WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Prospects Showcase Edition
Jack Eichel believes the Sabres can turns things around in a hurry. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – More than two weeks before training camp starts, around 20 Sabres – from star center Jack Eichel to rookies preparing for the upcoming prospect tournament – are already skating regularly at HarborCenter.
Informal summer skates, of course, are common. Still, having so many guys in town so early – heck, it’s still August – sends a strong message.
“It says you want to be here, right?” Eichel said Monday. “It says you want ... Read the full article
Casey Mittelstadt can finally settle down in Buffalo. ©2018, Hickling Images
TORONTO – Finally, after two whirlwind years, Casey Mittelstadt can settle down. Barring a disastrous training camp, the slick Sabres prospect will start the season in Buffalo, a place he will likely stay a long time.
“I’m definitely looking forward to that,” Mittelstadt said of remaining with one team. “I think – Green Bay, high school, the ‘U’ – I’ve been back and forth quite a bit.”
Mittelstadt, of course, left out two clubs he ... Read the full article
Jeff Skinner could’ve vetoed a trade to the Sabres. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Having a no-trade clause attached to his six-year, $34.35 million contract meant Jeff Skinner controlled his future. The Sabres’ newest player could veto a deal and wait until the Carolina Hurricanes and his agent found him a new team he liked.
While Skinner denied he turned down any offers before the Sabres materialized, reports and the timing of his trade – high-profile NHL deals rarely transpire in August – suggest otherwise.... Read the full article
Jeff Skinner has scored 30 goals three times. ©2018, Hickling Images
Before Thursday’s acquisition of slick winger Jeff Skinner, so many of the Buffalo Sabres’ trades throughout their seemingly endless rebuild focused on the future. Deals would often net them prospects or draft picks, a sign winning wasn’t imminent.
But Sabres general manager Jason Botterill made a different swap to nab the three-time 30-goal scorer from the Carolina Hurricanes. For one of the few times in recent years, the Sabres dealt futures for a proven commodity.... Read the full article
Steve Smith won three Stanley Cups during his playing career. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Despite finishing dead last in 2017-18, the Sabres kept their entire coaching staff. There will, however, be one addition to Phil Housley’s crew next season.
The Sabres have hired former NHL defenseman Steve Smith, a three-time Stanley Cup winner, as an assistant coach, the team announced this morning.
Other than Housley, a Hall of Fame defenseman, the only former NHL defender on staff, Chris Hajt, played six games. Given the Sabres just drafted ... Read the full article
Carter Hutton could see a lot of action next season. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – A simple factor contributed to Carter Hutton quietly morphing into one of the NHL’s best goalies last season. Instead of relegating the veteran to backup duty again, the St. Louis Blues rewarded his splendid play, giving him extra action.
In his first five full NHL seasons, Hutton had always been labeled the No. 2 goalie. After averaging only 21 appearances over the previous three years, he played 32 games in 2017-18, stealing playing ... Read the full article
Rasmus Dahlin (blue) tries to grab the puck Saturday. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – With so many shiny prospects gathered together, development camp can make an NHL team’s future look brighter than the reality.
Optimism often runs rampant during the summer. When a first-round pick or two wows you up close, it’s easy to get a little more excited.
Right now, the enthusiasm for the Sabres is understandable.... Read the full article
Matej Pekar likes to agitate opponents. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – After Matej Pekar hit Casey Mittelstadt in the head during Saturday’s three-on-three development camp tournament, the agitator sensed an opportunity.
“That’s my shot to kind of piss him off, get in his head and try to win the game for the team,” Pekar said after camp ended inside HarborCenter. “I guess it worked out.”
Pekar, the 94th overall pick a week ago, kept going after Mittelstadt, irking the Sabres’ top forward prospect. The ... Read the full article
Rasmus Dahlin sports his new No. 26 jersey Monday. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – On Saturday, a day after the Sabres drafted Rasmus Dahlin, the first overall pick was still walking around American Airlines Center proudly wearing his Blue and Gold jersey.
Most first-round selections don’t show up for the later rounds of the NHL Draft. But the day in Dallas provided the slick defenseman another opportunity to experience what he said “was my best time in my life.”
“To be able to be a part of ... 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