Buffalo News

'The Sabres spent more than $10 million in unrestricted free agency on forwards Jason Zucker, Nicolas Aube-Kubel and Sam Lafferty, defenseman Dennis Gilbert and goaltender James Reimer. Their revamped bottom six was formed using the extra salary cap space Adams created with one of his boldest moves to date, buying out Jeff Skinner when the six-time 30-goal scorer had three … [Read more...] about Sabres’ top players must shine for offseason additions to bring playoff berth

'Buffalo will face Columbus that night at 7, then the Sabres play the Devils at 7 p.m. Sept. 14 and finish the event against the Penguins at 7 p.m. Sept. 16. The Montreal Canadiens used to participate, but they were replaced by the Blue Jackets, who previously sent their prospects to the Red Wings’ rookie tournament in Traverse City, Michigan.' … [Read more...] about Sabres announce dates, teams for annual Prospects Challenge

'Luukkonen and the Sabres avoided an arbitration hearing that was scheduled for Monday with a deal that has a cap hit of $4.75 million per season. It leaves center Peyton Krebs as Buffalo’s only remaining unsigned restricted free agent.' … [Read more...] about Sabres sign goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to five-year, $23.75 million deal

'Malenstyn agreed to a deal with a $1.35 million cap hit, as first reported by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and then confirmed by the team. Malenstyn was a restricted free agent and his cap hit the last two years with Washington was $762,500.' … [Read more...] about Sabres settle on two-year deal with Beck Malenstyn to avoid arbitration

'According to PuckPedia.com, Buffalo has just over $14.5 million in cap space remaining. That is the sixth-highest figure away from 2024-25’s new cap figure of $88 million. But before you can say Nikolaj Ehlers, it is easy to see where a lot of that money can quickly get soaked up.' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: A summer look at the Sabres’ cap situation, for now and into the future

'All I wanted to do is win for you. It didn’t happen, obviously. I am sorry, and I take that personally. I can tell you I gave absolutely everything I had to the organization and the city. In return, the city took in my family and I with open arms.' … [Read more...] about Ex-Buffalo Sabres captain Kyle Okposo’s thank-you letter to city, franchise

'“I think it’s awesome seeing how many guys come out of the Jr. Sabres organization,” McCarthy said. “We’ve all skated on this ice since we were younger, so it’s cool seeing each other out there and hanging out at camp and being around each other. It’s great to see.”' … [Read more...] about Impact of Jr. Sabres is felt at Sabres development camp and throughout the season

'A look at the forward group suggests the Sabres may be done, though. Peterka, Tuch, Quinn and Zucker or Benson are the top-six wingers. Adams would have to package multiple NHL players in a trade to create room for an addition such as the Flyers’ Farabee.' … [Read more...] about Sabres mailbag: Is Ryan McLeod the last offseason addition for Lindy Ruff?

'The Sabres have eight road trips of at least three games next season − and that’s the most in franchise history, according to the team pages of Hockey-Reference.com. They have four runs with four straight road games, although two of them likely will have a trip back to Buffalo after the first contest before jetting to far-off locales for the remaining games.' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Pondering points of the Sabres’ 2024-25 schedule at a quiet time in offseason

'“Speed was always my main strength,” Aube-Kubel, 28, said this week on a video call with Buffalo media. “The way you are on the forecheck, I bet some ‘D’ men will say I’m hard to play against on that ... I built my game around that speed, and Beck really helped me last year.”' … [Read more...] about Nicolas Aube-Kubel offers speed that Sabres haven’t had on their fourth line

'“Emotional but super excited,” McLeod told reporters during a video conference call Wednesday afternoon. “A little bit of a whirlwind. You really don’t know what’s going on or anything. I think it’s a great opportunity. They have a great group there and it seems like a great group of guys. I’m excited to get down there and meet everyone.” ==; … [Read more...] about Ryan McLeod’s ‘whirlwind’ trade has new Sabres center ‘excited’ to get to Buffalo

'Helenius was a standout performer last week at the Sabres' post-draft development camp, where he showcased the playmaking and mature two-way game that convinced General Manager Kevyn Adams to select him after Buffalo traded down from the 11th pick to No. 14 to acquire an additional second-round selection.' … [Read more...] about Sabres sign 2024 first-round draft pick Konsta Helenius to entry-level contract

'The overhaul of the Sabres’ roster lacks the star power that hockey diehards in Buffalo wanted – aside from the $9 million-per-season winger that was given his walking papers – but Adams cannot be accused of inaction after the general manager turned over a portion of a roster that underperformed while finishing with seven fewer standings points in 2023-24.' … [Read more...] about Do the Sabres need a goal-scorer after landing Ryan McLeod to center the third line?

'“A lot of it’s about deployment,” Zucker said last week during a video call with Buffalo reporters. “There’s so many aspects of my game that I feel I can play up and down the lineup. But at the same time, if you look up and down on essentially any roster, the point productions as you go down the lineups typically decrease. In Arizona, there was a ton of skill at the top of the … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Jason Zucker is betting on himself to bring Sabres some offense

'Scouts, development coaches and managers for the Sabres love Savoie's competitiveness, intensity and work ethic. Adam Mair, their director of development, gushed about the 5-foot-10 forward this week at development camp. The issue, however, is that it became evident that Savoie's quickest path to the NHL was on the wing instead of center. The Sabres drafted Finnish center … [Read more...] about Sabres trade top prospect Matt Savoie to Oilers for Ryan McLeod, Tyler Tullio