Archives for July 2013

'Sorry, but I don’t have high hopes for Ristolainen and Zadorov. They have good size. I’ve heard good things about them, of course. They may become great players.' … [Read more...] about NHL Draft remains unpredicable

'“It sold very, very quickly,” said Flavin, who represented both Miller and the buyer, and has worked with Miller since the hockey player arrived in Buffalo in 2002. She would not identify the buyer. “Almost right away, we had a meeting of the minds with the purchaser, who just truly, truly loves it.”' … [Read more...] about Ryan Miller’s townhouse in Elmwood Village sells for $640,000

'“With so many picks and our contract situation, you don’t want to waste those picks because their contracts all come up at the same time,” amateur scouting director Kevin Devine explained Sunday on the Prudential Center floor after the Sabres finished picking. “We wouldn’t be able to sign three or four of them. So that was a plan. We looked at the college route and Europeans … [Read more...] about Sabres purposely went heavy on college prospects during draft

David Leggio unlikely to return to Amerks (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle) … [Read more...] about Tuesday’s Rochester Coverage

'We will probably be here in Finland now, as quickly as possible, and then the output would be Buffalo's junior camp. From here you have to get to training camp and the team then. My goal is to play in the next season in the NHL, and I believe in it.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo reserved Risto kind: ”It would be great if Numminen should be a mentor”

'“I try to play like Shea Weber,” Ristolainen said of the Nashville Predators star. “He’s like my idol. He’s a big leader on the ice, plays physical, has a good shot.”' … [Read more...] about Buffalo doubles its bet with two defensemen

'“The draft is at the forefront,” General Manager Darcy Regier said in Prudential Center. “I think you’ll see free agency next, including the buyouts, and then I think teams will re-evaluate their positions, situations from there. Whether that changes our situation in respect to Ryan and Thomas, I don’t know. I really don’t know.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres use top picks on defensemen, deal Sekera

'“It’s surreal. I always loved the Sabres. This is definitely a dream come true,” a smiling Bailey said after he donned his blue sweater. “It’s a blessing for me to be taken at all. There’s not disappointment being drafted into the NHL. There’s thousands of other kids that won’t get drafted and will never play at a high level. For me to be taken anywhere at this draft, … [Read more...] about Dreams come true for two WNY kids

'“I’m very excited to be part of this organization,” said Compher, who was taken 35th after the Sabres acquired the pick from Carolina as part of a deal that sent Andrej Sekera to the Hurricanes. “It’s great to be wanted. It’s a great organization. I think it’s going to be a great opportunity for me in the next couple years to try and make the club.”' … [Read more...] about Sabre prospects know the way to Buffalo

'Now, at least, they have a direction. Wearing teams down and preventing goals is more important than scoring them. What do you suppose this means for Tyler Myers? He was seen as their franchise cornerstone. This comes off as a direct challenge to the underachieving Myers, or a sign he might be traded.' … [Read more...] about D-Day! Sabres lean on toughness

'Zadorov is a powerful hitter who projects into an imposing force in front of the net once he is NHL-ready in two or three years.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres take two big defensemen in first round

'By the end of Sunday’s marathon draft inside the Prudential Center, the Sabres had picked 11 players – seven forwards, three defenseman and one goalie – swapped defensemen with Carolina – left-handed shot Andrej Sekera for right Jamie McBain – and, perhaps most notably, kept starting goalie Ryan Miller and high-scoring winger Thomas Vanek (at least for now).' … [Read more...] about Sabres grab defensemen early to start busy draft day, only pull off minor trade

'“Loving the Sabres, growing up with them as well, I mean, it’s just absolutely amazing,” he said.' … [Read more...] about Local prospects Justin Bailey and Sean Malone thrilled to be drafted by Sabres

'“I think it’s incredible,” Bailey said. “I love that rink, and I can’t wait to be able to go out there and show them what I have.”' … [Read more...] about Justin Bailey on getting picked by hometown Sabres: ‘I’m at a loss for words’

'TPS defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen Was also a top ten pick, when the Buffalo Sabres picked the Turku native eighth overall. … [Read more...] about Barkov booked for second place, Ristolainen trip Sabres