WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Rasmus Dahlin hasn’t played a game in about five months. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Chris Taylor understands the excitement surrounding defenseman Rasmus Dahlin’s first appearance in Blue and Gold. Tonight, more than four months after the Sabres won the right to draft the ultra-talented Swede first overall, he will finally play a game.
“So do you guys want me to play Rasmus for 30 or 40 minutes tomorrow?” Taylor joked Thursday after rookie camp opened inside HarborCenter.
There are, you know, 26 other youngsters on the roster ... Read the full article
Casey Mittelstadt is one Sabres rookie who could contribute this season. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Right away, the rookie’s skill set – the heavy shot, soft hands and slick speed – wowed Sabres winger Kyle Okposo.
To Okposo, a 10-year NHL veteran, the newcomer “seems to have all the tools” to succeed at hockey’s highest level.
“His release is, I mean, he scored a few goals just kind of in informal skates that just kind of make your eyes open, for sure,” Okposo said Wednesday following a ... Read the full article
Rasmus Dahlin’s presence makes the Prospects Challenge an intriguing tournament. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Defenseman Rasmus Dahlin and center Casey Mittelstadt are among 27 Sabres scheduled to participate in this week’s Prospects Challenge rookie tournament the team will be hosting at HarborCenter.
Some other interesting names on the Sabres’ 27-man roster the team released today include:... Read the full article
Fans came out to see Rasmus Dahlin on Wednesday. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Sabres prospect Victor Olofsson had never heard of hockey’s biggest defense prospect until two seasons ago, when Rasmus Dahlin joined Frölunda HC as a 16-year-old.
During their first practice together in the Swedish Hockey League, Dahlin made Olofsson look silly.
“He got the puck on the blue line and I was going out toward him, and he just put it between my legs and scores,” Olofsson said Wednesday after the Sabres opened development ... Read the full article
Linus Ullmark was a sixth-round pick in 2012. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Nine years ago, the Sabres, whose knack for unearthing mid- and late-round draft gems helped them morph into a Stanley Cup contender earlier in the decade, found another undervalued youngster.
When the Sabres selected Marcus Foligno in the fourth round, 104th overall, he was simply a talented kid with a familiar name.
But the son of former Sabres captain Mike Foligno would quickly develop into one of junior hockey’s top forward prospects.... Read the full article
The Sabres drafted Rasmus Asplund 33rd overall in 2016. ©2018, Hickling Images
The Sabres have signed Rasmus Asplund, one of their top forward prospects, to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced today.
Asplund, 20, played his third full Swedish Hockey League season in 2017-18, compiling eight goals, 20 assists and 28 points – all career highs – in 50 games with Färjestad BK.... Read the full article
Victor Olofsson was drafted in 2014. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – The Sabres have signed forward prospect Victor Olofsson, the Swedish Hockey League’s leading goal scorer this season, to a two-year, entry-level contract, the team announced today.
Olofsson scored 27 goals and 43 points in 50 games during his career-best campaign with Frölunda HC.... Read the full article
The Sabres drafted Brycen Martin 74th overall. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
PHILADELPHIA – The rebuilding Buffalo Sabres added nine new prospects, seven of them forwards, including No. 2 pick Sam Reinhart, at the NHL Entry Draft this weekend. Of course, hold any judgments on their performance for three or four years.
On Saturday afternoon, however, in the afterglow of his first draft, general manager Tim Murray called it “outstanding,” saying, “Our guys are happy.”
“We have a potential top-two center that can play for us ... Read the full article