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Heather Engel

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Heather Engel·Sep 23, 2023·Partner

Erik Johnson already having an impact on the Sabres: 'We’re all going to learn a lot from him'

Veteran defenseman excited to be a part of Buffalo team that's "knocking on the door" BUFFALO -- Erik Johnson arrived in Buffalo about two and a half weeks ago and has quickly made an impact on his new teammates. “He made me buy a sauna,” Rasmus Dahlin said. How did he do that? “He said it was good for recovery, so I was like, ‘Yeah, sure, I'll do it,’” he said. “Whatever he says.” Johnson, of course, has experienced quite a bit over the course of his NHL career, which is entering its 17th season. The St. Louis Blues selected him with the No. 1 pick in the 2006 NHL Draft and he made his debut as a 19-year-old in 2007. He’s played on struggling teams and contenders and was a Stanley Cup champion with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022. It was with the Blues that he learned of the benefits of saunas from Hockey Hall of Famer Paul Kariya, and one of the first things he did upon moving to Buffalo was find a company to build a sauna in his new home. The knowledge, insight, and leadership he’s accumulated over his 920 NHL regular-season and 55 playoff games were key reasons why the Sabres targeted him as a free agent. “I think to take the next step, sometimes you have to see things that you haven’t seen before, which I’ve seen a lot, and I think I can lend that experience,” Johnson said. “Part of that is off the ice and making sure you’re ready to go on a day to day basis physically, mentally, emotionally, all of that. I’m a sounding board for them and I’ve just been trying to practice what I preach, really.” The Sabres were one of the youngest teams in the NHL last season, notably on defense with Rasmus Dahlin and Mattias Samuelsson, each of whom turned 23 late in the season, Henri Jokiharju, 24, and Owen Power, 20. Ilya Lyubushkin, since traded, was the only defenseman over the age of 25. “It’s been great. I really like those guys,” Johnson said. “They’ve been super eager to ask questions about some of my experiences. … I think when your younger players are comfortable and they can feel comfortable around your older players, everything is better in the dynamics. From that standpoint, I’ve tried to be an open book for those guys and do the things that I’ve always done and hopefully it can rub off on them. “On the ice, they’re very talented players and it’s fun to watch them do what they do. I’m here to lend them a hand anyway I can on and off the ice and I’m happy to do so.” Dahlin, the No. 1 pick in 2018, has already been soaking up as much as he can. “The first thing is that he loves to be at the rink,” he said. “He loves to hang out with the guys in the locker room. He's such a great guy. I mean, his mood is always, always up. But the one thing I realized when he got here is he's so professional. … I think I can learn some stuff from him.” Alex Tuch agreed. “His presence, leadership and mentality each and every day and his drive and determination, I’ve seen just in a couple weeks of getting to know him,” he said. “But he’s also an easy guy to be around. Happy-go-lucky guy, awesome guy for the young guys to be around, too. I think we’re all going to learn a lot from him. I’m going to try to learn as much as I can from him.” Johnson is learning from them as well. When he first got to Buffalo, he gave himself some time to get a feel for the group. What he discovered was just how “dialed in” and “hungry” they are, even for such a young team. He’s noticed they want to get better and are doing what they need to do that. “When you just look at the talent up and down the lineup, this team is set up for success for many, many years,” he said. “So, it was exciting from my standpoint to become here and be part of it. I think it’s a team that’s knocking on the door, whether it’s this year or next year. I mean, the window for them to contend is open for a long time and hopefully I can be a part of it for as long as I can. I think the future is really bright and this is a team that is very close.” Buffalo was at the top of Johnson’s list heading into free agency, but it didn’t hurt that captain Kyle Okposo is on the team. He and Okposo have known each other since they were kids, playing summer hockey together in Minnesota at eight years old and eventually becoming roommates at the University of Minnesota. “It was definitely an appealing spot knowing that he was here, just that familiar face,” Johnson said. “And I didn't know very many guys, but he was one of them I really knew well. So I've been asking him probably a lot of questions -- the day in and day out. But he's a great guy and really helping me so far, and you can tell how much influence he has here on these younger guys. “Hopefully we can be a good tandem for these guys. He's a great dude. I'm just happy to be able to play with him again. Hopefully it can come full circle and we can win a Cup together. That would be super cool. Definitely one of our goals.”

Heather Engel·Sep 22, 2023·Partner

Contract talks 'more intense, more frequent' as Sabres work to sign Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power long term

