The Sabres have begun their end-of-season press conferences this week after missing the playoffs by mere percentage points.
So far, it’s been more of the same attitudes we heard over the past few years. Players aren’t happy with how things were going, and they know they need to be better. But, still, there are good things we’ve heard so far.
We’ll highlight some of the most notable player quotes here throughout the week and we’ll update it as they speak to the media.
Jack Eichel
Eichel: Listen, I’m fed up with the losing and I’m frustrated. It’s a tough couple months and a tough couple years. I’m a competitor and I want to win every time I step on the ice #Sabres
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) May 28, 2020
Eichel also mentioned that only missing the playoffs by another game has only added to his level of frustration and that he hasn’t been in the best place due to what has happened in recent years.
It’s definitely a concern hearing that from him, but he does say he’s already preparing for next season and wants to continue to be a leader on the team. But if the team isn’t able to start making the playoffs soon, Eichel requesting a trade could quickly start to become much more of an expectation and reality.
Eichel: Said he's the farthest thing from a finished product as a leader or a player, but it's something he works on
— Paul Hamilton (@pham1717) May 28, 2020
Eichel: Being around Ralph Krueger every day has been so good for me. He’s one of the greatest natural born leaders that I’ve ever been around #Sabres
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) May 28, 2020
Rasmus Ristolainen
Risto has been a rumored trade target for a long time now. He expressed his frustration openly on Thursday:
"Buffalo has a bright future, but we've been saying the 'bright future' for seven years now when I've been here. And I'm not sure when is it?" – Sabres' Rasmus Ristolainen pic.twitter.com/0MiBNaGCEr
— John Vogl (@BuffaloVogl) May 28, 2020
Ristolainen: I'm not sure if I've ever played in a team with a winning culture, so I've never seen it either before or in Buffalo. In Finland I was in the same position, coaches and GM's fired every year, so I don't know what a winning culture is."
— Paul Hamilton (@pham1717) May 28, 2020
"If changes happen, I know I'm one of the first ones that's probably going to get traded." – Rasmus Ristolainen
— John Vogl (@BuffaloVogl) May 28, 2020
Rasmus Ristolainen said he wishes Ralph Krueger would’ve come here a few years ago. #Sabres
— Bill Hoppe (@BillHoppeNHL) May 28, 2020
Jeff Skinner
Jeff Skinner says if you like losing you probably don’t make it to the NHL level and that you should choose a different profession.
I dig it.
— Joe Yerdon (@JoeYerdon) May 28, 2020
Rasmus Dahlin
Dahlin said he was pissed that he wasn’t going to be able to come back to North America to resume play. Obviously, one of this team’s core building blocks, it’s nice to hear that. Dahlin has an extremely bright future ahead of him, and he’s apparently been working hard already:
Dahlin said he’s been working on his shot every day. He said his coaches want him to put on some weight & improve his play in the corners.
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) May 27, 2020
Dahlin: Eichel is one of the hardest workers I’ve ever played with so I try to take after him.
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) May 27, 2020
Sam Reinhart
Reinhart, along with other players, showed a belief in Krueger’s plan. The head coach has only been here for one season, but the players are talking positively about him (not that they would say anything negative, though).
“This year, I felt I was at my best.” – Reinhart
Reinhart said his contract hasn't been on his mind much. He said there's so much unknown just like the rest of the world. Said he's not concerned whether it's one year or six years, he'll just prepare like he always does.
— Paul Hamilton (@pham1717) May 28, 2020
I asked Sam about if he thinks he could be an answer at center. He said he'd do anything he's asked to do to help the team, but he did say he thought the chemistry he had with Jack and Olofsson really helped the team this year.
— Paul Hamilton (@pham1717) May 28, 2020
Kyle Okposo
Okposo was more open, honest, and positive about the future of the Sabres. He still has three more years at $6M apiece, and he’s definitely not the same player he used to be. It’s possible for him to carve out a nice role on one of the bottom two lines, and if he can continue to do that, along with fans accepting the poor contract, it would help a ton. The problem is using him as a 2nd line forward or above, but if Ralph Krueger can utilize him correctly, having Okposo as more of a depth option is a smarter choice.
Kyle Okposo: I know people are pissed, I know people are mad….but I truly believe we’re going in the right direction.
Okposo giving very thoughtful answers right now.
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) May 27, 2020
"He demands a lot out of teammates, everyone, because he puts in everything he's got. … When it's all said and done, he's going to be a top-tier captain in this league." – Kyle Okposo on Jack Eichel.
Okposo also notes Jack can't do it by himself.
— John Vogl (@BuffaloVogl) May 27, 2020
Jake McCabe
One of the assistant captains, McCabe, was really impressed with Henri Jokiharju and Dahlin.
McCabe on Henri Jokiharju – He was able to stabilize my game when I was paired up with him. It was impressive for a 20-year-old like him to come in and play the way he did. (1/2) #Sabres
— Brayton J. Wilson (@BJWilsonWGR) May 27, 2020
Victor Olofsson
It’s not too surprising to see Olofsson be more positive about the future. After all, he’s only been with the club for one season now.
Olofsson: We need to learn how to win…….But I have very high hopes and think we’ll be a good team for years #Sabres @WKBW
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) May 27, 2020