Buffalo News

'With three early selections, and 11 in the entire draft, Adams can restock areas that were depleted by graduations to the NHL – particularly on defense – and could potentially take a flier on a player who others might deem too risky for the first round.' … [Read more...] about Intriguing first-round draft targets for Sabres at picks 9, 16, 28

'The Sabres need to keep stocking the shelves. Remember, they only had five draft picks in 2020 and six apiece from 2017 to 2019. This could make consecutive years of 11 picks and the first trio in the first round since 1983. Make some trades in the later rounds if you want but revel in the huge luck that the Vegas pick you acquired for Jack Eichel is No. 16 instead of the … [Read more...] about Sabres roundtable: Answering 5 burning questions ahead of the NHL draft

'Despite the misfires, early draft returns from Botterill’s three-year tenure are promising. Rasmus Dahlin, Mattias Samuelsson and Dylan Cozens are members of the Sabres’ young core. Injuries have prevented Casey Mittelstadt from establishing himself as a long-term solution at center, though he still has the talent and time to become one. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen can still develop … [Read more...] about Reviewing Jason Botterill’s draft picks as Sabres general manager

'"I do think (an in-person draft) it leads to opportunity," Adams said. "What I have learned over the last couple of years is the majority of things that ultimately will play out on draft day have been worked on for a while. So going back weeks now, there's been conversations going on with every team and you're talking about things that they're looking for and what are we … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: With all the teams finally back together in person, the draft could be livelier than normal

'You can fully expect the Sabres to sign or trade for another veteran goalie on a one- or two-year deal and put that netminder with Anderson while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen develops some more. Will they go with three goalies in Buffalo? Doubt it. From this view, I would go with Luukkonen, but the fact remains the Sabres feel he needs more development. Especially since he missed the … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Re-signing Craig Anderson doesn’t remotely mean Sabres are done looking for goaltending help

'"In any year, and it happened last year, something can change a day or two before the draft and you end up with an extra pick or end up in a slot that you weren't ever anticipating you were going to be picking in," Forton said. "So the last thing you want to do is to be caught off guard and not be prepared to take a pick at a certain range in the first, second or third … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Scouting team staying prepared for surprises in Round 1 of draft

'Malone, 27, will have a $750,000 cap hit if he cracks the NHL and figures to get a chance in training camp to battle for a fourth-line center slot. He had 20 goals and 17 assists in Rochester, collecting 37 points in only 39 games as multiple injuries kept him out of the lineup.' … [Read more...] about After big year in Rochester, West Seneca’s Sean Malone re-signs with Sabres for 2022-23 season

'It read, in full: “Kim is progressing well and is resting and rehabilitating from a health issue. We are grateful for the medical professionals providing her care and to everyone for their prayers and well wishes. We ask that you please continue to respect our need for privacy during this time.”' … [Read more...] about Bills, Sabres co-owner Kim Pegula is ‘progressing well,’ according to statement

'Hunt was general manager of the Buffalo Bisons from 1952 to 1970, when the hockey franchise went out of existence to make way for the Sabres — which, as it happens, was partly thanks to him. Let the scoresheet show that Hunt gets an assist in bringing the NHL to Buffalo, which is only fitting since he led the AHL in assists for the Bisons in 1943-44.' … [Read more...] about Erik Brady: Fred Hunt, who helped bring Sabres to Buffalo, nets Hall of Fame hat trick

'Buffalo finished its season strong, with plenty of quality wins over top competition. But you see how far the Blue and Gold have to go to reach an elite level when you consider their recent past against the Cup finalists: In the last seven games against Colorado, Buffalo is 0-7 and has been outscored, 32-12. In the last 10 meetings with Tampa Bay, the Sabres are 1-8-1 and have … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Avalanche have the Cup, but Atlantic teams like Sabres can’t count out Lightning

'Sakic must have loved the two-way effort of his club. The Avalanche held their lead for the final 27 1/2 minutes and survived Tampa's 6-on-5 play for the final two minutes without much concern over the final few seconds.' … [Read more...] about Rocky Mountain High: Avalanche dethrone Lightning to claim Stanley Cup

'When you think back to the 2015 NHL Draft, it was all going to be so simple. Connor McDavid to Edmonton, Jack Eichel to Buffalo and Stanley Cup dreams for the Oilers and Sabres by, oh, 2018 or 2019. It obviously hasn't worked that way. ' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Colorado’s Mikko Rantanen earned a Cup his fellow 2015 first-rounders don’t have

'Jack Quinn and JJ Peterka, draft choices in 2020, could make the Sabres' roster out of training camp in the fall. Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will compete for the starting job.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ prospect depth strong in Rochester, elsewhere if top guys graduate to NHL

'From this view, it's Holtby or Campbell in goal. St. Louis' Ville Husso is going to want dollars and terms the Sabres won't be interested in. They'll get to the floor. It's not an issue. The point continues to be this: The Sabres used to spend all the money and it got them nowhere. They're not a cap team right now and that's fine. They need to spend the right money. And they … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Ben Bishop move was for accounting and Sabres should floor it to spend real money in goal

'Rosen will try to make the Sabres’ roster out of training camp, where he’ll line up with or against proven players Tage Thompson, Rasmus Dahlin, Jeff Skinner, Alex Tuch and Kyle Okposo. An immediate jump to the NHL is unlikely.' … [Read more...] about Isak Rosen readying for ‘big opportunity’ with Sabres after tough year in Sweden