Sportsnet

‘That data supports what we have seen from Ristolainen over the years. When he has the puck, he can make plays and facilitate offence. But when he doesn’t, things go south rather quickly for him and his linemates and they tend to spend far too much time treading water in front of their crease.’

‘“I watched two playoff games in…I’m not going to mention the pub that I was in. It was really interesting. I asked people about the Sabres. I asked them how they were feeling about the potential about the group. What I felt was a passion for the game. I really like the size of the market. I’m more a smaller city person than a big city person personally, but also I know the history of the Sabres. I grew up loving to watch the way they played and I can feel the passion from the fan base and the hunger for something good to happen here.”’

‘The 25-year-old sustained the injury on Monday against Slovakia.’

‘“In the Sabres search it appears the one person who’s a factor in it is Ralph Krueger,” Friedman said during the second intermission of Game 1 between the San Jose Sharks and St. Louis Blues. “Krueger coached the Oilers in 2012-13, he coached Team Europe to the runner-up spot to Canada at the World Cup in 2016 and until recently he’s been the chairman of Southampton Football Club in the Premier League. I don’t know if he’s the favourite or anything like that, but I do believe he is in the mix.”’

‘Grönborg has coached many of the NHL’s top Swedish stars at various points over the years but his last experience coaching in North American was as an assistant with the WHL’s Spokane Chiefs during the 2004-05 season. Since then he has worked exclusively with the Swedish national program.’

‘Among players to break into the NHL since I was born in 1987, Aaron Ekblad is the only defenceman who produced more points as an 18-year-old than Dahlin so far – the Panthers defender put up 29 points before he turned 19 on Feb. 7, and finished his rookie season with 39 points. Dahlin doesn’t turn 19 until April 13 and is on pace to finish with 46 points.’

‘Hasek lives in his native Czech Republic but usually ventures to Buffalo at least a couple times per year and takes in Sabres games whenever he’s in town. He said he has enjoyed watching the team’s young, skilled players in recent years but that “they didn’t work as a team.”’

‘The way the NHL goes, teams like the Sabres can squeak into the playoffs and a couple seem to make it every year. But unlike, say, Colorado last year, Buffalo doesn’t appear to have a particular strength that would lead you to believe they can do damage.’

‘Zach Bogosian and Kyle Okposo were named alternate captains.’

‘The No. 1 pick got started with a big hit on 25-year-old Ryan Schmelzer in the first period. Dahlin’s physicality doesn’t get talked about as much as his all-world vision and puckhandling, but… maybe it should?’