May, 2025 - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres make first move of offseason, hire Eric Staal as special assistant to GM Kevyn Adams

Hiring former NHL center Eric Staal as his special assistant marks the second time Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams has turned to his friend and former teammate.

In his first trade as GM in 2020, Adams acquired a graying Staal from the Minnesota Wild. The move, of course, did not work out, and Adams traded the respected veteran months later in the midst of an 18-game winless skid.

Still, perhaps the roughest stretch of ... Read the full article

NHL Draft Lottery: Sabres fall two spots, will pick ninth overall

The Buffalo Sabres moved back two spots to the ninth overall selection in Monday’s NHL Draft Lottery.

The New York Islanders, who had the 10th-highest odds for the first selection, just 3.5 percent, won the lottery and the right to select perhaps defenseman Matthew Schaefer or center Michael Misa first overall.

The Sabres, thanks to their disappointing 79-point finish, had 6.5 percent odds for the top pick.... Read the full article

NHL Draft Lottery: Sabres will likely get nice prospect with first pick, but could they trade it?

There’s a belief that instead of using his first-round pick to draft a prospect next month, Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams might trade it to pry away some established talent from one of his counterparts.

In his first five years, Adams has resisted the temptation to deal one of his coveted early selections before the NHL Draft.

Ten months ago, however, he sent center Matt Savoie, the ninth overall pick in 2022, to ... Read the full article

Fresh off career season, will Alex Tuch sign contract extension with Sabres?

BUFFALO – Over the final 30 games this season, Sabres winger Alex Tuch ranked among the NHL’s elite offensive threats, scoring a whopping 20 goals.

From Feb. 4 until April 17, that gaudy total tied for the most in the league with Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin, the most prolific goal scorer in history.

That’s elite company, for sure.

Tuch, who turns 29 on May 10, showcased remarkable consistency during that torrid stretch, never enduring ... Read the full article