Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Follow along for Sabres NHL Draft updates

CHICAGO – The Sabres drafted Swedish center Marcus Davidsson in the second round, 37th overall, this morning.

The 6-foot, 192-pound Davidsson had five goals and nine points last season with Djurgårdens of the Swedish Hockey League. The 18-year-old also played with Djurgårdens’ under-20 team in 2016-17, scoring six goals and 10 points in nine outings.

Davidsson is NHL Central Scouting’s 12th-ranked European skater.

Update: In the second round, 54th overall, the Sabres have selected Ukko-Pekka ... Read the full article

Casey Mittelstadt happy to be Sabres’ top pick

CHICAGO – As the first round of the NHL Draft approached, no one seemed to have any idea how the early portion would play out and where youngsters like new Buffalo Sabres prospect Casey Mittelstadt could be picked.

Sure, it was expected centers Nico Hischier and Nolan Patrick would go first and second overall Friday, and they did. But after that, several guys like Mittelstadt were pegged to go anywhere from third or fourth or ... Read the full article

Casey Mittelstadt thrilled to be drafted by Sabres

Goalie prospect Cal Petersen to pass on Sabres

CHICAGO – Forget about former Notre Dame goalie Cal Petersen joining the Buffalo Sabres. The 22-year-old prospect, who left school last month, will elect for free agency, general manager Jason Botterill said Friday morning.

“I don’t believe he’ll be signing with the Buffalo Sabres,” Botterill said hours before the first round of the NHL Draft.... Read the full article

Sabres draft Casey Mittelstadt at No. 8

CHICAGO – The Buffalo Sabres selected high-scoring center Casey Mittelstadt eighth overall tonight at the NHL Draft.

“It’s been a lot of buildup,” an excited Mittelstadt said inside the United Center. “It’s been a stressful day, to be honest with you, in the last little while. It started to get a little stressful. It’s a big relief to be picked. Me and my family are super excited. … Going to a great place like Buffalo ... Read the full article

Andrew Allen still with Sabres; Phil Housley assembling staff

CHICAGO – For now, goalie coach Andrew Allen is still with the Buffalo Sabres. General manager Jason Botterill wants to keep the lone holdover from former coach Dan Bylsma’s staff. That decision, however, will be left up to new coach Phil Housley.

“It’s a situation where we’re very excited about Andrew,” Botterill said this morning prior to the NHL Draft. “My plan has always been to work with Andrew. It’s a scenario where Phil and ... Read the full article

Goalie prospect Cal Petersen won’t sign with Sabres

“I don’t believe he’ll be signing with the Buffalo Sabres,” Botterill said hours before the first round of the NHL Draft.... Read the full article

Sabres GM Jason Botterill front and center at NHL Draft

CHICAGO – We don’t have a book on Buffalo Sabres general manager Jason Botterill yet. We don’t know his tendencies, what kind of team he truly wants to build or which players he values over others.

Botterill, widely regarded as one of the NHL’s brightest young minds, has been on the job 43 days. So far, the 41-year-old has made only minor deals, acquiring defenseman Nathan Beaulieu and reaching an agreement with the expansion ... Read the full article

2017-18 Sabres schedule features early date with Golden Knights

CHICAGO – Two games against the expansion Vegas Golden Knights and a home-and-home series with the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins in early December are among the highlights of the 82-game 2017-18 Buffalo Sabres schedule the NHL released Thursday.

Some other notable dates, stretches and nuggets:

– The Sabres play the Golden Knights first the first time Oct. 17 in Vegas, the close of a four-game road trip that includes dates with the San Jose ... Read the full article

Golden Knights grab William Carrier; Sabres trade pick to club

CHICAGO – In the end, the Buffalo Sabres exposed winger William Carrier to the Vegas Golden Knights and sent the new club a sixth-round pick to lay off goalie prospect Linus Ullmark in the NHL Expansion Draft.

That price, of course, will look like a pittance if Ullmark, who was left unprotected, becomes Buffalo’s starter someday.

The Golden Knights officially selected Carrier on Wednesday night, about the same time the Sabres sent them the ... Read the full article