Ristolainen - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres prospect Isak Rosen possesses array of special talents: ‘Perfect vision’

Winger Isak Rosen’s selection by the Buffalo Sabres last month turned out to be a blip during a hectic NHL Draft weekend.

Consider that barely an hour before the Sabres drafted Rosen 14th overall July 23, they added a potentially franchise-altering asset by taking defenseman Owen Power with the first pick. Earlier that day, the Sabres traded defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen to the Philadelphia Flyers in the deal that netted them the pick they used to ... Read the full article

Mark Pysyk excited for chance to play defense, optimistic about Sabres’ future

Mark Pysyk said the move shocked him. He had played defense his entire career, and the Florida Panthers suddenly wanted to utilize him as a forward.

But Pysyk had become a spare part in the 2019-20 season under new coach Joel Quenneville. Shifting to wing beat the alternative of remaining a healthy scratch.

So Pysyk embraced the change, often skating on the fourth line while moving back to defense as a penalty killer.

“It was ... Read the full article

Sabres GM Kevyn Adams sends strong message to Jack Eichel’s camp

BUFFALO – General manager Kevyn Adams’ strong words sounded like a not-so-subtle message to Jack Eichel’s agents, who recently said they expect the Sabres to trade their captain soon.

Adams won’t give in to Eichel’s demands and simply deal his best player because he wants out. The Sabres have an asset under contract.

“What’s critically important to make sure is clear that we’re in control of this process,” Adams said Thursday inside KeyBank Center. “We ... Read the full article

Goalie Linus Ullmark says goodbye to Buffalo: ‘Sabres fans, I love you guys’

In the barely a week, the Buffalo Sabres have said goodbye to four of their most talented players: goalie Linus Ullmark, center Sam Reinhart and defensemen Jake McCabe and Rasmus Ristolainen.

And in the coming days or weeks, they will likely trade captain Jack Eichel, their most dynamic player and the face of the franchise.

Remember, the Sabres finished dead last in the 2020-21 season, winning only 15 of their 56 games, with those players... Read the full article

NHL free agency tracker: Sabres bring back Mark Pysyk on one-year contract

The Buffalo Sabres late this afternoon brought back old friend Mark Pysyk, signing the defenseman to a one-year, $900,000 contract.

Pysyk, 29, played his first 125 NHL games with the Sabres, who drafted him in 23rd overall in 2010.

The Sabres traded Pysyk to the Florida Panthers in 2016 in the deal that netted them defenseman Dmitry Kulikov.

The 6-foot-1, 196-pound Pysyk spent four years in Florida before playing last season with the Dallas ... Read the full article

NHL free agency tracker: Sabres lose Jake McCabe to Blackhawks

Jake McCabe’s seven-year career with the Buffalo Sabres is over.

The defenseman this afternoon agreed to terms with the Chicago Blackhawks on a four-year, $16 million contract in free agency.

McCabe makes his offseason home in suburban Chicago.

General manager Kevyn Adams said on Saturday the Sabres were still interested in re-signing McCabe, 27, but he expected him to hit the open market.

Update: On a virtual news conference, McCabe said joining Chicago is ... Read the full article

Losing top goalie Linus Ullmark in free agency would be huge blow to Sabres

The days of the Sabres trying to lure big-name free agents to Buffalo are over. When the market opens today, they’ll likely be bit players, focusing on filling some of their many holes and adding depth while attempting to re-sign goalie Linus Ullmark.

Ullmark’s departure would be a massive blow to the Sabres. The Swede, their backbone and MVP, earned nine of the team’s 15 wins last season in only 20 outings.

They don’t ... Read the full article

Linus Ullmark, Jake McCabe could leave Sabres in free agency

BUFFALO – Throughout the offseason, the Sabres have stayed in regular contact with Linus Ullmark’s agent and stressed they want the Swede to be their No. 1 goalie.

The Sabres sorely need Ullmark, their backbone and team MVP. While prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen looked impressive in limited NHL action late last season, he’s ticketed to return to the minors for more seasoning.

They don’t have another netminder in the pipeline ready to assume the starting job.... Read the full article

Moving on: Sam Reinhart, Sabres knew it was time for trade

BUFFALO – For years, center Sam Reinhart wanted to sign a long-term contract with the Sabres, the team that drafted him second overall in 2014.

But when Reinhart’s entry-level contract expired in 2018, he only received a two-year deal. Last year, he settled for a one-year contract from the Sabres’ new regime.

Then the Sabres endured a miserable 2020-21 season, finishing dead last. Reinhart, one of their only bright spots, grew more frustrated as the ... Read the full article

Kevyn Adams would have ‘no problem’ if Jack Eichel starts season on Sabres

BUFFALO – As expected, general manager Kevyn Adams began overhauling the Sabres around the NHL Draft, trading center Sam Reinhart and defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen. For now, disgruntled captain Jack Eichel is still on the team.

Eichel, of course, is expected to be dealt this summer. But what if a trade doesn’t materialize? Dealing him is extremely complicated. The ultra-talented center has a herniated disc in his neck, five years left on his contract and ... Read the full article