Archives for June 2025

'“It seems like a super-cool place,” said Jackson Smith, a a defenseman from Tri-City of the Western Hockey League, who is projected as a first-round pick. “I walked around a little bit and went to get a bite to eat. And on an Uber ride, when I went to dinner, out with Vancouver, the Uber driver gave us, basically, a whole rundown of the city, so I got to learn a little bit … [Read more...] about Does Buffalo get first-round billing? NHL combine participants make their picks

'If the Sabres stand firm at No. 9, here is a look at five potential prospects who participated in the combine and went through physical testing Saturday at LECOM Harborcenter, and what they could bring to the Sabres.' … [Read more...] about Sabres get look at potential picks as the NHL draft approaches

'Aitcheson is as tough as he is effervescent, and is as willing to stand up for himself or a teammate as he is to carry on a conversation with someone. The 6-foot-1½ defenseman from Barrie of the Ontario Hockey League tied with teammate Riley Patterson, a center, for the Colts’ scoring lead this season. Aitcheson scored 26 goals with 33 assists in 64 games, including nine … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Here’s two defensemen Sabres should consider with their top pick

'“He was a good decision-maker on the ice,” Raeder said of Kekalainen, a left wing for Clarkson from 1987-89. “He was solid, and he thought through the game well. Coming from Europe and adjusting to the North American game, back in those days, was a pretty good test. If you could do that, you were pretty hockey savvy – and Jarmo, he’s tremendously motivated.”' … [Read more...] about Jarmo Kekalainen brings an always-evolving, ever-competitive presence as Sabres senior advisor

'The Amerks had a 92-point season and made it to the ultimate Game 5 of the North Division finals before losing to Laval, and the 5-foot-11 Helenius wasn’t out of place, even though he was the youngest player in the AHL and didn’t turn 19 until May 11.' … [Read more...] about From combine week through Calder Cup playoffs, Sabres got a big year from Konsta Helenius

'We haven’t seen the same two teams get to hockey’s ultimate series since 2009, when the Pittsburgh Penguins used a Marc-Andre Fleury save in the final second to hold off the Detroit Red Wings in Game 7 at Joe Louis Arena. The Wings had won the Cup in 2008 in Game 6 at Pittsburgh’s Mellon Arena. (From the Time Moves On Dept.: Both of those arenas, which were classic NHL barns, … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Another long season later, it’s Panthers and Oilers in a rare Stanley Cup rematch

'The key to this series will come in the goal crease. Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky, long portrayed as an overpaid sieve at $10 million per season, has become the best playoff goalie of this generation. Edmonton’s Stuart Skinner is a hot-and-cold enigma. But they have both been money since the middle of Round 2. Since May 11, Bobrovsky is 7-2, 1.34/.944, and Skinner is 6-1, … [Read more...] about Top 5 reasons to watch Stanley Cup Final: Connor McDavid, Canadian drought, more from Mike Harrington