Archives for 2013

"Good pick!  Risto is exactly what the Sabres are missing in their pipeline." … [Read more...] about Sabres pick #8 Rasmus Ristolainen

“Ristolainen, No. 4 on NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of the top draft-eligible European skaters for the 2013 NHL Draft, doesn't shy away from the fact he enjoys that style of play, either. But he also supplies a solid offensive element.” … [Read more...] about Rasmus Ristolainen brings Pronger

“One of the best defensemen of his age group, Ristolainen was/is a top-prospect for the 2013 NHL Draft. He is a calm player with good two-way ability and a mature style of play, though his defensive awareness still needs work. Ristolainen moves the puck with confidence and though he's not a big-time hitter, he plays the body and likes to get physical in front of the net. He … [Read more...] about Rasmus Ristolainen

"Rasmus Ristolainen is a big, powerful Finn. He plays with an edge and makes his opponents earn possession and space against him. He's a tough character to play against and has a little nastiness to his game. Ristolainen possesses a good shot from the point." … [Read more...] about 2013 NHL Draft Profile: Rasmus Ristolainen, towering Finn blueliner

'“I entered this weekend recognizing that they both are in the last year of their contracts, and I have a responsibility to see what that means both with those players and also within the marketplace,” Regier said. “Unless you’re a highly competitive team, it’s very difficult to have players on your roster whose contracts are going to expire if you either choose not to or don’t … [Read more...] about Miller, Vanek expected to stay with Sabres through draft

'That can only mean Fucale, the 18-year-old who backstopped Halifax to the Memorial Cup. How curious are the Sabres about Fucale? He told The News at Friday’s draft prospects luncheon in Weehawken, N.J., that the only two teams that brought him in for private combine workouts were the Sabres and Montreal Canadiens. The Sabres haven’t spent a first-rounder on a goalie since … [Read more...] about Cup winner Fucale catches Sabres’ eye

'“He’s a high riser,” said Kevin Devine, the Sabres’ director of amateur scouting. “Most teams have him going somewhere in the second round. He’s a big kid that works very hard, needs to fill out his frame, get adjusted to the Canadian game a little more, get a little bit more physical. He’s got lots of potential.”' … [Read more...] about NHL prospect Bailey has a pro pedigree

'This is all new, you know. Two full seasons into Terry Pegula’s ownership, the Sabres were supposed to have won a Stanley Cup.' … [Read more...] about With 10 picks and stars to deal, draft day could dramitically change rebuilding Sabres

'Since most NHL Entry Drafts don’t start paying dividends for a few years, here’s a look at the Buffalo Sabres’ first-round picks from 2005-10 and some notable hits and misses.' … [Read more...] about Sabres have draft hits and misses in recent years

'So overall Buffalo seems a have a few good, solid prospects on the way, but nobody seems to be a difference maker and that folks is what Darcy Regier has to get either through the draft or through trade.' … [Read more...] about Sabres have good forwards coming up, but…

'It’s possible Shinkaruk or Monahan could hear his name called when Buffalo picks eighth. They attended the Sabres’ scouting combine and interview session this month and walked away feeling both sides benefited from the experience.' … [Read more...] about NHL draft a mystery, even to prospects

'“So when you look at the bigger picture and you include two good second-round picks in what is a good draft, it provides a real solid opportunity for us to project down the road in a year or two and look at a group of very good young players.”' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres look to rebuild with a deep NHL draft

'Finding an identity would at least give Sabres fans a reason to believe in the future. The ship of hoping that a group of hap-hazard moves will magically bond into a Cup champ has long sailed. And thinking they'll lose and eventually land the next Crosby might as well be hoping to roll a pair of 7s about 50 times in a row.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Must Begin Forming Identity on Draft Day

'So how is the depth after that? Second round pick in 2004 Mike Funk was a bust. Marc Gragnani was taken in the third round of the 2005 draft and was traded to Vancouver. He’s played 74 NHL games and is out of the league and not considered a good pick. Fourth round selection Chris Butler was traded to Calgary and has played 267 NHL games.' … [Read more...] about Sabres young depth on the blue line

'So how likely is it the Buffalo Sabres will be able to trade up into a top five slot for Sunday's draft? If recent history is any indication, the answer is not likely.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Regier has his work cut out for him