Nikita Zadorov talks with the media this afternoon. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Darcy Regier says Sabres were close to grabbing fifth pick; Andrej Sekera traded to Carolina

NEWARK, N.J. – How close were the Buffalo Sabres, who owned the eighth and 16th picks in the NHL Entry Draft, to moving up and grabbing the fifth overall pick?

“Pretty close,” Sabres general manager Darcy Regier said this afternoon inside the Prudential Center.

Carolina chose slick Swedish forward Elias Lindholm at No. 5. The Sabres kept their picks and took defensemen Rasmus Ristolainen and Nikita Zadorov.

The Sabres couldn’t have moved up any ... Read the full article

Rasmus Ristolainen speaks with reporters this afternoon. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ first pick Rasmus Ristolainen believes he can play in NHL right away

NEWARK, N.J. – Rasmus Ristolainen figured he would be selected somewhere around the 10th and 15th picks during the NHL Entry Draft this afternoon.  So when the Buffalo Sabres called his name with the No. 8 choice, the Finn was a bit stunned.

“I don’t know what I’m thinking when I heard my name,” Ristolainen said inside the Prudential Center. “It’s awesome.”

The 18-year-old, who spent the last two seasons playing with TPS ... Read the full article

Darcy Regier should be busy today. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

With 10 picks and stars to deal, draft day could dramatically change rebuilding Sabres

NEWARK, N.J. – By tonight, following what promises to be a busy, even chaotic day at the NHL Entry Draft inside the Prudential Center, the Buffalo Sabres could be radically reshaped for the future.

With four of the first 52 picks in a deep draft, including the eighth and 16th selections, the Sabres should nab some elite prospects. But general manager Darcy Regier’s rebuild goes beyond simply adding draft picks.

Starting goalie Ryan Miller ... Read the full article

The Sabres grabbed Mark Pysyk 23rd overall in 2010. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres have draft hits and misses in recent years

NEWARK, N.J. – Since most NHL Entry Drafts don’t start paying dividends for a few years, here’s a look at the Buffalo Sabres’ first-round picks from 2005-10 and some notable hits and misses.

2010

First-round pick: defenseman Mark Pysyk, 23rd overall

After some early struggles in Rochester last season, Pysyk began developing rapidly during his rookie campaign, earning a March recall and a regular spot down the stretch. The smooth 21-year-old could someday be ... Read the full article

Justin Bailey takes a break from the arduous bike test at the NHL Scouting Combine earlier this month. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

NHL Draft profile: Williamsville’s Justin Bailey grateful for mother’s support

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – Justin Bailey didn’t mince words. On June 16, the Williamsville native, a possible second-round pick in Sunday’s NHL Entry Draft, tweeted, “Happy Father’s Day to the closest thing I have to a Dad! Thanks for everything.”

The 17-year-old posted two Instagram photos of him beside his grandfather.

Bailey, a slick winger with the Ontario Hockey League’s Kitchener Rangers, has a famous father, former Buffalo Bills linebacker Carlton Bailey. But the ... Read the full article

Mike Weber could finally earn regular duty next season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres re-sign Mike Weber to 3-year contract

BUFFALO – The Sabres have re-signed gritty defenseman Mike Weber, who would’ve become a restricted free agent next month, to a three-year contract, the team announced Thursday night.

After years of struggling to stay in the lineup, the 25-year-old appears to have finally earned a regular spot. Weber sat the first five games last season before playing 42 of the final 43 tilts.

It was nothing new for Weber, who was scratched first 10 ... Read the full article

Hunter Shinkaruk believes other undersized players have paved the way for him. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

NHL Draft profile: Hunter Shinkaruk doesn’t consider himself small

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – Hunter Shinkaruk considers himself lucky. Ten years ago, scouts might’ve deemed the NHL Entry Draft prospect, who’s listed at 5-foot-10, too small for the big leagues.

But times have changed. Some of hockey’s biggest stars, most notably Conn Smythe winner Patrick Kane and scoring champion Martin St. Louis, are undersized.

Still, Shinkaruk, the No. 6 prospect among North American skaters for Sunday’s draft, knows size is “definitely a question mark around me ... Read the full article

Sean Monahan had 31 goals and 78 points in 2012-13. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

NHL Entry Draft profile: ‘polished’ Sean Monahan hoping to crack big leagues immediately

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – Sean Monahan is raring to go and prove he’s ready for the next level following a trying campaign. The center’s 16-win season with the hapless Ottawa 67’s mercifully ended March 17, months before some of his counterparts in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

Monahan should still be proud he was the lone bright spot on the Ontario Hockey League’s worst team, leading the rebuilding 67’s with 31 goals (10 more than ... Read the full article

Max Domi piled up points in junior. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

NHL Entry Draft profile: slick Max Domi a mix of talent and tenacity

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – The highlight has more than 100,000 hits on Youtube.com. After all, how many times do you see a perfect, between-the-legs saucer pass like the one Max Domi pulled off at last month’s Memorial Cup?

“To be honest with you, it was lucky,” the forward said about the nifty dish, which London Knights teammate Bo Horvath converted for a goal, earlier this month at the NHL Scouting Combine. “I don’t know ... Read the full article

Darnell Nurse chats with reporters earlier this month. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

NHL Draft profile: Darnell Nurse glad parents ended football career

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – Given Darnell Nurse’s size – the defenseman’s nearly 6-foot-4 – and pedigree – he’s former NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb’s nephew through marriage and his father also played professionally – football, not hockey, seemed like a more likely path for the 18-year-old.

But Nurse, the No. 4 prospect among North American skaters for Sunday’s NHL Entry Draft, attended one camp before his parents ended any gridiron dreams.

“I think I had the ... Read the full article