Archives for June 23, 2016

'“There’s five real good defensemen in the first round,” said Greg Royce, Buffalo’s director of amateur scouting. “We have two of that class of five that we’ve really targeted that we want, but we don’t know what the seven teams ahead of us − well, we know the first three are predictable − but four, five, six and seven - they could steal the two guys that we want.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres plan their picks ahead of NHL draft

'Murray has a lot of draft picks he can parlay and still has some young talent to work with, although it’s clear he doesn’t want to give up much of it simply to move to the No. 4 slot. It’s time to get more NHL players.' … [Read more...] about Murray still looking to maneuver

'Eichel is joined on the All-Rookie team by Calder Trophy winner Artemi Panarin (Chicago), Edmonton's Connor McDavid, St. Louis' Colton Parayko, Philadelphia's Shayne Gostisbehere and Anaheim's John Gibson.' … [Read more...] about Eichel named to NHL All-Rookie Team

'The hopes of Sabres fans everywhere are on the broad shoulders of Jack Eichel. But it’s a lot to ask an 18- or 19-year-old to rescue a downtrodden franchise on his own. Matthews doesn’t view himself as some kind of savior. He will join fellow newbies Mitch Marner and William Nylander atop the Leafs’ prospect corps.' … [Read more...] about As Auston Matthews heads to the Leafs, Toronto and Buffalo could be bitter rivals again

'“When I started to develop as a player more and more people kept asking about my grandfather and how he was growing up,” Luce said earlier this month at HarborCenter after his fitness testing at the NHL Scouting Combine.' … [Read more...] about Luce, grandson of former Sabres great, learns to relish his roots

'“We need to recover the past, and we have,” he said of the memorabilia. “Saving some of it, preserving the history of it, is a big deal.”' … [Read more...] about One man’s quest to preserve the Sabres’ past

'How good are the Sabres at drafting? Judge for yourself below. Since drafts usually don’t start paying dividends for a few years, here’s a look at their selections from 2008-13. Eighteen of Buffalo’s 47 picks over that span – 38.3 percent – have played at least one NHL game.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ recent drafts have yielded potential high-end talent

'“I’m all about quality, I’m about top end guys,” Murray said. He made no bones about it that if top players are available, he has no problem with getting rid of others to make room.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Murray has a direction for the next few months