Ruff - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Connor Clifton knows why hit earned him two-game suspension

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Connor Clifton said he has watched the replay of the hit he laid on New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier over and over.

Clifton, who on Saturday was suspended two games by the NHL for an illegal check to the head, wishes he had approached the hit differently.

As the puck moved toward Hischier, Clifton figured the center would grab it and carry it into the Buffalo zone. When he let ... Read the full article

Sabres celebrate life of Rick Jeanneret: ‘Greatest artist I have ever known’

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

Amerks Hall of Fame: Before starring role in Buffalo, Sabres could’ve lost Jason Pominville on waivers

ROCHESTER – No one, it seems, except for perhaps Jason Pominville himself, could believe the Buffalo Sabres did it.

Sure, the team was stacked up front in 2005 as the NHL emerged from the lockout. But why would they waive Pominville, one of their top prospects? He was out of options, and if they wanted to assign him to the Americans again, he would have to clear.

Every other team would have a chance to ... Read the full article

Sabres learn firsthand how good Devils have become: ‘A lot of swagger’

BUFFALO – For years, the Sabres had company at the bottom of the Eastern Conference in the New Jersey Devils.

A season ago, when the Sabres missed the playoffs for an NHL-record setting 11th consecutive season, they earned 12 more points than the Devils.

But the Devils, who are coached by old friend Lindy Ruff, have roared past the Sabres this season, establishing themselves as one of the league’s heavyweights.... Read the full article

Don Granato, Kevyn Adams give Sabres stability: ‘We are going to win’

BUFFALO – The new contract the Sabres awarded coach Don Granato illustrates the much-needed stability they’ve developed under general manager Kevyn Adams.

Over the past six weeks, Adams, Granato, leading scorer Tage Thompson and top-pair defenseman Mattias Samuelsson have all signed extensions.

On Wednesday, the eve of the season opener, the Sabres announced Granato’s “multi-year” contract and Samuelsson’s seven-year, $30 million deal within an hour.... Read the full article

Sabres sign coach Don Granato, Mattias Samuelsson to contract extensions

BUFFALO – In signing coach Don Granato to a multi-year contract extension, the Sabres have stability behind the bench they haven’t enjoyed since Lindy Ruff’s tenure in the early 2000s.

In inking Mattias Samuelsson to a seven-year, $30 million deal, they locked up a 22-year-old first-pair defenseman.

This morning was very significant for the Sabres, who open the season Thursday against the Ottawa Senators at KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

Sabres reward Kevyn Adams, sign GM to multi-year contract extension

Barely two years ago, Buffalo Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula took a huge risk by naming Kevyn Adams general manager.

Adams, who won the Stanley Cup as a player in 2006, had never worked in a hockey department when they hired the Clarence native on June 16, 2020.

But the Pegulas, having worked closely with Adams in other areas of their organization, felt strongly about his talents and leadership qualities. They wanted to utilize ... Read the full article

Flashback: Sharks GM Mike Grier played 1,000th NHL game with Sabres

Popular former Sabres winger Mike Grier made history today, becoming the first Black general manager in NHL history when the San Jose Sharks hired him to replace Doug Wilson, who resigned in April.

Grier, 47, spent three full seasons and the end of another with the Sabres, becoming one of their most respected veterans. The Sabres haven’t made the playoffs 2010-11, his last season.

The American played three seasons with the Sharks in between his ... Read the full article

One year after hiring, Don Granato has dramatically changed the Sabres

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Don Granato kept rattling off names. There was Taylor Hall, Brandon Montour, Sam Reinhart, Rasmus Ristolainen and Eric Staal.

“I’m probably missing a couple more,” Granato said following Wednesday’s practice at LECOM Harborcenter.

Then two more names, Jack Eichel and Jake McCabe, popped into his head.

One year ago today, Granato inherited a veteran-laden team at its nadir. The Sabres were 12 losses into what would become a stunning 18-game winless ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Matt Ellis debuts against Lindy Ruff, coach he knows best

BUFFALO – Of all the coaches the Sabres’ Matt Ellis could’ve faced in his first game filling in for Don Granato, it turned out to be the one he knows best, Lindy Ruff.

These days, Ruff, 61, coaches the New Jersey Devils, the Sabres’ opponent Wednesday at KeyBank Center.

Ellis, 40, played under Ruff for parts of five seasons, growing from a forward the Sabres plucked off waivers into an NHL regular. ... Read the full article