Buffalo News

'Laaksonen, 17, is listed on Eliteprospects.com as 5-foot-9 and 130 pounds but by the NHL as growing to 6-1, 165. He had six goals and 13 assists last season while splitting time between Liiga and Sarja in the Finnish junior leagues.' … [Read more...] about Rounds 3-4: Sabres go off the board for two defensemen

'Weissbach, a native of Sweden, came to North America this year. He had 19 goals and 47 points in 49 for Tri-City. The 5-foot-8, 161-pounder previously played in the Frolunda system.' … [Read more...] about Sabres use seventh-round pick on Swedish left winger

'He made negative news at the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo, where he failed to do a single pull-up. He did one bench press.' … [Read more...] about Sabres select Casey Mittelstadt with No. 8 pick in NHL Draft

'“A lot of people were saying how wide-open this draft could be, and I definitely think it played up to what people were saying,” Mittelstadt said in United Center. “I’m happy going to Buffalo. It’s a great place to play, and they’ve got a really good team up there already. It’s definitely an honor.”' … [Read more...] about From one Minnesotan to another, Mittelstadt happy to go to Sabres

'As for those worried about Mittelstadt pulling a Petersen or Jimmy Vesey mood down the road, I say don't. The bet here is he's going to play two years for Minnesota, perhaps even just one. Botterill loves college players, saying Friday that he "loved the college model." But as teams are finding out in the cases of Vesey and Petersen, you better get your guys signed quick. It's … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: With lots of needs on all sides, Sabres stay down the middle

'Yeah, being American, I like to watch Eichel. I think he’s one of the best Americans in the league, and a lot of Americans like to look up to him, so I definitely have watched them before. Like I said, I love watching Eichel. I’ve seen a lot of him throughout the years. It’s definitely, like I said, an honor to be there and an honor to one day play with those guys.' … [Read more...] about What They Said: Sabres draft pick Casey Mittelstadt

'“Coming into it because I didn’t pick him, there’s always that possibility,” Botterill said. “I enjoyed interacting with him. I think he’s a very professional young man. I certainly wish him all the best in his career and stuff, but we always knew that was a possibility.' … [Read more...] about Goalie Cal Petersen declines to sign with Sabres, will be free agent

'A leading candidate for assistant GM is Randy Sexton, with TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reporting Friday that the move is expected. Sexton is in his second season as the Penguins’ director of amateur scouting. He previously served as GM for Florida and Ottawa.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: Botterill, Housley interviewing; GM talks Kane

'I'm all for moving Kane. I understand the reluctance to part with your leading goal-scorer, a dynamic power forward. But Botterill doesn't seem inclined to give Kane a huge extension. His value might never be higher, and the Sabres need help on defense, so a trade makes sense.' … [Read more...] about Sully’s Mailbag: Botterill won’t transform Sabres overnight

'Petersen is pulling a Jimmy Vesey-like move, exercising his CBA rights to go to free agency. The bet here is the Iowa kid is signing with the Blackhawks, the team he loves and the team that holds its training camp each year at Notre Dame. Petersen's USHL team? The Waterloo Black Hawks. What a coincidence.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington’s Hot Read: Loss of Petersen an early blow to Botterill

'“It’s a situation where there’s always discussions going on, but to say that we’re close on anything right now, no,” the Sabres’ GM told The Buffalo News on Thursday night. “There’s longer discussions. You’re always looking to try to improve the team, but just like it’s so competitive on the ice, it’s competitive off the ice. You’re working with one team on trying to fix … [Read more...] about As Sabres’ Botterill contemplates moves, former fan Nolan Patrick ready for draft

'This roster needs more reshaping. More help on defense. More scoring. Decisions on key players. The amateur scouts did most of their prep work for this one and it was done by May, shortly after Botterill came on board. Housley, of course, was just hired so he's going to mostly observe those proceedings.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Even without high pick, it’s a big day for Botterill to make some moves

'The Sabres’ owner will appear with some of hockey’s top executives Friday at a news conference that will “support college hockey.” Pegula will be joined by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, players’ association executive assistant Mathieu Schneider, USA Hockey Executive Director Pat Kelleher, Blackhawks President John McDonough and University of Illinois Athletics Director Josh … [Read more...] about Draft Notebook: Pegula set to help college hockey; Stars hire Stu Barnes

'The game vs. Vegas will be part of a four-game road trip that includes the club's annual sojourn to California against San Jose (Oct. 12), Los Angeles (Oct. 14) and Anaheim (Oct. 15). The Golden Knights make their first visit to Buffalo on March 10 in one of the Sabres' seven home matinees.' … [Read more...] about 2017-18 Sabres schedule announced

'"Buffalo had interest in influencing us to go in one direction to protect a certain part of their roster, so they gave us a sixth-round pick," Vegas General Manager George McPhee said during the broadcast of the expansion draft on NBCSN. "That's probably the simplest example. Some of the others are a little more elaborate."' … [Read more...] about Ex-Sabres forward Carrier excited to join Vegas expansion team