Richard Spalding
A huge fan of hockey who currently has three kids playing the sport, Rich has been covering the Buffalo Sabres since 2011. He's endured The Tank, and is now ready to cover the run to The Cup . . . whenever that happens!
Author's Posts
Asplund's Decision a Minor Setback for Buffalo Sabres
June 10th, 2017 The double-barreled firing of general manager Tim Murray and head coach Dan Bylsma has produced its first casualty: Swedish prospect Rasmus Asplund has decided to remain overseas and will not be signing an entry-level contract with the Buffalo Sabres this offseason. It is tough to find fault in Asplund's decision, the Sabres' front...
Sabres Best-Case Scenario for Expansion Draft
June 1st, 2017 The Buffalo Sabres have very little to fear when it comes to the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft, which will take place on June 21. Yes, the Sabres are going to lose a player — most likely Zemgus Girgensons or Linus Ullmark. For a team that lacks the sort of depth that successful playoff teams have, losing a player to the Las Vegas Golden...
Lehner Is a Playoff-Caliber Goalie
May 30th, 2017 Last week, I suggested that new Buffalo Sabres general manager Jason Botterill absolutely should consider finding out what it would cost to acquire backup goaltender Philipp Grubauer from the Washington Capitals. My reasoning was simple (at least in my mind): Grubauer will be the best player left unprotected by the Capitals when the...
Buffalo Sabres Left Wing Options
May 25th, 2017 If the Buffalo Sabres wish to put an immediate end to their current six-year playoff drought, there are two holes they need to fill this offseason. The first is obviously defense, and even though the team should be improved with the anticipated additions of Viktor Antipin and Brendan Guhle, newly-hired general manager Jason Botterill...
Sabres Should Look to Expansion Draft to Improve Goaltending
May 19th, 2017 There's been talk that the Buffalo Sabres should take advantage of the expansion draft in order to add a quality defenseman to its roster. While it would cost the Sabres an arm, or two, and possibly even a leg to try and trade for a top-pairing blueliner, it is true that the Sabres might be able to add some depth on defense, or acquire...
Affordable Options For Sabres Blue Line
May 13th, 2017 Now that the Buffalo Sabres have announced that former Pittsburgh Penguins assistant general manager Jason Botterill will be the team's new GM, the franchise must get to work. There is a lot to be done, and not a lot of time to do it if this team wishes to make the playoffs next season. Botterill inherits a team that had one of the...
