WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
October Edition
Jack Quinn skates during Sunday afternoon’s game in Toronto. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
MONTREAL – The most trying stretch of Jack Quinn’s career ended 63 seconds into Sunday afternoon’s 5-3 loss, when the Buffalo Sabres winger navigated to open space in the left circle, grabbed JJ Peterka’s pass and unleashed a wicked wrist shot.
Quinn needed 25 games, 44 shots on goal and was scratched six times before he beat a goalie for the first time this year.
“Just nice to see one go in, take some ... Read the full article
Kevyn Adams is under pressure to get Buffalo into the postseason. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams entered the KeyBank Center media room, walked to the podium and started talking before he fielded a question.
Normally, GMs don’t hold a 23-minute news conference on a Friday morning in early December. But Adams’ Sabres, having dropped five straight games (0-3-2), including an embarrassing loss Tuesday in which they blew a four-goal lead and lost for the second time in franchise history, are in rough shape.
Entering ... Read the full article
Jeff Skinner endured a down season in 2023-24. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – General manager Kevyn Adams knows there are rumors the Sabres could buy out winger Jeff Skinner, who has three seasons remaining on his eight-year, $72 million contract.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on Tuesday called a buyout “a possibility,” igniting speculation about the 14-year veteran’s future.
Skinner, 32, certainly fits the criteria of a player the Sabres, who have missed the playoffs an NHL-record 13 straight seasons, would consider cutting loose.
He struggled last season, ... Read the full article
Seth Appert coached Rochester four seasons. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
In his 27-year career, Seth Appert coached at just four places prior to his promotion to the Buffalo Sabres as an assistant. Instead of jumping at the next opportunity, he always chose to stay and build a program.
“I take a lot of pride in trying to create a culture, trying to build things the right way,” Appert, who on Monday was named to Lindy Ruff’s staff, said on a Zoom call Tuesday. “And I’m ... Read the full article
From left, general manager Kevyn Adams, coach Lindy Ruff and owner Terry Pegula stand Tuesday in the KeyBank Center pavilion. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – It’s no secret Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams leaned heavily on former coach Don Granato for roster decisions.
Adams regularly signed or traded for players Granato had connections to, often from his days coaching junior with the US National Team Development Program.
When the Sabres acquired winger Jordan Greenway prior to the trade deadline in 2023, Adams said Granato pounded the table for him. Adams made similar comments after they signed defenseman Connor ... Read the full article
Lindy Ruff talks to his players during his first stint in Buffalo. ©2024, Dan Hickling
BUFFALO – When he addressed the media after firing Don Granato, Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said he knew the exact type of head coach he wanted to hire.
Adams coveted experience. His new coach would be an NHL veteran capable of pushing the Sabres, who own an NHL-record 13-year playoff drought, to the next level.
It wasn’t hard to tell who he was talking about.
Late Monday afternoon, the Sabres made it official, naming ... Read the full article
Nathan Gerbe played a big role in helping Buffalo secure its last playoff spot in 2011. ©2024, Dan Hickling
It feels like a lifetime ago. In reality, 13 years have passed since the Buffalo Sabres clinched their last playoff berth.
On April 8, 2011, the Sabres completed a stunning turnaround by defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 in overtime and securing a spot in the postseason.
Barely five months earlier, they had ranked dead last in the NHL.
Read about the Sabres’ wild win that night – they sat on the puck at the end ... Read the full article
Terry Pegula owns the Sabres and Bills. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres and Bills are no longer united through Pegula Sports and Entertainment.
Owner Terry Pegula on Monday dissolved PSE and named himself president of the Sabres.
The Sabres and Bills had shared resources and operated under the “One Buffalo” umbrella since Pegula purchased the NFL franchise in 2014.
“We are thankful for the work and effort so many individuals have put into PSE over the years, but feel it is the right time ... Read the full article
Rebecca Way and Josh Edwards left handwritten notes at Rick Jeanneret’s memorial. ©2023
BUFFALO – No one, Rebecca Way said, believes her story of Sabres fandom.
Growing up in Pittsburgh, she rooted for the Penguins. When they lost in the playoffs in 2007, she said she “bandwagoned” for the Sabres. She quickly fell in love with them, in part, through legendary play-by-play man’s Rick Jeanneret’s colorful broadcasting.
Way said Jeanneret, who died August 17 of multi-organ failure at 81, “made me feel like I was a part ... Read the full article
Rick Jeanneret called Sabres games for 51 seasons. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
Legendary play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret, one of the most iconic figures in Buffalo Sabres history, died Thursday evening, the team announced. He was 81.
Jeanneret died following a two-year battle with multi-organ failures, according to his family.
He retired following the 2021-22 season, his record 51st year on the job. He spent last season as a broadcaster emeritus making appearances on behalf of the team and was often seen around KeyBank Center.
The Sabres gave ... Read the full article