Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Johan Larsson had little dialogue with Sabres before leaving for Coyotes

If Jason Botterill hadn’t been fired as general manager, then perhaps center Johan Larsson would’ve returned to the Buffalo Sabres.

Larsson, 28, just enjoyed arguably his best NHL season, becoming one of coach Ralph Krueger’s trusted forwards. The checking line the Swede pivoted between Zemgus Girgensons and Kyle Okposo quickly solidified itself as the Sabres’ steadiest combination. Krueger kept the trio intact nearly all season.

It appeared Larsson, who signed a two-year contract with ... Read the full article

Ralph Krueger has history of getting most out of Sabres’ Taylor Hall

Taylor Hall wanted to connect with Ralph Krueger again, so on Sunday morning, hours before he would stun the hockey world by choosing the Buffalo Sabres, he and his old friend chatted on FaceTime.

After free agency opened Friday, Hall spoke to general manager Kevyn Adams, owners Terry and Kim Pegula and, of course, Krueger to learn more about the Sabres.

Hall, 28, liked what he heard. He needed to make a decision. But ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Taylor Hall ‘very interested’ in making Buffalo long-term home

Before free agency started, Taylor Hall knew in the back of his head joining the Buffalo Sabres could be a terrific opportunity.

“If it came down to it,” an excited Hall said on a Zoom call Monday, a day after stunning the hockey world by signing a one-year, $8 million contract with the Sabres.

Hall, 28, had plenty of options to explore. After the market opened Friday, Sabres coach Ralph Krueger, who knows Hall from ... Read the full article

Finding his fit: Why Taylor Hall picked Sabres over other suitors

When free agency opened Friday, rookie general manager Kevyn Adams called Darren Ferris, Taylor Hall’s agent, and told him the Buffalo Sabres would be interested in talking to his client.

Few expected Hall, the most coveted winger available, would chose a team mired in a nine-year playoff drought. The 2017-18 Hart Trophy winner recently expressed how winning had become his top priority.

Still, Hall wanted to talk to the Sabres. Their coach, Ralph Krueger, knows ... Read the full article

Taylor Hall signs one-year, $8 million contract with Sabres

For nearly three days, the Buffalo Sabres remained quiet in free agency, adding only depth players.

Reports materialized last week the Sabres would pursue slick winger Taylor Hall, one of the most coveted players on the market. Still, few expected a team mired in an embarrassing nine-year playoff drought could lure the former Hart Trophy winner.

It appeared if general manager Kevyn Adams wanted to dramatically improve the Sabres, he would have to do so ... Read the full article

Sabres re-sign Brandon Montour to one-year contract

The Buffalo Sabres have re-signed defenseman Brandon Montour to a one-year, $3.85 million contract, the team announced tonight.

Montour was the Sabres’ only restricted free agent to pass on filing for salary arbitration earlier today.

The right-handed Montour struggled early last season playing on the left side for new coach Ralph Krueger. A hand injury Montour suffered in the preseason also sidelined him 14 games.... Read the full article

Reports: Sabres sign Cody Eakin to two-year contract

The Sabres made their first notable move of free agency today, signing center Cody Eakin to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $2.25 million, according to Sportsnet and TSN.

Eakin, 29, scored five goals and 10 points in 49 total games last season with the Vegas Golden Knights and Winnipeg Jets. He played eight games with the Jets after joining them in a trade Feb. 21.

Update: The Sabres officially announced the ... Read the full article

Three Sabres file for salary arbitration

Three of the Buffalo Sabres’ four remaining restricted free agents – goalie Linus Ullmark and wingers Victor Olofsson and Sam Reinhart – filed for salary arbitration before today’s deadline.

Only defenseman Brandon Montour passed on it.

Update: Montour has signed a one-year, $3.85 million contract.

Filing, of course, doesn’t mean a player will go to arbitration. Negotiations can continue. The sides usually reach a deal before the arbitration hearing.

Last year, four Sabres filed ... Read the full article

Reports: Former Sabre Johan Larsson signs two-year contract with Coyotes

Former Buffalo Sabres center Johan Larsson is going to take a paycut to join the Arizona Coyotes.

Larsson’s new two-year contract carries an average annual value of $1.4 million, according to Sportsnet. He had a one-year deal worth $1.55 million last season.

ArizonaCoyotesInsider.com first reported Larsson was close to joining the Coyotes as a free agent.

Larsson, 28, spent seven years in Buffalo, compiling 38 goals and 97 points in 392 games. The Swede was ... Read the full article

Joe Daley played one maskless season with Buffalo before putting on protection later in his career. Photo courtesy of Joe Daley

Flashback: Meet Joe Daley, the maskless Sabres goalie

Fifty years ago today, the Buffalo Sabres played their first game, beating the Penguins 2-1 on Oct. 10, 1970 at Pittsburgh Civic Arena.

Jim Watson and Gilbert Perreault scored for the Sabres that night. Roger Crozier, whose presence offered the expansion team instant credibility, made 35 saves.

Crozier’s goalie partner that inaugural season was a journeyman named Joe Daley, a 27-year-old who had spent most of his career in the minors.

Daley played just one ... Read the full article