Buffalo News

'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’

'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

'"We're ready to pick No. 1, preparing to pick at No. 32 and looking at different scenarios to see if we can move up from that point," Botterill said today during a pre-draft media briefing in the W hotel. "We've certainly had discussions with other teams. Putting a percentage on that is difficult to say."' … [Read more...] about Botterill still working on deals to land another first-rounder

'Lehner was a lightning rod for criticism during his three years in Buffalo, largely because former GM Tim Murray spent a first-round pick on him (No. 21 overall) at the 2015 draft in Florida. Murray scouted and drafted Lehner for the Ottawa Senators and Lehner had helped Binghamton win the AHL's Calder Cup while in the Ottawa organization.' … [Read more...] about Draft Notebook: Sabres walk away from Lehner, Bylsma joins Wings

'Rosie’s dad, Chris Bandura, is the team’s vice president of media relations. Two years ago, when Buffalo hosted the draft, his colleague from the Vancouver Canucks asked if Rosie could assist the team as a runner. That’s someone who fetches drinks, snacks, and photocopies for the hockey officials who can’t leave the team’s draft table while the draft is underway. Most of the … [Read more...] about Who was the first to shake Rasmus Dahlin’s hand on stage? Meet Rosie.

'Welcome to Buffalo @rasmusdahlin00! Can’t wait to watch you play, wings on me later this summer. #LetsGoBuffalo.' … [Read more...] about Josh Allen welcomes Rasmus Dahlin to Buffalo — with wings

'Dahlin has a pleasant and quiet demeanor that is more noticeable when it’s contrasted against his chattier peers. At the end of the skills clinic, the children formed one long queue on the ice. Like an assembly line, they skated up to each prospect, got their jersey signed, and moved on to the next guy.' … [Read more...] about Rasmus Dahlin keeps thoughts close before NHL Draft

'“Today, kids will pick up their phone all day long, and it’s probably human nature to want to hear what people are saying,” says McKee, who is now the head coach of the Kitchener Rangers, a major junior team largely comprised of players ages 16 to 20. “You all see all these people liking and favoriting these pictures of you and articles about you. I think the stresses and the … [Read more...] about Is Dahlin the Sabres’ savior? The psychology of first-round hype

'Bids for both jerseys exceeded $700 as of Thursday night. The auction ends on Tuesday at 4 a.m.' … [Read more...] about Frolunda auctioning off signed, game-worn Dahlin jerseys

'Evander Kane will play against his former team for the first time on Oct. 18 when the San Jose Sharks host the Sabres. He'll play in Buffalo for the first time since the trade on Nov. 27. Patrick Kane will make his annual pilgrimage to his hometown on Feb. 1, while the Sabres will visit Chicago on March 7.' … [Read more...] about Sabres announce 2018-19 regular season schedule

'O'Reilly had 24 goals, 37 assists and just one minor penalty last season for the Sabres while also setting an NHL record for faceoffs won in a season.' … [Read more...] about O’Reilly second to Karlsson in Lady Byng balloting

'The game also will mark the fifth straight year Buffalo has opened its season at home, and the Sabres should have a big advantage. Boston is opening its season the night before – as the opponent for the Washington Capitals' Stanley Cup banner-raising in Capital One Arena.' … [Read more...] about Mark your calendars: Sabres’ home opener is Oct. 4 vs. Boston

'Obviously, he has nowhere to go but up, but it's interesting how much implicit faith people both inside and outside the organization have in Botterill to get this job done. He has a few more Stanley Cup rings than, say, Darcy Regier or Tim Murray had.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: With critical rebuild ahead, five areas for Sabres to address

'There are three Hall of Famers who were selected in the first round. There were stars of franchise annals and solid contributors, and there were several choices that simply didn't pan out – or even play a single game for the team.' … [Read more...] about From Booms to Busts: Sabres first-round history

'"Look, when I'm having discussions with other teams or other teams call me, they're not looking for some of our players who are struggling. They're looking to improve with our talented players."' … [Read more...] about Botterill on O’Reilly: ‘The interest in Ryan is not surprising at all’