'“It was crazy, didn’t even seem real,” Miedema said. “Now you’ve got to go to different billets in Kingston – and both families I was with were great and I still keep in touch with them – and learn a new team. Windsor was obviously a powerhouse, Kingston had a bit of trouble to create offense. So now it’s another adjustment going from a very offensive environment and system … [Read more...] about Before he got draft call from Sabres, huge OHL trade gave Ethan Miedema business lesson
Archives for July 2023
You can expect the hits to keep on coming from Connor Clifton in Buffalo
'Clifton alone won’t stem Buffalo’s goal-for-goal bleeding, but his presence will make 31 teams far less comfortable when entering the Sabres’ end. Warning: Hard hats are mandatory now at this end of the ice. That’s not the way it has been for the Sabres for a very long time.' … [Read more...] about You can expect the hits to keep on coming from Connor Clifton in Buffalo
Sabres prospect Mats Lindgren focusing on strength, defense
'“Just having that weight on, I feel more powerful and obviously heavier in battles,” Lindgren said. “I think I still got to get kind of the conditioning part of it. I’m struggling a bit because obviously it’s a lot of weight. I think once I keep skating in the summer and keep skating more, I think that’ll come back.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres prospect Mats Lindgren focusing on strength, defense
Hamilton Take 2: A closer look at the Sabres' Russian prospects
'Buffalo drafted six Russians in the 2021 and the 2022 drafts. Last season we got our first look at one of them in Aleksandr Kisakov. He’s a talented but small kid that needs to gain quite a bit more strength to be able to play in the NHL. You could even see it in this camp, he couldn’t compete in battles, but if you get him in open ice, he’s very creative offensively. Having … [Read more...] about Hamilton Take 2: A closer look at the Sabres’ Russian prospects
Saturday's Rochester Coverage
Amerks bring back Mason Jobst, Brendan Warren and Michael Houser on AHL deals (Buffalo News) Rochester Amerks re-sign three players (Olean Times Herald) Rochester Americans re-sign trio of players, add one from Marlies (WHEC-TV) Jobst, Warren and Houser return on one-year deals (Amerks.com) Amerks sign Slaggert to one-year contract (Amerks.com) … [Read more...] about Saturday’s Rochester Coverage
Zach Benson caps 'whirlwind' two weeks with standout showing at Sabres development camp
'This is the last time we’ll see Benson in Buffalo until the Prospects Challenge in September, when he’ll likely join forces with his junior hockey teammate and fellow Sabres prospect Matt Savoie. Benson planned to resume his offseason training as soon as he departed, and he must prepare for a change of scenery in the Western Hockey League. His and Benson’s club, the Winnipeg … [Read more...] about Zach Benson caps ‘whirlwind’ two weeks with standout showing at Sabres development camp
Mike Harrington: Don Granato's concerns feel a lot easier than Sean McDermott's
'As things stand, Granato seems to have fewer, ahem, concerns than McDermott. Development camp was a bit of a lovefest, and the team feels the free agent additions of Erik Johnson and Connor Clifton on defense significantly upgrade their depth on the back end.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Don Granato’s concerns feel a lot easier than Sean McDermott’s
Sabres notes: Don Granato believes Erik Johnson will help Rasmus Dahlin, other defensemen
'“He’s actually had such a wide spectrum of experience through the league,” Granato said Thursday following the final session of development camp in KeyBank Center. “And … there’s no diminishing the fact he’s a hell of a player present day, and that excited me.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres notes: Don Granato believes Erik Johnson will help Rasmus Dahlin, other defensemen
Benson’s a good one
'Every general manager from San Jose picking at No. 4 to Arizona taking a second pick at No. 12 — excluding Philadelphia taking Matvei Michkov at No. 7 — will rue the day it passed on Benson. In just a few short days, you could tell he is already the most skilled prospect in the Sabres’ pool following the graduation of Owen Power, Jack Quinn and Devon Levi.' … [Read more...] about Benson’s a good one
Sabres get impressive showing as Development Camp comes to a close
'Players on that winning team were Zach Benson, Nikita Novikov, Viktor Neuchev, Viljami Marjala, Joel Ratkovic-Berndtsson, Norwin Panocha, Nicolas Savoie, Josh Fleming and Nathan Airey.' … [Read more...] about Sabres get impressive showing as Development Camp comes to a close
Granato added two defensemen he wanted this offseason
'"They will fit very well with us," he said. "But the biggest thing is they made a decision, and they had options. They made a decision to become a Buffalo Sabre, and that is significant. I was watching a lot of defensemen that had the potential of being available, and defensemen that were talked about being moved around the league. There were two that I really, really wanted, … [Read more...] about Granato added two defensemen he wanted this offseason
Sabres wrap up development camp
'The parking lot was backed up, the stands were filled with fans, and to even Sabres coach Don Granato's surprise, Bills head coach Sean McDermott showed some love and made an appearance for the last day.' … [Read more...] about Sabres wrap up development camp
McCarthy begins new chapter with hometown team
'"It's been great," Joe McCarthy said. "Our entire family went down to Tennessee (for the draft), and we all got to share the experience with Gavin. Since we went through it with his oldest brother in Vancouver in 2019, we were a little bit prepared for what the process was. But watching Gavin go through it was an experience all of its own."' … [Read more...] about McCarthy begins new chapter with hometown team
Kisakov aims to ease transition to Rochester for Neuchev, Novikov
'"I can help with English," Kisakov said, flashing a grin. "Nikita speaks a little bit. Viktor has zero, zero English. I can help him."' … [Read more...] about Kisakov aims to ease transition to Rochester for Neuchev, Novikov
Anton Wahlberg's 'big, big step' in Sweden led the Sabres to try to swing a trade
'Wahlberg is 6-foot-3, 190 pounds and pairs excellent skating ability with high-end skill, both of which were an asset for Malmo as it won the series against Brynas IF. He quickly showed this fall on Malmo’s Under-20 team that he was more advanced than his peers. Several of his 14 goals in 32 junior hockey games were of highlight-reel quality. He’d skate end to end before … [Read more...] about Anton Wahlberg’s ‘big, big step’ in Sweden led the Sabres to try to swing a trade