Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres sign defensemen Erik Johnson, Connor Clifton in free agency, bring back Tyson Jost

The Buffalo Sabres today made three moves in the opening hour of free agency, signing right-shot defensemen Erik Johnson and Connor Clifton and re-signing center Tyson Jost.

General manager Kevyn Adams said leading up to free agency he wanted to add to his blue line this offseason, and in Johnson and Clifton he addressed the Sabres’ most glaring need.

Johnson, 35, signed a $3.25 million contract. Meanwhile, Clifton, 28, inked a three-year deal with an ... Read the full article

Zach Benson, Sabres’ other NHL Draft picks to attend development camp

First-round pick Zach Benson and the Buffalo Sabres’ seven other selections at the NHL Draft this week will be attending the team’s development camp that starts Sunday at LECOM Harborcenter.

The roster released today features 19 forwards, 11 defensemen and five goalies.

Winger Victor Neuchev and defenseman Nikita Novikov, Russian prospects who recently signed their entry-level contracts, will be participating. It’s the first time they’ve attended a camp in Buffalo.... Read the full article

Sabres don’t extend qualifying offers to Tyson Jost, two others

Following the end of his first season in Buffalo, center Tyson Jost talked about what a special group he had joined and how badly he wanted to return to the Sabres.

On Friday, the Sabres did not give Jost, 25, a qualifying offer, meaning he can become an unrestricted free agent when the market opens Saturday.

General manager Kevyn Adams, however, has said he wants Jost to return. By not extending him an offer as ... Read the full article

NHL Draft: Gavin McCarthy’s selection by Sabres special; Buffalo thrilled to take Anton Wahlberg

NASHVILLE – The daily challenges an NHL general manager faces can keep you awake at night, Kevyn Adams said. Still, moments like the one he experienced Thursday at the NHL Draft table can make all the stress worth it.

After the Buffalo Sabres drafted defenseman Gavin McCarthy in the third round, 86th overall, he walked down to meet Adams and other members of the team.

McCarthy’s excitement made Adams’ mind flash back to all the ... Read the full article

Sabres confident Jack Quinn will return stronger following Achilles surgery

NASHVILLE – Following a 14-goal rookie season, Buffalo Sabres winger Jack Quinn was expected to become a significant contributor in the upcoming campaign.

But the start of his sophomore season will be delayed months after he tore his Achilles tendon while training earlier this week. He underwent successful surgery Wednesday.

Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams wouldn’t speculate on a timeline for Quinn’s return, only saying it was “significant” and he will make a full recovery. ... Read the full article

NHL Draft Tracker: Sabres select Anton Wahlberg 39th overall

NASHVILLE – The Buffalo Sabres this morning selected Swedish center Anton Wahlberg in the second round, 39th overall, at the NHL Draft.

The 6-foot-3, 192-pound Wahlberg, who turns 18 next Wednesday, is NHL Central Scouting’s 30th-ranked European prospect.

Wahlberg compiled 14 goals and 27 points in 32 games for Malmo’s junior team last season. He scored two goals and four points in 17 contests for Malmo’s Swedish Hockey League team.

Update: The Sabres have drafted ... Read the full article

NHL Draft: In Zach Benson, Sabres add aggressive, dynamic junior star

NASHVILLE – Winger Zach Benson had been a Buffalo Sabres prospect for about 20 minutes, but as a sat there smiling wearing a No. 23 blue jersey in Bridgestone Arena, he already seemed comfortable in his new organization.

Benson, the 13th overall pick at Wednesday’s NHL Draft, formed half of a lethal duo with Sabres center prospect Matt Savoie last season, combining for a whopping 74 goals goals and 193 points. As a 15-year-old Western ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: NHL teams reluctant to trade top-10 draft picks

NASHVILLE – For first time since 2012, the Buffalo Sabres did not have a top-10 pick at the NHL Draft, meaning general manager Kevyn Adams likely had fewer teams trying to pry away his first selection.

Given the amount of high-end talent available early, teams are usually reluctant to part with one of the first 10 choices. This year, no trades were made in the entire first round.

“That’s shocking,” said Adams, who tried to ... Read the full article

NHL Draft: Sabres select Zach Benson 13th overall

NASHVILLE – The Buffalo Sabres tonight selected Winnipeg Ice winger Zach Benson at the NHL Draft.

The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Benson scored 36 goals and 98 points in 60 games last season while forming a dynamic duo with Sabres center prospect Matt Savoie. Benson added seven goals and 17 points in 15 Western Hockey League playoff outings.

Benson, 18, has compiled 71 goals and 181 points in 142 career WHL outings over three seasons.... Read the full article

Aggressive moves for present might benefit Sabres at NHL Draft

NASHVILLE – Given their success last season and the talent they boast, you wonder if the Buffalo Sabres might take a big swing during the NHL Draft.

General manager Kevyn Adams has methodically rebuilt his team, refusing to take shortcuts that might jeopardize sustained long-term success. But they’re finally knocking on the door, having come within one win of earning that elusive playoff berth.

Adams possesses a stable of assets, including the 13th pick tonight ... Read the full article