Buffalo News

‘Olofsson, a 25-year-old who scored 20 goals in 2019-20, was named Monday to the NHL All-Rookie Team, joining Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins, Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, Chicago Blackhawks winger Dominik Kubalik and Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki.’

‘Oskari Laaksonen, a defenseman whom the Sabres drafted in the third round in 2017, has been loaned to the Lahden Pelicans of Liiga in Finland, the team announced Monday. Laaksonen signed an entry-level contract with the Sabres in June and is expected to spend this season with the Rochester Americans.’

‘“Hopefully I can be impactful,” said Staal. “That’s the plan. I don’t honestly know a lot about the team in general. I’ve been in the west the last four years, so it’s tough when you’re in a different conference. … I know obviously Jack (Eichel) is elite. There’s also (Jeff Skinner), who I played with in Carolina. There’s guys there that are competitive and great players. For me, I think I’m just going to try to be myself coming in and then hopefully, as a group, we can develop that team atmosphere, that desire to win and compete every night.”’

‘“You could see it right from the get-go,” said former Sabres winger Matt Moulson. “The first time you get on the ice with him you could see the skill set that not many people in this world possess. You could definitely see the potential of him becoming the player that he is now just from one skate with him.”’

‘The Sabres were not on Staal’s 10-team no-trade list, which was submitted to the Wild on Tuesday. He and Johansson are set to become unrestricted free agents following the 2020-21 season. Staal, 35, is owed a $3 million salary and will count $3.25 million against the salary cap, a bargain price for a player who should immediately step in as the Sabres’ second-line center.’

‘A 16-year veteran, Staal played the last four seasons in Minnesota and the Sabres will be his fourth NHL team. He spent 12 years with Carolina after being the No. 2 overall pick in the 2003 draft. He also spent a half-season with the Rangers. In more than 1,200 games, he has 436 goals and 585 assists for 1,021 career points. He is seventh among active players in games and sixth in points.’

‘“I think there’s a time to teach and a time to coach and to get the most out of the next opportunity within a game,” explained Krueger. “I’m really able to separate those two and I’ve become extremely patient in understanding sometimes you need to pause before you can actually give the lesson or make the correction. Often within a game it does nothing but distract the player from his next task, his next shift. I like to keep the confidence level high within a game and I believe to compete right to the last minute no matter the score.”’

‘When projecting the Sabres’ possible expenses, it’s wise to focus on the player’s salary, not his average cap hit. According to CapFriendly.com, the team has approximately $49,248,810 in salary commitments to 13 players next season, including Cozens and two former Sabres whose contracts were previously bought out: Christian Ehrhoff and Cody Hodgson. This figure does not include players projected to play for the Rochester Americans in 2020-21.’

‘Krueger and his staff – assistants Steve Smith, Don Granato and Mike Bales – accepted a 20% pay reduction from April 1 until July 13 before declining a subsequent request for a 25% cut.’

‘Among the 14 goalies drafted by the Sabres since Miller joined the organization in 1999, only two other than Miller have played more than 19 games in the NHL: Jhonas Enroth and Linus Ullmark.’