Archives for June 24, 2018

'Now, the next morning, he had a simple duty. The Sabres were about to open the second round of the draft, making the 32nd overall selection. Dahlin was stationed at the bottom of the steps leading to the arena floor, ready to greet whomever was called. It was his turn to welcome another new guy to the Buffalo Sabres.' … [Read more...] about Relaxed Rasmus Dahlin welcomes Mattias Samuelsson, who quietly takes it in

'Samuelsson, who played for the US National Development program, is a 6-foot-4, 218-pounder from Philadelphia who played high school hockey in Lake Placid. He is the son of longtime NHL defenseman Kjell Samuelsson, a 6-6 anchor of defense for Philadelphia in nine of his 15 NHL seasons. Kjell Samuelsson is now a development coach for the Flyers.' … [Read more...] about Sabres add to defense haul, take Mattias Samuelsson to open second round at No. 32 overall

'Mattias' father, Swedish-born Kjell Samuelsson, played 813 games in the NHL split between the Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning. He won a Stanley Cup in 1992 while with Pittsburgh. Mattias never saw his father play, as he was born a year after Kjell retired, but his game has been compared to his father's.' … [Read more...] about Why Sabres second round pick Mattias Samuelsson has the genes to succeed

'Samuelsson was named the U.S. captain at the Under-18 world championship. He scored a goal and an assist in seven games while helping the Americans capture a silver medal.' … [Read more...] about Five things to know about Sabres No. 32 NHL Draft pick Mattias Samuelsson

'Pekar, from the Czech Republic, is headed to Miami of Ohio in the fall. He was named United States Hockey League Rookie of the Year after scoring 14 goals and collecting 40 assists in 56 gaems for Muskegon.' … [Read more...] about Round 4: Sabres take USHL Rookie of the year Matej Pekar at No. 94

'Pekar was nearly a point-per-game player while with the Lumberjacks this season, totaling 14 goals and 40 assists in 56 USHL games. That was good for second on the team in scoring and put him in a tie for the league lead among first-year players. He was rewarded by the USHL's general managers when they selected him as the Rookie of the Year in late April.' … [Read more...] about Sabres pick Matej Pekar put up big numbers in the USHL

'The 6-foot-1 Cronholm, from Sweden, is considered a strong, unflashy defenseman.' … [Read more...] about Round 4: Sabres select Sweden’s Cronholm at No. 117

'He hasn't been a heavy point producer in the past, although his offensive game is developing. He notched 16 points (six goals and 10 assists) in 18 games with the Redhawks' J18 program. He also had 45 penalty minutes and was a plus-eight. He had six assists in 37 games with the J20 team but was a minus-10.' … [Read more...] about Fourth-round defenseman Cronholm starting to show offensive flourishes to go with snarl

'Kukkonen, 18, is the fourth defenseman the Sabres have chosen in the draft. The others are Rasmus Dahlin, who was 1st overall, Mattias Samuellson in the second round, and Linus Lindstrand Kronholm in round 4.' … [Read more...] about Round 5: Sabres take defenseman Kukkonen at 125

'He had two goals and two assists and 33 penalty minutes in 12 games in 2017-18 after posting a goal and seven assists with 44 penalty minutes in 24 games in 2016-17. He's generally thought to be more proficient on the defensive side of things and has shown an ability to be physical. Kukkonen is on the younger end when it comes to this draft, having just turned 18 last week, … [Read more...] about Fifth-round defenseman Kukkonen likes to keep the puck moving

'Buffalo was set to take the first pick in the sixth round, No. 156 overall, but instead traded it to the Toronto Maple Leafs for their sixth-rounder in next year's draft in Vancouver.' … [Read more...] about Round 6: Sabres deal pick to Leafs for ’19 choice

'His father, Andreas, had a long career in the Swedish pro leagues, primarily with Orebro IK in Division 1 and then Linkoping in Division 1, the Swedish Hockey League and Allsvenskan.' … [Read more...] about Seventh-rounder Kreu is 6-6 and a defensive-minded defenseman

'It is bizarre to ponder the fact the Sabres have not drafted a single player from the Canadian Hockey League ranks in Botterill's two seasons at the helm. No one from the Ontario, Quebec or Western leagues. The OHL had 35 players taken this weekend, the most of any league.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Botterill doing things his way, bizarre as it may seem

'Botterill has now worked out nine draft picks for Buffalo in 2019. The Sabres have two firsts and two fourths, with the extras both acquired from San Jose for Evander Kane, and the extra No. 6 from Toronto. Buffalo has no fifth-round pick as that was traded to Detroit last October for Scott Wilson.' … [Read more...] about NHL Draft notebook: Sabres stay quiet on trade front – for now

'The Sabres sent Castro a total of 20 tickets for himself and members of the Dallas-Fort Worth Bills Backers chapter.' … [Read more...] about Pancho Billa brings his #PanchoPower to the NHL Draft, too