WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Conor Sheary thinks he can help the Sabres. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – In adding Conor Sheary from the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Sabres filled a glaring hole in their lineup. The bottom-feeding club sorely needed a speedy winger capable of scoring goals, especially at five-on-five.
The Sabres now have a left winger they can utilize beside top center Jack Eichel. Having scored only four of his 48 NHL goals on the power play, Sheary owns a track record of producing offense at even strength.... Read the full article
Conor Sheary wasn’t expecting to get traded. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – After the initial shock of getting traded wore off, winger Conor Sheary said he quickly embraced what he believes can be a bright future with the Sabres.
Sheary, of course, grew up with the Pittsburgh Penguins, morphing from an unheralded AHL player into a significant contributor on two Stanley Cup champions.... Read the full article
Fans came out to see Rasmus Dahlin on Wednesday. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Sabres prospect Victor Olofsson had never heard of hockey’s biggest defense prospect until two seasons ago, when Rasmus Dahlin joined Frölunda HC as a 16-year-old.
During their first practice together in the Swedish Hockey League, Dahlin made Olofsson look silly.
“He got the puck on the blue line and I was going out toward him, and he just put it between my legs and scores,” Olofsson said Wednesday after the Sabres opened development ... Read the full article
Conor Sheary has scored 48 NHL goals. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – During Sabres general manager Jason Botterill’s tenure running Pittsburgh’s top affiliate, the Wilkes-Barres/Scranton Penguins signed an undersized college winger named Conor Sheary to an AHL tryout.
Today, Sheary, 26, has two Stanley Cups and 48 goals on an impressive NHL resume. But barely four years ago, he was an unknown just looking for a pro opportunity after playing four NCAA seasons at the University of Massachusetts.... Read the full article
Matt Hunwick has played 521 NHL games. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Sabres general manager Jason Botterill made his first player trade of the offseason today, sending a conditional 2019 fourth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins for winger Conor Sheary and defenseman Matt Hunwick.
Botterill, of course, knows Sheary from his days as Pittsburgh’s associate GM.... Read the full article
Alexander Nylander received a late-season recall from the Sabres. ©2018, Hickling Images
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
Rasmus Dahlin sports his new No. 26 jersey Monday. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – On Saturday, a day after the Sabres drafted Rasmus Dahlin, the first overall pick was still walking around American Airlines Center proudly wearing his Blue and Gold jersey.
Most first-round selections don’t show up for the later rounds of the NHL Draft. But the day in Dallas provided the slick defenseman another opportunity to experience what he said “was my best time in my life.”
“To be able to be a part of ... Read the full article
Victor Antipin played 47 games with the Sabres. ©2018, Hickling Images
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
Rasmus Dahlin (left) and Jason Botterill hold up the Swede’s new jersey today. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – In the Sabres’ 48-year existence, players of all talents wore No. 26 before the team awarded the digits to defenseman Rasmus Dahlin today.
Two-time 40-goal scorer Thomas Vanek sported it. So did Randy Wyrozub, one of the franchise’s first players. The Sabres issued the number 20 times before Dahlin, according to hockey-reference.com.... Read the full article
Matej Pekar enjoyed a strong season in the United States Hockey League. ©2018, Hickling Images
DALLAS – Matej Pekar’s smile told the story. In the moments after the Buffalo Sabres drafted the Czech winger in the fourth round, 94th overall, Saturday, it never left his face.
About 10 months ago, the NHL Draft wasn’t exactly on Pekar’s radar.
“Before the season, I was like, ‘Draft, what is it? I’m not going to get drafted,’” Pekar said inside American Airlines Center.
So sitting at a table wearing a blue Buffalo Sabres ... Read the full article
