WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition
Dan Bylsma spent two seasons coaching Buffalo. ©2021, Dan Hickling
Ex-Buffalo Sabres head coach Dan Bylsma on Tuesday landed a new job as an assistant coach with the Charlotte Checkers, the AHL affiliate the expansion Seattle Kraken will temporarily share with the Florida Panthers.
Bylsma, 50, left the Detroit Red Wings in May to pursue other opportunities after spending three years as an assistant on head coach Jeff Blashill’s staff.
As part of the agreement between Seattle and Florida, the Kraken provided an assistant coach ... Read the full article
Mark Pysyk, shown here with Rochester, began his NHL career in Buffalo. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
Mark Pysyk said the move shocked him. He had played defense his entire career, and the Florida Panthers suddenly wanted to utilize him as a forward.
But Pysyk had become a spare part in the 2019-20 season under new coach Joel Quenneville. Shifting to wing beat the alternative of remaining a healthy scratch.
So Pysyk embraced the change, often skating on the fourth line while moving back to defense as a penalty killer.
“It was ... Read the full article
New Buffalo goalie Craig Anderson spent 10 seasons in Ottawa. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
Fifteen days during the 2005-06 season altered the path of Craig Anderson’s career.
During that uncertain stretch, Anderson pinballed around the NHL, getting plucked off waivers three times. He bounced from the Chicago Blackhawks to the Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues before returning to Chicago.
The experience taught Anderson, who signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres on July 28, the fleeting nature of an NHL goalie’s career. He learned he was too ... Read the full article
Michael Houser played his first four NHL games last season. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
Goalie Michael Houser, who made his NHL debut late last season and started the Buffalo Sabres’ final four games, will be back in the organization next year.
The Rochester Americans on Thursday announced they’ve agreed to terms with Houser, 28, on a one-year AHL contract.
Houser, who has spent most of his career in the ECHL, became one of the hockey’s feel-good stories last spring, cracking the NHL for the first time in his ... Read the full article
Michael Peca is one of Buffalo’s all-time fan favorites. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
When former Buffalo Sabres captain Michael Peca retired following the 2008-09 season, he said an offer to become an assistant coach quickly materialized.
But having bounced around and played for four teams in five years, Peca knew it was time to step away after 14 seasons and dedicate more time to his family. He couldn’t accept the coaching job.
“The family makes sacrifices and has to do a lot for your career to succeed,” said ... Read the full article
Michael Peca spent five seasons playing in Buffalo ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
The Rochester Americans have named popular ex-Buffalo Sabres captain Michael Peca, a centerpiece during the team’s 1999 run to the Stanley Cup final, an assistant coach, the AHL affiliate announced today.
Peca, 47, joins ex-Sabres defenseman Mike Weber on Amerks coach Seth Appert’s staff. The 14-year NHL veteran replaces Adam Mair, who was named the Sabres’ director of player development last week.
“I couldn’t be more excited about this opportunity in Rochester, being a part ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel is frustrated with the Sabres. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
Undergoing artificial disc replacement surgery is the best short- and long-term option to repair the herniated disc in Jack Eichel’s neck, according to a Colorado-based neurosurgeon who has examined the Buffalo Sabres captain.
Dr. Chad Prusmack told the “31 Thoughts” podcast that Eichel, who wants to undergo disc replacement surgery, could play six to 12 weeks after having the procedure.
The Sabres don’t want Eichel to undergo disc replacement surgery, which Prusmack would perform. ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel wants to undergo surgery. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
Jack Eichel’s agents issued a statement Friday night in which they say the Buffalo Sabres are preventing the 24-year-old from playing by refusing to let him undergo artificial disc replacement surgery in his neck.
Eichel’s camp initially believe the Sabres had approved surgery, the agents wrote.
“Repeated requests (for surgery) have been made to the Sabres since early June to no avail,” wrote the agents, Peter Fish and Peter Donatelli.
Fish and Donatelli gave the ... Read the full article
Will Butcher has represented Team USA. ©2021, Dan Hickling
BUFFALO – As NHL general managers scramble to make offseason moves and fit fat contracts under the $81.5 million flat salary cap, they’ve been gifting talented, high-priced players and draft picks to teams willing to accept big money.
Prior to free agency, the Chicago Blackhawks acquired a combined $12 million cap hit in goalie Marc-Andre Fleury and forward Tyler Johnson.
For the 2020-21 Vezina Trophy winner and a regular on the past two Stanley Cup ... Read the full article
Rasmus Asplund enjoyed regular duty late last season. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres have rewarded Rasmus Asplund’s breakout stretch late last season, re-signing the restricted free agent to a two-year, $1.65 million contract, the team announced Friday.
Asplund, 23, had a career-best run after coach Don Granato took over as coach, scoring six of his seven goals and 10 of his 11 points in 23 games. He tied for fifth in goal scoring on the Sabres with winger Jeff Skinner, who played 25 more contests.... Read the full article