Adams | Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Tage Thompson showcasing talents of future star after long layoff

BUFFALO – Taylor Hall knew nothing about Tage Thompson before the first day they practiced together as Sabres teammates Jan. 1.

But right away, Hall said he was taken aback by watching the 6-foot-7 winger up close.

The size. The ability to handle and shoot the puck. The speed.

Hall quickly learned why Thompson, 23, is such an intriguing talent.

“You see why he was drafted in the first round and why they’re so high ... Read the full article

Expansion Kraken hire ex-Sabres GM Jason Botterill as assistant

Former Buffalo Sabres general manager Jason Botterill has landed a new job as assistant GM of the Seattle Kraken, the expansion team announced today.

Botterill, 44, will be working with Kraken GM Ron Francis, a Hall of Fame player.

The Kraken begin play in the 2021-22 season.

“Everyone in hockey is extremely excited about what’s happening in Seattle, and I am thrilled for this unique opportunity,” Botterill said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to ... Read the full article

Casey Mittelstadt focused on making Sabres after having ‘blast’ with Amerks

On the surface, Casey Mittelstadt’s 36-game run with the Rochester Americans last season looks a little underwhelming.

In his first stint in the minors, Mittelstadt, 22, never morphed into a dominant AHL presence or forced his way back to the Buffalo Sabres. The center compiled nine goals, 25 points and a poor minus-15 rating – hardly numbers you might expect from an eighth overall pick with 114 games of NHL experience.

But Mittelstadt, who was ... Read the full article

Rasmus Ristolainen happy with Sabres, excited to play for Ralph Krueger again

The chatter about Rasmus Ristolainen wanting out of Buffalo has ended. These days, the defenseman says he’s happy and excited to be with the Sabres.

“I enjoy being here right now,” Ristolainen said on a Zoom call Sunday. “The team looks good and ready to go and it’s going to be a very exciting year.”

Ristolainen, 26, has rarely spoken so optimistically. Prior to last season, in an interview with a Finnish TV station, he ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jack Eichel impressed with Kevyn Adams, excited for Bills’ success

Over the past few months, Buffalo Sabres captain Jack Eichel has sat down with Kevyn Adams a few times and began to build a relationship with his new general manager.

Getting to know Adams, the third GM of Eichel’s six-year career, has been an enjoyable experience. Eichel said on a Zoom call Wednesday he has found him easy to connect with and enjoyed “a lot of really, really productive conversations with him.”

Through their chats, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Kevyn Adams, Ralph Krueger know season will present challenges

Ralph Krueger’s ability to communicate with his players might be his greatest strength as a coach, so the idea of holding team meetings through Zoom or another video program doesn’t appeal much to him.

“Believe it or not, this is maybe how the odd team meeting will be happening this season,” Krueger said on a Zoom call Tuesday to discuss training camp, which opens Thursday when players report for testing and physicals.

In normal times, ... Read the full article

Sabres could have time to evaluate Dylan Cozens during training camp

In Team Canada’s opener at the World Junior Championship, Buffalo Sabres prospect Dylan Cozens helped the powerhouse demolish a short-handed German squad, scoring three goals and six points in a 16-2 victory.

“It’s a great start for him in the World Juniors, and I love the fact that’s he’s a go-to guy there,” Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said on a Zoom call Tuesday to discuss training camp, which opens Thursday.

But a night later, ... Read the full article

Sabres sign Riley Sheahan to PTO

Veteran center Riley Sheahan will be joining the Buffalo Sabres for training camp on a professional tryout contract, the team announced today.

Sheahan, 29, spent last season with the Edmonton Oilers, compiling eight goals, 15 points and a minus-14 rating in 66 games.

The Notre Dame product offers the Sabres depth down the middle and another penalty killer. The Sabres’ penalty killing ranked 30th last season.

“He’s a veteran … he has very good faceoff ... Read the full article

Sam Reinhart excited about Sabres’ moves, fine with one-year contract

For the first time since Sam Reinhart played for the Vancouver NW Giants in 2010-11, the Buffalo Sabres winger is spending the fall at home.

Normally, Reinhart, who turns 26 on Friday, would be one month into a new hockey season. Since leaving home in 2011, he has spent his Octobers and Novembers in Kootenay, British Columbia, where he played junior, or Buffalo.

But the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the NHL to push back the ... Read the full article

Report: Oilers sign former Sabre Dominik Kahun to one-year contract

Former Buffalo Sabres winger Dominik Kahun has signed a one-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers, according to eichockeynews.com.

The deal is worth $975,000, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. Kahun had a salary cap hit of $925,000 last year.

The Sabres did not give Kahun, 25, a qualifying offer last month, making him a free agent. That decision, of course, raised some eyebrows.

Kahun looked impressive in six late-season games with the Sabres, scoring ... Read the full article