WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Calder Cup Playoffs Edition
Mike Babcock visited the Sabres last week. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
Finally, the Mike Babcock watch is almost over, with a decision on his future expected Wednesday.
The Detroit Red Wings coach plans to meet with general manager Ken Holland today before talking with his family tonight, according to MLive.com.
At this point, it appears two teams – the Red Wings and Buffalo Sabres – are vying for Babcock’s services. The 52-year-old, who was given permission to shop his services before his contract expires June ... Read the full article
Mike Babcock visited the Sabres on Sunday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
Mike Babcock will decide his future by Wednesday, the Detroit Red Wings coach told TSN’s Darren Dreger.
In an interview broadcast late this afternoon, Babcock, who has been granted permission by the Red Wings to shop his services before his contract expires June 30, said, “I bet you by (May) 20th I know what I’m doing.”
Babcock, who has coached Detroit since 2005, spent Sunday meeting with Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula and general ... Read the full article
Connor McDavid has 45 points in 18 playoff games. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
For 22 years, former Buffalo Sabres winger Jason Dawe had no idea he owned one of junior hockey’s most prestigious records. Then his phone rang last week. A Canadian reporter left a message informing Dawe that mega-prospect Connor McDavid was approaching his Ontario Hockey League playoff mark of 51 points.
Dawe, now a hockey instructor in Charlotte, looked at his phone and thought, “What?”
“You think over the course of 22 years somebody would’ve ... Read the full article
Mike Babcock hasn’t missed the playoffs since 2004. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
So Mike Babcock, hockey’s most coveted “free agent,” visited Buffalo on Sunday. The Detroit Red Wings coach toured HarborCenter with Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula and general manager Tim Murray, according to an employee’s tweet. Channel 7 later had footage of Babcock leaving the First Niagara Center.
Of course, it’s hardly surprising the Sabres are interested in Babcock, who was given permission by Detroit on Friday to shop his services before his contract expires June ... Read the full article
Justin Bailey scored 34 goals in 57 games in 2014-15. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres prospect Justin Bailey had known for months the rebuilding Kitchener Rangers would likely try to trade him to an Ontario Hockey League contender.
Still, when the team offered the youngster a deal to the powerhouse Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in early January, Bailey, who had a no-trade clause, wrestled with his decision.
“It was very, very difficult,” the high-scoring winger said Wednesday.
The 19-year-old Williamsville native loved playing in Kitchener, which is ... Read the full article
John Wroblewski spent two seasons in Rochester. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres have fired Rochester Americans assistant coach John Wroblewski, another holdover from the team’s old regime.
The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle first reported the news. Wroblewski later confirmed it in a tweet, writing, “Words won’t explain how much I enjoy the city of Rochester! However, I’m already excited for my next professional challenge, wherever it is!”
Sabres general manager Tim Murray fired Amerks head coach Chadd Cassidy on Friday. Both Cassidy and ... Read the full article
Chadd Cassidy joined the Sabres organization in 2011. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres fired Rochester Americans coach Chadd Cassidy today, ending his four-year run with the organization, the last two of which he spent leading the AHL club.
Since Cassidy was a holdover from the Darcy Regier regime, it was expected Sabres general manager Tim Murray would let the 41-year-old go. Cassidy’s contract expires this summer. Murray has been bringing in his own men. He fired Ted Nolan as Sabres coach earlier this month.... Read the full article
The Sabres plan to select Jack Eichel in June. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
Slick 18-year-old Jack Eichel briefly showcased some of his skills during Team USA’s 5-1 win over Finland in its world championship opener today, generating two strong chances in about a minute.
First, the future Buffalo Sabres center fired high on goalie Pekka Rinne after smoothly moving from the point area to the left circle with about seven minutes left in the second period. Later, Rinne stoned the Boston University superstar’s quick wrist shot from the ... Read the full article
Evan Rodrigues signed a two-year, entry-level deal with the Sabres on Wednesday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Yes, Evan Rodrigues said, he thought about potentially playing with Jack Eichel again before signing a two-year, entry-level contract with the Sabres. But there was more to the 21-year-old winger’s decision than being reunited with his slick Boston University linemate.
Rodrigues chose the Sabres before Saturday’s NHL Draft Lottery guaranteed them the second selection in the upcoming draft, a pick they will almost certainly use to select Eichel, whose talents could potentially change ... Read the full article
Evan Rodrigues had 61 points in 2014-15. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres have signed undrafted winger Evan Rodrigues, a linemate of Jack Eichel’s at Boston University, to a two-year, entry-level deal, according to WEEI and TSN’s Bob McKenzie.
Update: The Sabres have officially announced the signing.
The 21-year-old Rodrigues just finished a huge senior season beside Eichel, scoring 21 goals and 61 points in 41 games. Rodrigues ranked second in the NCAA in scoring behind Eichel, the likely No. 2 pick by ... Read the full article
