Buffalo News

'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

'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

'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

'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

'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

'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

'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

'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

'“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

'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

'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.