Cornerstone defensemen each have one year left on current contract BUFFALO – On the eve of the first practice of training camp, Kevyn Adams had a late night. The Sabres’ general manager spent hours on the phone Wednesday night with the respective agents for Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power. Conversations with each have been “more intense, more frequent” over the past week as Adams tries to sign his cornerstone defensemen to long-term contract extensions. “The key takeaways are that I’ve explained to their camps and to them individually how important they are to this franchise and how we feel about them, and we want them here long term and just that kind of conversation,” he said. “They’ve clearly indicated to me and to us that this is where they want to be, and they believe in this team, and they believe in the direction we’re headed. So, that’s the start, and then you work from there. “These are not easy to get done. They’re critically important for both sides and we need to ensure they’re right. It needs to be right for both sides. So, throughout the summer, I’ve had what I would characterize as very positive conversations, productive conversations.” Dahlin, 23, and Power, 20, each have a year left on their current contracts and became eligible to sign an extension July 1. Dahlin signed a three-year, $18 million contract ($6 million average annual value) on Sept. 22, 2021. Power signed a three-year, entry-level contract April 8, 2022. Discussions on new deals began around the NHL Scouting Combine in June when Adams met with the agents for each at KeyBank Center. Dahlin, the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, set NHL career highs in goals (15), assists (58) and points (73) in 78 games last season and finished third in the League with an average ice time of 25:48 per game. He came in eighth in voting for the Norris Trophy, awarded to the top defenseman. The Sabres selected Power with the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. He had 35 points (four goals, 31 assists) in 79 games in his first full NHL season and was 20th among skaters in average ice time per game at 23:48 (minimum 10 games). He was a finalist for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the NHL rookie of the year. Dahlin has emerged as one of the NHL’s elite defensemen and could land a contract with an average annual value between $10 million and $11 million. Erik Karlsson of the Pittsburgh Penguins has the highest cap hit among NHL defensemen at $11.5 million, followed by Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings. While fans have anxiously waited for an announcement, Dahlin hasn’t been concerned. He arrived in Buffalo about three to four weeks ago to prepare for his sixth NHL season. He’s put his focus on what he can control, namely getting ready for the season, while his agent and management “do their thing.” “I have one more year on my contract and I’m not really worried about anything,” he said. “I love the city. I love the team. I love everything. So, I’m not worried.” Locking up younger players identified as part of the core has been a priority for Adams over the past year. The Sabres inked Tage Thompson, 25, to a seven-year, $50 million pact ($7.14 million AAV) on Aug. 30, 2022; Mattias Samuelsson, 23, signed a seven-year, $30 million contract ($4.29 million AAV) on Oct. 12, 2022; and Dylan Cozens, 22, signed a seven-year, $49.7 million deal ($7.1 million AAV) on Feb. 7, 2023. “We've talked a lot over the last couple of years now about the core of this team and putting it together,” Adams said. “To set ourselves up for sustainable success, you need to make sure that you retain the pieces that you believe are going to help you do that. These guys are both elite young defensemen in the league. Rasmus is a little further along in his career. But they're both to me critically important pieces of the puzzle moving forward.” Adams doesn’t have a set deadline for getting the contracts done but would ideally like it to be sooner rather than later. “I've been open and transparent in conversations with their agents to say, ‘The focus ultimately, starting the season, I really want to make sure is on our players individually having the best year they can and focusing on our team and eliminate as many distractions as possible,’” he said. said “We'll see how this goes. I'm not drawing line in the sand, but I'd like to keep pushing here through training camp to move things along.”

Heather Engel·Sep 21, 2023·Partner

Matt Savoie out week to week with injury

BUFFALO – Sabres prospect Matt Savoie is week to week with an upper-body injury. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound center was injured Monday on the first shift of Buffalo’s game against Pittsburgh in the Prospects Challenge finale when he collided with Penguins forward Jagger Joshua (6-foot-2, 201 pounds). “He’ll be out a little bit,” general manager Kevyn Adams said. “It’s honestly best-case scenario after the imaging and everything, but he will miss some time. I put him more in the week to week type of range than day to day, but we’re also going to be really patient and make sure that he’s full go before we let him out there. But good news overall.” Savoie, 19, is expected to compete for an NHL roster spot, part of a group that also includes Jiri Kulich, Isak Rosen and Lukas Rousek. Adams said “there’s a chance” the No. 9 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft can return before the end of training camp. “I don’t think this week is likely and then we’ll kind of reevaluate,” he said. “I know he’s begging, but we’ll have to kind of take it week by week here.” Savoie had two goals in the opening game of the tournament, a 6-3 win against the Montreal Canadiens, playing alongside Zach Benson, his Western Hockey League linemate whom the Sabres selected at No. 13 at the draft in June. “I think he had a great summer,” Adams said. “From a playing standpoint, I loved the way he was skating, competing. Really impactful shift to shift through the rookie tournament.” If he doesn’t crack the NHL roster, he’ll have to head back to the WHL with the Wenatchee Wild as he’s ineligible to play in the American Hockey League due to his age. Savoie had a dominant junior season in 2022-23, with 95 points (38 goals, 57 assists) in 62 games and another 29 points (11 goals, 18 assists) in 19 playoff games.

Heather Engel·Sep 20, 2023·Partner

Sabres release 2023 training camp roster

Several storylines to watch as Buffalo gets going on the 2023-24 season Buffalo Sabres hockey is back. The team unveiled the 64 players on its training camp roster Wednesday, a group consisting of 36 forwards, 21 defensemen, and seven goalies. The Sabres, who will be divided into three groups to start, will first hit the ice for practice Thursday at 10 a.m., General manager Kevyn Adams will speak at 9 a.m. and it’s expected he’ll have an update on the status of Matt Savoie, who was injured on the first shift of the Sabres’ final game of the Prospects Challenge on Monday. Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert said after the game that he was “probably expected to miss a little bit of time” at training camp. Savoie was slated to be among the mix of prospects vying for the open roster spot created by the injury to Jack Quinn. How long Savoie is sidelined will impact his place in a battle that will also include Jiri Kulich, Lukas Rousek, and Isak Rosen. Who ultimately lands the available spot is one of several storylines to watch as camp begins. Quinn’s absence also begs the question of who will slide into that right wing spot with Dylan Cozens and JJ Peterka, if coach Don Granato keeps that duo together after their success last season. Other things to watch: How will the goaltending shake out? Much has been made of the lack of experience among Devon Levi, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, and Eric Comrie, with the trio combining for 100 NHL games played. Levi, 21, impressed in his brief showing at the end of the season, going 5-2-0 with a 2.94 goals-against average and .905 save percentage. It’s expected he’ll be on the roster come opening night, and possibly the starter, but there's no guarantee. Luukkonen’s play while Comrie was injured last season earned him a stay in the NHL even once Comrie was ready to return. Adams has repeatedly noted that they believe in him and has made it a point to ensure the goalie knows it, too. The 24-year-old played an NHL career-high 33 games last season, winning 17 times. The competition in net should fuel him but if he earns the spot, he’ll need to show he can be more consistent. He’s no longer exempt from waivers. Comrie, 28, looked solid early last season, standing out notably in a pair of games in Edmonton and Calgary to help the Sabres to victories. But then a spate of injuries on defense followed before Comrie sustained a knee injury in mid-November that sidelined him for seven weeks. He played only eight games after returning from injury, going 5-2-1. If the Sabres opt for Levi and Luukkonen, Comrie could be placed on waivers but it's far from certain that he'd clear. They're better prepared to handle a potential departure, however, having brought back veteran Dustin Tokarski, who will likely lead the tandem in Rochester. Casey Mittelstadt: center or wing? Mittelstadt had a breakout season in 2022-23, putting up 59 points (15 goals, 44 assists) in 82 games. He was the only Sabres player to play in every game, a turnaround from a season prior when injuries limited him to just 40 games. He alternated between center and wing but impressed in the middle down the stretch, especially when filling in for an injured Tage Thompson between Jeff Skinner and Alex Tuch. Entering the final year of his current contract, can he take another step forward? Defense Rasmus Dahlin and Mattias Samuelsson formed the Sabres’ top pair last season, while Owen Power and Henri Jokiharju made up the second unit. The third pair was a revolving door alongside the since-traded Ilya Lyubushkin (when the latter wasn’t out with an injury), and their struggles resulted in Granato shortening that side of the bench in-game later in the season. Connor Clifton and Erik Johnson were brought in to play. Will Clifton skate with Power or might Johnson, a fellow No. 1 pick back in 2006, get a look alongside him? Jokiharju had a rough time alongside Power last season. Could he re-join Dahlin after finding success with him in the past, leading to Samuelsson on a different pairing? And what about Jacob Bryson and Riley Stillman? The other five spots are spoken for when the defense is healthy, which leaves the two battling for the one remaining. Can one of them grab a secure hold of it?

