Buffalo News

'The issues are simple: The Sabres want a huge haul for an elite No. 1 center who has been here since he was drafted second overall in 2015. But there's not many teams that can handle a contract with a $10 million per season salary cap hit for five more years. Especially for a player who says he needs neck surgery and doesn't have a timetable for when he might be able to play … [Read more...] about Are Jack Eichel suitors dwindling after Day One of NHL free agency?

'According to sources, unless there is a last-minute change of heart the Sabres announcers won’t be traveling to road games again this season, which is believed to be consistent with the plans of most NHL teams because of Covid and the cost savings.' … [Read more...] about Bills announcers John Murphy, Eric Wood to go to road games but Sabres announcers won’t travel

'Though the Sabres will seek help in goal, and experienced players to help shepherd a young roster, Adams has no interest in adding forwards or defensemen who take away valuable ice time from Casey Mittelstadt, Dylan Cozens and Rasmus Dahlin, among others.' … [Read more...] about Unrestricted free agents the Sabres could target to supplement young core

'The Sabres' priorites in free agency are to sign Ullmark, try to lure Jake McCabe back to Buffalo and add important role players who can help guide the club's young core. Caggiula can provide leadership on and off the ice, and his speed is a perfect fit for Granato's style of play.' … [Read more...] about Sabres re-sign winger Drake Caggiula to 1-year, $750,000 contract

'According to CapFriendly.com, the Sabres' other restricted free agents were projected to receive the following qualifying offers: defensemen Rasmus Dahlin ($874,125), Henri Jokiharju ($874,125) and Casey Fitzgerald ($874,125); and forwards Rasmus Asplund ($874,125) and Casey Mittelstadt ($917,831).' … [Read more...] about Rasmus Dahlin, Henri Jokiharju among Sabres RFAs to receive qualifying offer

'While the Sabres can’t offer Ullmark the opportunity to compete for the Stanley Cup, at least not anytime soon, they have two advantages in negotiations: money and comfort. It’s likely that no contender in the goalie market – specifically Toronto and Pittsburgh – can’t afford to outbid the Sabres for Ullmark.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ plan for free agency centers around keeping Linus Ullmark, Jake McCabe

'However, a trade did not materialize during draft weekend, raising questions about how much longer Eichel will be part of the Sabres. Though Adams insisted he's not working on a deadline, some suitors may bow out of the Eichel sweepstakes if a deal isn't done by the beginning of free agency Wednesday. After all, teams may choose to use that cap space on a free-agent center … [Read more...] about Report: Jack Eichel’s agents expect trade from Sabres to happen ‘in the near future’

'The Flyers have been getting savaged in most quarters around the league for the Ristolainen deal because they gave up a first-round pick for a player with no history of winning. But Ristolainen has long been miscast in Buffalo as a player who could take up 25-28 minutes a night. Adjusted to a second pair player and cut to 20-22 minutes, most regular Sabre watchers think he has … [Read more...] about Defense is the NHL’s position of emphasis and it impacted Sabres’ trade returns

'Rosen, an 18-year-old Swedish right winger, was selected by the Sabres in the first round with pick No. 14, which was acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers for Rasmus Ristolainen. Unlike some of the draft’s top players, Rosen has not been given the opportunity to truly show he can produce when competing against men, but he has all the skills of a dynamic NHL forward.' … [Read more...] about Swedish winger Isak Rosen leads Sabres’ haul of forwards at NHL draft

'Adams insisted he felt no "pressure point" to make moves on any player, although the contract status of Reinhart and Ristolainen made it more imperative to get the job done this weekend. And he didn't move Eichel to get another Top 10 pick in this draft like he clearly hoped.' … [Read more...] about Sabres spent weekend looking to future while breaking up their current core

'In a surprising development, General Manager Kevyn Adams’ scouting staff chose four prospects from Russia after the organization drafted zero the previous four drafts.' … [Read more...] about From Russia with skill: Unusual draft year caused Sabres to plot different course

'McCabe is strong on the penalty kill and provides a physical presence on the blue line. A return to Buffalo could come with the responsibility of team captain, as Jack Eichel is expected to be traded this offseason and the club has few candidates experienced enough to hold the title.' … [Read more...] about Sabres pushing to sign goalie Linus Ullmark; Jake McCabe expected to reach UFA

'Listed at 6-foot, 176 pounds, Poltapov was ranked by NHL Central Scouting as the No. 18 European skater in this draft class. It's likely he used a strong performance at the IIHF World Championship in Texas to improve his draft stock in the eyes of Sabres scouts.' … [Read more...] about Sabres select Russian winger Prokhor Poltapov with first pick of second round

'With those two picks and the selection of Isak Rosen at No. 14 on Friday night, it's clear the Sabres are bent on increasing their organizational skill level at forward without concern about size.' … [Read more...] about With second pick of Round 2, Sabres take Russian winger Aleksandr Kisakov

'Sardarian, 18, was teammates with Sabres second-round draft choice Prokhor Poltapov on Krasnaya Armiya Moskva of Russia's top junior league. Listed at 6-foot-1, 156 pounds, was ranked by NHL Central Scouting as the No. 73 European skater in this draft.' … [Read more...] about Stiven Sardarian becomes latest Russian forward selected by Sabres in NHL draft