SabreSpace

'Third-line center. The Sabres are set in their top six with Tage Thompson and Dylan Cozens, but they need to find a replacement for Casey Mittelstadt. Peyton Krebs has 20 goals and 66 points in 215 NHL games. The 23-year-old had one goal in his last 40 games of the season. It’s too soon to give up on Krebs. He has the skill, competitiveness and intensity that the club needs in … [Read more...] about Sabres roundtable: Charting a course for another eventful offseason

'Year 2 will bring different challenges for Benson. He’ll have a new coach, Lindy Ruff, who will enjoy Benson’s relentless approach on the forecheck and around the opponent’s net. The Sabres have given Benson a comprehensive plan to follow on and off the ice to improve in specific areas that will help him next season. He’ll stay with a relative near Vancouver so he’s in close … [Read more...] about Can Sabres count on Zach Benson to take leap in second NHL season?

'“I think this is the most motivated I’ve ever been,” Cozens told reporters in April. “I think all of us feel that way. We all know we can be better. We all know we need to be better. And I think every guy in here will be better. And there’s a lot of guys I think that didn’t quite have the season they wanted to, so you know, we all just got to be hungry, hungry for more, and … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Dylan Cozens among Canada’s top players at world championships

'The Sabres have $23.218 million to spend, according to CapFriendly.com, and one of Adams’ priorities is to use some of that money to change the bottom half of his depth chart at wing and center. Ruff will have a voice in the meetings to decide how Buffalo can improve its lineup.' … [Read more...] about Which proven players should the Sabres add to bolster their bottom six?

'“We tried a lot things,” defenseman Rasmus Dahlin said after Granato was fired last month. “I mean, we tried everything, I would say. So, we need a fresh start. We need to start over. We need a new mentality on the power play, for sure.”' … [Read more...] about How can Lindy Ruff and Seth Appert fix the Sabres’ struggling power play?

'The time in Rochester helped Levi improve and showed that he’s already an outstanding goalie against American Hockey League competition. He went 16-6-4 during the regular season with the Amerks, posting a .927 save percentage and 2.42 goals-against average in 26 appearances.' … [Read more...] about Devon Levi among the Sabres prospects to thrive in Rochester this season

'Colorado has big cap issues in play because of the uncertain status of winger Val Nichuskin (re-entered into the NHL Player Assistance program) and captain Gabriel Landeskog (out since 2022 final with a knee injury). It will be interesting to see what kind of multiyear deal the Avs settle on with Mittelstadt.' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Avalanche move into contract mode with Casey Mittelstadt after his first career playoff run