Botterill - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres could land strong defense prospect at NHL Draft

BUFFALO – Thanks to his famous name and a 6-foot-4, 215-pound frame, NHL Draft prospect Callan Foote has eyes on him whenever he hits the ice.

Foote, 18, usually doesn’t disappoint, either. A defenseman like his father, two-time Stanley Cup winner Adam Foote, he can dominate a game when he utilizes his big body, NHL Central Scouting’s Dave Gregory said. The youngster also possesses a special ability to transition the puck, a key talent in ... Read the full article

NHL Expansion Draft has evolved; Sabres could lose William Carrier

BUFFALO – Seventeen years ago, as president and general manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Doug MacLean spent almost a year preparing for the NHL Expansion Draft.

“Hundreds and hundreds of hours went into it,” MacLean, now an analyst for Sportsnet, told the Times Herald by phone Saturday.... Read the full article

Sabres announce 2017 preseason schedule

BUFFALO – Below is the six-game preseason schedule the Sabres announced this morning. The highlights include three home games at KeyBank Center, another trip to Penn State and two tilts against the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins.

Two games against the Penguins might be Jason Botterill’s doing. The new general manager was hired away from Pittsburgh last month.

Sept. 18 Carolina at Buffalo 7 p.m. KeyBank Center

Sept. 19 Pittsburgh at Buffalo 7 p.m. Pegula ... Read the full article

Nathan Beaulieu excited for fresh opportunity with Sabres

BUFFALO – Officially, defenseman Nathan Beaulieu’s six-year tenure in Montreal’s organization ended Saturday. But the Sabres’ newest acquisition knew almost two months ago he would be leaving the Canadiens.

On April 22, the Canadiens’ healthy scratch of Beaulieu for their final first-round playoff game against the New York Rangers signaled the end.

“That was kind of the cherry on top the situation was over with,” Beaulieu said this afternoon on a conference call. “I ... Read the full article

Sabres leave big salaries unprotected for expansion draft

BUFFALO – As expected, the Sabres have left underachieving, high-priced veterans Zach Bogosian and Matt Moulson unprotected for Wednesday’s NHL Expansion Draft.

But they also left winger William Carrier, perhaps the Sabres’ biggest surprise as a rookie last season, unprotected for the Vegas Golden Knights, according to a list the league released this morning. Could that move be a side deal general manager Jason Botterill worked out with counterpart George McPhee to lay off ... Read the full article

Sabres add to defense, trade for Nathan Beaulieu

BUFFALO – It’s no secret the Sabres must improve their blue line if they want to end their six-year playoff drought. So it was hardly surprising Jason Botterill’s first trade as general manager brought defenseman Nathan Beaulieu, a former first-round pick, to the club.

The Sabres on Saturday dealt a third-round pick, 68th overall, in this week’s NHL Draft to the Montreal Canadiens for the 24-year-old, the 17th overall selection in 2011.... Read the full article

Sabres acquire Nathan Beaulieu from Canadiens

BUFFALO – The Sabres have acquired defenseman Nathan Beaulieu from the Montreal Canadiens for a third-round pick, 68th overall, in next week’s NHL draft, the team announced this afternoon.

The deal was announced about an hour before an NHL roster freeze for the upcoming expansion draft.

The Sabres need to improve their defense corps, so Jason Botterill’s first trade as general manager addressed his team’s biggest need. New coach Phil Housley, a Hall of ... Read the full article

Sabres legend Phil Housley paid many dues to become Buffalo’s coach

BUFFALO – On Thursday, Phil Housley’s 32nd wedding anniversary, he forgot to get his wife, Karin, a card. Sure enough, when the legendary Sabres defenseman returned to his room after meeting with general manager Jason Botterill, he noticed a card from her on the table.

Housley, however, never panicked. He had something better for their special day.

“I said, ‘I’m the new head coach of the Buffalo Sabres,’” Housley said Thursday during his introductory news ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Kyle Okposo ‘looking great,’ will be ready for training camp

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Kyle Okposo, who was reportedly hospitalized late last season in the neuro surgical intensive care unit at Buffalo General Hospital, will be ready for training camp, general manager Jason Botterill said.

“Everything’s looking great for Kyle,” Botterill said Thursday during an introductory news conference for coach Phil Housley inside KeyBank Center. “Physically he looks great, mentally he looks great.”... Read the full article

Phil Housley thrilled to be Sabres coach: ‘I don’t think it’s really sunk in’

BUFFALO – Today, Phil Housley’s 32nd wedding anniversary, he forgot to get his wife, Karin, a card. Sure enough, when the legendary Sabres defenseman returned to his room after meeting with general manager Jason Botterill this morning, he noticed a card from her on the table.

Housley, however, had something better for their special day.

“I said, ‘I’m the new head coach of the Buffalo Sabres,” Housley said this afternoon during his introductory news conference ... Read the full article