Buffalo News

'Leenders appeared in 46 games this season with Mississauga Steelheads of the Ontario Hockey League, logging a .909 save percentage. He also had a stellar performance in his one game for Canada at the IIHF Under-18 World Championship to help the country win gold.' … [Read more...] about Sabres use their final pick of 2024 draft on goalie Ryerson Leenders

'“He’s a player that could be (in Finland), he could be in Buffalo, Rochester,” Sabres General Manager Kevyn Adams said. “Really, anything’s on the table. So obviously, it’s only been a little bit of time here since our pick was announced but certainly something we’ll get into right away with his agent and start that conversation. ... We want to hear what the player has to say … [Read more...] about Sabres eager to get first-round pick Konsta Helenius to North America

'They kept the pick and took another kid. Hmm. If you want to, that’s one way to encapsulate the Buffalo Sabres’ night at the NHL draft in the utterly spectacular Sphere. And the connotations of that short sentence aren’t great.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Sabres are (naturally) thrilled with another first-rounder, but what about the deals?

'The Sabres had approximately $23.5 million in salary cap space next season before the first round of the NHL draft began Friday night, according to CapFriendly.com, and Adams wanted to use a bulk of that money on upgrades, whether it be through a trade or unrestricted free agency.' … [Read more...] about Sabres free agency preview: Kevyn Adams looks to use cap space to reshape roster

'“We as a management group, and Lindy and the coaching staff, we understand the position that we’re in,” Adams added. “There’s urgency. We feel that our team is in a good place. We like our group. But we need to get better. I truly believe this group has an opportunity to take a big step this upcoming year and that’s the expectation. So that helps when I look at how you make … [Read more...] about Kevyn Adams balancing urgency, long-term plan as Sabres aim to finally end drought

'O’Reilly lost his love for the game in Buffalo and sure found it in St. Louis in 2019, taking home a Conn Smythe Trophy with his Cup. Jack Eichel traded. Cup last year in Vegas. Reinhart traded. Won Monday night – and scored the Cup-winning goal. Baffling. Maddening. Downright sickening really.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: In Sin City terms, Kevyn Adams’ chips all have to go to the middle of the table

'The move gave the Sabres nine picks in the NHL draft, which begins with the first round Friday night at The Sphere in Las Vegas and concludes Saturday with rounds two through seven. They may not select that many players, though. Adams is still shopping the 14th pick to try to upgrade his NHL roster, and he’s informed teams that he’d move either of Buffalo’s second-round … [Read more...] about Sabres notes: GM Kevyn Adams trading back in first round could lead to bigger move

'Florida’s win in the winner-take-all game had a terrific 10.4 local rating, raising the local average to 5.3, well above the NBA average.' … [Read more...] about Alan Pergament: Florida’s Stanley Cup victory loaded with former Sabres gets huge ratings in WNY

'The Sabres could have afforded Mittelstadt, especially on a bridge contract like the one he received from Colorado, and he expressed interest in signing a long-term pact to be a franchise pillar with Thompson, Cozens, Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power and others. But General Manager Kevyn Adams preferred to take advantage of a robust trade market for Mittelstadt to acquire the young, … [Read more...] about Casey Mittelstadt’s contract in Colorado may be a sign of Sabres’ plan at center

'Most haven’t contributed in the NHL yet. Of the 35 prospects drafted by the Sabres since 2020, only Jack Quinn, JJ Peterka, Zach Benson and Owen Power have appeared in at least 10 games with Buffalo. A few recent picks, most notably defenseman Mats Lindgren, are now free agents because the club chose not to sign them.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ prospect pipeline filled with potential trade chips for GM Kevyn Adams

'Their success, as well as that of Montour and Rodrigues, is a reminder that Buffalo’s had players throughout the drought who are capable of excelling when the Stanley Cup is on the line. Ryan O’Reilly, Zach Bogosian and Jack Eichel also won after leaving. The Sabres failed to build necessary depth around those players, and the franchise’s progress was hindered by the … [Read more...] about Kyle Okposo’s Cup victory with Panthers earns Sabres a higher pick in NHL draft

'The franchise-altering trades of the Sabres’ latest rebuild helped Adams accumulate a stockpile of draft picks that he has used to select 35 players since he became general manager in 2020. JJ Peterka, Owen Power, Jack Quinn and Zach Benson already have made an impact in the NHL. Several others, most notably Jiri Kulich and Isak Rosen, had significant roles in each of the … [Read more...] about Finding playoff performers among the challenges facing Sabres scouts before draft

'“I will take that problem. Let’s absolutely sign up for that problem next year,” Adams cracked when he met the media Thursday in KeyBank Center. “It’s a lot. As a general manager, that’s why you have really good people around you. For (Edmonton and Florida GMs, respectively) Kenny Holland and Bill Zito, I promise you they’re not as focused on the draft or conversations as I am … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: As an unexpected Game 7 will finish one season, draft will drop the puck on next one

'“Look, I know you have to ask the question,” Adams responded. “It’s not something I certainly will get into specifics on any, you know, these type of things, but I know there’s rumors out there. There are rumblings on different scenarios. What I can tell you is from the day our season ended, after my conversations with Terry (Pegula) and kind of where we go from here, every … [Read more...] about ‘Nothing’s off the table’ for Sabres as report surfaces about possible Jeff Skinner buyout

'“He’s been around a long time, and he’s had a lot of different roles in the hockey world,” Sabres General Manager Kevyn Adams told The News. “We just felt that he’s done a really nice job leading [our amateur scouting staff] and, honestly, the way our scouting staff, amateur and pro, function day to day won’t change at all. It’s really just promoting him to getting involved in … [Read more...] about Why Sabres promoted Jerry Forton to assistant general manager before draft day