Buffalo News

'"It brings me more motivation," Jokiharju said Thursday of his trade from the Blackhawks. "This is a young team that’s up and coming. It’s good. Lots of young guys who are very talented."' … [Read more...] about Henri Jokiharju’s first impression begins with Sabres Prospects Challenge

'"I know how overwhelming that experience is and you’re meeting so many people," Reinhart, who spends each offseason in Vancouver, told reporters Wednesday in Harborcenter. "I think if you can meet someone who is kind of established on the team it just provides that much more comfort, to have someone there who has been through that experience as well. It wasn’t too far out of … [Read more...] about Sam Reinhart ‘looking forward’ to first Sabres camp under Ralph Krueger

'While the Sabres are well-stocked with offensive defensemen, Borgen is the type of physical presence they need on the back end. He should be among the first prospects recalled to the NHL in the event of an injury.' … [Read more...] about 7 players to watch during Sabres’ Prospects Challenge

'"Probably other than playoffs, this is my second favorite time of the whole season," said Sexton, who also is the GM of the Rochester Amerks. "You reconnect with the guys you have and really see the work they've put in over the summer to get better and be ready for the season."' … [Read more...] about Prospects Challenge the first chance for Sabres to showcase their burgeoning youth

'Jokiharju split last year between Chicago and Rockford of the AHL and then won a gold medal while playing for Finland in the World Championships. On a crowded Buffalo blue line, he figures to start the season in Rochester but could push through if trades are made and if he has a good showing in Prospect Challenge and exhibition games.' … [Read more...] about Jokiharju on Sabres Prospects Challenge roster while Cozens’ status remains uncertain

'There will be growing pains if Olofsson does earn a full-time role in Buffalo this season. After all, he's only played six NHL games. However, I believe he's ready for a top-six role. Cozens will eventually become the best player of this group, but he's likely going to play another junior season with Lethbridge. Additionally, Will Borgen probably won't have the opportunity to … [Read more...] about Sabres Mailbag: Is Victor Olofsson ready to make an impact?

'With Hunwick possibly out for the season, the Sabres are expected to have five left-shot defensemen competing for a roster spot in training camp: Rasmus Dahlin, Jake McCabe, Marco Scandella, John Gilmour and Lawrence Pilut, who is expected to miss the start of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery this offseason.' … [Read more...] about Defenseman Matt Hunwick not expected to play for Sabres this season

'"You realize it might be close to the end, so you definitely think about it," Pominville said following the skate. "I’ve had time to reflect and see how I feel and see how the body feels. I think it’s clear in my mind that if something pops up that is a good opportunity and makes sense family-wise I would definitely consider it for sure. If not, I’m fine with the way things … [Read more...] about Jason Pominville back in Buffalo, waiting for the right NHL opportunity

'"I was able to get out there and feel the puck a bit, and I was able to rip it as hard as I normally can," Cozens told NHL.com Sunday during the NHLPA Rookie Showcase at the Washington Capitals' training complex in Arlington, Va. "I'm not fully cleared yet, but I hope to be as soon as possible. There's no rushing things. I don't want to rush it. But right now, I can shoot."' … [Read more...] about Dylan Cozens strikes optimistic tone, hopes to participate in Prospects Challenge, Sabres camp

'"Casey, just seeing him here today, I think he’s taken a big step," Botterill said at FanFest. "He’s taken the summer very seriously. ... He faced some adversity last year. We challenged him a little bit about some of his conditioning in the summer. I think he’s really done that extremely well. I think it’s always that first or second year, that’s where good players take that … [Read more...] about Casey Mittelstadt trying to ‘take that jump’ after challenging rookie season with Sabres

'"It is the unknown," admitted Sabres General Manager Jason Botterill. "You look at the fact the cap maybe didn’t go up as much as some teams expected or probably the industry expected and it made it tighter. You look at the fact these are significant contracts and as much as it’s a difficult process going through salary arbitration, at least we get our players signed and at … [Read more...] about Dilemma with RFAs has NHL locked up with lots of decisions still coming

'Krueger will need to install the type of sound defensive structure the Sabres lacked during Phil Housley's tenure as coach. Training camp will provide at least a few clues as to how Buffalo will try to protect its own net in 2019-20.' … [Read more...] about 10 storylines to watch as Sabres prepare for training camp to open

'General Manager Jason Botterill won't pull the trigger on a trade unless he gets the package he wants in return. That seems unlikely to materialize anytime soon, though the season doesn't start for another six weeks. The league's salary cap has led to some significant late-summer transactions in recent years, most recently San Jose acquiring defenseman Erik Karlsson from … [Read more...] about Sabres Mailbag: Will Rasmus Ristolainen remain in Buffalo?

'"We’re continuing to try to set this team up where we’re putting 'Risto' in positions to have success," Botterill said. "Yeah, he wants to win. We also want to put him in a situation where he plays very well, and that’s what we’ve tried to do with some of the acquisitions, add depth to our defense, add competition to our defense."' … [Read more...] about Sabres insist there’s no change in Rasmus Ristolainen’s status

'"It's great. The crest, the color are very important," said Hall of Fame center Gilbert Perreault, the franchise's first draft pick and still its No. 1 scorer. "This was a new franchise from the 70s. First color. Got to keep the crest and color. When you change the crest, it kills the alumni. You've got to keep the same crest, the same color. That's very important to me."' … [Read more...] about Gilbert Perreault, Rene Robert laud decision to return to royal blue next season