Draft Week
Henri Jokiharju has a plum assignment beside Owen Power. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
TORONTO – Prior to Owen Power’s arrival, Buffalo Sabres defensemen Rasmus Dahlin and Henri Jokiharju both let it be known they’d love to play with the rookie, the first overall pick in 2021.
The problem? Well, Dahlin and Jokiharju were partners at the time.
“Owen’s not here and they’re already talking about, ‘When Owen gets here, I want to play with him! And I want to play with him!’” Sabres coach Don Granato said ... Read the full article
Buffalo drafted goalie Erik Portillo in 2019. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – Now that the Sabres have signed defenseman Owen Power to his entry-level contract, their attention can turn to two other top college prospects, goalie Erik Portillo and defenseman Ryan Johnson.
Kevyn Adams said he has already chatted with Portillo, 21, and Johnson, 20, both of whom suffered season-ending losses Thursday at the Frozen Four.
“You want to be respectful because these guys have put their heart and soul into something and trying to ... Read the full article
Devon Levi just enjoyed a dynamic season. ©2022, Jim Pearce, Northeastern
BUFFALO – When goalie Devon Levi told Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams he would be returning to Northeastern, the prospect explained how another season in college could offer him what he craves.
“He’s such a mature kid the way he looks at it,” Adams said this morning inside KeyBank Center. “And one of the things he said that I found interesting is that, ‘I wanted to feel that pressure every day of people looking at ... Read the full article
Kyle Okposo has scored 18 goals this season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres winger Kyle Okposo’s ability to remain an impactful NHL player in his mid-30s can be traced to his willingness to keep reinventing himself and evolving.
Two seasons ago, after battling a string of scary concussions, he revived his career by embracing a new checking role and thriving in it. That comeback turned out to be a harbinger for this year.
Following an injury-riddled 2020-21 campaign, Okposo might be enjoying his most impressive ... Read the full article
Cody Eakin, Zemgus Girgensons (back) and Kyle Okposo celebrate together this season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – There’s nothing fancy about the line. A no-frills style has made the trio of center Cody Eakin and wingers Zemgus Girgensons and Kyle Okposo highly effective since Sabres coach Don Granato recently reunited the veterans.
“We just seem to play the game the right way and do all the cliché things that you talk about, get pucks in, get pucks out and we win some battles,” Okposo said prior to Friday’s 4-3 shootout ... Read the full article
Colin Miller has missed the last 23 games. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Defenseman Colin Miller, out the last 23 games after undergoing surgery, will play during the Sabres’ upcoming road trip, coach Don Granato said.
Miller, who was trying to play through an upper-body injury earlier this season, has missed the last 23 games.
The Sabres play the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday and the Calgary Flames on Friday before closing the trip against the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday.... Read the full article
Sam Reinhart has kept producing in Florida. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – In his six years here, ex-Sabres winger Sam Reinhart never experienced anything like this season. His playoff-bound Florida Panthers have established themselves as a Stanley Cup contender.
The Panthers, the NHL’s highest-scoring team, ranked fourth in the league entering Monday’s 6-1 win over the Sabres. They’re so deep that Reinhart, who spent most of his tenure in Buffalo as a first-liner, now skates on the third trio.
After more than 500 regular-season appearances, ... Read the full article
Buffalo signed Brandon Biro out of Penn State in 2020. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
ROCHESTER – Brandon Biro doesn’t grab your attention like other Sabres prospects. In fact, it might take a little time to appreciate the undrafted center’s talents.
“I’m not like a flashy player or anything,” Biro told the Times Herald on Jan. 29 after scoring a goal in the Americans’ 4-2 loss to the Utica Comets at Blue Cross Arena.
The recent exploits of Peyton Krebs, JJ Peterka and Jack Quinn can fill up a ... Read the full article
Goalie Devon Levi has enjoyed a stellar season at Northeastern. ©2022, Jim Pearce, Northeastern
In defenseman Owen Power and goalie Devon Levi, the Buffalo Sabres possess two elite college prospects who have earned spots on Team Canada’s Olympic squad for the upcoming Beijing Games.
Power, 19, has established himself as one of the NCAA’s most dynamic players, showcasing a mature game for Michigan that belies his limited experience as a sophomore. Meanwhile, Levi, 20, has quickly developed into arguably college hockey’s best goalie in his first season for ... Read the full article
Devon Levi has become one of the NCAA’s elite goalies. ©2022, Jim Pearce, Northeastern
Team Canada this morning named Buffalo Sabres prospects Owen Power and Devon Levi to its Olympic roster for the upcoming Beijing Games.
Both youngsters have enjoyed standout seasons, establishing themselves as two of the NCAA top talents.
The Sabres drafted Power, 19, first overall in 2020. The 6-foot-5, 214-pound defenseman has compiled three goals, 26 points and a plus-21 rating in 24 games for Michigan this season.
