'The Sabres, thanks to their 91-point finish this season – the fourth-highest total among non-playoff teams – weren’t eligible to win the first or second overall pick. A team can only move up 10 spots if it wins one of the draws for the first or second selection.' … [Read more...] about Sabres to pick 13th overall; Blackhawks win lottery, can draft Connor Bedard
Archives for May 2023
The Sabres stay at No. 13 in the NHL Draft
'This is the first time in 12 years that the Sabres have drafted lower than 12th. In that time, Buffalo has drafted No. 1 twice, No. 2 twice, No. 7 once, No. 8 four times, No. 9 once and No. 12 once.' … [Read more...] about The Sabres stay at No. 13 in the NHL Draft
Sabres to pick 13th in NHL Draft
'This will be the first time since 2012 that Buffalo’s initial pick will be outside of the top 10. The Sabres had the franchise’s best season in recent memory this season, finishing 42-33-7 and one point out of a playoff spot.' … [Read more...] about Sabres to pick 13th in NHL Draft
Sabres to select 13th in 2023 NHL Draft
'Buffalo entered the night with the 13th-best odds to win the lottery at 2.0 percent.' … [Read more...] about Sabres to select 13th in 2023 NHL Draft
Sabres assign Nadeau to Rochester
'Nadeau, 20, tallied 46 points (22+24) in 34 regular-season games with Gatineau after missing the start of the season due to shoulder surgery. He added 15 points (7+8) in 13 contests during the Olympiques' playoff run, which ended with a loss in the league semifinals last week.' … [Read more...] about Sabres assign Nadeau to Rochester
Dunleavy: Looking back at top Sabres highlights from 2022-23
'At the rink, I need to thank the players who wore the Sabres jersey this past season. I spent time chatting with some core members of the team and told them how much they meant to me in my first full play-by-play season in any sport. Without the amazing season from these men, I don't know how I would have been received.' … [Read more...] about Dunleavy: Looking back at top Sabres highlights from 2022-23
Inside the NHL: Where do the Sabres want Connor Bedard to land (or not land)?
'The Sabres are in the lottery but can't get Bedard under the current rules. Repeating: The Sabres can't get Bedard. They're No. 13 with a 2% chance of "winning" the lottery – but a victory would only allow them to move up 10 spots to No. 3 under changes passed in 2021. That means only the top 11 teams in the lottery can get No. 1. Ottawa (2.5%), Pittsburgh (1.5%), Nashville … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Where do the Sabres want Connor Bedard to land (or not land)?
Can the Sabres add an impactful, top-four defenseman this summer?
'The Sabres need another option, particularly one who can skate on the first or second defense pair. They went 9-15-3 without Samuelsson in the lineup, compared to 33-18-4 when he played.' … [Read more...] about Can the Sabres add an impactful, top-four defenseman this summer?
Sunday's Rochester Coverage
Amerks survive playoff scare, eliminate Crunch with Lawrence Pilut's OT winner (Buffalo News) Amerks blow big lead but regroup and beat Crunch in overtime (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle) Lawrence Pilut, Sabres prospects help Amerks advance in Calder Cup Playoffs (Olean Times Herald) Opinon: Rochester advances after Lawrence Pilut's overtime goal won the series against … [Read more...] about Sunday’s Rochester Coverage
Sabres trio of Devon Levi, Jack Quinn and Peyton Krebs joining Team Canada for World Championships
'Levi will be joined on Team Canada by Buffalo forwards Jack Quinn and Peyton Krebs. The tournament begins May 12 and runs through May 28.' … [Read more...] about Sabres trio of Devon Levi, Jack Quinn and Peyton Krebs joining Team Canada for World Championships
Will the Sabres find the right approach, personnel for their penalty kill?
'Too often, the Sabres appeared tentative when trying to defend. Forwards weren’t quick enough to close. Other teams were able to fire shots from the point to create chaos in front of the net. Buffalo ranked 30th in the NHL in shot attempts allowed per 60 minutes on the penalty kill, according to Evolving-Hockey. No team in the bottom 12 qualified for the playoffs. Only four … [Read more...] about Will the Sabres find the right approach, personnel for their penalty kill?
Saturday's Rochester Coverage
Sabres prospect Isak Rosen catching fire for Amerks in playoffs (Olean Times Herald) Sabres prospect Noah Ostlund joins Amerks following Swedish season (Olean Times Herald) Rosen, Rochester ready for Game 5 (Amerks.com) Game Preview: Amerks meet Crunch tonight in winner-take-all Game 5 (Amerks.com) North Division Semifinals Game 5: Crunch vs. Americans (SyracuseCrunch.com) … [Read more...] about Saturday’s Rochester Coverage
Can Jordan Greenway realize his potential with the Sabres?
'It became clear speaking to Greenway that he’s motivated to prove that this season was an anomaly. He never recovered from missing 16 of 18 games at the start and quickly fell out of favor with the Minnesota Wild, who traded him to the Sabres on deadline day in March for second- and fifth-round draft picks.' … [Read more...] about Can Jordan Greenway realize his potential with the Sabres?
After season of massive growth, Sabres’ Dylan Cozens can reach higher level
'“You put things in front of him and he internalizes it, and he’s still young,” Granato said. “He has incredible attributes of speed and quickness that he’s still not using quite efficiently as he can and will."' … [Read more...] about After season of massive growth, Sabres’ Dylan Cozens can reach higher level
Owen Power improved a lot during rookie campaign with Sabres
'Head coach Don Granato showed a lot of confidence with the 20-year-old by putting him out against the other team’s best players. You could see Power’s confidence grow, because he was playing and, for the most part, playing well in all situations.' … [Read more...] about Owen Power improved a lot during rookie campaign with Sabres