Buffalo News

'“It was crazy, didn’t even seem real,” Miedema said. “Now you’ve got to go to different billets in Kingston – and both families I was with were great and I still keep in touch with them – and learn a new team. Windsor was obviously a powerhouse, Kingston had a bit of trouble to create offense. So now it’s another adjustment going from a very offensive environment and system … [Read more...] about Before he got draft call from Sabres, huge OHL trade gave Ethan Miedema business lesson

'“Just having that weight on, I feel more powerful and obviously heavier in battles,” Lindgren said. “I think I still got to get kind of the conditioning part of it. I’m struggling a bit because obviously it’s a lot of weight. I think once I keep skating in the summer and keep skating more, I think that’ll come back.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres prospect Mats Lindgren focusing on strength, defense

'This is the last time we’ll see Benson in Buffalo until the Prospects Challenge in September, when he’ll likely join forces with his junior hockey teammate and fellow Sabres prospect Matt Savoie. Benson planned to resume his offseason training as soon as he departed, and he must prepare for a change of scenery in the Western Hockey League. His and Benson’s club, the Winnipeg … [Read more...] about Zach Benson caps ‘whirlwind’ two weeks with standout showing at Sabres development camp

'As things stand, Granato seems to have fewer, ahem, concerns than McDermott. Development camp was a bit of a lovefest, and the team feels the free agent additions of Erik Johnson and Connor Clifton on defense significantly upgrade their depth on the back end.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Don Granato’s concerns feel a lot easier than Sean McDermott’s

'Wahlberg is 6-foot-3, 190 pounds and pairs excellent skating ability with high-end skill, both of which were an asset for Malmo as it won the series against Brynas IF. He quickly showed this fall on Malmo’s Under-20 team that he was more advanced than his peers. Several of his 14 goals in 32 junior hockey games were of highlight-reel quality. He’d skate end to end before … [Read more...] about Anton Wahlberg’s ‘big, big step’ in Sweden led the Sabres to try to swing a trade

'“I’m just super excited to go out there and earn everything I can get,” McCarthy said of the camp. “Honestly, it’s amazing being out there and competing with these guys, such high-level players, and some familiar faces out there, too, with the coaches. It’s really a surreal feeling.”' … [Read more...] about Clarence Center’s Gavin McCarthy opens ‘new chapter’ at Sabres’ development camp

'“One thing I want to note that I’m really proud of is he graduated,” Paetsch, a former defenseman with the Sabres and Rochester Americans, said following a development camp practice Monday in LECOM Harborcenter. “I don’t think a lot of people know that, but it was important to him. He sent me pictures with him and his family, and that was pretty special to see.”' … [Read more...] about Ryan Johnson focused on growing with Sabres after ‘big life decision’ to sign

'There’s hysteria from fans, and in some quarters of the media, about going with a Levi-UPL tandem in goal. It’s understandable. It’s a risk. Luukkonen has played 46 NHL games and Levi only seven. Even Comrie has only played 47.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: The Sabres are comfortable with their goaltending, but the fans are not. We’ll see who’s right

'The connection with Granato wasn’t the reason why Clifton was the Sabres’ preferred target in free agency. His self-described “two-way, abrasive” style on the ice complements the gifts that made Dahlin and Power the first overall pick in their respective drafts. At 28 years old, Clifton is someone who Granato and his staff believe can reach another level with more opportunity … [Read more...] about Why Connor Clifton emerged as Sabres’ choice after long pursuit for defenseman

'“Whether it’s this year, next year – I don’t know how soon it’s going to be – I just feel it’s a team that’s going to contend for a long time. I think I can help that process, hopefully this year. You’ve just got to get into the playoffs. Anything can happen. ... It’s a contending team. Guys around the league know that, and that’s one of the reasons I wanted to sign here. I … [Read more...] about Erik Johnson after leaving Avalanche for Buffalo: ‘People know the Sabres are coming’

'Now, you can take the draft with a grain of salt because 18-year-olds are generally “super stoked” to get taken by any NHL team. But those were the words used by first-round pick Zach Benson on Wednesday in Nashville about being picked by the Sabres and they were no exaggeration. Benson spent all year in Winnipeg playing with 2022 first-rounder Matt Savoie, and has been … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Opting for the Sabres is now an actual choice in free agency

'A league-wide search to provide coach Don Granato with more options to play with the Sabres’ core defensemen ended during the opening hours of free agency Saturday when the club announced a one-year, $3.25 million contract for recent Stanley Cup champion Erik Johnson and a three-year pact worth $3.333 million per season for former Boston Bruins blue-liner Connor Clifton.' … [Read more...] about How Erik Johnson and Connor Clifton fit in Sabres’ plans on defense

'What Johnson has been is a conscience of the Colorado locker room. You can bet that Kyle Okposo, Alex Tuch and Zemgus Girgensons can’t wait to welcome him in that role here. And that Rasmus Dahlin, Mattias Samuelsson and Owen Power can’t wait to soak up as much as they can from him.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Erik Johnson’s Stanley Cup moment is the big reason he was attractive to the Sabres

'Benson, the Sabres’ top choice with the 13th pick in the NHL draft, headlines the club’s roster for its development camp, which begins Sunday and ends Thursday with a 3-on-3 tournament.' … [Read more...] about Sabres top draft choice Zach Benson headlines 35-player development camp roster

'The Sabres can make a strong pitch to a free-agent defenseman who prefers, or must, sign a short-term contract. Whomever joins Buffalo’s roster will have the opportunity to skate next to Rasmus Dahlin or Owen Power, both of whom are eligible for long-term contract extensions beginning Saturday. Agents are going to see dollar signs when Adams calls about one of their clients … [Read more...] about Sabres continuing monthslong pursuit for top-four defenseman entering free agency