Heather Engel·Sep 19, 2023·Partner

Matt Savoie expected to miss start of Sabres' training camp with injury

Buffalo prospect was injured Monday in the final game of the Prospects Challenge tournament BUFFALO – Matt Savoie is expected to miss the start of NHL training camp after sustaining an upper-body injury Monday. Savoie, the No. 9 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, was injured 27 seconds after taking the opening faceoff in the Sabres’ 3-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in their Prospects Challenge finale at LECOM Harborcenter. The 19-year-old collided with a Penguins player near the net in the defensive zone and then fell into the boards. “He’s going to get reevaluated here in the next day, tonight, tomorrow,” Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert said. “Probably expected to miss a little bit of time at main camp. That’s where it’s at right now. We’ll have more details in the next couple of days.” Savoie (5-foot-10, 170 pounds) is one of several rookies – along with Jiri Kulich, Isak Rosen, and Lukas Rousek – expected to compete for the vacant NHL roster spot created with Jack Quinn’s injury when training camp opens Thursday. He earned a long look last season before the Sabres returned him to the WHL. “It’s a contact sport. You hate seeing it to any player, whether it’s your first-round draft pick or an invite,” Appert said. “This is a great opportunity to be at rookie camp, wear an NHL jersey and all that. Obviously with Matthew, there’s NHL training camp and bigger things ahead so you definitely hate it there but it’s never a good feeling as a coach to see a player leave the ice like that.” He was one of the Sabres’ best players in their first game of the tournament with a pair of highlight-reel goals in a win against the Montreal Canadiens. In the second period, he jumped to catch a cross-ice lob pass from Zach Benson and skated below the goal line before turning in stride and scoring five-hole. Later in the game, after taking a cross-ice pass from Filip Cederqvist around a Canadiens defenseman and cutting to the net, the rebound of a poke-check by goalie Jakub Dobes landed back on Savoie’s stick and he scored backhand with his back to the net as he glided to the right. The Sabres finished the tournament 2-1-0.

Heather Engel·Sep 12, 2023·Partner

Matt Savoie, Jiri Kulich headline Sabres' roster for 2023 Prospects Challenge

Buffalo roster for the six-team tournament includes five first-round picks The Buffalo Sabres announced their roster for the 2023 Prospects Challenge on Tuesday. Five first-round picks highlight the 25-player roster, with forwards Matt Savoie (2022), Jiri Kulich (2022), Zach Benson (2023), Isak Rosen (2021), and defenseman Ryan Johnson (2019) slated to participate in the six-team tournament. Savoie and Kulich are expected to compete for an NHL roster spot when training camp begins next week. Savoie, 19, earned a long look at training camp last season before returning to the Winnipeg Ice. He didn’t miss a beat in his return to the WHL, putting up 95 points (38 goals, 57 assists) in 62 regular-season games and another 29 (11 goals, 18 assists) in 19 WHL playoff games. Kulich, 19, had 24 goals and 46 points 62 games as a rookie in the American Hockey League in 2022-23 last season, and added another seven goals and 11 points in 12 games in the Calder Cup Playoffs. Others on the roster include second-year pros Aleksandr Kisakov, Tyson Kozak, and Filip Cederqvist, each of whom played all last season with the Rochester Americans. Forwards Olivier Nadeau and Viktor Neuchev, and defenseman Nikita Novikov headline those kicking off their (North American) professional careers. Nadeau got a brief taste of life as a pro last spring when he joined the Amerks (but did not play) during their postseason run after his QMJHL season ended. Goalie Devon Levi isn’t on the roster, as he prepares to compete to be the starting goalie at training camp. The 21-year-old impressed in his seven games late last season as the Sabres pushed for a playoff spot, going 5-2-0 with a .905 save percentage. Scott Ratzlaff, the Sabres’ fifth-round pick (No. 141) in the 2023 NHL Draft, will be Buffalo’s top goalie in the tournament. The prospects will first hit the ice for practice Wednesday afternoon. The six-team tournament begins Friday at LECOM Harborcenter, with a tripleheader of games kicking off at noon. The Sabres cap off the day’s action against the Montreal Canadiens at 7 p.m.

