'Pekar was nearly a point-per-game player while with the Lumberjacks this season, totaling 14 goals and 40 assists in 56 USHL games. That was good for second on the team in scoring and put him in a tie for the league lead among first-year players. He was rewarded by the USHL's general managers when they selected him as the Rookie of the Year in late April.' … [Read more...] about Sabres pick Matej Pekar put up big numbers in the USHL
Buffalo News
Round 4: Sabres select Sweden's Cronholm at No. 117
'The 6-foot-1 Cronholm, from Sweden, is considered a strong, unflashy defenseman.' … [Read more...] about Round 4: Sabres select Sweden’s Cronholm at No. 117
Fourth-round defenseman Cronholm starting to show offensive flourishes to go with snarl
'He hasn't been a heavy point producer in the past, although his offensive game is developing. He notched 16 points (six goals and 10 assists) in 18 games with the Redhawks' J18 program. He also had 45 penalty minutes and was a plus-eight. He had six assists in 37 games with the J20 team but was a minus-10.' … [Read more...] about Fourth-round defenseman Cronholm starting to show offensive flourishes to go with snarl
Round 5: Sabres take defenseman Kukkonen at 125
'Kukkonen, 18, is the fourth defenseman the Sabres have chosen in the draft. The others are Rasmus Dahlin, who was 1st overall, Mattias Samuellson in the second round, and Linus Lindstrand Kronholm in round 4.' … [Read more...] about Round 5: Sabres take defenseman Kukkonen at 125
Fifth-round defenseman Kukkonen likes to keep the puck moving
'He had two goals and two assists and 33 penalty minutes in 12 games in 2017-18 after posting a goal and seven assists with 44 penalty minutes in 24 games in 2016-17. He's generally thought to be more proficient on the defensive side of things and has shown an ability to be physical. Kukkonen is on the younger end when it comes to this draft, having just turned 18 last week, … [Read more...] about Fifth-round defenseman Kukkonen likes to keep the puck moving
Round 6: Sabres deal pick to Leafs for '19 choice
'Buffalo was set to take the first pick in the sixth round, No. 156 overall, but instead traded it to the Toronto Maple Leafs for their sixth-rounder in next year's draft in Vancouver.' … [Read more...] about Round 6: Sabres deal pick to Leafs for ’19 choice
Seventh-rounder Kreu is 6-6 and a defensive-minded defenseman
'His father, Andreas, had a long career in the Swedish pro leagues, primarily with Orebro IK in Division 1 and then Linkoping in Division 1, the Swedish Hockey League and Allsvenskan.' … [Read more...] about Seventh-rounder Kreu is 6-6 and a defensive-minded defenseman
Mike Harrington: Botterill doing things his way, bizarre as it may seem
'It is bizarre to ponder the fact the Sabres have not drafted a single player from the Canadian Hockey League ranks in Botterill's two seasons at the helm. No one from the Ontario, Quebec or Western leagues. The OHL had 35 players taken this weekend, the most of any league.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Botterill doing things his way, bizarre as it may seem
NHL Draft notebook: Sabres stay quiet on trade front – for now
'Botterill has now worked out nine draft picks for Buffalo in 2019. The Sabres have two firsts and two fourths, with the extras both acquired from San Jose for Evander Kane, and the extra No. 6 from Toronto. Buffalo has no fifth-round pick as that was traded to Detroit last October for Scott Wilson.' … [Read more...] about NHL Draft notebook: Sabres stay quiet on trade front – for now
Pancho Billa brings his #PanchoPower to the NHL Draft, too
'The Sabres sent Castro a total of 20 tickets for himself and members of the Dallas-Fort Worth Bills Backers chapter.' … [Read more...] about Pancho Billa brings his #PanchoPower to the NHL Draft, too
The wait is over: Sabres make Dahlin the No. 1 overall pick
'Dahlin becomes the third No. 1 overall pick made by the Sabres since they came into the NHL, joining Gilbert Perreault in the club's inaugural draft in 1970 and Pierre Turgeon in 1987. The 6-foot-2 defenseman from Frolunda of the Swedish Hockey League is expected to be an immediate contributor and the kind of defenseman who can instantly transform Housley's attack-based system … [Read more...] about The wait is over: Sabres make Dahlin the No. 1 overall pick
Finally a Sabre: In a frozen moment, Dahlin (and mom) are Buffalo-bound
'“Rasmus is very calm and comfortable in himself, which exudes that confidence when he’s doing all these interviews and meeting all these players,” said Chris Bandura, the Sabres’ vice president of media relations, who met multiple times with Dahlin. “He’s very mature for a young kid. You would never guess his age if you see how he acts and interacts with different people, … [Read more...] about Finally a Sabre: In a frozen moment, Dahlin (and mom) are Buffalo-bound
Why Sabres first overall pick Rasmus Dahlin looks like a game-changer
'He's been playing against men since he was 16 years old.' … [Read more...] about Why Sabres first overall pick Rasmus Dahlin looks like a game-changer
Rasmus Dahlin after he was drafted: 'I love to call my new town Buffalo'
'Yeah, they are great fans. I heard so many great things about them. Like they love hockey in that city and I can see that, when they come to me, they know me and I don’t even play in the NHL. So they probably love hockey. So, yeah, I’ve heard so many great things about them. I’m super excited to meet all the fans.' … [Read more...] about Rasmus Dahlin after he was drafted: ‘I love to call my new town Buffalo’
Mike Harrington: Sabres must capitalize on Rasmus Dahlin's impact
'Botterill is desperate for a goalie now that he's signed off that there will be no return of Robin Lehner. And no Philipp Grubauer either, now that the Washington backup is off to Colorado. As wondrous as Dahlin is, Botterill better find someone to stop some pucks or this team still isn't going very far.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Sabres must capitalize on Rasmus Dahlin’s impact