Forton - Buffalo Hockey Beat

After trade to move up, Sabres possess mature prospect in Brodie Ziemer

BUFFALO – On the ice, Brodie Ziemer doesn’t grab your attention right away. The Sabres prospect doesn’t possess that wow factor that makes you jump out of your seat.

“He’s not the fastest skater, he doesn’t have the best shot, he’s not elite in any one category,” Nick Fohr, Ziemer’s coach at the US National Team Development Program, told the Times Herald.

The thing is, Ziemer is above average in most categories. Add everything together ... Read the full article

With UPL, Devon Levi in Buffalo, Sabres plan to add goalie depth for minors

BUFFALO – When the Sabres look for goaltending this summer, they want to add depth for their minor league affiliates, not any immediate help for the NHL.

General manager Kevyn Adams said the team’s net belongs to Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, 25, and Devon Levi, 22, next season.

“My plan is … we are going to have two real talented goaltenders playing on a nightly basis,” Adams said Thursday in KeyBank Center during media availability to discuss ... 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

Sabres name Jerry Forton to assistant GM, Chris Bergeron scout

The Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday promoted Jerry Forton to assistant general manager and named Chris Bergeron an amateur free agent scout.

Forton spent the last four seasons as Buffalo’s director of amateur scouting, helping the Sabres draft 35 players, including seven in the first round. He joined the organization in 2013 as an assistant coach. After one year in that role, he transitioned into scouting.

He has also served as an amateur scout, assistant director ... Read the full article

After hot finish, Sabres prospect Ethan Miedema primed for breakout season: ‘A 40-goal man’

In the moments after Ethan Miedema’s dynamic four-goal outing that kept the Kingston Frontenacs’ playoff hopes alive, coach Luca Caputi could see the relief on the youngster’s face.

“It looked to me like the weight of the world came off his shoulders,” Caputi said of the Buffalo Sabres wing prospect.

For a season and a half, Miedema cut his teeth on the Windsor Spitfires, scoring 25 goals for the Ontario Hockey League powerhouse. He fit ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie prospect Scott Ratzlaff draws comparisons to Devon Levi

BUFFALO – Considering he’s a 6-foot Sabres goalie prospect who has represented Team Canada, it was inevitable Scott Ratzlaff would draw comparisons to Devon Levi.

But the similarities go beyond their size, position and team. Ratzlaff, like Levi, who ended last season as the Sabres’ starting goalie, has a cerebral approach to the game, said Jerry Forton, Buffalo’s director of amateur scouting.

Ratzlaff, a fifth-round pick last Thursday, 141st overall, likes to study his ... 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

Sabres notes: Kevyn Adams exploring trade market for Victor Olofsson

NASHVILLE – In the case of Sabres winger Victor Olofsson, both sides are willing to accept blame for his disappointing season.

Despite scoring a career-high 28 goals, Olofsson sat out seven late-season games as a healthy scratch, including five critical contests down the stretch.

“He knows he could’ve maybe performed at certain times,” Adams said Tuesday in the Renaissance Nashville Hotel.

On the other hand, Adams said “maybe we need to make sure that we’re ... Read the full article

In drafting talented Russian prospect Viktor Neuchev, Sabres saw value

MONTREAL – In Viktor Neuchev, the Buffalo Sabres saw value. They ranked the talented winger as one of the top three Russian prospects in the NHL Draft, said Jerry Forton, the director of amateur scouting.

Many Sabres scouts graded Neuchev as a first- or early second-round pick. Their analytics staff pegged him as a first-round selection.

As the draft approached, general manager Kevyn Adams said the Sabres would evaluate Russians as prospects first. They ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Kevyn Adams won’t ‘panic’ over goalie; Ryan Johnson to attend camp

MONTREAL – The assets available in the crowded goalie market keep dwindling every day.

Two more netminders were traded Friday at the NHL Draft, as the St. Louis Blues dealt Ville Husso to the Detroit Red Wings and the Washington Capitals dished Vitek Vanecek to the New Jersey Devils.

The Sabres, who must add another established goalie, have limited options. They tried to acquire Matt Murray from the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, but the two-time ... Read the full article