Heather Engel·Sep 7, 2023·Partner

Sabres back in black and red alternate jersey for 15 games in 2023-24

Buffalo to wear popular goathead uniform set for first time on Oct. 21 Get ready for more goathead. After making a return as a third jersey 12 times last season, the Buffalo Sabres revealed Thursday the 15 games in which they’ll don the popular black and red uniforms in 2023-24. Fans will get to see them for the first time Oct. 21, when they host the New York Islanders as part of the Back in Black and Red theme night. They’ll wear them multiple times each month apart from November and April, which will each see the jerseys for only one game. One of the two games in January will be against the Chicago Blackhawks, featuring Connor Bedard, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. Four of the Sabres’ eight home games in March will be in black and red, including March 2 against the Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights. The Sabres were 10-1-1 in the goatheads in 2022-23, outscoring their opponents 58-36. They scored at least six goals in seven of those games and at least five goals in nine of them. The full black and red schedule: - Oct. 21 vs. New York Islanders (7 p.m.) - Oct. 29 vs. Colorado Avalanche (1 p.m.) - Nov. 3 vs. Philadelphia Flyers (7 p.m.) - Dec. 9 vs. Montreal Canadiens (7 p.m.) - Dec. 19 vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (7 p.m.) - Dec. 27 vs. Boston Bruins (7:30 p.m.) - Jan. 11 vs. Ottawa Senators (7 p.m.) - Jan. 17 vs. Chicago Blackhawks (7:30 p.m.) - Feb. 6 vs. Dallas Stars (7 p.m.) - Feb. 13 vs. Los Angeles Kings (7 p.m.) - March 2 vs. Vegas Golden Knights (7 p.m.) - March 3 vs. Winnipeg Jets (7 p.m.) - March 12 vs. Detroit Red Wings (7 p.m.) - March 30 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (7 p.m.) - April 2 vs. Washington Capitals (7 p.m.)

Heather Engel·Aug 30, 2023·Partner

Sabres scheduled to appear 15 times on U.S. national broadcasts in 2023-24

The Buffalo Sabres are on the rise, and it’s earned them greater attention this season. The Buffalo Sabres are on the rise, and it’s earned them greater attention this season. The team will appear on 15 U.S. national broadcasts between ESPN/ABC/ESPN+/Hulu (eight) and TNT (seven), up four from a season ago. MSG will be the broadcast home for the other 67 games, which out-of-market fans can watch with a subscription to ESPN+/Hulu. Their first nationally televised game will be Oct. 17 when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning on ESPN. They’ll appear on ABC when the St. Louis Blues come to town for a matinee affair on Feb. 10. Five of the Sabres’ appearances on TNT will be exclusive to the network while the other two will only be available on MSG in the Buffalo broadcast market – Nov. 1 at the Philadelphia Flyers and Jan. 17 vs. the Chicago Blackhawks. * Updated start time (previously scheduled for 7 p.m.) Related: Buffalo Sabres' 2023-24 schedule announced

Heather Engel·Aug 29, 2023·Partner

Terry Pegula names himself president of the Sabres, dissolves Pegula Sports and Entertainment

Owner Terry Pegula has named himself president of the Buffalo Sabres, it was announced Monday. Owner Terry Pegula has named himself president of the Buffalo Sabres, it was announced Monday. The news comes as a part of also announced changes to the business structure of the Sabres and the Buffalo Bills, with Pegula opting to dissolve Pegula Sports and Entertainment, the parent company under which the two sports franchises operated and through which they would share resources. The Sabres and Bills will now operate as separate entities. “We are thankful for the work and effort so many individuals have put into PSE over the years, but feel it is the right time for them to return home to separate organizations,” Pegula said in a statement. “We feel that now is the right time to dissolve PSE and allow everyone to focus solely on their respective organization. “It is a great time to be a Buffalo sports fan and we have a tremendous amount of confidence that this restructuring will allow our businesses to continue to elevate with our teams.” Pegula also became president of the Bills last month. He takes on the role for both franchises from his wife and co-owner, Kim, who continues to recover from cardiac arrest suffered in June 2022. Last month, she made her first public appearance since then when she watched Bills practice at training camp from an SUV. He will continue to work closely with Sabres chief operating officer John Roth on the business side and general manager Kevyn Adams on the hockey side. Roth was named COO of the Sabres in January of this year and last month added the same role with the Bills along with the title of executive vice president. The Pegulas purchased the Sabres in 2011 and added the Bills in 2014. Their sports ownership also includes the Rochester Americans, the Sabres’ AHL affiliate, and the Buffalo Bandits and Rochester Knighthawks of the National Lacross League.

Heather Engel·Aug 28, 2023·Partner

'Remembering RJ': Memories aplenty as Sabres celebrate the life of Rick Jeanneret

"When you think of Rick, you can’t be unhappy." [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4ZCd1m5fGM[/embed] [gallery ids="2504,2505,2506,2507,2508,2509,2510"] THEY SAID IT Don Granato: "He was a walking inspiration. He really had a great feel for the room, the mood, and he inspired our group and our players that they could do more. You could see him deliver that message as he walked through underneath or he jumped on a plane with us or bus with us. It was very powerful to watch it with our team. ... The history he brought to our team, it definitely made our group and myself want to be a Buffalo Sabre." Lindy Ruff: "One of my biggest disappointments was not being able to give RJ that Stanley Cup call, the Sabres are Stanley Cup champions. I can't imagine what that call would have been like or what that goal would have been like or how Rick would have portrayed the whole event, but I think you're looking at something that would have been spectacular." Kevyn Adams on staying up past his bedtime as a kid to listen to RJ on the radio: "How do you fall asleep to Rick Jeanneret calling a game? He could make a dump-in from the red line sound just as exciting as a scoring chance in overtime. That really sums up RJ." James Patrick recalls RJ keeping things light on the team bus after a tough loss: "You could hear a pin drop on the bus. About five minutes into the drive to the airport, you hear this click, swoosh, and I turned my head and RJ was opening his beer. I was terrified that Lindy was going to hear this. He would look at me and he would cheers me and had this big, youthful grin on his face." Jim Lorentz: "When you look at all the great players who played in this league like the superstars, the Gretzkys, the Lemieuxs, the Dominik Haseks, I put Rick in that category because those players made everybody around them better. Rick did the same thing." Brad May: "When you think of Rick, you can’t be unhappy. I mean, this guy had a full life and brought so much joy to all of us. I think that he would be up there clapping for everybody else and say, 'Move along. It’s great to think of me, but let’s have a great time and have a great night.'" Rob Ray on RJ's ability to keep an eye on several other sports on TV while calling ca: "He'd be in the booth, he'd have the horse race here, he'd have a basketball game there, he'd have the golf there, and baseball down here - and calling the game. He would never make a mistake and then he'd all of a sudden hit you and point at something that just happened on the TV. I was like, 'How the hell are you doing that?' He was a master at it." Martin Biron on a message he got from RJ late last season: "He texted me, 'Wow, you're getting pretty good at this.' But then the next text was, 'You're also looking very old.'"

