Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres GM Tim Murray wants to trade for young goalie

BUFFALO – If general manager Tim Murray gets his way, the Sabres will pry a young backup from another team soon to help fill their goaltending void.

“I’m confident that we can find something that can work here just by talking to other teams,” Murray said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “There are people available. That’s the avenue we’re pursuing right now.”

The Sabres only have one NHL goalie, Chad Johnson, a career ... Read the full article

Sabres, Mikhail Grigorenko can’t agree on contract

BUFFALO – General manager Tim Murray knows 21-year-old center Mikhail Grigorenko is frustrated the Sabres are offering a two-way contract. The restricted free agent dislikes the deal so much he’s reportedly fielding offers from the KHL, a league in his native Russia.

“I hear rumors,” Murray said this morning inside the First Niagara Center.

Clearly, the Sabres and Grigorenko’s camp have vastly different opinions of the youngster, the No. 12 pick in 2012.

“We feel ... Read the full article

Sabres believe NHL Scouting Combine visitors will have positive impression of Buffalo

BUFFALO – As Sabres president Ted Black chatted with the media Thursday inside HarborCenter, the buildings and streets outside the team’s new $170 million multi-rink facility bustled with activity on a sunny spring day.

Team officials and prospects in the city for the NHL Scouting Combine were all over, walking from a new hotel, restaurants and the Canalside developments to the First Niagara Center and HarborCenter.

“I’ve only been here four years,” Black said. “When ... Read the full article

Mike Babcock, Tim Murray deny coach had deal to lead Sabres

New Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock said today he never agreed to a deal to coach the Buffalo Sabres and didn’t use the team as leverage before signing an eight-year contract worth a reported $50 million with Toronto.

Multiple media outlets have reported the Sabres thought they landed Babcock earlier this week and were livid when he went to Toronto on Wednesday.

“I talked to lots of teams, and when you’re talking to teams, negotiation ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Justin Bailey ready for pro hockey after big junior season

BUFFALO – Sabres prospect Justin Bailey had known for months the rebuilding Kitchener Rangers would likely try to trade him to an Ontario Hockey League contender.

Still, when the team offered the youngster a deal to the powerhouse Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in early January, Bailey, who had a no-trade clause, wrestled with his decision.

“It was very, very difficult,” the high-scoring winger said Wednesday.

The 19-year-old Williamsville native loved playing in Kitchener, which is ... Read the full article

Sabres fire Amerks assistant coach John Wroblewski

BUFFALO – The Sabres have fired Rochester Americans assistant coach John Wroblewski, another holdover from the team’s old regime.

The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle first reported the news. Wroblewski later confirmed it in a tweet, writing, “Words won’t explain how much I enjoy the city of Rochester! However, I’m already excited for my next professional challenge, wherever it is!”

Sabres general manager Tim Murray fired Amerks head coach Chadd Cassidy on Friday. Both Cassidy and ... Read the full article

Sabres fire Amerks coach Chadd Cassidy

BUFFALO – The Sabres fired Rochester Americans coach Chadd Cassidy today, ending his four-year run with the organization, the last two of which he spent leading the AHL club.

Since Cassidy was a holdover from the Darcy Regier regime, it was expected Sabres general manager Tim Murray would let the 41-year-old go. Cassidy’s contract expires this summer. Murray has been bringing in his own men. He fired Ted Nolan as Sabres coach earlier this month.... Read the full article

High-scoring college free agent Evan Rodrigues sees fit with Sabres

BUFFALO – Yes, Evan Rodrigues said, he thought about potentially playing with Jack Eichel again before signing a two-year, entry-level contract with the Sabres. But there was more to the 21-year-old winger’s decision than being reunited with his slick Boston University linemate.

Rodrigues chose the Sabres before Saturday’s NHL Draft Lottery guaranteed them the second selection in the upcoming draft, a pick they will almost certainly use to select Eichel, whose talents could potentially change ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Sam Reinhart hopes for NHL success with new style

ROCHESTER – It wasn’t easy for Sam Reinhart to change his style. After all, the slick Buffalo Sabres prospect spent three seasons dominating junior hockey as an elite scorer.

“It’s hard in junior to force yourself to play the way you’re going to need to in the AHL and NHL,” Reinhart said Friday following his AHL debut with the Rochester Americans.

But Reinhart’s nine-game NHL trial in October taught the 19-year-old center some valuable lessons ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Mark Pysyk feels good in return following collapse

ROCHESTER – For Buffalo Sabres defense prospect Mark Pysyk, taking a couple big hits in the Americans’ 3-2 loss to the Utica Comets on Friday felt good.

“I got back up, nothing happened. That’s a good feeling,” Pysyk said following his return to game action after collapsing during a pickup basketball game Feb. 28 inside the Blue Cross War Memorial. “That’s good for the confidence.”

The Sabres told Pysyk, who suffered a seizure related ... Read the full article