Batavia Daily News

'Timmons agreed to a two-year deal worth $4.4 million, and Levi signed on for a two-year deal worth $1.625 million. The Timmons deals will pay $2.2 million in average annual value, and Levi will receive an average annual value of $812,500.' … [Read more...] about Sabres lock up Levi, Timmons to two-year extensions

'The agreement ends the longest-running saga of the Sabres’ offseason, at least temporarily. Rumors had swirled about Byram being dealt in a possible trade dating back to the beginning of the offseason. Instead, he’ll return to what should be one of the best defensive cores in the entire NHL next season alongside Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, Mattias Sammuelson, and the newly … [Read more...] about Byram inks two-year extension with Buffalo

'The problem is that most of those moves are along the margins of the roster. With the departure of JJ Peterka in the deal that brought in Doan and Kesselring, Buffalo needed more than that to elevate to a team that can be feared in the Atlantic Division.' … [Read more...] about Rose: With Sabres seemingly done making moves, the same philosophical issues remain

'It continues a trend of recent years, with the last true swing for Buffalo in free agency coming in July 2016, when Kyle Okposo signed a seven-year deal worth $6 million per season. Since then, the Sabres have not signed any outside player to a deal that exceeded $10 million in total salary.' … [Read more...] about Sabres continue recent trend with quiet opening day of free agency

'While Buffalo’s left side has Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power anchoring things, right-handed defensemen have been harder to come by, and the Sabres response was swift. Each of Buffalo’s first two selections was used on a right-handed defenseman, and the Sabres swung a trade to immediately plug a hole on that side of the lineup as well.' … [Read more...] about Sabres fortify defense in busy draft weekend

'The two players coming back to Buffalo certainly should help fill some holes in the Sabres’ lineup. Kesselring is just 25 years old and should immediately slot in as the right-handed defensive partner of Owen Power or Rasmus Dahlin in the Buffalo top four defensively. He recorded 29 points and was a +4 in his second full-time season in the NHL.' … [Read more...] about Sabres ship Peterka to Utah for Kesselring, Doan

'Buffalo's supporting cast simply has not been good enough – particularly at goaltender. But when it comes to star power, Buffalo has it in the form of two of the NHL's elite, young talents that have kept the diehard fans that remain within the Sabres Universe coming to the arena. If this team is to dig itself out of the doldrums and earn a playoff berth next season, its … [Read more...] about 4 reasons Sabres will end playoff drought in 2025

'Following a 6-3 win over the Boston Bruins on Sunday, Buffalo has won four games in a row and seven of its last eight. Its home record since Jan. 1 is now 14-4. While it hasn't been perfect, the Sabres' performance over the past few months has been enough to provide fans with hope with another offseason around the corner.' … [Read more...] about Following comeback win over Bruins, hope springs eternal for Sabres

'In addition to Dahlin being named captain, the Sabres introduced four alternate captains: forwards Alex Tuch, Tage Thompson, Dylan Cozens, and defenseman Mattias Samuelsson.' … [Read more...] about Sabres introduce Dahlin as captain, name four alternates

'Luukkonen, 25, began his NHL career with the Sabres in 2020, starting in four games and finishing with a 1-3 record. Questions arose following an inconsistent 2022-2023 campaign and the rise of goaltender Devon Levi. Luukkonen went 17-11 with a .892 save percentage, while Levi was stellar between the pipes as a rookie, finishing at 10-8 with a .899 save percentage.' … [Read more...] about Sabres agree to five-year deal with goaltender Luukkonen

'Helenius was selected by Buffalo 14th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, despite rumors that general manager Kevyn Adams was trying to trade the pick to acquire a player to help the Sabres make a playoff push.' … [Read more...] about Sabres reach agreement with first-round pick Helenius, re-sign two defensemen

'McLeod scored 16 total goals for the Oilers last season, including 4 during the postseason. He will likely slot in as Buffalo’s third-line center. The 24-year-old has one year remaining on his contract, which carries a $2.1 million cap hit for the 2024-25 season.' … [Read more...] about Sabres acquire C McLeod in trade that sends Savoie to Edmonton

'In addition, Buffalo brought in F Sam Lafferty and F Nicolas Aube-Kubel, as well as defenseman Dennis Gilbert, a Buffalo native. Lafferty’s deal is for two years and an annual average value (AAV) of $2 million, while Aube-Kubel signed a one-year pact worth $1.5 million. Gilbert agreed to a one-year deal worth $825,000.' … [Read more...] about Sabres announce flurry of signings to open free agency

'Across the 2022-23 and 2023-24 Liiga campaigns, Helenius compiled 47 points as a member of Mikkelin Jukurit, which is second all-time among Liiga players under the age of 18. Stanley Cup champion Aleksander Barkov of the Florida Panthers holds the record with 48 points before turning 18.' … [Read more...] about Sabres select C Konsta Helenius with No. 14 overall pick in first round

'"I feel strongly after (picks) six or seven, it's really a wide range of where the names are going to go," Adams said. "We felt it's a real good value for us to make that deal. We really like the group of players we see ourselves potentially targeting at No. 14. We pick up an extra asset, which is good value at pick No. 42."' … [Read more...] about Sabres trade No. 11 pick to Sharks, gain draft capital