Staal - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres notes: Eric Staal takes on new role as coach; Buffalo has early injuries

BUFFALO – In addition to his role as a special assistant to general manager Jarmo Kekalainen, former Sabres center Eric Staal will now be doing on-ice work during the season, coach Lindy Ruff said Wednesday.

“He’s going to help us with centermen, and he’s going to help out on the power play,” Ruff said in LECOM Harborcenter, where the Sabres will hold their first on-ice sessions of training camp Thursday. “He’s basically an assistant coach, ... Read the full article

While changes are possible, it appears Sabres will keep assistant coaches

ORCHARD PARK – Kevyn Adams said he has given Lindy Ruff the green light to change his staff. The general manager even noted the coach has spoken to people about joining the Buffalo Sabres.

But right now, it appears Ruff, 65, will bring back the assistant coaches he worked with last season, when the Sabres mustered 79 points and finished 14th in the Eastern Conference.

Most teams, of course, likely wouldn’t run back the same ... Read the full article

Sabres add to front office by naming Jarmo Kekalainen senior advisor to GM Kevyn Adams

In hiring Jarmo Kekalainen on Friday as a senior advisor to general manager Kevyn Adams, the Buffalo Sabres added a respected hockey lifer whose decades in the game can provide critical guidance to a team trying to end an NHL-record 14-year playoff drought.

When the Sabres must make a difficult decision, you can bet Kekalainen, who spent 11 years as general manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets, will speak up and explain what he did ... 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

Erik Johnson set to join list of notable veterans traded by Sabres

TORONTO – By Friday’s trade deadline, Sabres defenseman Erik Johnson will likely earn a spot on a short list of decorated, high-profile veterans who recently spent less than one season in Buffalo.

Johnson, like winger Taylor Hall and center Eric Staal in 2020-21, will almost certainly come and go in a matter of months before being dealt to a contender.

The Sabres began scratching Johnson, 35, last week to protect their asset. He will sit ... Read the full article

Sabres veteran Erik Johnson anxious as trade deadline approaches

BUFFALO – Having never experienced this in his 17-year NHL career, Sabres defenseman Erik Johnson acknowledged that, yes, these days he feels a little anxious.

In signing Johnson, 35, to a one-year, $3.25 million contract, the Sabres added a much-needed veteran presence to a blue line filled with 20-somethings. But they’ve stumbled this season, and instead of maturing into a playoff team, they’ve fallen out of the race.

So the graying Johnson could be moved ... Read the full article

Veteran Erik Johnson believes Sabres will ‘contend for a long time’

BUFFALO – After defenseman Erik Johnson learned the Colorado Avalanche wouldn’t be re-signing him, he said five or six teams emerged as suitors in free agency.

The Sabres, a team he said reminds him of the Avalanche not long ago, quickly moved to the top of his list.

Johnson, 35, called some old teammates and bounced the interested clubs off them.

“All of them really said Buffalo’s a team on the rise,” said Johnson, who ... Read the full article

Safety concerns keep Sabres’ Ilya Lyubushkin out of Pride Night warm-up

BUFFALO – Out of concern for his safety, Russian-born defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin did not participate in the pregame warm-up Monday when the Sabres wore Pride-themed jerseys to celebrate the LGBTQ community.

Lyubushkin, 28, did play in the Sabres’4-3 shootout loss to the Montreal Canadiens. He did not speak to the media following the team’s morning skate.

In December, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law a bill that makes it illegal to spread “LGBTQ propaganda.” ... 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 prospects Owen Power, Devon Levi have special chance with Canada

In defenseman Owen Power and goalie Devon Levi, the Buffalo Sabres possess two elite college prospects who have earned spots on Team Canada’s Olympic squad for the upcoming Beijing Games.

Power, 19, has established himself as one of the NCAA’s most dynamic players, showcasing a mature game for Michigan that belies his limited experience as a sophomore. Meanwhile, Levi, 20, has quickly developed into arguably college hockey’s best goalie in his first season for ... Read the full article