Buffalo News

'“I think this year is going to be a big year for him,” said Kelly Guard, Ratzlaff’s offseason goalie coach who worked with the Sabres prospect at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup. “He’s going to carry a lot of the mail with Seattle … but I think we’re going to see some good stuff from him coming up. When you can string together four or five games in a row, you can really get into … [Read more...] about Scott Ratzlaff using ‘swagger’ to try to realize potential as Sabres goalie prospect

'Across a span of 18 months, Weissbach became a physical and fearless winger with a tendency to get to the net to try to score goals. He spent less time around the perimeter and made a consistent impact on the forecheck. Weissbach was also one of the Amerks’ top penalty-killers and played a reliable defensive game at 5-on-5. It was an impressive transformation after his four … [Read more...] about Sabres re-sign winger Linus Weissbach to one-year, two-way contract

'“To be invited to this organization and see just how first class and how welcoming it’s been, I’d say, pretty surreal,” Walkland said. “I keep having to pinch myself when I kind of look around and take it all in.”' … [Read more...] about Women’s hockey coaches at Sabres development camp highlight NHL’s initiative

'The Sabres will have a decision to make with Murray. He must clear waivers to join the Amerks if he doesn't earn a spot on the NHL roster during training camp. One opened recently with Jack Quinn suffering an Achilles injury that's expected to keep him out of the lineup until around late December. Murray is going to have to win that spot over several other prospects, including … [Read more...] about Brett Murray returns to Sabres with one-year, $775,000 contract

'The Swedish National Team didn't consider Wahlberg a top prospect until he earned their attention last fall. He was a dynamic center for Malmo's team in the country's Under-20 league, producing 14 goals and 27 points in 32 games.' … [Read more...] about Sabres sign forward Anton Wahlberg to three-year, entry-level contract

'Sources told The Buffalo News the Sabres have completed an affiliation agreement with the Jacksonville Icemen, who were part of the New York Rangers’ organization the past two seasons. A news conference announcing the partnership is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday. The Icemen replace the Cincinnati Cyclones, who operated as the Sabres’ ECHL affiliate from 2017 until this month … [Read more...] about Sources: Sabres complete affiliation agreement with ECHL’s Jacksonville Icemen

'Two games against the Anaheim Ducks next season suddenly got more interesting for Tage Thompson.' … [Read more...] about Tage Thompson’s dad, Brent, named assistant coach for Anaheim Ducks

'The Sabres’ locker room culture in the era of Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart was far too toxic at times, with a top-down approach. It’s already different now with the change to the core, as multiple players have their say. Johnson will add yet another prominent voice and can bring his experience from Colorado with him.' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Erik Johnson signing is as much a culture move for Sabres as it is about the defense

'“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