'“Yeah. I want to be the best at everything I do and I am going to work as hard as I can to be that. There was a lot of good players who got drafted here and, you know, I’m going to work as hard as I can to reach my full potential and be the best I can be.”' … [Read more...] about Dylan Cozens drafted seventh by Buffalo
Archives for 2019
It’s a long summer ahead for Buffalo Sabres prospect Dylan Cozens
'“Obviously he has a unique background growing up in Yukon, but there is a drive in there — a motivating factor — and his worth ethic and a knowledge of what he has to work on in his game,” said Botterill. “That really came across in the meetings — that he was driven to become a National Hockey League player — (and) understanding that he wasn’t there yet, there is still a lot … [Read more...] about It’s a long summer ahead for Buffalo Sabres prospect Dylan Cozens
NHL Draft a dream come true for Portillo
'“I had a lot of contact with the Sabres prior to the draft. It began with talking to their Swedish scout, then I got to do a couple of assessments, and finally, I got invited to come to Buffalo to their combine where I did testing and interviews. When I visited the Sabres, I could feel that it’s a fantastic organization.”' … [Read more...] about NHL Draft a dream come true for Portillo
There are a few free agents the Sabres should pursue
'This is a guy who has won multiple Stanley Cups, and is the leader that could maybe help get the young entitlement out of the Sabres dressing room. I thought Jack Eichel made strides as the leader of the Sabres last season, but Williams is a respected leader that Eichel could learn from. The winger was a $4.5 million cap hit for the Hurricanes, and if I could get him for under … [Read more...] about There are a few free agents the Sabres should pursue
Jankowski liked how the NHL Draft panned out for the Sabres
'“We love Dylan’s potential,” Jankowski said of the Whitehorse, Yukon native. “He had a great year in Lethbridge. He’s a big man that can skate extremely well. He’s got good offensive abilities, we think that’s only going to develop and improve over time as he gets stronger as he becomes what we call a little bit more ‘hockey mature.’ The fact that he plays a strong 200-foot … [Read more...] about Jankowski liked how the NHL Draft panned out for the Sabres
The Ristolainen debate
'I don’t think Ristolainen is a bad player though. He can get up ice on the rush, which is what NHL defensemen have to do these days. He’s a right-shot defensemen, which are harder to come by. He has four-straight 40-point seasons and is a power play weapon with 95 of his points over the last five seasons coming from the power play. Ristolainen is also durable considering he … [Read more...] about The Ristolainen debate
Draftee Erik Portillo the Sabres' latest attempt at finding a franchise goalie
'"There are two reasons goalies take longer to develop but the first is the position is extremely advanced," said Dubuque General Manager Kalle Larsson, who selected Portillo fifth overall in the USHL draft this spring. "There are so few jobs for the positions at the professional level. That's why you see NHL goalies having to play in the AHL. ... It's more competitive, so the … [Read more...] about Draftee Erik Portillo the Sabres’ latest attempt at finding a franchise goalie
Jason Botterill, GMs jobs get harder: What kind of team do you build?
'"It's always trying to find out do you have enough skill to go through it but is that skill willing to get into the hard areas and compete in certain areas?" Sabres GM Jason Botterill said here in the hours leading into the NHL draft. "What both organizations showed is that they faced injuries throughout their runs and they had the depth to step in. Guys could come in who had … [Read more...] about Jason Botterill, GMs jobs get harder: What kind of team do you build?
Jason Botterill believes Sabres’ young talent terrific selling point
'“Hopefully by stepping up and signing Jeff Skinner, it shows we’re going to reward players who want to be a part of things here in Buffalo. So I think that mix is hopefully attractive to other players out there."' … [Read more...] about Jason Botterill believes Sabres’ young talent terrific selling point
Sullivan: Ease up on Sabres draft hype
'Look, I don’t know Dylan Cozens from Boogie Cousins. He might become the next Mario Lemieux. But history has taught me to resist the urge to react positively to every Sabres move. Fans were excited about Alex Nylander and Brendan Guhle, Nikita Zadorov and Mikhail Grigorenko, Joel Armia and Zack Kassian. I won’t torture you by going back any further.' … [Read more...] about Sullivan: Ease up on Sabres draft hype
Could Sam Reinhart move back to center?
'"It's always a possibility there. You have to be open to it and we'll see how things go with Ralph (Krueger) with that discussion. But I also think over the last year or so, he's excelled on the wing and I think he's in a position where he can drive a line from the wing," Botterill said. "You've seen that a lot in the National Hockey League. There's certainly a focus on … [Read more...] about Could Sam Reinhart move back to center?
Sabres complete draft haul by selecting four prospects on Day 2
'The conversation surrounding the Sabres' third draft under Botterill will begin with Cozens, the 6-foot-3 center who was ranked by NHL Central Scouting as the draft's fifth-best North American skater. Though Cozens will need to gain strength and size before joining the Sabres, he is the most NHL-ready of the group.' … [Read more...] about Sabres complete draft haul by selecting four prospects on Day 2
Sabres hold on to No. 31 pick, select defenseman Ryan Johnson
'The Sabres could have chosen a number of talented forwards -- winger Arthur Kaliyev went undrafted on Day 1 despite being ranked the draft's seventh-best North American skater -- but Botterill added yet another young defenseman to his prospect pool.' … [Read more...] about Sabres hold on to No. 31 pick, select defenseman Ryan Johnson
Sabres may benefit from lower-than-expected salary cap
'Don't expect Botterill to spend to the cap's upper limit. After all, winger Sam Reinhart is a restricted free agent next offseason and a contract extension will include a remarkable raise from the $3.65 million he made last season.' … [Read more...] about Sabres may benefit from lower-than-expected salary cap
With East foes quickly improving, Sabres enter a critical time in their history
'This organization and Botterill, in particular, doesn't have 5-6 years, of course. To borrow a phrase we heard all weekend, the GM is now on the clock. Big-time. Owners Terry and Kim Pegula have to be exasperated by now owning the longest playoff drought in the NHL, and this is a critical offseason for this club as it heads into what figures to be a heavily promoted 50th … [Read more...] about With East foes quickly improving, Sabres enter a critical time in their history