Buffalo News

'“One thing I want to note that I’m really proud of is he graduated,” Paetsch, a former defenseman with the Sabres and Rochester Americans, said following a development camp practice Monday in LECOM Harborcenter. “I don’t think a lot of people know that, but it was important to him. He sent me pictures with him and his family, and that was pretty special to see.”' … [Read more...] about Ryan Johnson focused on growing with Sabres after ‘big life decision’ to sign

'There’s hysteria from fans, and in some quarters of the media, about going with a Levi-UPL tandem in goal. It’s understandable. It’s a risk. Luukkonen has played 46 NHL games and Levi only seven. Even Comrie has only played 47.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: The Sabres are comfortable with their goaltending, but the fans are not. We’ll see who’s right

'The connection with Granato wasn’t the reason why Clifton was the Sabres’ preferred target in free agency. His self-described “two-way, abrasive” style on the ice complements the gifts that made Dahlin and Power the first overall pick in their respective drafts. At 28 years old, Clifton is someone who Granato and his staff believe can reach another level with more opportunity … [Read more...] about Why Connor Clifton emerged as Sabres’ choice after long pursuit for defenseman

'“Whether it’s this year, next year – I don’t know how soon it’s going to be – I just feel it’s a team that’s going to contend for a long time. I think I can help that process, hopefully this year. You’ve just got to get into the playoffs. Anything can happen. ... It’s a contending team. Guys around the league know that, and that’s one of the reasons I wanted to sign here. I … [Read more...] about Erik Johnson after leaving Avalanche for Buffalo: ‘People know the Sabres are coming’

'Now, you can take the draft with a grain of salt because 18-year-olds are generally “super stoked” to get taken by any NHL team. But those were the words used by first-round pick Zach Benson on Wednesday in Nashville about being picked by the Sabres and they were no exaggeration. Benson spent all year in Winnipeg playing with 2022 first-rounder Matt Savoie, and has been … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Opting for the Sabres is now an actual choice in free agency

'A league-wide search to provide coach Don Granato with more options to play with the Sabres’ core defensemen ended during the opening hours of free agency Saturday when the club announced a one-year, $3.25 million contract for recent Stanley Cup champion Erik Johnson and a three-year pact worth $3.333 million per season for former Boston Bruins blue-liner Connor Clifton.' … [Read more...] about How Erik Johnson and Connor Clifton fit in Sabres’ plans on defense

'What Johnson has been is a conscience of the Colorado locker room. You can bet that Kyle Okposo, Alex Tuch and Zemgus Girgensons can’t wait to welcome him in that role here. And that Rasmus Dahlin, Mattias Samuelsson and Owen Power can’t wait to soak up as much as they can from him.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Erik Johnson’s Stanley Cup moment is the big reason he was attractive to the Sabres

'Benson, the Sabres’ top choice with the 13th pick in the NHL draft, headlines the club’s roster for its development camp, which begins Sunday and ends Thursday with a 3-on-3 tournament.' … [Read more...] about Sabres top draft choice Zach Benson headlines 35-player development camp roster

'The Sabres can make a strong pitch to a free-agent defenseman who prefers, or must, sign a short-term contract. Whomever joins Buffalo’s roster will have the opportunity to skate next to Rasmus Dahlin or Owen Power, both of whom are eligible for long-term contract extensions beginning Saturday. Agents are going to see dollar signs when Adams calls about one of their clients … [Read more...] about Sabres continuing monthslong pursuit for top-four defenseman entering free agency

'Jost will have to a wait a while longer to learn if he’ll be back with the Sabres next season. The club declined to extend a qualifying offer to Jost ahead of the deadline Friday, but, according to a source familiar with the situation, both sides plan to continue negotiations to try to complete a deal. He’ll become an unrestricted free agent if not signed before Saturday at … [Read more...] about Sabres interested in keeping Tyson Jost after declining to extend qualifying offer

'“Yeah, I really feel good about (what we picked),” Adams said. “Strbak, just raw – and we think a huge upside potential – big and long. To me, just scratching the surface of what he ultimately can be. … And obviously, Gavin, we just see an upside ceiling when you can get someone – right shot D, 6-foot-2 – to me, is going to just put all the work that you have to put in to play … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Day 2 draft haul led by defensemen, ‘impact’ goalie and power forwards

'Adams said Quinn was “sprinting and working on explosiveness, which is what we want him to be doing.” Just a bad freak of an injury that comes with major ramifications. The Sabres aren’t hoping to be a playoff team next season, they expect to be one. But their margin for error still appears to be small. Major injuries could be one clear problem.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Jack Quinn’s injury is the kind of unexpected lightning bolt the Sabres don’t need

'Among Buffalo-area players, only Justin Bailey (No. 52 in 2013) was selected higher by the franchise than McCarthy. After a tour at Boston University, where he will play with older brother Case, he will look to join Patrick Kaleta (348 games) and Marcus Foligno (347 games) as Buffalo natives drafted by the Sabres who played prominent time for the club.' … [Read more...] about Clarence Center’s Gavin McCarthy drafted 86th overall by Sabres

'The Sabres were impressed by Wahlberg at the IIHF Under-18 World Championship, where he had three goals and six points in seven games during Sweden's run to the silver medal. His best performances were in the semifinal and championship, as Wahlberg scored a goal in a win over Canada and added an assist in the overtime loss to the United States in the gold-medal game.' … [Read more...] about Sabres select Swedish forward Anton Wahlberg with 39th pick of draft

'His size gives him an advantage at the net. Wahlberg, a two-way center, knows how to use his size when engaging in battles to gain possession of the puck and against the boards. Jason Bukala of Sportsnet said Wahlberg “has to be watched closely every time he hits the ice. Big body forward whose pace ranges from average to surprisingly quick, especially off the rush.”' … [Read more...] about Five things to know about Sabres’ No. 39 overall pick Anton Wahlberg