Olean Times Herald

'“You don’t have your relationships with the scouting staff, you don’t know how things have gone at midseason meetings and some of the discussions there,” Botterill said Saturday following the draft inside the United Center. “It was a learning process. It was more of a difficult situation.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres GM Jason Botterill comfortable with scouts for NHL Draft

'Like Sabres prospect Casey Mittelstadt, the eighth overall pick Friday, Luukkonen clearly feels comfortable in Buffalo. He talked about how much he liked the water around the city during his visit and how great it would be to represent Finland at the World Junior Championship in Buffalo later this year. “Just a beautiful city and great people,” he said.' … [Read more...] about Goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen sensed interest from Sabres

'“If you ever get in a rush, that’s when you make mistakes, and the bottom line is you do have to be patient,” Botterill said Saturday following his first draft as a GM. “I know (new coach) Phil Housley’s competitive. I know myself is competitive. We want to be competitive, we want to make changes, we want to be more successful right off the bat here.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres GM Jason Botterill stays patient at NHL Draft

'“It’s been a lot of buildup,” he said. “It’s been a stressful day, to be honest with you. … It’s a big relief to be picked. Me and my family are super excited.”' … [Read more...] about Casey Mittelstadt happy to be Sabres’ top pick

'The Sabres, of course, can trade Petersen’s rights. Murray acquired winger Jimmy Vesey’s rights a year ago after the Harvard product refused to sign with the Nashville Predators. Vesey, however, elected for free agency and signed with the New York Rangers.' … [Read more...] about Goalie prospect Cal Petersen to pass on Sabres

'“It’s a situation where we’re very excited about Andrew,” Botterill said this morning prior to the NHL Draft. “My plan has always been to work with Andrew. It’s a scenario where Phil and I have to make a final decision.”' … [Read more...] about Andrew Allen still with Sabres; Phil Housley assembling staff

'Does Botterill want to revamp the Sabres? Or does he just want to tweak? How aggressive could he be? This weekend’s NHL Draft, which kicks off with the first round tonight at the United Center, should provide the first clues.' … [Read more...] about Sabres GM Jason Botterill front and center at NHL Draft

'The Sabres also have two three-game road trips sandwiched around the Winter Classic New Year’s Day at Citi Field in New York against the Rangers. The Sabres, however, are technically the home team for that game. They must leave town because of the World Junior Championship.' … [Read more...] about 2017-18 Sabres schedule features early date with Golden Knights

'Carrier, 22, compiled five goals and eights points in 41 games as a rookie last season.' … [Read more...] about Golden Knights grab William Carrier; Sabres trade pick to club

'“There’s some really solid defensemen in this draft, there’s no question about that,” Gregory said. “You can sort of pick the defenseman you may want. The one thing I love about our game is how it’s trending. Even the big defenseman that is physical, that is a force in front of the net, you’re starting to see those guys possess excellent ability to transition the puck or be … [Read more...] about Sabres could land strong defense prospect at NHL Draft

'Two games against the Penguins might be Jason Botterill’s doing. The new general manager was hired away from Pittsburgh last month.' … [Read more...] about Sabres announce 2017 preseason schedule

'Winger William Carrier, perhaps the Sabres’ biggest surprise as a rookie last season, could be Botterill’s offering to Vegas to keep Ullmark. The Sabres protected struggling $4.6 million veteran winger Tyler Ennis, not the 22-year-old Carrier.' … [Read more...] about NHL Expansion Draft has evolved; Sabres could lose William Carrier

'The Sabres protected $4.6 million winger Tyler Ennis, who has struggled for two seasons battling injuries, and defenseman Nathan Beaulieu, who was acquired Saturday from the Montreal Canadiens. Perhaps the Sabres believe the speedy Ennis, a three-time 20-goal scorer, can thrive again under new coach Phil Housley.' … [Read more...] about Sabres leave big salaries unprotected for expansion draft

'“I’m so excited for the style of play he wants to go forth with,” he said. “It’s going to fit right into my game. I got a huge opportunity here to grow my game with a guy who played the game I like to play.”' … [Read more...] about Nathan Beaulieu excited for fresh opportunity with Sabres

'In Beaulieu, who could’ve been left unprotected, the Sabres possess a smooth-skating, puck-moving defenseman. Under new coach Phil Housley’s tutelage as an assistant in Nashville, the Predators’ defense corps transformed into arguably the NHL’s best, so perhaps he can help Beaulieu unlock his potential.' … [Read more...] about Sabres add to defense, trade for Nathan Beaulieu