'So perhaps O’Reilly, an NHL All-Star in 2015-16, could be dealt soon. The Sabres owe him $7.5 million next Sunday, meaning some interested teams might want to wait until after the bonus is paid to consummate a trade. Or maybe a deal of lesser significance will take place.' … [Read more...] about Sabres leave NHL Draft with more work to accomplish
Archives for June 24, 2018
Mattias Samuelsson knew Sabres might draft him early
'He plans to play at Western Michigan University next season, joining his older brother, Lukas, who was a freshman last season. Former NHL coach Andy Murray leads the Broncos, which helped lure Mattias Samuelsson to the school.' … [Read more...] about Mattias Samuelsson knew Sabres might draft him early
Sabres' Botterill went heavy defense at the Entry Draft
'There were times in the draft where the Sabres had their eye on a forward, only to have him taken before them, therefor they took five defensemen. Botterill isn’t worried about it, “You can never have too many defensemen and it’s a scenario where we did talk a lot about trying to add some more defensemen, but we looked at different things throughout the last couple of days and … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Botterill went heavy defense at the Entry Draft
Sabres select defenseman Mattias Samuelsson
'Samuelsson played for the United States National Under-18 Team, and is the son of former NHL defenseman Kjell Samuelsson. Mattias Samuelsson is listed at 6' 4", 218-pounds, and scored 24 points in 53 games in the USHL in two seasons. Samuelsson has committed to play collegiate hockey at Western Michigan where his brother plays.' … [Read more...] about Sabres select defenseman Mattias Samuelsson
Sabres select two players in the fourth round
'With the 94th pick, Buffalo selected center/winger Matej Pekar (Ma-TAY PAY-kar) from the Muskegon Lumberjacks out of the United States Hockey League. The native of the Czech Republic played in his first season in the USHL last year, and took home Rookie of the Year honors with 54 points in 56 games. Pekar has committed to play with the University of Miami (OH) in 2018-19.' … [Read more...] about Sabres select two players in the fourth round
Sabres take two more defenseman to close out the NHL Draft
'In the fifth round with the 125th overall pick, the Sabres drafted Finnish defenseman Miska Kukkonen out of the Ilves program in the Finnish under-20 league. Listed at 6' 0" and 183-pounds, Kukkonen has played the past two seasons for Ilves' junior team, scoring a combined three goals and 12 points in 36 games. Kukkonen will play for Tappara in the Finnish junior league this … [Read more...] about Sabres take two more defenseman to close out the NHL Draft
Sabres make their second selection of the NHL Draft
'With the first pick of the second round, 32nd overall, the Sabres selected defenseman Mattias Samuelsson.' … [Read more...] about Sabres make their second selection of the NHL Draft
Sabres take five defensemen, one center in 2018 NHL Draft
'Sabres fans won't have to wait long to see Dahlin on the ice. The team's development camp begins on Wednesday, June 27th at the Harborcenter.' … [Read more...] about Sabres take five defensemen, one center in 2018 NHL Draft
Sabres add to blueline, draft Mattias Samuelsson 32nd overall
'"He utilizes his size (6-foot-3, 217 pounds) as a strength," director of NHL Central Scouting Dan Marr said to NHL.com in February.' … [Read more...] about Sabres add to blueline, draft Mattias Samuelsson 32nd overall
Building the blueline key for Sabres moving forward
'“You’re having (the amateur scouting staff) focus on it the entire year. As a GM, you’re focused on the NHL team, the pro games and looking at different scenarios there. You can’t be active in amateur scouting and I felt good in the people we hired. (I’m) very proud in how they prepared and how they handled themselves and how they prepared for today’s draft.”' … [Read more...] about Building the blueline key for Sabres moving forward
Sabres fans ready to usher in the Dahlin era
'Buffalo fans young and old could hardly contain their excitement after learning the top overall prospect would be donning a Sabres sweater.' … [Read more...] about Sabres fans ready to usher in the Dahlin era
Sabres continue to replenish defensive depth on Day 2 of the NHL Draft
'"You can never have too many defensemen," Botterill said. "It was something that we did talk a lot about, about trying to add more defensemen. We certainly knew who we were going to take at number one.' … [Read more...] about Sabres continue to replenish defensive depth on Day 2 of the NHL Draft
Sabres select 5 players on 2nd day of 2018 NHL Draft
'Buffalo began the day by selecting defenseman Mattias Samuelsson (6'4", 218 lbs., 3/14/2000) with the first pick of the second round, No. 32 overall. Samuelsson spent the 2017-18 season with the USA Hockey NTDP, where he finished second among the team's defensemen with 31 points (11+20) in 58 games. He also served as Team USA's captain during the 2018 IIHF World U18 … [Read more...] about Sabres select 5 players on 2nd day of 2018 NHL Draft
Former teammate believes Samuelsson will complement Dahlin
'"They're getting a guy who will complement Dahlin pretty well," Wilde, a second-round pick by the Islanders, said. "I can just imagine those two playing together. Mattias will definitely lock it up defensively and shut down and allow a guy like Dahlin to have a bit of freedom.' … [Read more...] about Former teammate believes Samuelsson will complement Dahlin
Pekar 'never imagined' being drafted into NHL
'Pekar's familiarity with the Sabres dates back to his youth. Being a Czech native, he's well-versed in Dominik Hasek lore, and the first game he ever played in an NHL rink was in Buffalo at age 14. He beamed when recounting his combine interview with the Sabres.' … [Read more...] about Pekar ‘never imagined’ being drafted into NHL