Housley - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Goalie prospect Cal Petersen to pass on Sabres

CHICAGO – Forget about former Notre Dame goalie Cal Petersen joining the Buffalo Sabres. The 22-year-old prospect, who left school last month, will elect for free agency, general manager Jason Botterill said Friday morning.

“I don’t believe he’ll be signing with the Buffalo Sabres,” Botterill said hours before the first round of the NHL Draft.... Read the full article

Andrew Allen still with Sabres; Phil Housley assembling staff

CHICAGO – For now, goalie coach Andrew Allen is still with the Buffalo Sabres. General manager Jason Botterill wants to keep the lone holdover from former coach Dan Bylsma’s staff. That decision, however, will be left up to new coach Phil Housley.

“It’s a situation where we’re very excited about Andrew,” Botterill said this morning prior to the NHL Draft. “My plan has always been to work with Andrew. It’s a scenario where Phil and ... Read the full article

2017-18 Sabres schedule features early date with Golden Knights

CHICAGO – Two games against the expansion Vegas Golden Knights and a home-and-home series with the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins in early December are among the highlights of the 82-game 2017-18 Buffalo Sabres schedule the NHL released Thursday.

Some other notable dates, stretches and nuggets:

– The Sabres play the Golden Knights first the first time Oct. 17 in Vegas, the close of a four-game road trip that includes dates with the San Jose ... Read the full article

Golden Knights grab William Carrier; Sabres trade pick to club

CHICAGO – In the end, the Buffalo Sabres exposed winger William Carrier to the Vegas Golden Knights and sent the new club a sixth-round pick to lay off goalie prospect Linus Ullmark in the NHL Expansion Draft.

That price, of course, will look like a pittance if Ullmark, who was left unprotected, becomes Buffalo’s starter someday.

The Golden Knights officially selected Carrier on Wednesday night, about the same time the Sabres sent them the ... Read the full article

Sabres could land strong defense prospect at NHL Draft

BUFFALO – Thanks to his famous name and a 6-foot-4, 215-pound frame, NHL Draft prospect Callan Foote has eyes on him whenever he hits the ice.

Foote, 18, usually doesn’t disappoint, either. A defenseman like his father, two-time Stanley Cup winner Adam Foote, he can dominate a game when he utilizes his big body, NHL Central Scouting’s Dave Gregory said. The youngster also possesses a special ability to transition the puck, a key talent in ... Read the full article

Nathan Beaulieu excited for fresh opportunity with Sabres

BUFFALO – Officially, defenseman Nathan Beaulieu’s six-year tenure in Montreal’s organization ended Saturday. But the Sabres’ newest acquisition knew almost two months ago he would be leaving the Canadiens.

On April 22, the Canadiens’ healthy scratch of Beaulieu for their final first-round playoff game against the New York Rangers signaled the end.

“That was kind of the cherry on top the situation was over with,” Beaulieu said this afternoon on a conference call. “I ... Read the full article

Sabres leave big salaries unprotected for expansion draft

BUFFALO – As expected, the Sabres have left underachieving, high-priced veterans Zach Bogosian and Matt Moulson unprotected for Wednesday’s NHL Expansion Draft.

But they also left winger William Carrier, perhaps the Sabres’ biggest surprise as a rookie last season, unprotected for the Vegas Golden Knights, according to a list the league released this morning. Could that move be a side deal general manager Jason Botterill worked out with counterpart George McPhee to lay off ... Read the full article

Sabres add to defense, trade for Nathan Beaulieu

BUFFALO – It’s no secret the Sabres must improve their blue line if they want to end their six-year playoff drought. So it was hardly surprising Jason Botterill’s first trade as general manager brought defenseman Nathan Beaulieu, a former first-round pick, to the club.

The Sabres on Saturday dealt a third-round pick, 68th overall, in this week’s NHL Draft to the Montreal Canadiens for the 24-year-old, the 17th overall selection in 2011.... Read the full article

Sabres acquire Nathan Beaulieu from Canadiens

BUFFALO – The Sabres have acquired defenseman Nathan Beaulieu from the Montreal Canadiens for a third-round pick, 68th overall, in next week’s NHL draft, the team announced this afternoon.

The deal was announced about an hour before an NHL roster freeze for the upcoming expansion draft.

The Sabres need to improve their defense corps, so Jason Botterill’s first trade as general manager addressed his team’s biggest need. New coach Phil Housley, a Hall of ... Read the full article

Sabres legend Phil Housley paid many dues to become Buffalo’s coach

BUFFALO – On Thursday, Phil Housley’s 32nd wedding anniversary, he forgot to get his wife, Karin, a card. Sure enough, when the legendary Sabres defenseman returned to his room after meeting with general manager Jason Botterill, he noticed a card from her on the table.

Housley, however, never panicked. He had something better for their special day.

“I said, ‘I’m the new head coach of the Buffalo Sabres,’” Housley said Thursday during his introductory news ... Read the full article