WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen met with the Sabres at the NHL Scouting Combine. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
CHICAGO – When Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen surveys Buffalo’s goaltending depth chart, the 18-year-old Finn sees an opportunity. With Cal Petersen passing on the Sabres, the team wants another strong netminding prospect to fill the void.
So in the second round Saturday, 54th overall, the Sabres selected Luukkonen at the NHL Draft.... Read the full article
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was all smiles this morning. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
CHICAGO – When Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen surveys Buffalo’s goaltending depth chart, the 18-year-old Finn sees an opportunity. With Cal Petersen passing on the Sabres, the team wants another strong netminding prospect to fill the void.
So in the second round this morning, 54th overall, the Sabres selected Luukkonen at the NHL Draft.... Read the full article
Jason Botterill is running his first draft as Sabres general manager. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
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 smiled a lot Friday. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
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 (17), flanked by Sabres general manager Jason Botterill (left) and owner Terry Pegula, was all smiles Friday. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
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
Cal Petersen can pick his own team soon. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
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
Casey Mittelstadt will play NCAA hockey next season. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
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
Phil Housley is assembling a staff. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
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
Cal Petersen recently left Notre Dame. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
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 told reporters this 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
Jason Botterill has only been on the job since last month. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
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
