Buffalo News

'Richard played three years for the Florida Alliance travel team and his 2020-21 season was flat-out ridiculous as he had 45 goals and a league-high 74 points in 32 games -- and no one else in the league had more than 32 points. But the USHL was obviously a different level of hockey. He had just seven points in the first 21 games last season before exploding for 41 points over … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: For Sabres draftee Jake Richard, it’s a long way from Florida youth leagues to an NHL development camp

'On the cusp of restricted free agency in 2020, Pilut's agent requested a one-way contract for Pilut to ensure financial and job security. The Sabres declined until it was too late. Pilut signed a two-year contract with Traktor Chelyabinsk of the Russia-based Kontinental Hockey League.' … [Read more...] about Lawrence Pilut returns to Sabres on two-way contract after stint in Russia

'“You play so many seasons that coming off a good season, how are you going to do it again?” Levi explained. “That’s the question. A lot of people have a hard time with that. It’s easy to get caught up in thinking you’re the best and you came off a really good season and trying to manage expectations. So, I’m really looking forward to going into that challenge and managing it … [Read more...] about Impressed by Sabres’ progress, Devon Levi embracing pressure, expectations

'"It was huge for me to see a guy go through that experience, learn a little bit from him," Savoie of Krebs' post-draft year, when he had 60 points in 38 games. "He's a tremendous leader, a tremendous person,. He's really dialed in around the rink. He has good habits. He's a guy I can learn a lot from and continue to build a good relationship with."' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Even though he’s not on the ice, Matthew Savoie already finding his comfort zone with the Sabres

'“He’s very talented,” Adams said of Comrie following the Sabres’ development camp practices in LECOM Harborcenter. “He has a strong – from a numbers perspective – profile and body of work from what he’s done through the American league and then his opportunity from when he has played in the NHL. He just hasn’t had a ton of opportunity. But for me, this was a goaltender that we … [Read more...] about Sabres fill needs in goal, defense by signing Eric Comrie, Ilya Lyubushkin

'Johnson, though, sounds more likely to put pen to paper than Portillo, who would draw plenty of interest from other teams with another successful season at Michigan.' … [Read more...] about Back in Buffalo, Ryan Johnson, Erik Portillo facing uncertain futures with Sabres

'The Sabres' general manager has articulated his "Process" ad nauseum and did it again Wednesday in LECOM Harborcenter: He's identifying a core for his team and letting that group develop and grow together. You're not blocking their ice time or their development path with big-ticket items, at least not now.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: It’s tough to see Ottawa and Detroit going for it, but Kevyn Adams is staying on his own course

'Subban is an athletic goalie with upside and fit well in the Sabres' dressing room. The move will likely lead to the departures of goalies Dustin Tokarski and Aaron Dell.' … [Read more...] about Sabres still searching for a goalie with free agency approaching

'In addition to the three 2022 choices, the eight first-rounders on hand are Johnson and Krebs (2019), Quinn (2020), and Power and Rosen (2021).' … [Read more...] about Star-studded Sabres development camp will include eight first-round picks

'Appearing Monday morning on WGR Radio, General Manager Kevyn Adams also confirmed Friday's report in The Buffalo News that the Sabres are interested in re-signing defenseman Lawrence Pilut. The GM said the team is waiting for release papers from his KHL team to become official.' … [Read more...] about Sabres send qualifying offers to four restricted free agents; Kevyn Adams confirms interest in Lawrence Pilut

'Sign Olofsson to a three-year contract with a $5.5 million average annual value. The rest return on prove-it contracts. It is too soon to sign Luukkonen to a bridge deal, so I'll go with a one-year deal that takes him into another restricted free agency summer.' … [Read more...] about Sabres GM for the Day: Plotting a course for a tricky offseason

'Would the Sabres get involved with a forward that will cost you solid money but not top-tier megabucks like Ryan Strome or Andrew Copp of the Rangers, Colorado's Andre Burakovsky or Carolina's Vincent Trocheck?' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Big names will fetch big prices when free agency opens

'When the Sabres were on the clock in the second round with pick 41, they announced Leinonen as their selection. He’s a massive physical specimen at 233 pounds and his 78.5-inch wing span was sixth-longest among combine participants when the event was held in Buffalo. This wasn’t considered a strong draft for goalies – Leinonen was the first taken – but he was ranked the best … [Read more...] about Topias Leinonen’s selection addresses Sabres’ glaring need in prospect pipeline

'Names like Darcy Kuemper, Jack Campbell and Braden Holtby are expected to be on the free agent market next week, San Jose is probably willing to part with veteran James Reimer, the Islanders might deal Semyon Varlamov, and now you wonder about All-Star goalie Cam Talbot in Minnesota, who was nosed out of starts in the playoffs by Fleury and now watched the future Hall of Famer … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Kevyn Adams doesn’t have Sabres’ new goalie yet, but he’ll get one on his timetable

'This is insurance for the Sabres in the event goalie prospect Erik Portillo opts to not sign before he reaches unrestricted free agency next summer. Portillo, a third-round draft choice in 2019, had an exceptional sophomore season at the University of Michigan but opted not to sign with the Sabres this spring.' … [Read more...] about Sabres grab top-ranked European goalie Topias Leinonen with the 41st pick