Buffalo News

'"There are two reasons goalies take longer to develop but the first is the position is extremely advanced," said Dubuque General Manager Kalle Larsson, who selected Portillo fifth overall in the USHL draft this spring. "There are so few jobs for the positions at the professional level. That's why you see NHL goalies having to play in the AHL. ... It's more competitive, so the … [Read more...] about Draftee Erik Portillo the Sabres’ latest attempt at finding a franchise goalie

'"It's always trying to find out do you have enough skill to go through it but is that skill willing to get into the hard areas and compete in certain areas?" Sabres GM Jason Botterill said here in the hours leading into the NHL draft. "What both organizations showed is that they faced injuries throughout their runs and they had the depth to step in. Guys could come in who had … [Read more...] about Jason Botterill, GMs jobs get harder: What kind of team do you build?

'The conversation surrounding the Sabres' third draft under Botterill will begin with Cozens, the 6-foot-3 center who was ranked by NHL Central Scouting as the draft's fifth-best North American skater. Though Cozens will need to gain strength and size before joining the Sabres, he is the most NHL-ready of the group.' … [Read more...] about Sabres complete draft haul by selecting four prospects on Day 2

'The Sabres could have chosen a number of talented forwards -- winger Arthur Kaliyev went undrafted on Day 1 despite being ranked the draft's seventh-best North American skater -- but Botterill added yet another young defenseman to his prospect pool.' … [Read more...] about Sabres hold on to No. 31 pick, select defenseman Ryan Johnson

'Don't expect Botterill to spend to the cap's upper limit. After all, winger Sam Reinhart is a restricted free agent next offseason and a contract extension will include a remarkable raise from the $3.65 million he made last season.' … [Read more...] about Sabres may benefit from lower-than-expected salary cap

'This organization and Botterill, in particular, doesn't have 5-6 years, of course. To borrow a phrase we heard all weekend, the GM is now on the clock. Big-time. Owners Terry and Kim Pegula have to be exasperated by now owning the longest playoff drought in the NHL, and this is a critical offseason for this club as it heads into what figures to be a heavily promoted 50th … [Read more...] about With East foes quickly improving, Sabres enter a critical time in their history

'"Size, speed," Botterill said when asked what attracted the Sabres to Cozens. "It’s not just speed – the way he plays. He pushes the pace quite a bit out there. Versatility, playing center and playing wing. His ability to play a two-way game. There were so many different attributes. You look over our report trail with him all year, whether it was [the Hlinka Gretzky Cup] in … [Read more...] about Sabres ‘very comfortable’ taking Dylan Cozens at No. 7 in NHL draft

'"We were locked in based off our list and how we prepared for it," said General Manager Jason Botterill. "But I'll tell you right off the bat, there was a lot of players in there that I'd like to have on my team. A lot of different types of players. Defensemen, scoring wingers, power forwards. It was a unique draft that seemed to sort of touch point on every position."' … [Read more...] about Dylan Cozens was right choice at the perfect time for Sabres

'The Devils will be coming into Buffalo on a back-to-back after opening their season at home Oct. 4 against Winnipeg. Those will be the first two NHL games for presumptive No. 1 overall draft pick Jack Hughes, who is slated to be selected here Friday night. The last time the Sabres played a home opener against New Jersey was a 2-1 win on Jan. 25, 1994 at the start of the … [Read more...] about Sabres to open season on road for first time since 2013, meet Devils in home opener

Cozens checked into the NHL Scouting Combine at 6-foot-3, 183 pounds, one inch taller and slightly lighter than his new teammate, Jack Eichel. On top of that, many hockey experts, including Lethbridge coach Brent Kisio, praise his speed and puck control to go along with his intimidating frame.' … [Read more...] about 5 things to know about new Buffalo Sabre Dylan Cozens

'He drew scouts’ attention last season with the Sioux Falls Stampede. Johnson racked up 33 points on six goals and 19 assists last season with the Stampede in the United States Hockey League. That performance earned him a spot on the USHL All-Rookie Team.' … [Read more...] about Five things to know about Sabres first-round pick Ryan Johnson

'The start of this draft will clearly be troubling to the Sabres and their fans. The New Jersey Devils are expected to take Hughes while the New York Rangers ostensibly will follow with Kakko. That's two teams in the Eastern Conference who didn't make the playoffs this year and are trying to climb back into the postseason who are now adding elite star power up front.' … [Read more...] about Short-term issues staring at Sabres on a weekend built for the long haul

'Housley is joining the coaching staff of Rick Tocchet, who was believed to be a candidate for the Sabres' coaching vacancy in 2017. The Coyotes ranked sixth in the league in goals against last season, when their defensemen were coached by assistant Scott Allen, whose contract reportedly expires at the end of this month.' … [Read more...] about Former Sabres coach Phil Housley hired as assistant in Arizona

'The offers come as somewhat of a surprise given Sabres General Manager Jason Botterill's plan to add depth scoring to a roster that relied heavily on Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart and Jeff Skinner last season.' … [Read more...] about Sabres extend qualifying offers to Zemgus Girgensons, Johan Larsson

'Dahlin was third with 661 points. He had one first-place vote, 21 seconds, 66 thirds, 50 fourths and 24 fifths. Dahlin was left off nine ballots in voting by the PHWA.' … [Read more...] about Rasmus Dahlin third in Calder voting; Ryan O’Reilly wins first career Selke