Adams - Buffalo Hockey Beat

With Owen Power signed, Sabres can focus on Erik Portillo, Ryan Johnson

BUFFALO – Now that the Sabres have signed defenseman Owen Power to his entry-level contract, their attention can turn to two other top college prospects, goalie Erik Portillo and defenseman Ryan Johnson.

Kevyn Adams said he has already chatted with Portillo, 21, and Johnson, 20, both of whom suffered season-ending losses Thursday at the Frozen Four.

“You want to be respectful because these guys have put their heart and soul into something and trying to ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Devon Levi wants to ‘feel that pressure’ at Northeastern

BUFFALO – When goalie Devon Levi told Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams he would be returning to Northeastern, the prospect explained how another season in college could offer him what he craves.

“He’s such a mature kid the way he looks at it,” Adams said this morning inside KeyBank Center. “And one of the things he said that I found interesting is that, ‘I wanted to feel that pressure every day of people looking at ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Kevyn Adams happy with goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s play

BUFFALO – In assessing Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s play, Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams looks beyond the suspect numbers the goalie prospect has compiled.

“Better than his numbers,” Adams said prior to Tuesday’s 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes at KeyBank Center. “That’s why I think you got to be careful in the American League getting too caught up in that.”

Still, Luukkonen hasn’t exactly been the Rochester Americans’ backbone. The Finn has struggled at times this ... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin becoming vocal leader for Sabres: ‘Showing another side’

BUFFALO – It just happens sometimes, Rasmus Dahlin explained. The ultra-competitive defenseman has no real explanation for it. In the heat of the game, with his adrenaline pumping, he stands ups on the bench, leans over and yells to his Sabres teammates.

“Doesn’t it feel good to compete? Feels good to compete!” Sabres coach Don Granato said Dahlin has shouted. “(He does it) after a guy has a hard shift or he feels guys need ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Vinnie Hinostroza wants to stay, feels something special building

BUFFALO – Winger Vinnie Hinostroza said he reads Twitter, so he knew all about the negativity surrounding the Sabres.

But while exploring his options as a free agent last summer, Hinostroza, 27, saw an opportunity in Buffalo. He talked to Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams and coach Don Granato and learned about their vision for the team.

Hinostroza liked what he heard, and he signed a one-year, $1.05 million contract.

The American had a good ... Read the full article

Why didn’t the Sabres make any trades before Monday’s deadline?

BUFFALO – In winning four of their last five games, including two straight road contests in overtime, the Sabres have taken significant steps over the past two weeks.

For one of the few times in the past decade, the Sabres are clearly improving as the season progresses. So as the trade deadline approached, general manager Kevyn Adams had to decide if dealing some influential veterans on expiring contracts was worth the return.

For example, goalie ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Peyton Krebs, others could rejoin Amerks for playoffs

BUFFALO – Post-trade deadline, NHL teams are allowed four non-emergency recalls. The Sabres quickly used three Monday to make winger Peyton Krebs and defensemen Casey Fitzgerald and Mattias Samuelsson eligible for the AHL playoffs.

The Sabres assigned the rookies to the Rochester Americans and “recalled” them in a paper transaction.

Right now, the Amerks, despite often using a patchwork lineup because of injuries and recalls, rank fourth in the North Division. If the postseason started ... Read the full article

After Robert Hagg deal, Sabres could make more trades before deadline

BUFFALO – Expect a quiet deadline day for the Sabres. General manager Kevyn Adams made one trade Sunday, sending defenseman Robert Hagg to the Florida Panthers. Perhaps a few more veterans on expiring contracts will be dealt before 3 p.m.

This deadline lacks the intrigue of a year ago, when Adams was trying to trade winger Taylor Hall, a free agent bust, or in 2020, when ex-GM Jason Botterill loaded up for a playoff ... Read the full article

If Sabres trade Craig Anderson, Mark Pysyk, could they return next season?

BUFFALO – When the Sabres signed a slew of cheap free agents to one-year contracts last summer, it appeared their tenures here would be short.

After a season or less, they might become expendable. Some of organization’s prospects would mature and the rebuilding Sabres might also acquire better talent.

Well, so far, some prospects – defenseman Casey Fitzgerald and Mattias Samuelsson, for example – have graduated from the minors and earned regular duty. Others like ... Read the full article

Mattias Samuelsson earning trust, big minutes from Sabres: ‘An athletic giant’

BUFFALO – The poise Mattias Samuelsson possesses belies his experience. Barely 30 games into his NHL career, the Sabres consistently utilize the rookie against the opposition’s top talent.

On Thursday, Samuelsson faced Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid. In Sunday afternoon’s 5-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, the defenseman was often tasked with shutting down Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, one of the NHL’s elite duos.

At one point Sunday, with Marner roaring toward him, ... Read the full article