.
The rebuilding club couldn’t retain the No. 1 overall pick during tonight’s NHL Draft Lottery in Toronto. Instead, the Florida Panthers moved up one spot to the top selection.
The Sabres will pick second in June. Thanks to their 30th ranking this season, the Sabres had a 25 percent chance of keeping the top pick, more than any other team. The Panthers ... Read the full article
Tim Murray talks to the media this afternoon. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In an end-of-season news conference that will likely become part of local lore, general manager Tim Murray bluntly discussed the Sabres’ future, tonight’s NHL Draft Lottery and took some not-so-veiled shots at the team’s old regime this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center.
He even mentioned the Sabres getting their “pee-pee slapped” by the league recently.
More on that later.
Here are some highlights from the 28-minute chat from Murray and Sabres coach ... Read the full article
Mike Weber talks to the media Monday. ©2014, Margaret Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Mike Weber spoke passionately, like a man embarrassed by what he had just experienced. The worst season in the Sabres’ 43-year history clearly jolted the defenseman.
“You don’t want that feeling walking around town that you’ve disappointed people or you’re letting people down, especially a hardworking city like Buffalo,” Weber said Monday inside the First Niagara Center. “I think to every man we’ve accepted the challenge.”
Weber talked about changing the team’s culture, ... Read the full article
Tyler Myers missed the last 10 games. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Tyler Myers’ season isn’t over yet. The Sabres defenseman said the broken ribs that sidelined him the final 10 games have mostly healed. The 24-year-old will likely accept an invitation to play for Team Canada at next month’s world championship.
Myers crashed into the net March 25 in Montreal. He didn’t reveal his injury until Monday.
“It’s coming along quite well,” Myers said as the Sabres cleaned out their lockers and held end-of-season ... Read the full article
Mike Weber talks to the media this morning. ©2014, Margaret Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Almost a year ago, well before the rebuilding Sabres started what would quickly become the most tumultuous season in franchise history, defenseman Mike Weber heard about former general manager Darcy Regier’s warning the team’s rabid fan base would endure some suffering.
“To be honest with you, you hear those things but you never think things are going to get as bad as they did,” Weber said this morning as the Sabres cleaned out ... Read the full article
Connor Knapp made 22 saves Sunday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – On March 15, more than 4,000 miles from Buffalo, Sabres goalie Connor Knapp stopped 24 shots in the Alaska Aces’ 4-2 win against the Colorado Eagles in Anchorage.
Twenty-nine days later, Knapp, the sixth goalie on the organization’s depth chart, made his first NHL start in the Sabres’ 4-3 shootout loss to the New York Islanders.
Knapp grew up in York, a small town about 30 miles from Rochester.
“It’s crazy,” the 23-year-old ... Read the full article
Tim Murray has been talking with NHL officials. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres general manager Tim Murray recently asked coach Ted Nolan to tell him everything that was happening.
Why?
“Because we’re going to complain about it,” Murray told Nolan.
The Sabres are angry the NHL only suspended Flyers agitator Zac Rinaldo four games for elbowing defenseman Chad Ruhwedel in the head late in Sunday’s 5-2 loss in Philadelphia.
Ruhwedel is home recovering from a concussion and out indefinitely. Rinaldo, meanwhile, can play again next ... Read the full article
Ted Nolan wants head hits out of the game. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – About three games ago, Sabres general manager Tim Murray told coach Ted Nolan to tell him everything that was happening.
“Because we’re going to complain about it,” Murray said.
The Sabres are clearly angry Flyers agitator Zac Rinaldo only received a four-game suspension for elbowing defenseman Chad Ruhwedel in the head late in Sunday’s 5-2 loss in Philadelphia.
Ruhwedel is home recovering from a concussion. Rinaldo, meanwhile, can play again next week.
Nolan ... Read the full article