Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres trade draft pick to Blues for goalie Anders Nilsson

BUFFALO – After a goalie reneged on a verbal agreement with the Sabres on Friday, general manager Tim Murray said he was open to anything – a trade, landing another free agent or even using prospect Linus Ullmark – to fill the backup role.

With most of the established goalies in the Sabres’ price range already signed, Murray went the trade route today, sending a 2017 fifth-round draft pick to the St. Louis Blues for ... Read the full article

Sabres add forward depth with Derek Grant

BUFFALO – The Sabres have added forward depth on the second day of free agency, signing center Derek Grant to a one-year, two-way contract.

The 6-foot-3, 202-pound Grant, 26, will likely be ticketed for the AHL Rochester Americans.

The Michigan State product has three assists in 40 NHL games with the Ottawa Senators and Calgary Flames. Grant has often been a top-level AHL scorer, compiling 88 goals and 162 points in 292 games since 2010-11.... Read the full article

Sabres GM Tim Murray wants Evander Kane to change behavior

BUFFALO – Even if Evander Kane is cleared of the harassment complaints recently filed against him, Sabres general manager Tim Murray believes the winger needs to change his behavior.

Kane, 24, has been involved in two off-ice legal incidents since December.

Two women filed a complaint against Kane following an alleged altercation at a Buffalo bar June 24, the same day the Sabres hosted the NHL Draft.

“Certainly we don’t like this is twice now ... Read the full article

Kyle Okposo sees Stanley Cup in Sabres’ future

BUFFALO – The conversation lasted maybe 15 minutes. General manager Tim Murray wanted to gauge Kyle Okposo’s interest, and the free agent wanted to hear what the Sabres could offer him.

When Murray began telling him how underrated the city is, Okposo stopped him and said he knows all about Buffalo and likes it. The nine-year veteran wanted to learn more about the organization.

So after Murray talked about the Sabres and the bright future ... Read the full article

Sabres sign Kyle Okposo to 7-year contract

BUFFALO – Winger Kyle Okposo, arguably the best free agent available, signed a seven-year, $42 million contract with the Sabres shortly after the market opened this afternoon, according to multiple reports.

The signing is significant. Just 15 months removed from their second consecutive 30^th-place finish, the Sabres, who improved 27 points last season, secured a strong talent to play beside centers Jack Eichel or Ryan O’Reilly.

Okposo is coming off a 22-goal, 64-point ... Read the full article

Sabres won’t find elite talent in free agency

BUFFALO – The pickings are so slim in NHL free agency this year, perhaps the most coveted player available, Kyle Okposo, has never cracked the 30-goal or 70-point marks.

Okposo, of course, is a talented winger. The Minnesota native is coming off a 22-goal, 64-point season with the New York Islanders. He has 139 goals and 369 points in 529 NHL games over nine years, including three 20-goal seasons and two 60-point campaigns.

Yes, Okposo ... Read the full article

Sabres re-sign Jake McCabe to 3-year contract

BUFFALO – The Sabres have re-signed defenseman Jake McCabe to a three-year, $4.8 million contract extension, according to multiple reports.

McCabe, 22, would have become a restricted free agent Friday.

The Wisconsin native played his first full NHL season in 2015-16, compiling four goals, 14 points, 51 penalty minutes and a plus-6 rating in 77 games.

The Sabres drafted McCabe 44^th overall in 2012.

Update: The Sabres have also re-signed Williamsville native Cole Schneider... Read the full article

Coach: Sabres’ Alexander Nylander possibly ‘most skilled guy’ in NHL Draft

BUFFALO – Anyone unfamiliar with Alexander Nylander’s talents will immediately notice the speed the talented Swedish prospect possesses. The high-scoring winger the Sabres were thrilled to draft eighth overall last week might be one of the fastest skaters on the planet.

But Nylander, 18, doesn’t simply freewheel around the ice. The youngster utilizes his breakaway speed by changing it like Calgary star Johnny Gaudreau, said James Richmond, one of Nylander’s coaches with the Ontario ... Read the full article

Sabres sign Casey Nelson to 2-year contract extension

BUFFALO – The Sabres have signed defenseman Casey Nelson, who joined the NHL straight from the NCAA in March, to a two-year contract extension, the team announced today.

The deal is worth $650,000 per season, according to generalfanager.com. Nelson, 23, would have become a restricted free agent Friday.

The Wisconsin native compiled four assists in seven NHL contests last season. The Sabres signed him as a free agent after he completed his junior season ... Read the full article

Sabres announce 2016 preseason schedule

BUFFALO – Five of the Sabres’ seven preseason games this year are away from the First Niagara Center, including four neutral-site contests, the team announced this morning.

The Sabres start the exhibition slate Sept. 26 against the Minnesota Wild at Penn State University, the first pro game at the arena funded by a $102 million donation by Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula.

The game was moved from Rochester because the Sabres believe the Blue ... Read the full article