Archives for July 2022

'When the Sabres were on the clock in the second round with pick 41, they announced Leinonen as their selection. He’s a massive physical specimen at 233 pounds and his 78.5-inch wing span was sixth-longest among combine participants when the event was held in Buffalo. This wasn’t considered a strong draft for goalies – Leinonen was the first taken – but he was ranked the best … [Read more...] about Topias Leinonen’s selection addresses Sabres’ glaring need in prospect pipeline

'Names like Darcy Kuemper, Jack Campbell and Braden Holtby are expected to be on the free agent market next week, San Jose is probably willing to part with veteran James Reimer, the Islanders might deal Semyon Varlamov, and now you wonder about All-Star goalie Cam Talbot in Minnesota, who was nosed out of starts in the playoffs by Fleury and now watched the future Hall of Famer … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Kevyn Adams doesn’t have Sabres’ new goalie yet, but he’ll get one on his timetable

'This is insurance for the Sabres in the event goalie prospect Erik Portillo opts to not sign before he reaches unrestricted free agency next summer. Portillo, a third-round draft choice in 2019, had an exceptional sophomore season at the University of Michigan but opted not to sign with the Sabres this spring.' … [Read more...] about Sabres grab top-ranked European goalie Topias Leinonen with the 41st pick

'The 18-year-old Leinonen brings a physically imposing figure to the net, at 6-foot-5 and 233 pounds, which also means that as a young goalie, he still has room to grow, physically and skill-wise. Scouting reports have noted that his agility and speed are also strong assets in his style of play.' … [Read more...] about Five things to know about Sabres second-round pick Topias Leinonen

'Neuchev is 6-2, 165 and had a big year for Yekaterinburg of the Russian junior league with 40 goals and 27 assists in 61 games. A left-handed shooter, he was often used as a sniper on his off wing to showcase his elite-level shot. He was ranked as the No. 34 European skater by NHL Central Scouting.' … [Read more...] about In Round 3, Sabres take Russian winger Viktor Neuchev at No. 74 overall

'The left winger had 363 shots on goal to dominate the category, with 53 more than the player in second place. He also leads all MHL draft-eligible players in goals by 10 and in points by 13. He was fourth in points per game. He also appeared in one game in the KHL for Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg in 2021-22.' … [Read more...] about Five things to know about the Sabres third-round pick Viktor Neuchev

'Kamloops models his game after Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks and has the skating ability to elude defenders when carrying the puck up ice to ignite his club’s offense. His father, also named Mats, was selected 15th overall in the 1993 draft by the Winnipeg Jets and played parts of seven seasons in the NHL. He also represented Sweden at the Nagano Olympics in 1998.' … [Read more...] about Mats Lindgren becomes first defenseman taken by Sabres in 2022 draft

'Lindgren traveled to Chicago to play for the Cougars for part of the 2020-21 season. He appeared in 10 games, with two goals and nine assists. He also played 22 games for Kamloops of the WHL with a goal and nine assists. He was tied for second in points among rookie defenseman in the league.' … [Read more...] about Five things to know about the Sabres fourth-round pick Mats Lindgren

'"Hockey wise, I really love his poise with the puck," Roy said in a January story on the Quebec League's web site. "He’s very patient, doesn’t get rid of it, moves it very well, rarely makes mistakes on his first pass and defends really well. He’s a big, strong kid and I feel like he has a good mix of offense and defense because he’s got those skills with the puck.”' … [Read more...] about Round 5: Sabres take Russian defenseman Vsevolod Komarov at No. 134 overall

'Originally from Chelyabinsk in Russia, Komarov moved to North America after being drafted in the first round (31st overall) in the 2021 CHL Import Draft by the Quebec Remparts in the QMJHL.' … [Read more...] about Five things to know about Sabres fifth-round pick Vsevolod Komarov

'Richard was chosen by Oshawa in the Ontario Hockey League draft, but opted to go the USHL and NCAA route. His father, Gilles, was once general manager of the Jacksonville Barracudas of the Southern Professional Hockey League. Jake played in the Lightning High School Hockey League in the Tampa Bay area. He's 6-foot-1 and was used in all situations as a first-year player with … [Read more...] about Sabres draft 17-year-old winger Jake Richard with 170th pick

'Playing for Muskegon, the 17-year-old Richard scored 18 goals and 29 assists in 56 games, including five power-play goals and four game-winning goals. Richard picked up his game in the second half of the season, scoring 14 goals and 27 assists in Muskegon’s final 35 regular-season games.' … [Read more...] about Five things to know about Sabres sixth-round pick Jake Richard

'The 6-foot-2 Karlsson had 48 points in 41 games last season for Orebro of the Swedish Junior League, with 31 goals and 17 assists. His goal total was tied for second in the league.' … [Read more...] about With second pick of Round 6, Sabres take Swedish center Gustav Karlsson

'Another slimmer center for the Sabres, Karlsson was ranked 59th among European skaters by NHL Central Scouting. He was projected to be selected from the fourth to the seventh round, with a need to add size and strength as he develops and become more of a two-way player. The left-handed shot is listed at 6-foot-1 and 165.' … [Read more...] about Three things to know about Sabres sixth-round pick Gustav Karlsson

'Ratkovic Berndtsson, 18, is a product of Frolunda, the organization on in which Rasmus Dahlin played before joining the Sabres in 2018. Ratkovic Berndtsson has yet to ascend to the Swedish Hockey League, but he had an outstanding offensive season in the country’s Under-20 league.' … [Read more...] about Joel Ratkovic Berndtsson taken with Sabres’ first of two seventh-round picks