Buffalo News

'The NHL draft begins Friday night. The Buffalo Sabres have the No. 1 overall pick, as they did in 1970, when they selected Perreault. This draft marks 50 years since the Sabres selected Martin with the fifth overall choice. And then there was Robert, who came not by draft, but by trade.' … [Read more...] about Erik Brady: NHL draft conjures memories of French Connection

'Borgen’s departure, and Ristolainen’s potential exit, creates a significant need on defense for Buffalo. As of now, Miller and Henri Jokiharju are the only right-shot defensemen projected to be on Buffalo’s roster this season. The Sabres also have prospect Oskari Laaksonen in Rochester.' … [Read more...] about How the loss of Will Borgen to the Kraken impacts the Sabres’ offseason plan

'Far less has been made of this certainty: Unless the herniated disc in Eichel’s neck has completely healed, the star player, the team where he lands and its fans may have to deal with an injury that could keep him sidelined for more than half a year.' … [Read more...] about Jack Eichel’s neck surgery figures into his trade status. Here’s why

'Will Borgen, a 24-year old with only 14 games of NHL experience, appears to be the Sabres' player most likely to land in Seattle. He’s a 6-foot-3 right-shot defenseman who uses his size to clear the front of the net and plays with a fearlessness that Buffalo needs at the position. Borgen would be a cheap option for the Kraken – he’s a restricted free agent after earning a … [Read more...] about Will Borgen, Colin Miller are Sabres most likely to land with expansion Kraken

'However, a quick look at the Sabres' current prospect pipeline shows a need for more impact forwards. Here's a look at every player, signed and unsigned, who has yet to appear in more than 15 NHL games for the club...'. … [Read more...] about Sabres need to add more impact forwards to prospect pipeline

'Yet, for whatever reason, no one outside KeyBank Center knows who the Sabres will select first overall. The perception surrounding this draft is that it’s as weak as any in recent memory. It’s possible no player will make the immediate jump to the NHL, and many prospects’ seasons were impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Additionally, the Sabres are in dire need of help at … [Read more...] about Owen Power, William Eklund headline Sabres’ debate with No. 1 draft pick

'The preseason and regular season schedule unveilings are just the start of a busy period for the Sabres. The expansion draft to stock the Seattle Kraken is Wednesday, and the Sabres have the No. 1 pick in the NHL draft slated for Friday night. Rounds 2-7 of the draft go Saturday and the league's free agency period opens July 28.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ preseason schedule includes three home games and Sept. 28 opener in Columbus

'The Kraken’s exclusive bargaining window with restricted and unrestricted free agents also began 10 a.m. Sunday. Any signing counts as Seattle’s expansion selection from that team. Buffalo has 12 unrestricted free agents: forwards Drake Caggiula, Jean-Sebastien Dea, Steven Fogarty, Tobias Rieder, Riley Sheahan and C.J. Smith; defensemen Jake McCabe, Matt Irwin and Brandon … [Read more...] about Sabres protect Rasmus Ristolainen, expose Will Borgen for expansion draft

'Under Adams this season, the Sabres did not have full-time scouts based in Ontario, the Western Hockey League, Finland or Russia. They have since added two scouts – one in the United States and a part-timer in Western Canada – and reconfigured the scouting staff, with Jerry Forton ascending to director of amateur scouting. Karmanos, who owns three Stanley Cup rings from his … [Read more...] about Sabres drafting first overall in year in which ‘scouting world got turned upside down’

'Though the Kraken are led by two of Skinner's former bosses, including Jason Botterill, it's unlikely they would have interest in taking on Skinner's $9 million annual cap hit over the next six seasons. After all, the 29-year-old has struggled immensely since scoring a career-high 40 goals during his first season with the Sabres in 2018-19, a performance that earned him the … [Read more...] about Sabres winger Jeff Skinner agrees to waive no-movement clause for expansion draft

'My prediction is that the Sabres will trade a draft choice, and potentially another asset, to entice the Kraken to select defenseman Colin Miller. This would ensure that Rasmus Asplund and Will Borgen can remain in Buffalo.' … [Read more...] about Projecting who the Sabres will protect, lose in Seattle expansion draft

'All that portends July 22 and 23 as the days most likely to see an Eichel move. Those are the day before the amateur draft and the day of the first round.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Calendar is dictating Jack Eichel timeline – and he can forget about Boston

'The Sabres' pricing model was created using the National Hockey League’s standard analytic model, which examines level of demand, seniority of season ticket holders and team performance. The Sabres endured their fourth last-place finish in eight years this season, finishing with a league-worst 15-34-7 record and 37 points.' … [Read more...] about Sabres stick with same pricing for season ticket holders in 2021-22

'Quinn had a remarkable few days in camp. His right-handed shot appeared to be NHL-ready. More important, Quinn showed the type of playmaking ability he was not given enough credit for during the predraft process. Following camp, he had a short stay on the Sabres’ taxi squad, before he joined the Amerks.' … [Read more...] about ‘Fully back’ from hernia surgery, Jack Quinn wants to be part of Sabres’ young core

'“It is a unique year because obviously expansion is something that doesn't happen that often or whatever how many times over the years, this has happened,” Adams told The Buffalo News last month. “It does create a pressure point of decisions that have to be made, but it doesn't mean you have to make bad decisions. It just means that, hey, these decisions are coming. You’re … [Read more...] about Direction of Buffalo Sabres could be determined during busy month of July