NHL Draft - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Skill and maturity helped Michael Misa develop into elite NHL Draft prospect

BUFFALO – The human element often gets lost in the excitement generated by teenage hockey phenoms. It can easily be forgotten they’re still kids.

Michael Misa is so talented the Canadian Hockey League granted him exceptional status in 2022, allowing him to play full time for the Saginaw Spirit as a 15-year-old. Over the next three seasons, the slick center lived up to the enormous hype, winning a championship and a scoring title.

Next Friday, ... Read the full article

Sabres might be hoping Anton Frondell or Victor Eklund last until ninth pick at NHL Draft

BUFFALO – In their first weeks as teammates with Djurgardens, a second-division pro team in Sweden, NHL Draft prospects Anton Frondell and Victor Eklund skated on separate lines.

The ultra-talent forwards wanted that to change. So they kept asking – actually, badgering might be a more appropriate term – their coach, Robert Kimby, if they could play together.

Eklund said he went to Kimby 10 times.... Read the full article

Sabres looking to make more moves after trading for Beck Malenstyn

LAS VEGAS – Considering how aggressively general manager Kevyn Adams has spent the offseason pursuing trades to upgrade the Buffalo Sabres, leaving the NHL Draft with one new roster player, winger Beck Malenstyn, seems disappointing.

Still, in trading the 43rd overall pick on Saturday to the Washington Capitals in exchange for Malenstyn, 26, the Sabres addressed a significant need by becoming tougher to play against.

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Malenstyn, a pending restricted free agent, gives ... Read the full article

Sabres beginning process of buying out Jeff Skinner’s contract

LAS VEGAS – Winger Jeff Skinner’s enigmatic six-year career with the Buffalo Sabres is over.

General manager Kevyn Adams said Saturday following the NHL Draft the Sabres have initiated the process to buy out the remaining three seasons of Skinner’s eight-year, $72 million contract.

“It’s a step-by-step process,” Adams said in The Sphere. “That process was started early this morning.”

Update: The Sabres announced this afternoon they’ve bought out the remainder of Skinner’s contract.

The ... Read the full article

NHL Draft Tracker: Sabres select Adam Kleber 42nd overall, make trades

LAS VEGAS – Jerry Forton said Adam Kleber, the defense prospect the Buffalo Sabres selected in the second round at the NHL Draft, 42nd overall, forced his way onto USA’s roster at the World Junior A Challenge as the team’s youngest player.

“Started as the seventh D-man,” the assistant general manager said Saturday following the NHL Draft in The Sphere.

By the end of the tournament, Forton said the 6-foot-6, 215-pound Kleber had morphed into ... Read the full article

Sabres acquire Beck Malenstyn from Capitals in trade

LAS VEGAS – The Buffalo Sabres this morning traded the 43rd overall pick in the NHL Draft to the Washington Capitals in exchange for forward Beck Malenstyn.

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Malenstyn, 26, is a pending restricted free agent.

Malenstyn compiled six goals, 21 points, 25 penalty minutes and a minus-1 rating for the Capitals last season. He has registered eight goals, 24 points, 36 penalty minutes and an even rating in 105 career NHL games.... Read the full article

NHL Draft: Sabres thrilled to pick center Konsta Helenius, can’t make trade

LAS VEGAS – Konsta Helenius, the prospect the Buffalo Sabres selected 14th overall Friday at the NHL Draft, turned 18 on May 11. Still, the Finnish center has already played 84 games over two seasons for Jukurit, a team in Liiga, a top-tier men’s league.

Against stronger and more experienced talent, the 5-foot-11, 189-pound Helenius has thrived. Last season, he scored 14 goals and 36 points in 51 games and added two goals and six ... Read the full article

Kevyn Adams believes Kyle Okposo left lasting impact with Sabres

LAS VEGAS – Having won the Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006, Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams understands what Kyle Okposo, his former captain, felt when he lifted the prized trophy above his head Monday.

“I’m fortunate enough to know how special a feeling that is,” Adams said Thursday in the Wynn Hotel prior to the NHL Draft.

Adams, who traded Okposo to the Florida Panthers on March 8, is happy ... Read the full article

Sabres select center Konsta Helenius 14th overall at the NHL Draft

LAS VEGAS – Konsta Helenius, the prospect the Buffalo Sabres selected 14th overall tonight at the NHL Draft, turned 18 on May 11. Still, the Finnish center has already played 84 games over two seasons for Jukurit, a team in Liiga, a men’s league.

Facing stronger and more experienced talent, the 5-foot-11, 189-pound Helenius has stood out. Last season, he scored 14 goals and 36 points in 51 games and added two goals and six ... Read the full article

Trading first pick could only be start of Sabres’ aggressive dealing at NHL Draft

LAS VEGAS – In trading the 11th overall pick in tonight’s NHL Draft to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for the 14th and 42nd selections, general manager Kevyn Adams acquired more assets that could help him aggressively reshape the Sabres in the coming days.

After Thursday’s deal, the Sabres have nine picks this weekend at The Sphere, including two second-round selections (42nd and 43rd). They’ve also assembled a stable of strong prospects over the ... Read the full article