Heather Engel·Aug 20, 2023·Partner

Rick Jeanneret's voice, passion forever a part of the Sabres and the public: “He just loved the people"

Legendary broadcaster made players "proud to be a Sabre" Outside KeyBank Center, the voice of Rick Jeanneret echoes across Alumni Plaza. “May Day! May Day! May Day!” “La-La-La-La-Lafontaine!” "Top shelf, where Mama hides the cookies! “These guys are good! Scary good!” “We are not worthy!” It was part of a lengthy loop of memorable calls by the legendary broadcaster, who died Thursday at 81 after a two-year battle with multi-organ failures, playing over a loudspeaker. Near the entrance doors from the plaza stand two giant letters that say “RJ,” as Jeanneret was affectionately known, part of a memorial erected by the team. Inside, on one of the windows facing the plaza, hangs a banner that says “Thank you, RJ” between banners containing some of his most iconic calls. Fans pass by throughout the day to pay tribute. Some leave flowers, others leave Sabres mementos and memorabilia, or signs. One left a package of cookies, fittingly “top shelf” on the giant ‘R’. “I don’t think there’s a hockey fan in the world that doesn’t know that voice,” general manager Kevyn Adams said on a Zoom call Friday. “You can close your eyes and that’s just the voice and that will be with us all forever.” Jeanneret provided a soundtrack for the Sabres for 51 years until his retirement at the end of the 2021-22 season, a game that appropriately ended in an “oooooooovertime” win for Buffalo. His enthusiasm and passion for his work and the team emanated through his play-by-play. Adams was one of those who grew up with his voice. As a kid, the Clarence native would be out in the barn, stickhandling, shooting, pretending he was Gilbert Perreault while in his head, it was Jeanneret announcing the game. When he was young and wasn’t allowed to stay up late to catch a full game, he’d go to his room and turn on the radio so he could listen. “It was like a dump-in from the red line felt like it was a grade-A scoring chance, you know? Just the way his voice,” Adams said. “And my mom would come up and say, ‘It’s time to go to bed,’ and I’d be like, ‘How am I supposed to go to sleep, RJ’s calling the game?’ That just had such an impact on my life and my journey in hockey.” [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Jh91UXkaRk[/embed] Adams never took for granted the opportunity to be around Jeanneret and would spend time with him on road trips to talk about the history and what the broadcaster has done and seen over the years. He and coach Don Granato want to ensure their players have a feel for the Sabres’ history. A task made easier by the presence of Jeanneret. Throughout his final season, players, especially the younger ones, were invested in one-on-one conversations with him, “really asking questions, getting to know him, him sharing stories,” Adams said. “He does make you want to be a Sabre,” Granato said. “He just does. He makes you proud to be a Sabre. Historically, he is just an amazing guy. He was just an amazing person and so deep, so much depth he could reach our entire locker room, or he could reach players individually.” His impact was such that he even pulled Granato out of his comfort zone. On April 1, 2022, the Sabres honored Jeanneret with an emotional pregame banner-raising ceremony in front of a sold-out KeyBank Center. At his postgame press conference following the Sabres’ win, Granato had changed from his in-game suit and tie to a turtleneck and suspenders, a tribute to Jeanneret’s style. Initially, the coach was hesitant to do so. “He compelled me to put them on because of who he was,” he said. “I can’t imagine I’d do that for anybody – and I say anybody meaning everybody – but RJ had a way that you endeared to him.” The feeling was mutual. The night his banner was raised, Jeanneret got emotional as he closed out his remarks with a message to the fans: “I. Love. You.” “He just loved the people and I think that’s the biggest thing and he never took advantage of his sensation,” said Rob Ray, who got to know Jeanneret as a player and as his broadcast partner. “He always respected the opportunity that he was getting and until his last day, he still thought that was the greatest opportunity in the world.” He also showed it in his interactions with the players he talked about, getting to know them beyond the work relationship. Sometimes when he knew a player was struggling, he’d check in on them by calling their hotel room. “He was almost like your dad, your grandfather there,” Ray said. “These guys looked at him, that’s almost like a comfort zone for them. The way he did his job, it was never in a negative light or anything like that. He was always trying to find the positive side. Never a threat to anybody player-wise. I just think he was easy to be around for the guys. “And I know that back when we played and things would happen, you couldn’t wait to get off the ice to rewind the tape to see how RJ described it. He left an impression on guys because they wanted to do something special just because they know that he would have taken it to the next level and made it even greater. I just think that he was never a threat to anybody. I think players understood that and felt that so they felt open to him.” When the Sabres reconvene for training camp next month, Jeanneret and his impact will be a topic of conversation with the team for Adams and Granato. “There’s people that have paved the way in this organization in many different roles, from someone like RJ to players, coaches, equipment managers, trainers,” Adams said. “And we all want to leave it better than we found it. And you can take a little bit from that. That’s what RJ did. He left this place better, he left this world better than he found it, and I just think that’s a pretty powerful thing for us all to think about, talk about as a group.”

