Draft Day
Kevyn Adams could have a career-defining night. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
MONTREAL – General manager Kevyn Adams’ vision for the Buffalo Sabres has started coming together much faster than most observers expected.
It was barely a year ago that Adams, fresh off the Sabres’ dead-last finish, began tackling a daunting rebuild. In his first months on the job in 2020, he had tried to push an older team into the playoffs by acquiring a few notable veterans.
After that team failed spectacularly, Adams implemented his blue ... Read the full article
Victor Olofsson ended the season on a tear. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
MONTREAL – General manager Kevyn Adams said on Wednesday the Buffalo Sabres have been working on a new contract with winger Victor Olofsson, the team’s most prominent restricted free agent.
“We’re in a good spot here,” Adams said inside the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel, the team’s headquarters ahead of the NHL Draft. “Mark Jakubowski, who does a lot of our lead in the negotiating side, has had some good conversations as of late with ... Read the full article
The Sabres have eight afternoon games at home this season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
MONTREAL – A four-game western road trip in October, two early-season four-game home stands and eight afternoon contests at KeyBank Center are among the highlights of the 82-game 2022-23 Buffalo Sabres schedule the NHL released Wednesday.
The Sabres open the campaign Oct. 13 at home against the Ottawa Senators and also host the Florida Panthers the afternoon of Oct. 14 before beginning a four-game trip Oct. 18 against superstar Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers.... Read the full article
Jimmy Snuggerud enjoyed a breakout season in 2021-22. ©2022, Rena Laverty, USA Hockey
MONTREAL – Nick Fohr looked down the ice that day early in the 2020-21 season and had no idea who was shooting pucks at the other end.
“I’m like, ‘What is that down there?’” recalled Fohr, then an assistant coach at the U.S. National Team Development Program.
The mechanics – the compact, quick release – looked familiar, just like Auston Matthews, a phenom he had coached years earlier.
Mike Grier played for San Jose in between his stints in Buffalo. ©2022, Dan Hickling
Popular former Sabres winger Mike Grier made history today, becoming the first Black general manager in NHL history when the San Jose Sharks hired him to replace Doug Wilson, who resigned in April.
Grier, 47, spent three full seasons and the end of another with the Sabres, becoming one of their most respected veterans. The Sabres haven’t made the playoffs 2010-11, his last season.
The American played three seasons with the Sharks in between his ... Read the full article
Kevyn Adams is excited for his third NHL Draft as general manager. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – A year ago, the Sabres saw value in Russian prospects, so they drafted four of them, including three straight in the second and third rounds.
Taking a single Russian would’ve been notable; the Sabres hadn’t selected one in five years. Grabbing so many, especially early, indicated general manager Kevyn Adams would operate differently than his predecessors.
The world, of course, has changed a lot over the past year. Russia’s invasion of the ... Read the full article
Craig Anderson could be Buffalo’s No. 1 goalie again. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – When veteran goalie Craig Anderson finished his first season with the Sabres, he wanted to take some time to decompress and evaluate his future.
The Sabres felt Anderson’s impact – in addition to stabilizing their net, he established himself as a leader and mentor on the rebuilding club – and sorely wanted him back for another season.
But Anderson, 41, needed to talk to his family and see how his body felt before ... Read the full article
Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen could receive plenty of preseason action. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The Sabres will play six preseason games, including three at KeyBank Center, prior to the 2022-23 regular season, the team announced Thursday.
For the second straight season, the Sabres will play every game in an NHL arena. Broadcast and ticket information will be announced at a later date.
For the second straight year, the Sabres don’t play the Toronto Maple Leafs. The rivals usually play a home-and-home series.
The schedule:
Sept. 25: Buffalo ... Read the full article
Craig Anderson entered the NHL in 2002-03. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The Sabres this morning re-signed 41-year-old goalie Craig Anderson to a one-year, $1.5 million contract.
The 2022-23 season will be Anderson’s 20th in the NHL.
During his end-of-season chat with the media, Anderson said he was undecided on whether he would retire.
Sean Malone enjoyed a terrific offensive season in Rochester. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday rewarded Sean Malone for his breakout year with the Rochester Americans, re-signing the center to a one-year, $750,000 contract.
Malone, 27, seized an opportunity to play an offensive role, setting new career highs last season by registering 20 goals, eight power-play tallies and 37 points in just 39 games for the Sabres’ AHL affiliate. He added two goals and seven points during the Amerks’ 10-game playoff run.
Early in ... Read the full article
