Buffalo News

'Savoie, who was ranked by NHL Central Scouting as the fourth-best North American skater in the draft, likely has the shortest timeline to join the young core in Buffalo. The 18-year-old totaled 41 goals and 102 points in 75 games between the regular season and playoffs for the Ice. Listed at 5-foot-9, he is a dynamic skater and playmaker with the ability to play center or … [Read more...] about Matthew Savoie headlines Sabres’ three-pick, first-round haul at NHL Draft

'Centers generally can play wing but wingers often struggle at center, so the Sabres stayed down the middle with their three picks Thursday night. It wasn't hard to find observers impressed with the Sabres' three picks all being centers in Matthew Savoie of Winnipeg (No. 9), Noah Ostlund of Sweden (16) and Jiri Kulich of Czechia (28).' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Sabres keep pushing for speed and skill by taking three centers in the first round

'Savoie, while playing for Winnipeg, suffered a shoulder injury in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals and did not take part in the drills at the combine in Buffalo last month. He did attend and do interviews with teams. He's regained full movement and expected to return to skating as early as next week.' … [Read more...] about Five things to know about Sabres’ No. 9 draft pick Matthew Savoie

'Ostlund has found the back of the net many times throughout his growing career, but excels in his hockey IQ. He joins Buffalo after being listed second in most primary assists in draft eligible J20 Nationell with 16.' … [Read more...] about Five things to know about Sabres’ No. 16 pick Noah Ostlund

'Kulich's biggest offensive showing during the IIHF World Championships came on the power play, scoring seven of his nine goals a man up.' … [Read more...] about Five things to know about Sabres’ No. 28 pick Jiri Kulich

'Olofsson totaled 20 goals and 49 points in 72 games, despite playing through a wrist injury that impacted the release, power and accuracy of his left-handed shot. When healthy, he was an effective power-play weapon and capable top-six goal scorer. And when ailing, he evolved his 5-on-5 game to become more of a playmaking threat.' … [Read more...] about Victor Olofsson’s contract at the ‘top’ of Sabres’ priority list ahead of draft

'General manager Kevyn Adams is slated to pick at Nos. 9, 16 and 28. He's going to get good players. And he doesn't have to sweat out what's going on at the top, where Montreal has the No. 1 pick no one in hockey seems to know the identity of.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: At the top and as the Sabres make their three choices, there’s lot to watch as the NHL draft opens

'The Sabres will open their 82-game slate against the Ottawa Senators on Thurs., Oct. 13 at 7 p.m., followed two days later by a 1 p.m. matinee meeting against Sam Reinhart and the Florida Panthers. Eichel, the former Sabres captain traded to Vegas following a dispute over his preferred treatment for a herniated disk, will be back in Buffalo on Thurs., Nov. 10.' … [Read more...] about Sabres to open 2022-23 season with consecutive games in KeyBank Center

'“I really felt two years ago with the draft that we didn't have enough prospects and then we also didn't have a lot of draft picks, which makes it challenging,” he said. “It was definitely part of our plan and our organizational philosophy that we have to build our pipeline up. … I feel a lot better about where we’re at than two years ago, but at the same time, this is such a … [Read more...] about With trio of high picks, Sabres GM Kevyn Adams has ‘opportunity’ to continue building

'The Sabres got a nice pick in the fourth round in defenseman Jacob Bryson and his 111 games are tied for fourth among all players taken outside Rounds 1 or 2. Makes up some for Botterill's disastrous choice of Marcus Davidsson at No. 37, who is the second-highest pick in the draft to not make the NHL behind No. 28 Shane Bowers of Ottawa.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: NHL draft is all about futures and you never really know. Just look at how 2017 turned out

'Sharks president Jonathan Becher told reporters Tuesday in San Jose that the organization spoke with many people in hockey, including former Sharks players, about Grier as a general manager. Grier, 47, got the endorsement of another former Sabre in the interview process: Chris Drury, the general manager of the New York Rangers.' … [Read more...] about Sabres connection helps Mike Grier make history as first Black NHL general manager

'With three early selections, and 11 in the entire draft, Adams can restock areas that were depleted by graduations to the NHL – particularly on defense – and could potentially take a flier on a player who others might deem too risky for the first round.' … [Read more...] about Intriguing first-round draft targets for Sabres at picks 9, 16, 28

'The Sabres need to keep stocking the shelves. Remember, they only had five draft picks in 2020 and six apiece from 2017 to 2019. This could make consecutive years of 11 picks and the first trio in the first round since 1983. Make some trades in the later rounds if you want but revel in the huge luck that the Vegas pick you acquired for Jack Eichel is No. 16 instead of the … [Read more...] about Sabres roundtable: Answering 5 burning questions ahead of the NHL draft

'Despite the misfires, early draft returns from Botterill’s three-year tenure are promising. Rasmus Dahlin, Mattias Samuelsson and Dylan Cozens are members of the Sabres’ young core. Injuries have prevented Casey Mittelstadt from establishing himself as a long-term solution at center, though he still has the talent and time to become one. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen can still develop … [Read more...] about Reviewing Jason Botterill’s draft picks as Sabres general manager

'"I do think (an in-person draft) it leads to opportunity," Adams said. "What I have learned over the last couple of years is the majority of things that ultimately will play out on draft day have been worked on for a while. So going back weeks now, there's been conversations going on with every team and you're talking about things that they're looking for and what are we … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: With all the teams finally back together in person, the draft could be livelier than normal