Heather Engel·Aug 19, 2023·Partner

Sabres trade Ilya Lyubushkin to Ducks for fourth-round pick

The Buffalo Sabres started to alleviate their logjam on defense, trading Ilya Lyubushkin to the Anaheim Ducks for a fourth-round pick in 2025. The Buffalo Sabres started to alleviate their logjam on defense Friday night, trading Ilya Lyubushkin to the Anaheim Ducks for a fourth-round pick in 2025. Buffalo had nine defensemen on one-way contracts after signing Erik Johnson and Connor Clifton as free agents last month. Both are right shots, like Lyubushkin. At the time, general manager Kevyn Adams said he’d be comfortable going into training camp with the surplus as it was, citing the importance of depth, but also noted he was open to making a move. “The league is well aware of who we have, and what we will listen to and not listen to. So we’ll see how it goes,” he said on July 2. Lyubushkin, 29, has one year remaining on a two-year, $5.5 million contract ($2.75 million average annual value) he signed with the Sabres last summer as a free agent. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Russian provided a physical presence on the back end while recording an NHL career-high 14 points (two goals, 12 assists) in 68 games last season. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqtL9gYazRE[/embed]

Heather Engel·Jul 28, 2023·Partner

Sabres sign first-round pick Zach Benson to entry-level contract

Forward prospect was the No. 13 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft The Buffalo Sabres announced Friday they have signed forward Zach Benson to a three-year, entry-level contract. The Sabres selected Benson at No. 13 in the 2023 NHL Draft last month in Nashville. The contract carries a cap hit of $950,000 ($855,000 base salary, $95,000 signing bonus), per PuckPedia.com. He’s the second member of Buffalo’s class this year to sign, after Anton Wahlberg (second round, No. 39) inked his deal on July 14. Benson enjoyed a dominant season with the Winnipeg Ice last season, finishing third in the Western Hockey League with 98 points (36 goals, 62 assists) in 60 games, as a linemate of now fellow Sabres prospect Matt Savoie (No. 9, 2022). The 18-year-old added 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists) in 15 playoff games in the Ice’s run to the WHL final. Benson will get a taste of professional hockey life at training camp in September but is expected to return to junior hockey with the Wenatchee Wild, following the Ice’s relocation to Washington state last month. Should Savoie not crack the Sabres’ roster, he could join Benson on their junior squad to add to their already potent chemistry. The duo will likely be in the mix of those vying for a spot to represent Canada at the 2024 World Junior Hockey Championship. Benson has 181 points (71 goals, 110 assists) in 142 career WHL games. See also: Sabres select Zach Benson at No. 13 in 2023 NHL Draft: 'I'm super stoked'

Heather Engel·Jul 18, 2023·Partner

Sabres to host 2023 Prospects Challenge from Sept. 15-18

Fans will get a chance to see some of the Buffalo Sabres' top prospects in the rookie tournament, which will also include the Bruins, Canadiens, Devils, Penguins, and Senators. The Buffalo Sabres announced Tuesday they will once again host the Prospects Challenge, which will run from Sept. 15-18 at LECOM Harborcenter. It’s the eighth edition of the round-robin tournament. For a second straight year, they’ll be joined by five other teams, with the Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators, and Pittsburgh Penguins also participating. Each team will play three games. The rookie tournament offers fans a chance to catch some of the Sabres top prospects, a group that is expected to include 2023 first-round pick Zach Benson as well as forward Viktor Neuchev (2022, 3rd round) and defenseman Nikita Novikov (2021, 6th round). The trio were teammates in the 3-on-3 tournament at this summer’s development camp and skated away winners of the event. Last year, fans got a first glimpse of first-round picks Matt Savoie, Jiri Kulich, and Isak Rosen as Buffalo’s prospects won all three games they played. Tickets are $10 and will go on sale in August. Sabres season-ticket holders will have priority access and a preferred rate for any ticket purchased for the event. Buffalo will announce its roster in September. Streaming details will be announced at a later date. The full schedule: Friday, Sept. 15 Ottawa vs. New Jersey – 12 p.m. Pittsburgh vs. Boston – 3:30 p.m. Buffalo vs. Montreal – 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 Ottawa vs. Pittsburgh – 12 p.m. Boston vs. Montreal – 3:30 p.m. Buffalo vs. New Jersey – 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18 New Jersey vs. Boston – 10 a.m. Montreal vs. Ottawa – 1:30 p.m. Buffalo vs. Pittsburgh – 5 p.m.

Heather Engel·Jul 17, 2023·Partner

Sabres enter new ECHL affiliation agreement with Jacksonville Icemen

Buffalo was previously affiliated with the Cincinnati Cyclones The Buffalo Sabres announced the Jacksonville Icemen as their new ECHL affiliate on Monday. Previously, Buffalo had been affiliated with the Cincinnati Cyclones since 2017. Prior to teaming up with the Sabres, the Icemen had been the affiliate of the New York Rangers the past two seasons. “We are thrilled to partner with the Jacksonville Icemen as our new ECHL affiliate,” Buffalo general manager Kevyn Adams said in a statement. “This partnership marks an exciting new chapter for both organizations and further emphasizes our commitment to the growth and development of our players and staff. The Icemen’s dedication to excellence both on and off the ice, coupled with competitive conference play, made them a great fit for our new affiliate.” The Icemen set club records last season with 44 wins and 93 points and made it to the division finals of the Kelly Cup Playoffs, where they fell in six games to the eventual champion Florida Everblades. The Rochester Americans, Buffalo’s American Hockey League affiliate, has turned to the ECHL affiliate for roster help over the years. Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen played 23 games with Cincinnati in his first full professional season in 2019-20. Matej Pekar, who was not extended a qualifying offer last month, was the lone forward on an NHL contract to see time in the ECHL last season. Amerks forwards Kohen Olischefski and Josh Passolt each played most of the season with Cincinnati before being recalled to Rochester. Sabres assistant coach Jason Christie served as head coach of the Icemen for four seasons before joining Don Granato’s staff ahead of the 2021-22 season. He is the ECHL's all-time leader in games coached (1,282) and wins (667).

