Regier - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Regier says securing early pick ‘extremely impossible,’ open to Miller and Vanek returning to Sabres

BUFFALO – The Sabres hold four of the first 52 picks in this month’s deep NHL Entry Draft, including the eighth and 16^th selections. They also have starting goalie Ryan Miller and ace scorer Thomas Vanek, two stars with a year left on their contracts, dangling.

Still, despite a slew of assets, Sabres general manager Darcy Regier said today securing one of the top three selections – future stars Jonathan Drouin, Seth Jones and ... Read the full article

Report: Stars set to hire Ruff as coach

BUFFALO – Get ready to cringe, Sabres fans.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram is reporting the Dallas Stars are going to hire former Sabres coach Lindy Ruff as their new coach.

The Stars, of course, beat Ruff’s Sabres for the 1999 Stanley Cup with Brett Hull’s infamous “No Goal” in Game 6 at what was then called Marine Midland Arena.

For more details on the possible hiring, click here.

The Sabres fired Ruff on Feb. ... Read the full article

Sabres owner Pegula defends Regier, wants Miller and Vanek back

BUFFALO – Terry Pegula has finally spoken again.

In a rare “interview,” the Sabres owner fielded questions on his team’s radio program, “Sabres Hockey Hotline,” this morning, chatting 25 minutes by phone with hosts and team employees Kevin Sylvester and Andrew Peters.

Most notably, Pegula defended general manager Darcy Regier, whose teams have missed the playoffs the last two seasons, asking, “What’s he done wrong?” Pegula said he wants Ryan Miller and Thomas Vanek, ... Read the full article

Sabres could target defenseman early in draft

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – If you’re expecting the Buffalo Sabres, a team with a dearth of proven scorers up front, to focus solely on a forward early during the upcoming NHL Entry Draft, think again.

“I think some things have changed,” amateur scouting director Kevin Devine said this afternoon during a break at the NHL Scouting Combine inside the International Centre. “The fact we moved some defenseman (at) the trade deadline, around there, two or three ... Read the full article

Not long ago, Sabres wanted to sign Richards

BUFFALO – Incredibly, tonight in the New York, with the Rangers down 3-0 to Boston, coach John Tortorella will make alleged star Brad Richards and his $60 million contract a healthy scratch.

Richards, a former Conn Smythe winner with Tampa Bay in 2004, had already been relegated to the fourth line in the Eastern Conference semifinal, a series he has scored zero points.

Believe it or not, less than two years ago, the center was ... Read the full article

Rolston confident Myers will regain old form for Sabres

BUFFALO – In nearly three months as Sabres coach, Ron Rolston has dealt with Tyler Myers delicately, always offering encouraging words for the struggling franchise defenseman.

“He’s on a really good path right now,” Rolston said last week inside the First Niagara Center, reiterating comments he made throughout the season.

Of course, if Rolston, who shed his interim tag last week, wants to succeed as the franchise’s 16^th coach, he needs Myers performing ... Read the full article

New coach Rolston quickly convinced Sabres he was their man

BUFFALO – Hours after Ron Rolston replaced Lindy Ruff on an interim basis Feb. 20, the new Sabres coach walked into a Toronto hotel and addressed a room full of shocked players.

Most veterans knew nothing about Rolston, a college, junior-age and AHL coach for 23 years. The 46-year-old had never spent one day in the NHL.

“You’re always wondering what’s going to happen when he first comes in,” Sabres winger Steve Ott said ... Read the full article

Sabres keep Rolston to coach rebuilding club

BUFFALO – When Darcy Regier promoted Ron Rolston to interim coach Feb. 20, the Sabres general manager originally planned to interview other candidates following the season.

But as the campaign progressed, Regier noticed Rolston’s motivating and teaching talents. That the Sabres finished 12^th in the Eastern Conference and missed the playoffs didn’t matter.

Regier wanted Rolston, a noted talent developer, to take over the young, rebuilding club.

He never spoke to anyone else.... Read the full article

Sabres name Rolston 16th coach in franchise history

BUFFALO – The Sabres today named Ron Rolston, the team’s interim coach since Feb. 20, the 16^th coach in franchise history.

The 46-year-old went 15-11-5 after taking over for Lindy Ruff. The Sabres summoned him from Rochester, where he had led the AHL Americans since 2011-12.

Rolston and Sabres general manager Darcy Regier, who said last week he would decide Rolston’s future quickly, plan to address the media at 11 a.m. inside the ... Read the full article

Upstart Leafs used Sabres’ abandoned philosophies as blueprint to success

TORONTO – Think about it, Buffalo Sabres fans, a couple of years ago, your team switched identities with the hated, mega-market Maple Leafs.

As the small-market Sabres morphed into a free-spending, win-at-all-costs club under new owner Terry Pegula, the Leafs began embracing development and patience, the Sabres’ old and successful philosophies.

The Leafs’ major volte-face has quickly paid off. They finished fifth this season, their highest spot since 2003-04.

Inside a noisy Air Canada Centre ... Read the full article