WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition
Jack Eichel wants to be traded. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – General manager Kevyn Adams’ strong words sounded like a not-so-subtle message to Jack Eichel’s agents, who recently said they expect the Sabres to trade their captain soon.
Adams won’t give in to Eichel’s demands and simply deal his best player because he wants out. The Sabres have an asset under contract.
“What’s critically important to make sure is clear that we’re in control of this process,” Adams said Thursday inside KeyBank Center. “We ... Read the full article
Matt Ellis will move behind the bench permanently. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
Don Granato has overhauled the Buffalo Sabres’ coaching staff, retaining Matt Ellis and hiring Jason Christie and Marty Wilford as assistants, the team announced Thursday.
In addition, Justin White has been named video coordinator. Assistant coach Mike Bales, who’s charge of the goalies, and video coach Myles Fee will remain with the Sabres this season, according to the team. Both were hired by ex-coach Ralph Krueger.
Dan Girardi, an interim assistant coach last season, ... Read the full article
John Hayden began his career in Chicago. ©2021, TNS
The Sabres added more depth to their bottom-six forward group today, signing John Hayden to a one-year, $750,000 contract.
Hayden, 26, is the ninth player the Sabres have inked since free agency opened Wednesday.
The 6-foot-3, 223-pound Hayden spent last season with the Arizona Coyotes, recording two goals and five points in 29 games.... Read the full article
Linus Ullmark first joined Buffalo in 2015. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
In the barely a week, the Buffalo Sabres have said goodbye to four of their most talented players: goalie Linus Ullmark, center Sam Reinhart and defensemen Jake McCabe and Rasmus Ristolainen.
And in the coming days or weeks, they will likely trade captain Jack Eichel, their most dynamic player and the face of the franchise.
Remember, the Sabres finished dead last in the 2020-21 season, winning only 15 of their 56 games, with those players... Read the full article
Mark Pysyk battles Ryan O’Reilly during his days with Florida. ©2021, Dan Hickling
The Buffalo Sabres late this afternoon brought back old friend Mark Pysyk, signing the defenseman to a one-year, $900,000 contract.
Pysyk, 29, played his first 125 NHL games with the Sabres, who drafted him in 23rd overall in 2010.
The Sabres traded Pysyk to the Florida Panthers in 2016 in the deal that netted them defenseman Dmitry Kulikov.
The 6-foot-1, 196-pound Pysyk spent four years in Florida before playing last season with the Dallas ... Read the full article
Will Butcher was interested in joining Buffalo in 2017. ©2021, Dan Hickling
After losing goalie Linus Ullmark to the Boston Bruins in free agency this afternoon, the Buffalo Sabres made their second addition of the day, acquiring defenseman Will Butcher and a fifth-round pick in 2022 from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for, well, nothing.
The Devils gave Butcher, 26, to the Sabres because they just signed defenseman Dougie Hamilton to an seven-year, $63 million contract, according to reports, and needed to clear salary cap space.... Read the full article
Linus Ullmark was Buffalo’s MVP last season. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
Linus Ullmark has chosen to leave his gig as the Buffalo Sabres’ starting goalie to join the Boston Bruins as a free agent, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger.
The Swede’s departure is a huge loss for the Sabres, who don’t have a replacement in the organization.
Last season, Ullmark was the Sabres’ backbone and MVP, compiling a 9-6-3 record with a 2.63 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage in 20 games for a last-place ... Read the full article
Vinnie Hinostroza scored a career-high 16 goals with Arizona in 2018-19. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
Three and a half hours after free agency opened today, the Buffalo Sabres made their first move, signing forward Vinnie Hinostroza to a one-year, $1.05 million contract.
Hinostroza, 27, knows Sabres coach Don Granato from their days together with the Chicago Blackhawks. The American offers the Sabres depth and versatility to play up and down the lineup.
The 5-foot-10, 177-pound Hinostroza has compiled 38 goals and 112 points in 272 career NHL games.... Read the full article
Buffalo drafted Jake McCabe in 2012. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
Jake McCabe’s seven-year career with the Buffalo Sabres is over.
The defenseman this afternoon agreed to terms with the Chicago Blackhawks on a four-year, $16 million contract in free agency.
McCabe makes his offseason home in suburban Chicago.
General manager Kevyn Adams said on Saturday the Sabres were still interested in re-signing McCabe, 27, but he expected him to hit the open market.
Update: On a virtual news conference, McCabe said joining Chicago is ... Read the full article
Linus Ullmark enjoyed a stellar season on a bad team in 2020-21. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
The days of the Sabres trying to lure big-name free agents to Buffalo are over. When the market opens today, they’ll likely be bit players, focusing on filling some of their many holes and adding depth while attempting to re-sign goalie Linus Ullmark.
Ullmark’s departure would be a massive blow to the Sabres. The Swede, their backbone and MVP, earned nine of the team’s 15 wins last season in only 20 outings.
They don’t ... Read the full article