NHL Draft - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Jeff Skinner not interested in waiving no-movement clause

LAS VEGAS – The Buffalo Sabres have been exploring their options for veteran winger Jeff Skinner, including asking him to waive the no-movement clause in his eight-year, $72 million contract.

Not surprisingly, Skinner, who has three seasons remaining on his massive deal, said, uh, no thanks.

“There’s been honest communication, but no indication that that’s something they’re willing to look at,” Adams said Thursday of Skinner and his representatives at Newport Sports. “But all you ... Read the full article

NHL Draft: Sabres trade 11th selection to Sharks in exchange for two assets

LAS VEGAS – The Buffalo Sabres today traded the 11th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for the 14th and 42nd selections.

General manager Kevyn Adams said last week he was willing to deal the Sabres’ first pick.

The Sabres now have nine picks in this weekend’s draft, including the 42nd and 43rd picks in the second round.... Read the full article

NHL Draft: If Sabres don’t trade 11th pick, Tij Iginla could be strong choice

LAS VEGAS – As the son of a legend, 2024 NHL Draft prospect Tij Iginla deals with extra attention, expectations and pressure – at least from the outside.

Iginla’s father, Jarome, a former Calgary Flames star, scored 625 goals during his 20-year Hall of Fame career. The elder Iginla, who always seems to have a smile etched on his face, is regarded as one of hockey’s all-time good guys.

There’s a lot that accompanies being ... Read the full article

NHL Draft: Max Plante, son of ex-Sabres standout, possesses high hockey IQ

BUFFALO – In his first days in organized hockey, Max Plante showcased the IQ that makes him such an intriguing prospect for the 2024 NHL Draft.

Plante was just 4 or 5, yet he understood the sport so well he passed the puck to his teammates. At that age, if a kid gets the puck, they usually keep it. But Plante even distributed it around the net.

His father, Derek, a three-time 20-goal scorer for ... Read the full article

NHL Draft: USA prospect Cole Eiserman could be intriguing choice for Sabres

BUFFALO – Nick Fohr, Cole Eiserman’s coach at the Team USA National Team Development Program, has tried to dissect what makes the 2024 NHL Draft prospect’s shot so lethal.

“Like, is it release? Is it just how hard it is?” Fohr wondered. “I don’t have a 100 percent answer to it, but I definitely think the pace that it comes off his stick is elite.”

Eiserman’s shot is so dynamic that at the recent World ... Read the full article

As Sabres enter new phase, GM Kevyn Adams open to trading first-round pick

BUFFALO – This is new for Kevyn Adams. For three years, the general manager methodically constructed the Sabres, refusing to stray from his plan.

That meant using every first-round pick – he’s had a whopping six since 2021 – and resisting any quick fixes that could hurt his blueprint for sustained success.

But the Sabres have graduated to what Adams called “another phase.” Expectations have been raised.... Read the full article

If Sabres don’t trade 11th pick, Berkly Catton could be strong draft choice

BUFFALO – Last year, Berkly Catton felt bored, so he got creative. The 2024 NHL Draft prospect found some wood and grabbed his old street hockey equipment to construct a rudimentary goalie in his backyard.

Catton, 18, placed it in front of a net and spent hours and hours honing his shot by pummeling the wonky creation – “It looks pretty real, actually,” he said – with pucks.

The Spokane Chiefs star said “it’s probably ... Read the full article

NHL Draft: Rochester Amerks coach Michael Leone made impact on prospect Artyom Levshunov

BUFFALO – Two years ago, Artyom Levshunov arrived in the United States speaking little English. Today, the defenseman can comfortably hold court in front of a throng of reporters and cameras, joking and showcasing his personality.

At the NHL Scouting Combine, the affable Levshunov, 18, smoothly fielded questions, explaining his hockey journey from Belarus to the NHL Draft, where he could be selected as high as second overall June 28.

New Rochester Americans coach Mike ... Read the full article

NHL Draft: Macklin Celebrini staying in moment, not thinking about Sharks

BUFFALO – College hockey is a man’s game. Sure, there are plenty of teenagers, but of the 64 NCAA Division 1 teams, just one, Boston College, had an average age under 21, according to College Hockey News.

By any standard, Macklin Celebrini, the presumptive first overall pick by the San Jose Sharks at the NHL Draft on June 28, enjoyed a dynamic freshman season in 2023-24.

The ultra-talented center scored 32 goals and 64 ... Read the full article

NHL Draft: Gavin McCarthy’s selection by Sabres special; Buffalo thrilled to take Anton Wahlberg

NASHVILLE – The daily challenges an NHL general manager faces can keep you awake at night, Kevyn Adams said. Still, moments like the one he experienced Thursday at the NHL Draft table can make all the stress worth it.

After the Buffalo Sabres drafted defenseman Gavin McCarthy in the third round, 86th overall, he walked down to meet Adams and other members of the team.

McCarthy’s excitement made Adams’ mind flash back to all the ... Read the full article