;Here’s a rundown of all five players, including thoughts from Forton.' … [Read more...] about Draft Tracker | Meet the Sabres’ class of 2026
Archives for June 2026
Sabres keep No. 4 pick, draft defenseman Daxon Rudolph
'Rudolph is from Lacombe, Alberta, and scored 28 goals with 50 assists in 2025-26 with Prince Albert, and was third among all WHL defensemen in points and goals. He scored 27 points in the WHL playoffs (nine goals, 18 assists), and tied for first in WHL playoff assists and first in playoff scoring in the league.' … [Read more...] about Sabres keep No. 4 pick, draft defenseman Daxon Rudolph
Sabres draft Miami (Ohio) forward Ilia Morozov at No. 20 in the NHL Draft
'The 6-foot-3 native of Russia was one of the youngest players in college hockey, and scored eight goals with 12 assists as a freshman for the RedHawks. He is touted as a two-way forward, played on the penalty kill and brought a physical component to the lineup.' … [Read more...] about Sabres draft Miami (Ohio) forward Ilia Morozov at No. 20 in the NHL Draft
Sabres acquire Olen Zellweger for Anton Wahlberg, No. 45 pick in NHL draft
'Zellweger, a 22-year-old Calgary native, scored seven goals with 15 assists in 76 games in 2025-26 with the Ducks, who drafted him in the second round in 2021. He enters his fourth NHL season this fall, and has 16 goals with 35 assists and 195 blocked shots in 164 NHL games.' … [Read more...] about Sabres acquire Olen Zellweger for Anton Wahlberg, No. 45 pick in NHL draft
Alex Tuch: 'Leaving Buffalo, it was one of the hardest decisions of my life'
'"Leaving Buffalo, it was one of the hardest decisions of my life," Tuch said after accepting a sign-and-trade deal with Washington on Wednesday for eight years and $84 million. "I loved my time there. I'm leaving behind an incredible organization and unbelievable teammates."' … [Read more...] about Alex Tuch: ‘Leaving Buffalo, it was one of the hardest decisions of my life’
Maple Leafs (and Justin Bieber) make it official: Gavin McKenna is No. 1 NHL draft pick
'McKenna, who grew up in the Yukon Territory of Canada's far northwest, has been pegged as the No. 1 overall pick in the ’26 draft for more than a year after spending two years tearing up the Western Hockey League. He had 41 goals, 88 assists and 129 points in 2024-25 for Medicine Hat, adding 38 points in 16 playoff games to help the Tigers win the WHL title.' … [Read more...] about Maple Leafs (and Justin Bieber) make it official: Gavin McKenna is No. 1 NHL draft pick
The food. The teammates. The environment: What NHL draft prospects look forward to about turning pro
'“Stepping on the ice and playing against top competition, and guys I’ve watched growing up, and I’ve kind of idolized. Realizing now, I’m on that same level, and I can’t kind of be a fan anymore, and I’ve got to compete with them. That’s something I’m really looking forward to. And then just the food. I get to eat whatever I want? That’d be pretty great. … I like sushi. I … [Read more...] about The food. The teammates. The environment: What NHL draft prospects look forward to about turning pro
Instead of trading first-rounders, Sabres take Daxon Rudolph and Ilia Morozov in NHL Draft
'“Nothing was attractive enough for us to do anything else than pick,” Kekalainen said Friday at One Bills Drive.' … [Read more...] about Instead of trading first-rounders, Sabres take Daxon Rudolph and Ilia Morozov in NHL Draft
Sabres trade prospect and 45th pick to Ducks in exchange for Olen Zellweger
'The 5-foot-10, 193-pound Zellweger, 22, is a restricted free agent.' … [Read more...] about Sabres trade prospect and 45th pick to Ducks in exchange for Olen Zellweger
Alex Tuch explains why he left Sabres for Capitals in sign-and-trade deal: ‘One of the toughest moments of my life’
'“We were in talks as of last week,” he said. “It was something I had to take a lot of time and thinking. It was a really hard decision. I don’t want to look too much into it. It’s still really fresh and new and no one besides myself, my family, my agent and Buffalo’s management will truly know how everything transpired to a certain extent over the last year. But I am forever … [Read more...] about Alex Tuch explains why he left Sabres for Capitals in sign-and-trade deal: ‘One of the toughest moments of my life’
Sabres change direction of the draft
'Instead of taking Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds defenseman Chase Reid — the consensus No. 1 defender — or going with a center like Viggo Bjorck, Buffalo grabbed its guy, Prince Albert Raiders right-handed defenseman Daxon Rudolph. For many fans, it might be upsetting to go with a little bit of a reach on a guy who is probably two seasons away from making an impact on the roster … [Read more...] about Sabres change direction of the draft
Saturday's Anaheim Coverage
Ducks trade Olen Zellweger for Anton Wahlberg and a 2nd-round pick (Orange County Register) Ducks Acquire Wahlberg and 2026 Second-Round Draft Pick (45th Overall) for Zellweger (AnaheimDucks.com) … [Read more...] about Saturday’s Anaheim Coverage
Lacombe’s Daxon Rudolph selected by Buffalo Sabres in 2026 NHL Draft
'Rudolph is expected to play next season in the NCAA at the University of Denver.' … [Read more...] about Lacombe’s Daxon Rudolph selected by Buffalo Sabres in 2026 NHL Draft
Rudolph taken fourth overall by Buffalo Sabres
'Rudolph was the first overall selection by the Raiders in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft and was an all-situation player for Prince Albert. In 132 regular season games as a Raider, Rudolph registered 35 goals and 84 assists along with 105 penalty minutes.' … [Read more...] about Rudolph taken fourth overall by Buffalo Sabres
Daxon Rudolph becomes highest-drafted player in Denver Pioneers history at NHL draft
'The 18-year-old out of Lacombe, Alberta, was rated one of the top North American skaters in the draft after a stellar season with the Prince Albert Raiders in the WHL, where he totaled 78 points (28 goals, 50 assists) in 68 games.' … [Read more...] about Daxon Rudolph becomes highest-drafted player in Denver Pioneers history at NHL draft