Archives for April 30, 2016

‘Larsson’s defensive work outshined the production as he joined with wingers Marcus Foligno and Brian Gionta to form Buffalo’s shutdown line. Larsson ranked second on the Sabres by winning 51.1 percent of his faceoffs. His ice time during the final month was 16:45 per game, a jump of more than two minutes over his previous average.’

‘The Sabres have a 19.2 percent chance of moving into the top three. They have a 39.2 percent chance of remaining eighth, a 34.8 percent chance of falling to ninth and a 6.6 percent chance of dropping to 10th. The furthest Buffalo can fall is 11th, but there’s only a 0.3 percent chance of that happening.’

‘After months of so-so play and getting scratched, Larsson started pivoting Marcus Foligno and Brian Gionta in the winter, and the line quickly became the Sabres’ steadiest.’

‘That means the Sabres can pick either first, second or third or eighth through 11th. They have 19.2 percent chance of jumping into the top three. They have a 39.2 percent chance of staying at eighth, a 34.8 percent chance of dropping to ninth and a 6.6 percent chance of slipping to 10th. There’s also a .03 percent chance they could pick 11th.’

‘Larsson is coming off a career season with highs in games played (74), goals (10), and points (17).’

‘Larsson was eligible to become a restricted free agent once his contract expired this summer. The Swedish-born player is coming off a season in which he set career bests with 10 goals, 17 points and 74 games. He also finished tied with rookie center Jack Eichel in scoring five game-winning goals.’

‘In Brandon’s place, the Sabres are sending amateur scouting director Greg Royce and former spokesman and newly promoted HarborCenter general manager Michael Gilbert to the draft lottery.’

‘The Lau, Sweden, native has recorded 37 points (16 goals, 21 assists) and 58 penalty minutes in 142 games with the Sabres since being acquired from the Minnesota Wild on April 3, 2013.’

‘Larsson was a second round pick of Minnesota in 2010 and was traded to Buffalo as part of the Jason Pominville deal. He’s played 141 games with Buffalo.’

‘Buffalo has had the best odds the past two seasons, but lost out to Florida and then Edmonton. This season the Sabres have just a six percent chance.’