Buffalo News

'Which forward is most likely to be traded to open a roster spot? Victor Olofsson. The 26-year-old is a restricted free agent and won’t receive a long-term contract this summer because the Sabres are planning for his role to eventually go to a younger player. He totaled 20 goals despite playing through a wrist injury that impacted his shot, but he emerged as a dynamic playmaker … [Read more...] about Sabres Mailbag: Goalie plan, Pilut’s status, pursuing free agents and draft day

'The club has 18 pending unrestricted free agents, several of whom were with the Rochester Americans, and one prominent restricted free agent in winger Victor Olofsson.' … [Read more...] about Sabres move closer to cap floor by acquiring injured goalie Ben Bishop’s contract

'Miller will become the eighth player in franchise history to have his number retired, joining Tim Horton (2), Richard Martin (7), Gilbert Perreault (11), Rene Robert (14), Pat LaFontaine (16), Danny Gare (18) and Dominik Hasek (39). The team has also hung banners for former owners Seymour and Northrup Knox as well as broadcaster Rick Jeanneret, whose banner that features a … [Read more...] about Sabres to induct Ryan Miller into team hall of fame and raise No. 30 to KeyBank Center rafters next season

'"Excited. I was just looking for a chance to get back with the family and definitely honored they would consider me so soon after retirement," the former Sabres goalie said prior to a news conference to announce the class Wednesday in Riverworks. "It feels weird that it’s been, what, eight years? I leave town and now I get to come back with my family, the two kids, a few more … [Read more...] about It’s a homecoming for Ryan Miller and family to attend unveiling of Greater Buffalo Sports Hall class

'The Sabres have been in the coaching market far too many times in recent years, with Granato the sixth bench boss since the 2013 firing of Lindy Ruff. For once, they can sit out this year's edition of the carousel, but Adams & Co. have to take notes on who lands jobs because they will affect things in both the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference.' … [Read more...] about Sabres finally out of NHL coaching carousel, which spun faster with Boston’s surprise firing of Bruce Cassidy

'Still, in taking Johansson, it's a shot to the gut to see other goalies drafted that year who Murray didn't get. Vancouver's Thatcher Demko (No. 36), Detroit's Alex Nedeljkovic (37-Carolina) and Washington's Vitek Vanecek (39) all went in the second round, while the Sabres were frittering away picks on non-NHL forwards Eric Cornel and Vaclav Karabacek. The third round featured … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: To get good in goal, sometimes teams just have to be lucky

'Logan was ranked the second-best North American skater by NHL Central Scouting and dined in Buffalo this week with management from the Montreal Canadiens, who own the first pick in the draft. He’s a dynamic, playmaking center who rose to prominence at the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.' … [Read more...] about Former Niagara player Eric Cooley inspired brother Logan in journey to NHL draft

'"I feel like he's one of those guys who is underappreciated," said NTDP defenseman Charles Leddy. "He's a great guy off the ice. On the ice, he's very deceptive, very skilled. He's able to make a lot of plays that you don't know how he makes and he's got a helluva shot."' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Jimmy Snuggerud is a much different player than his former Sabre father

'His meteoric rise made headlines with his tournament-leading seven goals at the Winter Olympics while coached by former Buffalo Sabres winger Craig Ramsay, and continued last month at the IIHF World Championship with nine points in eight games. Slafkovsky is ranked by NHL Central Scouting as the top European skater in the draft and, according to its director, Dan Marr, the … [Read more...] about Juraj Slafkovsky talks, performs like a challenger for No. 1 pick in NHL draft

'Draftniks, web sites and mock drafts aren't so sold anymore about Wright, who hardly dominated the OHL this year the way people expected and is said to not attack the game on the ice as much as experts said he did last year.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Shane Wright no longer seems like a lock at No. 1; Habs’ call will have huge impact

'“He solidified our team and brought us a lot of confidence,” Robitaille says. “He did everything right, and the team kind of followed suit. A lot of players got better because of him.”' … [Read more...] about Erik Brady: 50 years after he joined Sabres, Tim Horton legacy is more than coffee and doughnuts

'Each of the three picks will be about projection. Which player available to the Sabres is believed to have the brightest future in the NHL, regardless of position? Don Granato has strong depth on defense, but Buffalo’s prospect pool is thin there. The same goes for centers.' … [Read more...] about Nine prospects to watch as Sabres prepare for busy first round of NHL draft

'There’s no fanfare surrounding the combine because there’s no on-ice testing and it can’t be viewed by a national television audience. But the NHL’s event has proven to be an important part of the pre-draft process as teams determine which players to target and others to avoid.' … [Read more...] about NHL Scouting Combine’s return gives Sabres opportunity to prepare for draft

'By signing Rosen, the Sabres have total control over his development after he spent most of his first post-draft year receiving limited minutes with Leksands IF of the Swedish Hockey League. He totaled two goals and four points in a limited role before he was eventually loaned to Mora IK of HockeyAllsvenskan. His season ended with a hand injury, but he played well during his … [Read more...] about Sabres sign 2021 first-round pick Isak Rosen, walk way from three prospects

'Victor Olofsson’s contract status is the most notable issue up front. He’s a pending restricted free agent after totaling 20 goals, despite playing through a wrist injury. The Sabres can simply give Olofsson a qualifying offer and take the case to arbitration, if necessary. A trade is more likely than a long-term contract because they need to plan to pay their young players in … [Read more...] about Inside the Sabres: Predicting which unrestricted free agents return