The Sabres drafted Sam Reinhart last month. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sam Reinhart, rest of Sabres’ 2014 draft choices to attend development camp

BUFFALO – Forty one prospects, including No. 2 pick Sam Reinhart and all of the Sabres’ 2014 draft choices, will be participating in the annual summer development camp from Monday to Friday, the team announced today.

Seven first-round picks are on the roster.

The sessions inside the First Niagara Center are free and open to fans. Here’s a complete schedule from the Sabres:

Monday               On-ice coach’s practice: 10:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.... Read the full article

Former first-round pick Joel Armia has participated in development camps. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ summer development camp slated for July 14-18

BUFFALO – Approximately 40 prospects will be participating in the Sabres’ annual summer development camp July 14-18 inside the First Niagara Center, the team announced today.

A full roster will be announced in early July. All of the team’s 2014 draft picks are scheduled to attend. All sessions are open to the public.

Here’s a tentative schedule the Sabres released:

July 14                  On-ice coach’s practice: 10 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

July 15                  Pre-scrimmage ... Read the full article

Eric Locke skates at development camp last week. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Coach believes Sabres prospect Eric Locke has Brett Hull-like shot

BUFFALO – Sabres prospect Eric Locke possesses a “rocket” shot so quick and lethal it reminds his coach of a former NHL teammate.

Which one? The greatest goal scorer Greg Gilbert ever played with.

“Brett Hull, to be honest with you,” Gilbert, Locke’s junior coach with the Saginaw Spirit, said by phone earlier this week. “I mean, Hully was special, there’s no question about it. But Eric’s got that potential. He’s got that quick release. ... Read the full article

Darcy Regier talks about the Sabres’ offseason news Friday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres could still have Ryan Miller and Thomas Vanek in fold when training camp opens

BUFFALO – With each passing day, general manager Darcy Regier acknowledged, it becomes more likely starting goalie Ryan Miller and slick winger Thomas Vanek will still be with the Sabres when training camp starts in September.

Regier has said both stars, whose contracts expire after next season, could be dealt from the rebuilding Sabres. He said he’s had some “discussions regarding both those players” with other teams.

“The nature of this business as you move ... Read the full article

Darcy Regier speaks this afternoon. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Darcy Regier: Ryan Miller and Thomas Vanek could still be with Sabres come training camp

BUFFALO – With each passing day, general manager Darcy Regier acknowledged, it becomes more likely starting goalie Ryan Miller and slick winger Thomas Vanek will be on the Sabres when training camp convenes in September.

Regier has said both stars, whose contracts expire after next season, could be dealt from the rebuilding Sabres. He said he’s had some “discussions regarding both those players” with other teams.

“The nature of this business, as you move through ... Read the full article

A knee injury ended Brayden McNabb’s season March 23. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres prospect Brayden McNabb ready to grab spot on crowded blue line

BUFFALO – The most experienced defense prospect participating in the Sabres’ summer development camp might also have the most to prove.

As a rookie in 2011-12, Brayden McNabb impressed from the get-go, earning his first NHL promotion in late November and playing 25 total games with the Sabres.

Less than two years later, the 22-year-old has almost become an afterthought.

When the NHL season started in January, McNabb, who struggled a bit with Rochester last ... Read the full article

Mikhail Grigorenko played 25 NHL games last season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

With roster place secure, Sabres prospect Mikhail Grigorenko concentrating on next season

BUFFALO – Mikhail Grigorenko is staying put. No more shuttling between the NHL and junior. The Sabres have already given the slick Russian center a roster spot for next season, general manager Darcy Regier said last week.

What does that mean to the 19-year-old?

“I didn’t think about it at all,” Grigorenko said Wednesday inside the First Niagara Center following the first session of the team’s summer development camp. “I don’t think it changes ... Read the full article

Rasmus Ristolainen skates this morning. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Rasmus Ristolainen takes first steps toward making Sabres

BUFFALO – Even among a group of teenage prospects, Rasmus Ristolainen was one of the youngest players on the ice this morning for the first session of the Sabres’ summer development camp.

Of course, having spent the last two seasons in the SM-liiga, a Finnish men’s league, the 18-year-old’s used to facing older competition.

“That’s not a new thing for me,” Ristolainen, the No. 8 pick at last month’s NHL Entry Draft, said this afternoon. ... Read the full article

Nathan Gerbe played 188 games for the Sabres. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Nathan Gerbe’s Sabres career over with team planning buyout

BUFFALO – Nathan Gerbe’s Sabres career is over.

The team placed the diminutive winger on waivers Wednesday for the purpose of buying him out, his agent, Jordan Neumann, told the Times Herald.

When asked if Gerbe had any warning, Neumann replied, “Absolutely none.” The Sabres still hadn’t contacted Neumann as of early Wednesday afternoon. Neumann said he understands the business, however.

Sabres general manager Darcy Regier told the media at least three times recently, ... Read the full article

Frederick Roy once gave up hockey for acting. ©2012, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres prospect Frederick Roy acting on NHL dream

BUFFALO – Three years ago, Sabres prospect Frederick Roy bolted from the game he loved, all the way to Hollywood. The teenager needed a mental break, wanted to find a new passion.

Thousands of miles from home and about a million more from hockey, Roy immersed himself in acting.

The son of Hall of Fame goalie Patrick Roy hired a manager, went on auditions and took classes. He even landed a small role as a ... Read the full article