Jack Eichel
FILE - Bill Guerin addresses the media before his induction into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in Detroit, Monday, Dec. 2, 2013. Guerin called it a “bumpy road” upon taking over as the United States men’s Olympic hockey team some two months following Stan Bowman’s resignation in the wake of the Chicago Blackhawks’ sexual assault scandal. “Unfortunately, things turned out the way they did and we’re here today,” Guerin said Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, during a USA Hockey Zoom conference call. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
Wild's Guerin promoted to take over as US men's Olympic GM

By John Wawrow Dec. 14, 2021 02:22 PM EST

FILE - In this May 4, 2021, file photo, Buffalo Sabres goalie Michael Houser (32) and teammates celebrate a victory over the New York Islanders in a shootout in an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y. The Sabres won the NHL draft lottery and the expansion Seattle Kraken jumped up the order to take the No. 2 pick Wednesday night, June 2. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes, File)
Last-place Sabres win draft lottery; Kraken get No. 2 pick

By John Wawrow Jun. 02, 2021 07:44 PM EDT

New York Rangers' Chris Kreider (20) checks Buffalo Sabres' Jacob Bryson (78) into the boards during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 27, 2021, in New York. (Bruce Bennett/Pool Photo via AP)
Rangers' Zibanejad acknowledges virus affected slow start

By Vin A. Cherwoo May. 11, 2021 03:23 PM EDT

Buffalo Sabres coach Don Granato gives instructions during the third period of the team's NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, Saturday, May 8, 2021. The Penguins won 1-0. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Sabres' high expectations unravel with last-place finish

By John Wawrow May. 09, 2021 01:25 PM EDT

FILE - Buffalo Sabres head coach Ralph Kruege looks on during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Buffalo, N.Y., in this Saturday, March 13, 2021, file photo. The Sabres fired coach Ralph Krueger on Wednesday, March 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes, File)
Sabres fire coach Krueger while in midst of 12-game skid

By John Wawrow Mar. 17, 2021 10:48 AM EDT

New York Islanders' Cal Clutterbuck (15) passes the puck away from Buffalo Sabres' Jack Eichel (9) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 4, 2021, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Another blow to Sabres: Eichel out for `foreseeable future'

By John Wawrow Mar. 13, 2021 10:55 AM EST

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone, right, celebrates after left wing Max Pacioretty, left, scored against the Minnesota Wild during overtime of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 1, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
No Fun NHL? Restrictions help players appreciate hockey more

By Stephen Whyno Mar. 03, 2021 10:52 AM EST

FILE - Buffalo Sabres left wing Jeff Skinner (53) skates with the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals in Washington, in this Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021, file photo. Buffalo coach Ralph Krueger still wasn’t ready to say whether high-priced forward Jeff Skinner will resume playing after a three-game benching. Except to say it's not a disciplinary issue, Krueger has declined to detail the reasons behind his decision regarding Skinner. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)
Sabres injuries mount; Skinner's status remains uncertain

By John Wawrow Feb. 26, 2021 03:16 PM EST

Buffalo Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark makes a glove save during the first period of the team's NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Zacha scores 1:17 into OT in Devils' 4-3 win win over Sabres

By John Wawrow Feb. 25, 2021 11:02 PM EST

Buffalo Sabres center Sam Reinhart (23) reacts after he scores on New Jersey Devils goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood (29) for a second time in the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Sabres snap 4-game losing streak, end Devils 3-game run

Feb. 20, 2021 04:55 PM EST

Washington Capitals' Connor McMichael (24) battles for the puck with Buffalo Sabres goaltender Linus Ullmark (35) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Linus Ullmark perfect in shootout, Sabres beat Capitals

By Stephen Whyno Jan. 24, 2021 06:05 PM EST

St. Louis Blues' Mike Hoffman (68) and San Jose Sharks' Fredrik Handemark (37) chase after a loose puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Jan. 18, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Capped out: Flat salary cap makes NHL teams get creative

By Stephen Whyno Jan. 20, 2021 02:45 AM EST

Washington Capitals forward Nicklas Backstrom (19) celebrates his goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Oshie has 3 points, Capitals open with 6-4 win at Buffalo

By John Wawrow Jan. 14, 2021 09:54 PM EST

FILE - In this Sunday, March 1, 2020, file photo, New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes plays against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Anaheim, Calif. For the teams that missed the 2020 playoffs, they've spent the past 10 months waiting for the compressed 56-game 2021 season. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File)
The wait is almost over for NHL teams that missed playoffs

By Tom Canavan Jan. 11, 2021 02:10 PM EST

FILE - In this Feb. 27, 2020, file photo, Minnesota Wild center Eric Staal (12) skates against the Detroit Red Wings in the first period of an NHL hockey game in Detroit. Buffalo Sabres coach Ralph Krueger prefers viewing the start of the 2021 shortened season as a continuation of the last one. If that's the case, the new-look Sabres, with the addition of Taylor Hall and Eric Staal, have plenty of unfinished business in attempting to snap a nine-year playoff drought, the NHL's longest active streak. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Sabres have unfinished business after last season cut short

By John Wawrow Jan. 05, 2021 03:38 PM EST

Buffalo Sabres forward Jack Eichel (9) is greeted by fans prior to the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019, in Buffalo, N.Y. The Sabres front office and roster have undergone numerous changes in the seven months since captain Jack Eichel said he was fed up with losing after Buffalo missed the playoffs for a ninth consecutive year. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Eichel draws on NFL Bills' success to motivate NHL Sabres

By John Wawrow Dec. 30, 2020 05:26 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 24, 2019, file photo, Buffalo Sabres goaltender Linus Ullmark (35) is congratulated by center Sam Reinhart (23) after the Sabres defeated the Florida Panthers 5-2 in an NHL hockey game in Sunrise, Fla. On Sunday, Oct 25, 2020, Buffalo signed Reinhart to a one-year, $5.2 million contract, and Ullmark to a one-year $2.6 million deal. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
Sabres sign Victor Olofsson to 2-year, $6.1 million contract

By John Wawrow Oct. 29, 2020 01:29 PM EDT

Sabres avoid arbitration with Sam Reinhart, Linus Ullmark

Oct. 25, 2020 11:46 AM EDT
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Sabres avoided arbitration with forward Sam Reinhart and goaltender Linus Ullmark, signing each Sunday to a one-year contract....

FILE - In this Feb. 17, 2020, file photo, Arizona Coyotes left wing Taylor Hall (91) is shown during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders, in Glendale, Ariz. Forward Taylor Hall surprised many in turning down numerous contending NHL teams which courted him, and instead sign with the Buffalo Sabres in free agency. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Taylor Hall saw only positives in signing with Sabres

By John Wawrow Oct. 12, 2020 05:57 PM EDT

FILE - In this March 9, 2020, file photo, Buffalo Sabres forward Marcus Johansson (90) skates during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals in Buffalo, N.Y. The Buffalo Sabres acquired veteran center Eric Staal in a trade that sent forward Marcus Johansson to the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes, File)
Sabres acquire Eric Staal in sending Johansson to Wild

By John Wawrow Sep. 16, 2020 06:15 PM EDT