Carrier - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres could lose valuable young player to Kraken in NHL Expansion Draft

Since the Buffalo Sabres drafted Will Borgen 92nd overall in 2015, he has morphed from a relatively unknown prospect into a defenseman on the cusp of regular NHL duty.

The Sabres have guided Borgen’s development from his college career at St. Cloud State through his early pro days with the Rochester Americans to the big leagues.

Prior to breaking his forearm last season, Borgen, 24, appeared to be close to securing a spot on Buffalo’s ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jeff Skinner waives no-movement clause for Expansion Draft

Buffalo Sabres winger Jeff Skinner has waived his no-movement clause for the upcoming NHL Expansion Draft, his agent, Don Meehan, confirmed to the Times Herald on Wednesday.

Skinner’s decision is significant. The Sabres can use his spot to protect a young forward – perhaps Rasmus Asplund, Anders Bjork or Tage Thompson – who could’ve been exposed to the Seattle Kraken next Wednesday.

Skinner, 29, has struggled since signing an eight-year, $72 million contract ... Read the full article

Sabres must make difficult decisions before NHL Expansion Draft

Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams knows all about the expansion draft, having been picked in it 20 years ago this month by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

In 2000, Adams was a 25-year-old forward fresh off playing 52 regular-season games and another 12 playoff contests for the Toronto Maple Leafs. After spending most of the previous three seasons in the minors, he had finally arrived in the big leagues.

Adams remembers Toronto GM Pat Quinn ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Jason Pominville’s goal reward for fourth line’s strong play

BUFFALO – In past seasons, the line comprised of center Evan Rodrigues and wingers Zemgus Girgensons and Jason Pominville would’ve been the Sabres’ third or even second combination.

But for the first time in years, the Sabres have legitimate NHL depth, so the trio is actually their fourth line.

Well, in terms of ice time, it’s the fourth line.... Read the full article

Buffalo memories special for Sabres newcomer Jordan Nolan

BUFFALO – As the son of a former Sabres coach, winger Jordan Nolan’s memories of his new team and this area are special.

As a child in the 1990s, Nolan sometimes tagged along with his father, Ted Nolan, to the rink. In 2013, when the Sabres brought the elder Nolan back for a second run, Jordan proudly watched the news conference inside KeyBank Center.

Buffalo, Jordan Nolan said, has “kind of shaped our ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Nick Deslauriers battling for roster spot

BUFFALO – As Nick Deslauriers morphed into a spare part last season, sitting out regularly as a healthy scratch, the Sabres winger tried using his time wisely.

So during games, Deslauriers would watch former teammate Marcus Foligno, studying how his friend utilized his 6-foot-3 frame in a variety of roles.

Then the Sabres traded Foligno to the Minnesota Wild and lost William Carrier in the NHL Expansion Draft early in the summer, leaving them ... Read the full article

Goalie prospect Cal Petersen to pass on Sabres

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

Goalie prospect Cal Petersen won’t sign with Sabres

“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

Golden Knights grab William Carrier; Sabres trade pick to club

CHICAGO – In the end, the Buffalo Sabres exposed winger William Carrier to the Vegas Golden Knights and sent the new club a sixth-round pick to lay off goalie prospect Linus Ullmark in the NHL Expansion Draft.

That price, of course, will look like a pittance if Ullmark, who was left unprotected, becomes Buffalo’s starter someday.

The Golden Knights officially selected Carrier on Wednesday night, about the same time the Sabres sent them the ... Read the full article

Golden Knights draft William Carrier; Sabres send expansion club draft pick

CHICAGO – The Sabres tonight sent a sixth-round pick in this weekend’s NHL Draft to the Vegas Golden nights, a move that was almost certainly a sweetener for the expansion team to draft winger William Carrier and lay off unprotected goalie Linus Ullmark.

Carrier, 22, compiled five goals and eights points in 41 games as a rookie last season.

Stay tuned for more updates.... Read the full article