Pegula - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres likely to renew KeyBank Center lease with Erie County; Firm examining arena for possible renovations

BUFFALO – The Sabres will likely allow their KeyBank Center lease agreement with Erie County to automatically be extended for five years on Sept. 30, Pete Guelli, the chief operating officer of the Sabres and Buffalo Bills, said Wednesday.

“We can also opt out, and then there’s another year on the lease after that, but the way conversations are trending, it’s likely just to continue the way it is,” Guelli said after the Sabres and ... Read the full article

Rochester Amerks fight to finish, fall to Laval Rocket in second-round opener

ROCHESTER – The Laval Rocket has won seven of its nine meetings with the Americans this season, including Wednesday’s opener in the AHL North Division final.

The Amerks, of course, have ranked among the AHL’s heavyweights all season, boasting a deep and skilled lineup. However, Laval, having finished first overall, is the class of the AHL, which it proved again in Game 1 of the best-of-five series in the Calder Cup Playoffs.

The Rocket erased ... Read the full article

Sabres make first move of offseason, hire Eric Staal as special assistant to GM Kevyn Adams

Hiring former NHL center Eric Staal as his special assistant marks the second time Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams has turned to his friend and former teammate.

In his first trade as GM in 2020, Adams acquired a graying Staal from the Minnesota Wild. The move, of course, did not work out, and Adams traded the respected veteran months later in the midst of an 18-game winless skid.

Still, perhaps the roughest stretch of ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Kevyn Adams can’t say if he’ll stay in GM role

BUFFALO – In the coming days, general manager Kevyn Adams will be sitting down with owner Terry Pegula to review the season and offer insight into the Sabres’ sorry seventh-place finish in the Atlantic Division.

Adams, who was hand-picked by Pegula for the job in 2020, talks to his boss every day. Their relationship is closer than perhaps any GM and owner in the NHL.

But their annual end-of-season meeting to discuss the state of ... Read the full article

Trades show Terry Pegula believes in Kevyn Adams’ vision for Sabres

BUFFALO – In the weeks ahead of the trade deadline, Sabres general manger Kevyn Adams said owner Terry Pegula gave him the same message: What do we need to do to make this team better?

“Everything we should be thinking about is we need to improve, and what are those decisions?” Adams said Pegula told him. “And, Kevyn, come up with answers.”

That last part, of course, is important. While the Sabres rank last in ... Read the full article

On Rob Ray’s special night, Sabres get two goals from Jiri Kulich, beat Preds

BUFFALO – Early in Friday’s 4-3 come-from-behind win, it appeared the Sabres might ride the emotion of Rob Ray’s induction into the team’s hall of fame to a convincing victory.

As Ray gave a heartfelt pregame speech on the KeyBank Center ice, the Sabres, all sporting blue shirts of the legendary tough, watched from the bench.

Then they pounced on the Nashville Predators, jumping out to an early 2-0 lead with owners Terry and Kim ... Read the full article

Sabres legend Rob Ray developed into much more than fighter

BUFFALO – Forget about all of those fights. In his prime, legendary Sabres tough guy Rob Ray often impacted games with more than his fists.

Ray, who was inducted into the Sabres Hall of Fame in an emotional ceremony prior to Friday’s 4-3 win over the Nashville Predators, played a fearless and heavy style as a winger. He could be relentless and wear opponents out.

“Robby was a really good skater,” said John Van Boxmeer, ... Read the full article

As Sabres struggle, Lindy Ruff turns to leaders ‘to be the difference-makers’

BUFFALO – How the Sabres lost their 11th consecutive game and the timing of it seemed like it would ignite change in what is quickly becoming another lost season.

Getting throttled 6-1 by the Canadiens on Tuesday and kicked into the Eastern Conference basement was embarrassing enough.

The Sabres fell behind 19 seconds into the game and got run out of the Bell Centre a day after Terry Pegula flew to Montreal to address the ... Read the full article

Sabres implode against Canadiens, lose 11th straight game: ‘No spark’

MONTREAL – You want to see some downright awful hockey? You want to watch a team that has completely unraveled possibly hit its nadir?

Watch the Buffalo Sabres’ utterly embarrassing performance in their 11th consecutive defeat, Tuesday’s ugly 6-1 loss to the lightweight Canadiens.

Prior to the game, the Sabres sounded like owner Terry Pegula’s visit a day earlier energized them. Perhaps his presence and words instilled some much-needed confidence and would shake them out ... Read the full article

Owner Terry Pegula’s presence, words resonate with Sabres: ‘He’s passionate’

MONTREAL – Owner Terry Pegula’s words to his reeling Buffalo Sabres, losers of 10 straight games, will stay in the room, players said.

Still, some details of Monday’s meeting have been revealed, most notably Pegula expressing his belief in his players’ ability to find a solution and confidence in general manager Kevyn Adams and coach Lindy Ruff, according to Daily Faceoff.

Ruff said Pegula’s presence during a difficult time resonated throughout the dressing room.... Read the full article