Archives for July 2021

'In a surprising development, General Manager Kevyn Adams’ scouting staff chose four prospects from Russia after the organization drafted zero the previous four drafts.' … [Read more...] about From Russia with skill: Unusual draft year caused Sabres to plot different course

'McCabe is strong on the penalty kill and provides a physical presence on the blue line. A return to Buffalo could come with the responsibility of team captain, as Jack Eichel is expected to be traded this offseason and the club has few candidates experienced enough to hold the title.' … [Read more...] about Sabres pushing to sign goalie Linus Ullmark; Jake McCabe expected to reach UFA

'Listed at 6-foot, 176 pounds, Poltapov was ranked by NHL Central Scouting as the No. 18 European skater in this draft class. It's likely he used a strong performance at the IIHF World Championship in Texas to improve his draft stock in the eyes of Sabres scouts.' … [Read more...] about Sabres select Russian winger Prokhor Poltapov with first pick of second round

'With those two picks and the selection of Isak Rosen at No. 14 on Friday night, it's clear the Sabres are bent on increasing their organizational skill level at forward without concern about size.' … [Read more...] about With second pick of Round 2, Sabres take Russian winger Aleksandr Kisakov

'Sardarian, 18, was teammates with Sabres second-round draft choice Prokhor Poltapov on Krasnaya Armiya Moskva of Russia's top junior league. Listed at 6-foot-1, 156 pounds, was ranked by NHL Central Scouting as the No. 73 European skater in this draft.' … [Read more...] about Stiven Sardarian becomes latest Russian forward selected by Sabres in NHL draft

'The 6-foot-2, 188-pound Bloom did not play in the 2020-21 season because the Ontario Hockey League campaign was shelved due to the Covid-19 pandemic. He had six goals and eight assists in 54 games in 2019-20.' … [Read more...] about Sabres make Saginaw winger Josh Bloom their second pick of Round 3

'Nadeau, 18, is a power forward with skill and brings more of a physical element than the Sabres' previous selections. Listed at 6-foot-2, 204 pounds, Nadeau totaled 13 goals and 45 points in 34 games for Shawinigan last season. The biggest knock against him is speed, but Nadeau excels in other areas, including stickhandling, an effective one-timer and effective passing.' … [Read more...] about Sabres use fourth-round draft pick on QMJHL winger Olivier Nadeau

'Von Barnekow-Lofberg was not ranked by NHL Central Scouting, but the 18-year-old had a strong season across two leagues in Sweden. Listed at 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, von Barnekow-Lofberg spent most of last season with Tyringe of the country's third-tier professional league, totaling nine goals and 22 points in 26 games.' … [Read more...] about Sabres kick-start sixth round by drafting William von Barnekow-Lofberg

'Marjala played in 2020-2021 for the Quebec Remparts in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and was ranked 65th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting. He had five goals and 22 assists in 30 games playing for the Remparts under Hockey Hall of Famer Patrick Roy.' … [Read more...] about At No. 159, Sabres take Finnish winger Viljami Marjala from Quebec League

'The 6-foot-4, 207-pounder is yet another player the Sabres saw at the World Under-18 tournament in Frisco, Texas. He had five assists in seven games in that tournament for Russia, and had four goals and 10 assists in 52 games for Dynamo.' … [Read more...] about At No. 188, Sabres take Russian defenseman Nikita Novikov

'Kozak, 18, has played two seasons with the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League, totaling three goals and 11 points in 18 games during a Covid-19-shortened season in 2020-21.' … [Read more...] about Sabres cap 11-player draft haul with center Tyson Kozak in the seventh round