Rasmus Ristolainen has been a strong pick for the Sabres. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ recent drafts have yielded potential high-end talent

BUFFALO – To thrive in the modern NHL, teams must build through the draft. It’s that simple. The days of loading up with veteran players through free agency or trades are long gone. The league belongs to the 20-somethings now, and if teams draft poorly, they’re doomed.

How good are the Sabres at drafting? Judge for yourself below. Since drafts usually don’t start paying dividends for a few years, here’s a look at their selections ... Read the full article

Andrey Makarov is beginning his first professional season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres send 13 players to Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres trimmed their training camp roster by 15 players today.

The team sent the following players to AHL Rochester: forwards Colin Jacobs, Eric Locke, Johnny McGuire, Jonathan Parker, Kevin Sunder, Shawn Szydlowski and Frederick Roy; defensemen Nick Crawford (pending waivers), Alex Lepkowski and Matt MacKenzie; goalies Connor Knapp, Nathan Lieuwen and Andrey Makarov.

In addition, the Sabres sent defenseman Brady Austin and forward Peter Trainor back to their junior clubs.... Read the full article

The Sabres recently passed on signing Alex Lepkowski. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Amerks sign Mike Zigomanis, Alex Lepkowski and Frederick Roy

BUFFALO – Twelve years after a botched fax notoriously sent Mike Zigomanis back into the draft, the Sabres organization reacquired the center, signing him to an AHL contract today.

The Rochester Americans also inked defenseman Alex Lepkowski, a West Seneca native the Sabres drafted but never signed, and winger Frederick Roy.

The Sabres originally drafted Zigomanis 64th overall in 1999. But his contract paperwork allegedly didn’t go through properly, so the Sabres ... Read the full article

The Sabres selected Alex Lepkowski in 2011. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres pass on signing Buffalo native Alex Lepkowski

BUFFALO – The Sabres didn’t sign defenseman Alex Lepkowski, the 137th overall pick in 2011, before the midnight deadline, so the 20-year-old will re-enter the NHL Entry Draft later this month.

Lepkowski, a Buffalo native, just finished his fourth season in the Ontario Hockey League.

The fifth-round pick had zero goals, nine points and 78 penalty minutes in 60 games this season with the Barrie Colts.... Read the full article

Colin Jacobs began playing in the AHL in March. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres sign draft choice Jacobs

BUFFALO – The Sabres have signed forward Colin Jacobs, the 107th overall pick in 2011, to a three-year, entry-level contract.

The 20-year-old compiled 25 goals, 53 points, 98 penalty minutes and a minus-27 rating in 66 games with the Western Hockey League’s Prince George Cougars this season.

The Sabres officially inked Jacobs late tonight, two days before the deadline for signing players drafted in 2011.

Defenseman Alex Lepkowski, a Buffalo native selected ... Read the full article

The Sabres selected Tyler Myers 12th overall in 2008, the last time they had two first-round picks. ©2012, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Keeping high picks might be Sabres’ best draft choice

PITTSBURGH – A year and zero playoff games later, Darcy Regier still has the keys, full reign to aggressively pursue elite talent and make the Buffalo Sabres a contender again.

If you believe the general manager, then he’s in the mix and will be active on the Consol Energy Center floor this weekend during the NHL Entry Draft, which starts tonight when the Sabres pick twice – 12th and 21st, compliments of ... Read the full article