Buffalo News

'Although the full scope of the trade remains unknown, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported in the wee hours of Saturday morning that the Sabres will be getting prospect goalie Devon Levi back. A seventh-round pick in 2020 who will play this year at Northeastern University, the 6-foot Levi burst on the international scene in January as the starter in goal for Team Canada at … [Read more...] about In post-midnight session, Adams won’t confirm reported Reinhart trade to Florida

'"Projection is key. It's not a race to see who gets there first," Karmanos said Thursday during a news conference in the KeyBank Center pavilion. "It's very much a marathon for these kids to have a career. And a successful career and being a part of a winning organization is the goal."' … [Read more...] about Jason Karmanos says Sabres have to be patient, do better job projecting in draft

'Power has expressed interest in returning to the University of Michigan for his sophomore season, a scenario that would make him only the second player since 2000 to willingly not make an immediate jump to the NHL. Waiting for another defenseman to develop is a tough sell to Sabres fans, who have suffered through 10 seasons without playoff hockey and likely will watch their … [Read more...] about History shows patience, support necessary if Sabres select Owen Power at No. 1

'The two division games were taken away to accommodate games against the Kraken. The Nov. 4 trip to Seattle will be the Kraken's fifth home game. Seattle will play in Buffalo on Nov. 29.' … [Read more...] about Sabres open season Oct. 14 vs. Habs as part of four-game homestand

'The NHL draft begins Friday night. The Buffalo Sabres have the No. 1 overall pick, as they did in 1970, when they selected Perreault. This draft marks 50 years since the Sabres selected Martin with the fifth overall choice. And then there was Robert, who came not by draft, but by trade.' … [Read more...] about Erik Brady: NHL draft conjures memories of French Connection

'Borgen’s departure, and Ristolainen’s potential exit, creates a significant need on defense for Buffalo. As of now, Miller and Henri Jokiharju are the only right-shot defensemen projected to be on Buffalo’s roster this season. The Sabres also have prospect Oskari Laaksonen in Rochester.' … [Read more...] about How the loss of Will Borgen to the Kraken impacts the Sabres’ offseason plan

'Far less has been made of this certainty: Unless the herniated disc in Eichel’s neck has completely healed, the star player, the team where he lands and its fans may have to deal with an injury that could keep him sidelined for more than half a year.' … [Read more...] about Jack Eichel’s neck surgery figures into his trade status. Here’s why

'Will Borgen, a 24-year old with only 14 games of NHL experience, appears to be the Sabres' player most likely to land in Seattle. He’s a 6-foot-3 right-shot defenseman who uses his size to clear the front of the net and plays with a fearlessness that Buffalo needs at the position. Borgen would be a cheap option for the Kraken – he’s a restricted free agent after earning a … [Read more...] about Will Borgen, Colin Miller are Sabres most likely to land with expansion Kraken

'However, a quick look at the Sabres' current prospect pipeline shows a need for more impact forwards. Here's a look at every player, signed and unsigned, who has yet to appear in more than 15 NHL games for the club...'. … [Read more...] about Sabres need to add more impact forwards to prospect pipeline

'Yet, for whatever reason, no one outside KeyBank Center knows who the Sabres will select first overall. The perception surrounding this draft is that it’s as weak as any in recent memory. It’s possible no player will make the immediate jump to the NHL, and many prospects’ seasons were impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Additionally, the Sabres are in dire need of help at … [Read more...] about Owen Power, William Eklund headline Sabres’ debate with No. 1 draft pick

'The preseason and regular season schedule unveilings are just the start of a busy period for the Sabres. The expansion draft to stock the Seattle Kraken is Wednesday, and the Sabres have the No. 1 pick in the NHL draft slated for Friday night. Rounds 2-7 of the draft go Saturday and the league's free agency period opens July 28.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ preseason schedule includes three home games and Sept. 28 opener in Columbus

'The Kraken’s exclusive bargaining window with restricted and unrestricted free agents also began 10 a.m. Sunday. Any signing counts as Seattle’s expansion selection from that team. Buffalo has 12 unrestricted free agents: forwards Drake Caggiula, Jean-Sebastien Dea, Steven Fogarty, Tobias Rieder, Riley Sheahan and C.J. Smith; defensemen Jake McCabe, Matt Irwin and Brandon … [Read more...] about Sabres protect Rasmus Ristolainen, expose Will Borgen for expansion draft

'Under Adams this season, the Sabres did not have full-time scouts based in Ontario, the Western Hockey League, Finland or Russia. They have since added two scouts – one in the United States and a part-timer in Western Canada – and reconfigured the scouting staff, with Jerry Forton ascending to director of amateur scouting. Karmanos, who owns three Stanley Cup rings from his … [Read more...] about Sabres drafting first overall in year in which ‘scouting world got turned upside down’

'Though the Kraken are led by two of Skinner's former bosses, including Jason Botterill, it's unlikely they would have interest in taking on Skinner's $9 million annual cap hit over the next six seasons. After all, the 29-year-old has struggled immensely since scoring a career-high 40 goals during his first season with the Sabres in 2018-19, a performance that earned him the … [Read more...] about Sabres winger Jeff Skinner agrees to waive no-movement clause for expansion draft

'My prediction is that the Sabres will trade a draft choice, and potentially another asset, to entice the Kraken to select defenseman Colin Miller. This would ensure that Rasmus Asplund and Will Borgen can remain in Buffalo.' … [Read more...] about Projecting who the Sabres will protect, lose in Seattle expansion draft