WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Calder Cup Playoffs Edition
Randy Sexton left Pittsburgh to join the Sabres. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres have hired Randy Sexton and Steve Greeley as assistant general managers, the team announced this morning.
Mark Jakubowski, the Sabres’ assistant GM the last three years, has been named vice president of hockey administration.
It was widely reported the Sabres would hire the 57-year-old Sexton, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ director of amateur scouting the last seven years. The Sabres hired GM Jason Botterill from the Penguins on May 11.
Sexton will also ... Read the full article
Jason Botterill had to run a draft with scouts he barely knows. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
CHICAGO – When Jason Botterill was named Buffalo Sabres general manager May 11, he entered what he called a “different situation.”
The Sabres also fired amateur scouting director Greg Royce with GM Tim Murray on April 20. Botterill inherited Jeff Crisp, the team’s head amateur scout, and Murray’s old scouts.
So Botterill only had six weeks to prepare for the NHL Draft with Crisp and his new staff, not exactly ideal.... Read the full article
Jason Botterill doesn’t want to rush. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
CHICAGO – Forget about the quick fix. The Buffalo Sabres left the NHL Draft festivities with six prospects and nothing else.
As trade activity engulfed the NHL over the past few days, new Sabres general manager Jason Botterill stayed quiet, choosing to take the patient approach.
Botterill, the hockey world learned, will remake the Sabres, a team six years removed from its last playoff appearance, at his own speed. Outside expectations won’t influence the 41-year-old, ... Read the full article
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen met with the Sabres at the NHL Scouting Combine. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
CHICAGO – When Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen surveys Buffalo’s goaltending depth chart, the 18-year-old Finn sees an opportunity. With Cal Petersen passing on the Sabres, the team wants another strong netminding prospect to fill the void.
So in the second round Saturday, 54th overall, the Sabres selected Luukkonen at the NHL Draft.... Read the full article
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was all smiles this morning. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
CHICAGO – When Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen surveys Buffalo’s goaltending depth chart, the 18-year-old Finn sees an opportunity. With Cal Petersen passing on the Sabres, the team wants another strong netminding prospect to fill the void.
So in the second round this morning, 54th overall, the Sabres selected Luukkonen at the NHL Draft.... Read the full article
Casey Mittelstadt smiled a lot Friday. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
CHICAGO – As the first round of the NHL Draft approached, no one seemed to have any idea how the early portion would play out and where youngsters like new Buffalo Sabres prospect Casey Mittelstadt could be picked.
Sure, it was expected centers Nico Hischier and Nolan Patrick would go first and second overall Friday, and they did. But after that, several guys like Mittelstadt were pegged to go anywhere from third or fourth or ... Read the full article
Cal Petersen can pick his own team soon. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
CHICAGO – Forget about former Notre Dame goalie Cal Petersen joining the Buffalo Sabres. The 22-year-old prospect, who left school last month, will elect for free agency, general manager Jason Botterill said Friday morning.
“I don’t believe he’ll be signing with the Buffalo Sabres,” Botterill said hours before the first round of the NHL Draft.... Read the full article
Phil Housley is assembling a staff. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
CHICAGO – For now, goalie coach Andrew Allen is still with the Buffalo Sabres. General manager Jason Botterill wants to keep the lone holdover from former coach Dan Bylsma’s staff. That decision, however, will be left up to new coach Phil Housley.
“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 ... Read the full article
Cal Petersen recently left Notre Dame. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
CHICAGO – Forget about former Notre Dame goalie Cal Petersen joining the Buffalo Sabres. The 22-year-old prospect, who left school last month, will elect for free agency, general manager Jason Botterill told reporters this morning.
“I don’t believe he’ll be signing with the Buffalo Sabres,” Botterill said hours before the first round of the NHL Draft.... Read the full article
Jason Botterill has only been on the job since last month. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
CHICAGO – We don’t have a book on Buffalo Sabres general manager Jason Botterill yet. We don’t know his tendencies, what kind of team he truly wants to build or which players he values over others.
Botterill, widely regarded as one of the NHL’s brightest young minds, has been on the job 43 days. So far, the 41-year-old has made only minor deals, acquiring defenseman Nathan Beaulieu and reaching an agreement with the expansion ... Read the full article
