Craig Rivet News

As Zack Kassian posed for pictures, standing taller and wider than the Buffalo Sabres ' draft gurus who had just selected him, it was hard to envision him wearing Mickey Mouse ears and spinning on the ice in figure skates.

Montador signs with Sabres Steve Montador. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Unable to meet defenceman Jaroslav Spacek 's contract demands, the Buffalo Sabres wasted little time to find an experienced -- but less expensive -- replacement: Steve Montador .

The Sabres got Steve Montador, a steady-enough defenseman who won't make a ton of mistakes and has offensive upside.

The Buffalo Sabres added a combination of scoring and toughness Friday night, selecting pugnacious Peterborough Petes right winger Zack Kassian with their No.

Monday 29 Jun Monday, June 29, 2009 at 09:47AM SAN JOSE The San Jose Sharks concluded the 2009 NHL Entry Draft today with Sharks Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson and Director of Scouting Tim Burke making five selections.

Wrenn, who came with the 43rd overall pick acquired from the Buffalo Sabres in the Craig Rivet trade, is a national development team player who captained the U.S. to the gold medal at the 2009 Under-18 world championships.

There's one surefire way for athletes to alienate this town. It's when they sum up their games like this: "We came out flat.

So Darcy Regier got to talking with the media, and the ensuing brushfire claims at least a few fans in the ashes of the news that the team is talking to Jaroslav Spacek.

After the Buffalo Sabres finished off their second-straight disappointing season, managing partner Larry Quinn said the team would conduct a "thorough evaluation" to determine the reasoning for the team's downfall... by Brandon K. 3 137 reads Opinion After the Buffalo Sabres finished off their second-straight disappointing season, managing partner ...

Tyler Myers seems to growing up before his coaches' eyes. Check that - maturing.

That sounds about right for Roy for the upcoming campaign. If anything, Buffalo's power play is a little worse by going from Brian Campbell to Craig Rivet.

It was clear to anyone watching that Chris Butler was staying in Buffalo. Andrew Peters saw it.

For hockey fans and players alike, it doesn't get any better right now. The calendar turns to April, the regular season comes to a close, and the intensity and passion that comes with playoff hockey arrives.

In the end, the Sabres missed the playoffs by just 1 win. A Ita s easy to look back at where they could have or should have picked up those extra 2 points.

Lindy Ruff was hired as Buffalo Sabres coach in July 1997. Canada will have a lot of experience behind the bench at the men's world hockey championships in Switzerland later this month, with Lindy Ruff of the Buffalo Sabres named head coach Sunday.

It's time to start thinking about the future of the Buffalo Sabres. Nathan Gerbe received evidence Wednesday he's likely to be part of it.

There was a sense of hope Monday morning in HSBC Arena. The Buffalo Sabres talked of closing the season with a four-game winning streak, spoke of how they could put pressure on the teams they were chasing for the final playoff spot.

By now, nearly everyone in hockey circles knows how Teppo Numminen overcame major heart surgery and returned to the NHL.

Editor's note: Our weekly "Faceoff" features ESPN.com NHL writers Scott Burnside and Pierre LeBrun , who duke it out over any given hockey topic.

Like any coach, Lindy Ruff has many ways to try to get his message across. He'll often skate next to a player before practice chatting calmly.