Heather Engel·Jul 17, 2023·Partner

Sabres re-sign Linus Weissbach to one-year, two-way contract

Weissbach was Buffalo's last remaining restricted free agent The Buffalo Sabres re-signed forward Linus Weissbach to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000, the team announced Monday. He was the Sabres’ last remaining restricted free agent. Weissbach, 25, finished third on the Rochester Americans last season with 20 goals and was fourth on the team with 47 points in 69 games with the Rochester Americans. He added 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 12 games in the Calder Cup Playoffs. Known for his speed and skill coming out of a four-year college career at the University of Wisconsin, Weissbach has enhanced his game in two years as a pro, most notably this past season. The 5-foot-9, 177-pound winger added grit and tenacity and has become a versatile player for Amerks coach Seth Appert. “It’s not easy,” Appert said back in May. “There’s a reason it’s one of the bigger transformations I’ve seen because it isn’t easy to change some of your DNA as a player. He’s always got skill, speed. We just want to enhance that.” Weissbach has yet to be recalled to Buffalo. Last season, a healthy forward group led to limited call-ups from the AHL. He is expected to be among the mix of Rochester players competing for a roster spot with the Sabres in training camp. Buffalo selected him in the seventh round (No. 192) of the 2017 NHL Draft. See also: Sabres 2023 off-season tracker

Heather Engel·Jul 14, 2023·Partner

Sabres sign Anton Wahlberg to entry-level contract, re-sign Brett Murray

The Buffalo Sabres have signed forward prospect Anton Wahlberg to a three-year, entry-level contract and re-signed Brett Murray to a one-year, two-way contract. The Buffalo Sabres have signed forward prospect Anton Wahlberg to a three-year, entry-level contract and re-signed Brett Murray to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 at the NHL level, the team announced Friday. The Sabres selected Wahlberg, 18, in the second round (No. 39) of the 2023 NHL Draft, held last month in Nashville. He participated in the team’s development camp last week. Wahlberg (6-foot-3, 190 pounds) had 27 points (14 goals, 13 assists) in 32 games with the Malmo Redhawks junior team and had four points (two goals, two assists) in 17 games with the men’s team in the SHL. “It’s the big thing I want to do in Sweden, contribute on the highest level, but to do that was cool,” he said of playing at the senior level. “It was just fun to do that. It helped me a lot to get more experience (as a) center and I’m really happy with that.” He also had three goals and six points in seven games at the World Under-18 championship. “He's a kid that rises in the big moments,” Sabres director of amateur scouting Jerry Forton said at the conclusion of the draft. “Not a perfect player yet, some inconsistency. Talented, fast, very skilled around the net. A hard player. You need it all to come together, but it's a special package.” Wahlberg said at the draft he has one year remaining on his contract in Sweden. Murray, 24, set career highs across the board last season with the Rochester Americans, with 23 goals and 26 assists for 49 points in 71 games. His points total ranked third on the team while he finished second in goals behind rookie Jiri Kulich (24). Murray added 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 14 games in the Calder Cup Playoffs. The 6-foot-5, 228-pound forward has appeared in 21 games with the Sabres, recording two goals and four assists. Buffalo selected him in the fourth round (No. 99) of the 2016 NHL Draft. With Murray re-signed, Linus Weissbach is the Sabres’ lone remaining restricted free agent.

Heather Engel·Jul 11, 2023·Partner

Vinny Prospal ready for "great opportunity" as Rochester Americans assistant coach

Shortly into his hour-plus-long initial conversation with Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert, Vaclav “Vinny” Prospal knew it was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up. Appert was looking to fill the vacancies on his bench with the departures of Michael Peca (New York Rangers) and Mike Weber (St. Louis Blues). Prospal, 48, was in his native Czechia, thinking he’d be spending the hockey season in Tampa as a full-time dad. On Monday, the Amerks announced that Prospal and Nathan Paetsch had been hired as Appert’s assistants. “We could have spoken pretty much all afternoon,” Prospal said on a Zoom call with reporters. “It was awesome to talk to Seth about hockey, practices, the game, and everything like that. … As soon as I started talking to Seth, I felt that this is going to be a great opportunity.” It wasn’t the first time they had connected. Six years ago, a mutual friend put them in contact to talk hockey and development. At the time, Prospal was coaching minor hockey for the Tampa Scorpions program while Appert was a coach with the U.S. National Team Development Program. It was a conversation that stuck with the Rochester bench boss. “I was really impressed that a player with 1,100 NHL games didn’t feel he had all the answers when it came to coaching,” Appert said. “That struck me. And all I remember about that conversation is how easy the conversation was for two guys that had never met each other.” Prospal played 1,108 NHL games for seven teams over 16 seasons, amassing 765 points (255 goals, 510 assists). He represented his country on the international stage numerous times, winning the World Championship twice and claiming a bronze medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics. While conducting his search, Appert, who never played pro hockey, wasn’t expecting to find anyone who could match Peca’s playing experience. Nor was that a requirement. “To me, you hire people based on who they are first as human beings, the kind of character that they have, the kind of family man they are,” he said. “And then the ability for us as a staff to have a really strong relationship because the stronger our relationship is, the players see that every day and it helps strengthen the bond of the players.” Prospal retired in 2013 after wrapping up his career with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He turned to scouting but after a few months knew that he wanted to pursue coaching. “I believe coaching is the best next thing to playing,” he said. Since then, he’s coached youth hockey; served as an assistant coach for Czechia at the Olympics, World Championship, and World Cup; and was head coach of his hometown team, HC Motor Ceske Budejovice, in the Czech Extraliga. The suggestion of Prospal as a candidate came from Bob Daniels, Appert’s coach at his alma mater Ferris State, when Daniels had called to catch up a few weeks after the Amerks were eliminated from the Calder Cup Playoffs. Prospal had spent much of the past year visiting some of his former coaches to learn from them. He also spent a week immersing himself at Ferris State. “I thought that that said a lot about how seriously he takes the profession,” Appert said. Prospal spoke with Appert several more times, as well as with Buffalo general manager Kevyn Adams and Rochester GM Jason Karmanos. He didn’t know what to expect but felt from the conversations as if he was already a part of the group. “The world of hockey is looking at the Buffalo Sabres as an organization that is on the rise,” he said. “I’m very excited about going in there and looking at the younger players. [Seth] sent me a text message last week from development camp about how many great young hockey players are there on the ice and who we’re going to be working with. It’s very, very exciting. It’s something that I don’t take lightly.” Paetsch, 40, played all but 10 of his 167 NHL games with the Sabres, who selected him in the seventh round (No. 202) of the 2003 NHL Draft. He played another 651 games in the American Hockey League, including 258 with the Amerks, and was a two-time Calder Cup champion with the Grand Rapids Griffins. “To be a coach on that bench in front of friends and family, it’s just an opportunity I’m so grateful to have,” said Paetsch, who has made Rochester his permanent home. He spent the past three seasons as a development coach with Buffalo and has built relationships with the organization’s prospects, including defensemen Ryan Johnson and Nikita Novikov, who will be newcomers to the Amerks’ blue line next season. The Sabres also announced contract extensions for Appert and Buffalo assistants Matt Ellis, Marty Wilford, Jason Christie, and Mike Bales. Coach Don Granato was extended last October, prior to the start of the season. “I love my job, I love who I work for, I love who I work with, and I take a lot of pride in being part of the Sabres organization and leading the Amerks,” said Appert, who will enter his fourth season at the helm in the fall. “I’m really proud of what we’ve been building the last couple of years.”

