Buffalo News

'And a funny thing has happened this preseason: The guy who is one of the punching bags of the roster seems to have won over new coach Ralph Krueger and has almost certainly made the roster on merit. In fact, he rates as this team's No. 1 faceoff man going into the season.' … [Read more...] about Vladimir Sobotka hoping faceoff prowess is his ticket to better role with Sabres

'The 26-year-old forward has shown he can play center or right wing, and can contribute on the power play and penalty kill. He proved his value during a season in which he went from a healthy scratch to an invaluable piece of the roster puzzle.' … [Read more...] about Evan Rodrigues proving he’s a ‘valuable NHL player’ for Sabres

'Sabres coach Ralph Krueger explained to the media that he and General Manager Jason Botterill were encouraged by Cozens' development but felt another season of junior hockey was necessary.' … [Read more...] about Sabres assign top draft pick Dylan Cozens to Lethbridge

'"I’m a competitive guy," Hutton said. "I want to play. I think we’ve been over that a million times. I stand behind Linus as much as possible. We push each other and want to win. But at the same time, I want to play, I want to be the guy. I want to be the guy to help this hockey team win. At the end of the day, I’m going to do whatever’s best for the team. If he goes, if I go, … [Read more...] about Carter Hutton shows improvement in final tune-up before Sabres’ opener

'The view here is simple: The big guy is ultra-skilled but needs to be on a scoring line if he's going to be in the NHL. If you can't give him that spot -- and it may be tough on this roster right now -- he's better served being a top-line winger in Rochester and blowing up the AHL like he has the potential to do.' … [Read more...] about The Tage Thompson decision looms as one of Sabres’ most intriguing of camp

'While the Sabres could have Gilmour or Casey Nelson as an extra defenseman at the start of the season, neither possesses McCabe's experience or skill on the penalty kill. Injuries have limited cCabe the past two seasons, including 59 games in 2018-19, when he had four goals among 14 points with a minus-4 rating. He has appeared in 274 games over parts of six seasons with the … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Jake McCabe to miss rest of preseason with upper-body injury

'Through three preseason games, Lazar has shown a willingness to play a physical game and flashed skill in a checking-line role. The latter could separate him from other potential fourth-line players such as Zemgus Girgensons, Vladimir Sobotka, Johan Larsson and Remi Elie.' … [Read more...] about Curtis Lazar trying to get career ‘back on track’ with Sabres

'"Playing center anywhere in the NHL is tough. You have to play the whole rink and be responsible no matter what system you're in," Mittelstadt said after practice Monday in KeyBank Center. "Ralph has told us to rely on instincts a lot, make your own reads and I'm getting more comfortable with it."' … [Read more...] about After slow start to preseason, Casey Mittelstadt hoping to find middle ground for Sabres

'Adams, 44, will be taking on a business role and he will not be involved in hockey operations. After an 11-year playing career in the NHL with six teams, Adams originally joined the Sabres in 2009 as player development coach and served as assistant coach from 2011-2013. He was named vice president and director of the Academy of Hockey at LECOM Harborcenter in October 2013, a … [Read more...] about Clarence native, Cup champ Kevyn Adams named Sabres senior VP of business

'"It's always different to play games than work in the gym or practice," Ristolainen said. "It's good to get that first one out of the way. We got the win, so let's move forward. That's what you train for. You want to play with the guys. There's been a good buzz in the room and the city the last couple weeks. There's still a lot of work to do."' … [Read more...] about Rasmus Ristolainen gets back into game groove, forging ahead with Sabres

'As a junior-eligible player, Cozens must either stay in the NHL or be sent back to Lethbridge of the Western League. He cannot be sent to Rochester.' … [Read more...] about Dylan Cozens survives Sabres first big cutdown; Smith, Hammond on waivers to get to Rochester

'"Early on I had that fast start and guys immediately start to look at you for goals and points," Sheary, who was acquired from the Penguins in June 2018, told The Buffalo News. "I’ve never been a superstar in this league, so I don’t know what it’s like to be Jack [Eichel], [Jeff Skinner] or [Sam Reinhart]. But I think if I can contribute in the second tier, and if I can bring … [Read more...] about Conor Sheary driven by ‘self-criticism’ entering his second season with Sabres

'"I don’t think playing center was the biggest challenge tonight," Johansson said. "It was mostly getting into game tempo and timing and all that. I felt for the first half of the game I was a little lost out there. Everything is kind of new. The systems, playing center and all that. And it’s been a while since I played. It took a little bit. Felt better as the game went on. … [Read more...] about Marcus Johansson emerges as intriguing candidate to play center for Sabres

'"It's interesting how somebody with that much skill and personality is able to adjust in such a short period of time," said coach Ralph Krueger. "He started camp a little tentative and hesitant, and the last few days we noticed it already in practice that he was opening up a little bit and just playing his game. Tonight, we saw a confirmation of that and what his ability is. … [Read more...] about Dylan Cozens keeps raising eyebrows as Sabres fall to Leafs

'"It's nice with the puck but we need to first of all get a strong defensive foundation here, which we could then explode out of hopefully," Krueger continued. "John shows that potential, so we're excited to work with him here and seeing him in action again today."' … [Read more...] about John Gilmour trying to show Sabres he can make an impact without the puck