WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
December Edition
Matej Pekar enjoyed a strong season in the United States Hockey League. ©2018, Hickling Images
DALLAS – Matej Pekar’s smile told the story. In the moments after the Buffalo Sabres drafted the Czech winger in the fourth round, 94th overall, Saturday, it never left his face.
About 10 months ago, the NHL Draft wasn’t exactly on Pekar’s radar.
“Before the season, I was like, ‘Draft, what is it? I’m not going to get drafted,’” Pekar said inside American Airlines Center.
So sitting at a table wearing a blue Buffalo Sabres ... Read the full article
Jason Botterill has more work to do this offseason. ©2018, Hickling Images
DALLAS – For the time being at least, Ryan O’Reilly, the versatile center several teams are trying to pry away from the Sabres, is still with Buffalo.
General manager Jason Botterill, who’s expected to overhaul the NHL’s worst team this offseason, left the NHL Draft on Saturday without making any player trades.
Of course, the league’s busy season is just getting underway. Teams can talk to free agents starting Monday and begin signing them ... Read the full article
Mattias Samuelsson’s father played in the NHL. ©2018, Hickling Images
DALLAS – Like any prospect, Mattias Samuelsson wanted to be picked early. Some NHL Draft experts even projected the American defenseman as a first-round selection.
But after the first 31 picks Friday night, Samuelsson, 18, was still on the board.
“Everyone wants to be a first-rounder and everything,” Samuelsson said inside American Airlines Center. “It was a little upsetting, but coming into this I knew I was going to be called pretty quick here.”
Sure ... Read the full article
Jason Botterill has to find a goalie. ©2018, Hickling Images
DALLAS – For the time being at least, Ryan O’Reilly, the versatile center several teams are trying to pry away from the Sabres, is still with Buffalo.
General manager Jason Botterill, who’s expected to overhaul the NHL’s worst team this offseason, left the NHL Draft without making any player trades.
Of course, the league’s busy season is just getting underway. Teams can talk to free agents starting Monday and begin signing them next Sunday. ... Read the full article
Mattias Samuelsson talks this morning. ©2018, Olean Times Herald
DALLAS – With the 32nd pick, the Buffalo Sabres kicked off the second day of the NHL Draft by selecting Mattias Samuelsson, a defenseman with the United States National Development Program.
The 6-foot-4, 218-pound Samuelsson is the son of former NHL defenseman Kjell Samuelsson.
“I’m really shaking, I’m so happy,” Samuelsson said inside American Airlines Center. “Buffalo’s like a world-class organization.”... Read the full article
Rasmus Dahlin is finally a member of the Sabres. ©2018, Hickling Images
DALLAS – For 55 days, since the Buffalo Sabres won the right to draft him first overall, Rasmus Dahlin knew the moment was coming. Still, when perhaps the best defense prospect in a generation finally put on his Blue and Gold jersey for the first time, he seemed overwhelmed by the experience.
“It’s amazing,” a smiling Dahlin, 18, told a hoard of reporters Friday after becoming the third player taken first overall in Sabres history ... Read the full article
Rasmus Dahlin’s talents have been called “generational.” ©2018, Hickling Images
DALLAS – It’s finally official: defenseman Rasmus Dahlin is a member of the Buffalo Sabres.
The Sabres, as expected, selected the Swede first overall tonight at the NHL Draft inside American Airlines Center.
Stay tuned for more updates. Dahlin and Sabres general manager Jason Botterill will address the media tonight.
Dahlin will almost certainly start next season with the Sabres.... Read the full article
Robin Lehner spent three seasons with the Sabres. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
DALLAS – Robin Lehner’s career with the Buffalo Sabres is over.
General manager Jason Botterill said this morning the Sabres have informed Lehner, a restricted free agent, they won’t be making him a qualifying offer, making him a free agent.
“You finish 31st, you have to make some difficult choices,” Botterill said inside the W Dallas Hotel just hours before tonight’s NHL Draft. “We have informed Robin that he’s not coming back next year. … ... Read the full article
Rasmus Dahlin has plenty of confidence. ©2018, Hickling Images
DALLAS – Brian Campbell noticed something unusual when he watched videos of Rasmus Dahlin, the ultra-talented defenseman the Buffalo Sabres plan to select first overall tonight at the NHL Draft.
Campbell, of course, knew Dahlin skated on the back end. Still, in the clips the former Sabres defenseman and NHL All-Star examined, the youngster moved so swiftly, created so much offense he looked liked his team’s top center.... Read the full article
Evan Rodrigues tries to pry the puck from Washington goalie Philipp Grubauer last season. The Capitals visit Buffalo once next season. ©2018, Hickling Images
DALLAS – A season-opening four-game home stand, a 10-day January break and a Feb. 23 visit from superstar Alex Ovechkin and the Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals are among the highlights of the 2018-19 Buffalo Sabres schedule the NHL released Thursday.
The Sabres open Oct. 4 against the Boston Bruins and stay at KeyBank Center until Oct. 11. Then they begin a season-long five-game road trip Oct. 13 in Arizona, also visiting Vegas, San Jose, ... Read the full article