Nelson - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres sign NCAA defenseman Casey Nelson to entry-level contract

BUFFALO – The Sabres have signed Minnesota State University defenseman Casey Nelson to an entry-level contract, the team announced this afternoon.

The 6-foot-2, 182-pound Nelson, 23, was considered one of the best NCAA free agent defensemen available.

Nelson just finished his junior season with the Mavericks, compiling six goals, 22 points and a plus-14 rating in 40 games. The Wisconsin native scored 14 goals and 60 points in 99 career appearances.

“We’ve been consistently impressed ... Read the full article

Sabres don’t sign draft pick Logan Nelson

BUFFALO – Unless there’s a late announcement coming, the Sabres didn’t sign forward Logan Nelson before today’s deadline to ink 2012 non-collegiate draft choices.

The Sabres signed all the junior and European players from that class, including goalie Linus Ullmark and defenseman Brady Austin, two prospects picked after they selected Nelson in the fifth round, 133^rd overall.

Nelson had 23 goals and 54 points in 59 games with the Western Hockey League’s Victoria ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Zemgus Girgensons starting to showcase offensive ability

BUFFALO – With 8:12 left in the second period of Sunday’s preseason opener, Sabres prospect Zemgus Girgensons grabbed Kevin Porter’s pass off the boards at the Montreal blue line and zoomed in down the right wing.

A second later, the Latvian whistled a shot by goalie Zachary Fucale’s glove from the faceoff dot, the second goal of his NHL preseason debut.

“I was pretty happy with myself,” Girgensons said this afternoon inside the First Niagara ... Read the full article

More on Sabres’ final draft picks

PITTSBURGH – More on the Buffalo Sabres’ final five picks Saturday during the 2012 NHL Entry Draft:

Justin Kea, center, Sagina Spirit, Ontario Hockey League, third round, 73^rd overall

Despite only three goals and 11 points in 65 games to go with his 76 penalty minutes, amateur scouting director Kevin Devine believes Kea has strong upside.

“If you look at his stats, they’re not very good,” he said. “Halfway through the season they fired ... Read the full article

Sabres leave draft excited about early picks

PITTSBURGH – A blockbuster trade for established talent never materialized. Instead, the Buffalo Sabres dished two high choices to Calgary early, grabbed their second coveted center during a wild first round and kept on picking.

They selected six players in the final six rounds Saturday, the NHL Entry Draft’s second and final day – three centers, two defensemen and one goalie – and left the Consol Energy feeling good about their eight total choices.

The ... Read the full article