Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Sabres release statement on Rick Jeanneret

The Buffalo Sabres have released the following statement on legendary play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret, who will call games next season despite a recent throat cancer diagnosis:

“The Buffalo Sabres are deeply saddened to learn of Rick Jeanneret’s cancer diagnosis. RJ has been a vital part of the Sabres family and the Buffalo community for 43 years and this news undoubtedly weighs heavily on everyone who has had the privilege of listening to his broadcasts ... Read the full article

Sabres sign 4 new players, become top destination in free agency

BUFFALO – For two weeks, Tim Murray bristled when the media asked him about the salary floor. The rebuilding Sabres would reach it, the general manager said. He wasn’t worried. They would lure strong veteran talent when free agency opened.

“But you’re never sure until the clock hits 12,” Murray said Tuesday inside the First Niagara Center.

When the clock hit noon Tuesday and the market opened, the Sabres, a laughingstock last season, quickly became ... Read the full article

After emotional exit from Canadiens, Josh Gorges happy to be with Sabres

BUFFALO – Tim Murray’s phone rang Tuesday. On the other end, a Montreal Canadiens decision-maker asked the Sabres general manager if he was interested in defenseman Josh Gorges.

“I said, ‘Yes, but what’s the point of being interested? He’s got a no-trade (clause),’” Murray said inside the First Niagara Center.

The Canadiens told Murray that Gorges had added the Sabres to his list of teams he would accept a trade to. Shortly after that, ... Read the full article

Sabres GM Tim Murray excited about moves: ‘It’s easy to spend money’

BUFFALO – Here are some quick quotes from Sabres general manager Tim Murray’s chat with the media following a busy day. Murray was very pleased after signing four players and trading for another. He’s not ready to call the Sabres contender yet, however.

The Sabres began the day $20,580,834 under the cap floor. Now they’re just $55,834 under. Yes, you read that correctly.

Murray on the floor:

“You guys always ask about the floor, ... Read the full article

Sabres re-sign Matt Moulson, Cody McCormick and Marcus Foligno

BUFFALO – At this rate, the Sabres might reach the salary floor later today.

The Sabres have added two more pieces, re-signing old friends Matt Moulson, a high scoring winger, and Cody McCormick, a versatile fighter with skill. They traded both to the Minnesota Wild for draft picks in March.

Update: The Sabres have also signed defenseman Andrej Meszaros to a one-year, $4.125 million contract, according to reports.

Moulson inked a five-year, $25 million ... Read the full article

Sabres sign former Canadiens captain Brian Gionta to 3-year deal

BUFFALO – The Sabres have landed their first big free agent, signing Greece native Brian Gionta to a three-year contract worth $4.25 million annually, according to reports.

General manager Tim Murray has recently stated the rebuilding Sabres would be a desirable location for some veterans. Signing Gionta, the Montreal Canadiens’ captain for years, proves that.

The 35-year-old, a winger, has 249 goals and 485 points in 776 NHL games. He had 18 goals and 40 ... Read the full article

Sabres acquire Josh Gorges from Canadiens

BUFFALO – The Sabres have acquired defenseman Josh Gorges from the Montreal Canadiens for a 2016 second-round pick.

The 29-year-old, a veteran of 560 NHL games, was asked to waive his no-trade clause Sunday to help the Habs create cap space. Gorges was stunned, and he nixed a deal to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“You’re never ready for it,” Gorges told the Montreal Gazette on Monday. “You’re never expecting it so, yeah, you’re a ... Read the full article

Penguins sign Christian Ehrhoff minutes into free agency

Former Buffalo Sabres defenseman Christian Ehrhoff lasted less than 10 minutes on the open market, signing a one-year, $4 million deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins early this afternoon.

The Sabres bought out the final seven seasons of the German’s 10-year, $40 million contract Sunday.

It’s a win-win deal for Ehrhoff. He’s joining a slick, superstar-laden Penguins club expected to compete for the Stanley Cup. He’ll get plenty of ice time with superstars Sidney Crosby and ... Read the full article

GM Tim Murray believes Sabres can add veterans in free agency, not worried about cap floor

BUFFALO – The Sabres have a pretty simple free agency plan. The rebuilding club wants to add some respected veterans, preferably skilled ones who can mentor the team’s youngsters and are willing to take a short term, perhaps just a year or two.

Yes, the Sabres need to add salary badly when the market opens at noon today. After all, they’re a stunning $20,580,834 under the floor. But reaching that mark, a touchy subject for ... Read the full article

Sabres let Cory Conacher, Jamie McBain go

BUFFALO – The short Sabres careers of winger Cory Conacher and defenseman Jamie McBain are over.

The rebuilding club passed on giving them qualifying offers as restricted free agents, making them free to sign with any team.

The Sabres also didn’t qualify defensemen Nick Crawford and Matt MacKenzie, who played in Rochester, and goalie Connor Knapp, who played two NHL games last season.

Sabres general manager Tim Murray said Monday morning McBain, who struggled his ... Read the full article