'“Jason did a great job making us feel welcome, making us feel comfortable with his program,” Jeff Crisp, the Sabres’ head amateur scout, said Saturday. “As advertised, he was a GM-in-waiting for a lot of different NHL teams for a reason. He’s very intelligent and very prepared. I’ve learned a lot already and hope to learn more from him and work with him to help the Sabres.”' … [Read more...] about After chaotic two months, Sabres get chance to be a team again
Archives for June 25, 2017
Mike Harrington: Draft weekend gives a glimpse to Botterill's measured approach
'Botterill knows this franchise hasn't been to the playoffs in six years or won a single playoff series in a decade. But he's going on a slow roll here. There will be no more damning of the torpedos and full speed ahead.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Draft weekend gives a glimpse to Botterill’s measured approach
Sabres Notebook: Top European goalie picked; Buffalo goes for unknown in third round
'The Sabres are getting a goalie who’s been strapping on the pads since he could walk. He went straight to the net when he started playing street hockey, and he stayed in the crease as soon as there was ice under his feet.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Top European goalie picked; Buffalo goes for unknown in third round
Sabres set development camp for July 8-11
'The French Connection Tournament, the annual 3-on-3 challenge, will highlight the final day and start at 9:15 a.m. on July 11.' … [Read more...] about Sabres set development camp for July 8-11
Report: Rangers to hire Lindy Ruff as an assistant coach
'Ruff then coached Dallas for four seasons but was fired again after last season. The Stars careeneed from the top of the Western Conference standings in 2015-16 to out of the playoffs this spring after brutal goaltending and injuries derailed the season.' … [Read more...] about Report: Rangers to hire Lindy Ruff as an assistant coach
Take that, Charles Barkley! Bills' Williams and Sabres' Eichel don't shy from being role models
'“First off, we know Charles Barkley speaks a ton of garbage,’’ said Eichel, not swayed by Barkley’s professed love of hockey. “For someone to say athletes aren’t role models is a pretty ridiculous statement. Anyone can be a role model, whether it’s parents, someone in the community, athletes who play professionally you look up to, or it’s an athlete that’s on your team. … I do … [Read more...] about Take that, Charles Barkley! Bills’ Williams and Sabres’ Eichel don’t shy from being role models
Goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen sensed interest from Sabres
'Like Sabres prospect Casey Mittelstadt, the eighth overall pick Friday, Luukkonen clearly feels comfortable in Buffalo. He talked about how much he liked the water around the city during his visit and how great it would be to represent Finland at the World Junior Championship in Buffalo later this year. “Just a beautiful city and great people,” he said.' … [Read more...] about Goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen sensed interest from Sabres
Sabres GM Jason Botterill stays patient at NHL Draft
'“If you ever get in a rush, that’s when you make mistakes, and the bottom line is you do have to be patient,” Botterill said Saturday following his first draft as a GM. “I know (new coach) Phil Housley’s competitive. I know myself is competitive. We want to be competitive, we want to make changes, we want to be more successful right off the bat here.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres GM Jason Botterill stays patient at NHL Draft
Mittelstadt happy to be drafted by the Sabres
'"It's a long build up," Mittelstadt said after being selected as Buffalo's first round pick. "Being in the room for a while, it started to get stressful but it's a big relief to be picked. I think me and my entire family are super excited. It's a huge honor, and obviously going to a great place like Buffalo makes it even better."' … [Read more...] about Mittelstadt happy to be drafted by the Sabres
Sabres take Marcus Davidsson with 37th overall pick
'The 18-year old is considered a gritty two-way center who brings speed and energy. The 6' 0" and 192-pound center scored five goals and registered nine points in 45 games with Djurgårdens, while averaging 11:12 of ice time last season.' … [Read more...] about Sabres take Marcus Davidsson with 37th overall pick
Sabres pick goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in second round
'The 18-year old Finnish goalie spent his 2016-17 with HPK's junior-A team in the Finnish Liiga, where he posted a 1.78 goals-against average and a .917 save-percentage.' … [Read more...] about Sabres pick goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in second round
Sabres add defenseman Oskari Laaksonen in third round
'Laaksonen, 6' 1" and 165-pounds, split his time between the junior-A league and junior-B league with the Ilves program in the Finnish Liiga. In the A-program, Laaksonen put up six goals and nine points in 27 games played. He ended up registering 10 assists in 10 games with Ilves' B-program.' … [Read more...] about Sabres add defenseman Oskari Laaksonen in third round
Sabres draft Jacob Bryson in fourth round
'Bryson is an over-ager, 19, who spent last season playing college hockey with the Providence Friars in the Hockey East. He scored three goals and registered 20 points in 39 games played as a freshman.' … [Read more...] about Sabres draft Jacob Bryson in fourth round
Sabres round out draft with Linus Weissbach in seventh round
'Weissbach put up a good year with the Tri-City Storm in the USHL last season, leading the team in scoring with 19 goals, 28 assists and 47 points in 49 games. Weissbach was also named as a USHL Third-Team All-Star for his season with the Storm.' … [Read more...] about Sabres round out draft with Linus Weissbach in seventh round
2017 NHL Draft a learning process for Botterill
'"If you ever get in a rush, that's when you make mistakes. The bottom line is you have to be patient. I know Phil Housley is competitive, I know myself as competitive. We want to be competitive, we want to make changes and be more successful right off the bat here. It's a scenario where we're trying to balance things out. We're trying to make improvements, trying to bring … [Read more...] about 2017 NHL Draft a learning process for Botterill