WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
October Edition
Jimmy Vesey possibly wants to wear the Sabres logo. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres today acquired the rights to Hobey Baker Award winner Jimmy Vesey from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a third-round draft pick, 76th overall, in this weekend’s NHL Draft.
The Sabres have until Aug. 15 to sign him.
Vesey, 23, refused to sign with the Predators, who drafted the forward in the third round, 66th overall, in 2012, following a 24-goal, 46-point senior season at Harvard University in which ... Read the full article
Logan Brown enjoyed a huge second half in 2015-16. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – As fall turned to winter and Logan Brown kept struggling, the 6-foot-6 Windsor Spitfires center began searching for answers to his goal-scoring woes.
In his draft season, traditionally a breakout campaign for junior prospects, Brown had mustered only six goals by the 35-game mark.
“I believe he was humbled by his start, and when you get humbled like that, you look for help,” Windsor coach Rocky Thompson said.
Earlier in his career, Brown, ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel, a big draw last year, likely won’t participate in development camp next month. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres will hold their annual summer development camp July 6-12 at HarborCenter, the team announced this afternoon.
Approximately 40 prospects, including this year’s draft picks, will participate. On-ice sessions will be open to the public. The intrasquad Blue and Gold Scrimmage will be July 9. Ticket information and other camp details will be released later.
The Sabres nearly sold out the FNC last year when center Jack Eichel, the second overall pick, ... Read the full article
Auston Matthews received a lot of attention Friday. ©2016, Margaret Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – This city, the site of the 2016 NHL Scouting Combine and Draft, will always hold a special place in Auston Matthews’ heart.
After the combine concludes today, hockey’s biggest prospect will return in three weeks, and barring a seismic, unexpected turn of events, the Toronto Maple Leafs will select Matthews No. 1 overall June 24 inside the First Niagara Center.
The pinnacle of his young career will always be tied to Buffalo.
The ... Read the full article
Auston Matthews is hockey’s most coveted prospect. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
The “Shanaplan” worked.
The Toronto Maple Leafs, who stripped down their roster this season under the direction of president Brendan Shanahan and finished dead last, won tonight’s NHL Draft Lottery.
The Leafs, who had 20 percent odds for the No. 1 overall pick, will almost certainly use it to select Arizona-raised center Auston Matthews, the prize of this year’s NHL Draft.
The Buffalo Sabres stayed put in the lottery, meaning they’ll select eighth when they ... Read the full article
The Sabres lost the lottery in 2015 and picked Jack Eichel second. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Given the Sabres’ slim odds for the No. 1 overall pick in tonight’s NHL Draft Lottery in Toronto – just 6 percent, thanks to their 23rd-place finish – they likely won’t win.
Heck, the Sabres owned the greatest odds to nab the No. 1 choice the last two years and lost both lotteries. Instead, they “settled” for the No. 2 selection, drafting young stars Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart.
So ... Read the full article
Johan Larsson (right) battles Florida’s Brandon Pirri on Jan. 5. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres have re-signed center Johan Larsson to a one-year contract, the club announced today.
The deal is worth $950,000, according to TSN’s Bob McKenzie. Larsson, 23, was set to become a restricted free agent this summer.
The Swede just finished his most productive NHL season, compiling 10 goals and 17 points in 74 games, all career highs. His five game-winning goals tied Jack Eichel for the team lead.
After months of so-so ... Read the full article
Chad Johnson talks Sunday. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Chad Johnson often talks about his desire to be a starting goalie, so not surprisingly, the Sabres veteran has already examined the jobs that could be open when he hits unrestricted free agency July 1.
“It’s hard not to,” Johnson said Sunday as the Sabres held their end-of-season meetings. “I try to stay as in the moment (as possible). I’m not going say which teams, but there’s four teams that need goaltenders or ... Read the full article
General manager Tim Murray (left) and coach Dan Bylsma are excited about the Sabres’ direction.. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Following a 27-point improvement in 2015-16, a season in which the Sabres morphed from the NHL’s laughingstock into a legitimate team again, the playoffs “may actually be a realistic goal” next year, general manager Tim Murray said.
“So that will be our statement to the players, that yes, the goal is to reach the playoffs, and that we actually do expect that we can do that,” Murray said Monday during an end-of-season news ... Read the full article
Tim Murray smiles this afternoon. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Following a 27-point improvement in 2015-16, a season in which the Sabres morphed from the NHL’s laughingstock into a legitimate team again, the playoffs “may actually be a realistic goal” next year, general manager Tim Murray said.
“So that will be our statement to the players, that yes, the goal is to reach the playoffs, and that we actually do expect that we can do that,” Murray said this afternoon during an end-of-season ... Read the full article