'The pick has proven to be one of the Sabres' finest in three drafts under General Manager Jason Botterill. Laaksonen took a remarkable step this past season, scoring three goals among 24 points in 46 regular-season games for Ilves of Liiga, Finland's top professional league.' … [Read more...] about Defenseman Oskari Laaksonen steps into spotlight at Sabres camp
Archives for June 27, 2019
Tage Thompson dealing with circumstance in wake of Blues' Stanley Cup run
'"I don't know if there's a lot of talk about me and not performing or whatever. ... I try to just focus on what I can do to get better and what I can do to improve my game. It's a process, it's not a race to get there. I want to be a long-term NHL player for the Sabres for a long time and development is a slow process. I'm willing to work and do whatever the coaches need me to … [Read more...] about Tage Thompson dealing with circumstance in wake of Blues’ Stanley Cup run
Chris Taylor 'more comfortable' as Amerks' coach than possible NHL assistant
'"For me, I've only been the head coach for two years," Taylor said. "There's a lot of growing. I know I've got to grow as a coach. I'm learning every day. Just by being here, I'm growing. It's development camp for me as well. ... I felt more comfortable staying where I was in Rochester all the time and they felt that was the best situation for me as well."' … [Read more...] about Chris Taylor ‘more comfortable’ as Amerks’ coach than possible NHL assistant
Oskari Laaksonen quietly one of Sabres’ best prospects
'“I had a great year in Finland and I think I built off the confidence really well,” Laaksonen said.' … [Read more...] about Oskari Laaksonen quietly one of Sabres’ best prospects
Chris Taylor happy with Amerks, likes Sabres’ hire of Ralph Krueger
'“I felt more comfortable staying where I was in Rochester all the time and they felt that was the best situation for me as well,” Taylor said Wednesday following the first session of development camp inside Harborcenter. “Ralph is a candidate way above me."' … [Read more...] about Chris Taylor happy with Amerks, likes Sabres’ hire of Ralph Krueger
Coyotes hire former Sabres coach Phil Housley as assistant
'The Arizona Coyotes have hired Housley, 55, as an assistant coach on Rick Tocchet’s staff, the Western Conference club announced today. Housley, who signed a multi-year contract, will run the Coyotes’ blue line.' … [Read more...] about Coyotes hire former Sabres coach Phil Housley as assistant
Dylan Cozens gets to know Buffalo, preps for development camp
'“It’s nice to kind of get there right away. You’re super excited and you want to meet everyone and experience it,” he said. “I flew straight from Vancouver to Buffalo, so it was nice to get here a couple days before camp and just walk around the city, explore everything, meet everyone and get settled in.”' … [Read more...] about Dylan Cozens gets to know Buffalo, preps for development camp
Sabres' Thompson looking to get better in development camp
'Thompson must get quite a bit stronger if he’s going to step up to the next level in the NHL. He said that process is already underway, “I’ve been doing a lot of leg, lower half strength, a lot of stability, things that are going to translate on the ice like being strong in the corners, using my body, cutting to the net and being able to take pucks against bigger guys.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Thompson looking to get better in development camp
Cozens enjoys first day on the ice at Development Camp
'"They told us they're not evaluating any of us at this (camp). We're just supposed to go out there, develop, learn lots of stuff and just have fun -- that's the biggest thing. Obviously, I want to impress them and show them they made the right choice but I'm going out just trying to enjoy my first NHL camp."' … [Read more...] about Cozens enjoys first day on the ice at Development Camp
Thompson: "Bittersweet" to watch Blues win the Stanley Cup
'"Obviously it sucks. You want to win the Cup. You don't want to see anyone else win it, especially your old team. I'm happy for a lot of the guys I played with. It's nice to see them win one. I know how hard they worked and what it means to them."' … [Read more...] about Thompson: “Bittersweet” to watch Blues win the Stanley Cup
Laaksonen enters camp confident following strong season in Finland
'"It feels like yesterday when I came here," Laaksonen said following the first session of camp. "I was so nervous. Just stepping in this room brings back a lot of memories. I was just talking about it … When I first got here, I was so nervous with everything. Now, everything feels normal."' … [Read more...] about Laaksonen enters camp confident following strong season in Finland
What to watch for at Sabres development camp
'Sabres general manager Jason Botterill said Saturday that Laaksonen is further ahead than anticipated in his development.' … [Read more...] about What to watch for at Sabres development camp
Sabres 2019 development camp - Day One notebook
'For many, Wednesday’s two-hour practice session served as an unofficial introduction to the organization. The players were divided up into two groups and were put through a series of drills that emphasized skill development and further exposed them to NHL rules. Most importantly, though, it was an opportunity to acclimate themselves with the Sabres specific style of play and … [Read more...] about Sabres 2019 development camp – Day One notebook