Heather Engel·Jul 5, 2023·Partner

Sabres re-sign defenseman Kale Clague to one-year, two-way contract

Clague played 33 games for the Sabres in 2022-23 The Buffalo Sabres re-signed defenseman Kale Clague to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000, the team announced Wednesday. Clague, 25, became a free agent last week after he did not receive a qualifying offer from the Sabres. He played an NHL career high 33 games for Buffalo last season, recording four assists. He began the season with the Rochester Americans before earning a recall at the end of October that lasted three weeks before being reassigned. He was recalled again on Dec. 10 and remained with the Sabres for the rest of the season. Selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the second round (No. 51) of the 2016 NHL Draft, Clague has 20 points (two goals, 18 assists) in 91 NHL career games. He has 76 points (17 goals, 59 assists) in 143 career AHL games. The signing gives the Sabres 10 defensemen under contract who spent most of last season in the NHL after adding Erik Johnson and Connor Clifton as free agents. “The way I look at it is, we need depth,” general manager Kevyn Adams said on July 2. “It’s a long season. Hopefully, we are a team that is going to make a deep run and you need good solid players that can play. And you never know. Look what’s already happened this summer in terms of one of our key players that goes down. Those things happen, so you need help.”

Heather Engel·Jul 4, 2023·Partner

Connor Clifton 'going to bring a lot to the table' for Sabres

Defenseman excited to reunite with Don Granato and bring 'two-way, abrasive style' to Sabres BUFFALO – Connor Clifton has enjoyed watching and playing against the Buffalo Sabres. Now he’s looking forward to being one of them. After playing the first five years of his NHL career with the Boston Bruins, the defenseman signed a three-year, $10 million contract with the Sabres an hour into free agency. “I think everyone feels it. They’ve been building something special the past couple of years, and I’m excited to be part of it,” Clifton said on a Zoom call on July 2. “They obviously missed the wild card, too, by one point last year. They could have easily made playoffs, but they’re just getting better each year. Obviously, the players coming together and they’re just getting older and better. It’s kind of been fun to watch the past couple of years, so I’m just really excited.” It wasn’t just the team itself that led him to choose Buffalo. Clifton, 28, has a history with coach Don Granato and said he was a “huge part” in his decision. In the 2011-12 season, he was playing for the New Jersey Hitmen, a junior team in his home state. It was his Under-17 year, and he hadn’t been invited to play for USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, coached by Granato. But when the team was short on defense, he earned a recall. It was the first time Clifton met Granato and he didn’t know any of his new teammates, either. “He was a huge part of getting me comfortable,” he said. “That month of hockey I think I learned more than I ever have, honestly, in that short a period, just because of the way he wanted to play and what I learned. … It helped me a lot in college to the professional level.” The Sabres identified an upgrade on defense was needed in order for them to take the next step. Granato wanted general manager Kevyn Adams to pursue Clifton and the GM felt the same, having watched him “for years and he’s a player I’ve always liked a lot.” “He’s our kind of guy,” Adams said. “He’s competitive, he’s a great character person. He’s going to help our group. He’s a good skater, physical presence. He has a real familiarity with the way we want and need to play as a team, obviously, with his history of Donny. … In my conversations with he and his agents, quickly I realized the admiration and respect he has for Donny and the history. That felt like a pretty good fit, so we were able to move quickly. He’s going to bring a lot to the table.” The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Clifton feels his “two-way, abrasive style” fits well with the Sabres. He was able to showcase his game more often this past season as injuries hit the Bruins’ defense, especially early, elevating his role and averaging over 21 minutes through the first half of the season. That boost helped him to career highs with and without the puck, finishing the season with 23 points (five goals,18 assists) and 208 hits. “I think my offensive side of things took a jump this past year with [coach Jim Montgomery] helping me build confidence on that side of things, but I’ve always tried to accept my role and play to my role and that’s what it’s been,” Clifton said. “It’s been trying to throw the body around, trying to create some energy for my teammates. “I always used to hit a lot when I was younger, too. Kind of use my legs to match the speed of opponents. It’s a great way to get good players off their game, so I learned that when I was young and it still applies today in the NHL. So, I don’t think I’m going to change that ever because I love that portion of my style.” And while he’s excited to start the next chapter of his career, there’s one thing he’s less hopeful for. “I remember Tage had a nice highlight-reel goal against me this year, so I don’t look forward to that in practice,” he said.