Alexander Nylander received a late-season recall from the Sabres. ©2018, Hickling Images

Summer ‘critical’ for Sabres prospect Alexander Nylander

BUFFALO – Shortly after the Sabres introduced first overall pick Rasmus Dahlin to the local media Monday, prospect Alexander Nylander emerged from the locker room clad in workout pants and a hoody and hopped on an escalator inside KeyBank Center.

Nylander, 20, was bound for HarborCenter, where he has been skating during a summer so significant it could decide his future.

“Probably the most important offseason of training in his young life, really,” Sabres assistant ... Read the full article

Victor Antipin played 47 games with the Sabres. ©2018, Hickling Images

Sabres notes: Victor Antipin let go after one season

BUFFALO – The Sabres did not tender a qualifying offer to restricted free agent Victor Antipin by Monday’s deadline, making the Russian defenseman a free agent.

Antipin, 25, signed a one-year contract last year following a strong season in the KHL. In 47 games as a rookie in 2017-18, Antipin compiled 10 assists.

“We were really impressed with him,” Sabres general manager Jason Botterill said Monday inside KeyBank Center. “I know things didn’t go maybe ... Read the full article

Constant losing has worn Ryan O’Reilly out. ©2018, Hickling Images

Anything could happen as GM Jason Botterill tries to overhaul Sabres

BUFFALO – Right now, save for young centers Jack Eichel and Casey Mittelstadt, anyone is probably available from the Sabres if you meet their asking price.

So for a puck-moving defenseman and a speedy winger capable of scoring 20 goals, perhaps you can pry center Ryan O’Reilly away at the NHL Draft later this week in Dallas or in the near future.... Read the full article

Rasmus Asplund left junior hockey almost two years ago. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Pro experience helped Sabres prospect Rasmus Asplund develop

BUFFALO – Almost two years ago, in the midst of a high-scoring junior season, Rasmus Asplund’s success forced the Sabres prospect to “start from scratch,” he said.

Asplund had already scored 25 points in 19 games when Färjestad BK, a team in the Swedish Hockey League, the country’s highest pro circuit, recalled the center.

That meant Asplund, then just 16 years old, would start competing against men.

“It’s a different type of game when you ... Read the full article

Will Borgen smiles after beating Steve Racine for a shootout goal that clinched a three-on-three tournament for his team Tuesday. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres prospect Will Borgen adjusted quickly to college hockey

BUFFALO – By around November, just weeks into his St. Cloud State University career, Sabres prospect Will Borgen’s superb play began attracting attention college freshmen rarely receive.

“The scary thing for us, for everybody, was almost from the get-go he was ready to go,” St. Cloud State coach Bob Motzko said. “It was very early we knew we had something kind of special here.”

So did the decision-makers in charge of Team USA’s entry at ... Read the full article

Tim Murray won’t let himself worry about Jimmy Vesey. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres GM Tim Murray knows Jimmy Vesey could sign elsewhere

BUFFALO – The constant talk about whether former Harvard University star Jimmy Vesey will sign with the Sabres amazes general manager Tim Murray.

No one, of course, has more invested in Vesey than Murray, who traded a third-round pick for the Hobey Baker Award winner’s rights on June 20, a deal he has called a “gamble.”

If Vesey signs, Murray might have a first- or second-line winger to skate beside Jack Eichel or Ryan O’Reilly. ... Read the full article

Michael Campoli was stretchered off the ice Tuesday. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres prospect Michael Campoli released from hospital

BUFFALO – For about 20 minutes Tuesday morning, as defenseman Michael Campoli stayed motionless on the ice, the 1,000 or so fans inside HarborCenter watching a three-on-three Sabres prospects tournament barely made a sound.

Campoli, an invite to development camp, had just been hit into the boards by winger William Carrier. The defenseman managed to get up but stumbled and fell down again.

The ensuing scene, with Sabres medical staff and Buffalo Fire Department ... Read the full article

Jimmy Vesey will likely become a free agent Aug. 15. ©2016, Gil Talbot, Harvard Athletics

Sabres GM Tim Murray on Jimmy Vesey: ‘This is his show right now’

BUFFALO – Tim Murray sounded like he was venting a bit. For the Sabres general manager, the pursuit of Jimmy Vesey, the NCAA star whose rights he recently acquired, is just one thing on his plate.

“I’ve talked about this literally less than anyone else in Buffalo,” Murray said this afternoon after development camp ended inside HarborCenter. “I hear the guys on the radio and people are mad. This is like top-end news. I ... Read the full article

Michael Campoli is a development camp invite. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres prospect Michael Campoli transported to hospital

BUFFALO – Sabres prospect Michael Campoli was stretchered off the ice this morning with his neck stabilized after getting hit into boards late in a three-on-three development camp scrimmage.

Campoli, 18, was knocked by William Carrier and tried to skate off the HarborCenter ice before falling down. Campoli, a defenseman, stayed motionless on the ice for about 20 minutes surrounded by team medical personnel and the Buffalo Fire Department.

New Update: The Sabres and Campoli ... Read the full article

Eric Cornel bounced back in 2015-16 after a rough year. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres prospect Eric Cornel ready for pros after big junior season

BUFFALO – Sabres prospect Eric Cornel figured, hey, as a second-round NHL pick fresh off a big junior season, hockey might be easy for him.

But instead of thriving after the Sabres drafted him 44th overall in 2014, Cornel struggled to build on a 25-goal, 62-point breakout season with the Peterborough Petes.

The winger’s offensive output dropped to 14 goals and 52 points in 2014-15. His rating plummeted from a plus-2 to an ugly ... Read the full article