WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Spring Edition
Buffalo drafted Will Borgen in 2015. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
If the Seattle Kraken hadn’t selected Will Borgen from the Sabres in Wednesday’s NHL Expansion Draft, he likely would’ve competed for a spot among Buffalo’s top-six defensemen next season.
Borgen, 24, was close to enjoying regular duty last season before breaking his forearm.
So after six years of development – the Sabres drafted Borgen in the fourth round in 2015, 92nd overall – he departed just as he was maturing into an NHL talent.... Read the full article
Will Borgen played for Buffalo. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres have lost defenseman Will Borgen to the Seattle Kraken in the NHL Expansion Draft.
Borgen, 24, played 10 NHL games last season and likely would’ve enjoyed regular duty if he hadn’t broken his forearm. The Sabres drafted the American in the fourth round in 2015, 92nd overall.
After leaving St. Cloud State following his junior season in 2018, Borgen compiled four goals, 25 points and 132 penalty minutes in 130 AHL games ... Read the full article
There had been speculation Buffalo would expose Rasmus Ristolainen to Seattle. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
Sorry, Ron Francis, you won’t get a chance to snatch Rasmus Ristolainen for your Seattle Kraken defense corps. The Buffalo Sabres protected the Finn for Wednesday’s NHL Expansion Draft.
But if Francis, Seattle’s general manager, wants to grab a defenseman from the Sabres, he can take Will Borgen or Colin Miller, both of whom were left unprotected.
The Sabres’ 11-man protected list the NHL released Sunday morning features zero surprises. There had been speculation the ... Read the full article
Will Borgen played 10 games for Buffalo last season. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
Since the Buffalo Sabres drafted Will Borgen 92nd overall in 2015, he has morphed from a relatively unknown prospect into a defenseman on the cusp of regular NHL duty.
The Sabres have guided Borgen’s development from his college career at St. Cloud State through his early pro days with the Rochester Americans to the big leagues.
Prior to breaking his forearm last season, Borgen, 24, appeared to be close to securing a spot on Buffalo’s ... Read the full article
Jeff Skinner has struggled over the past two seasons. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
Buffalo Sabres winger Jeff Skinner has waived his no-movement clause for the upcoming NHL Expansion Draft, his agent, Don Meehan, confirmed to the Times Herald on Wednesday.
Skinner’s decision is significant. The Sabres can use his spot to protect a young forward – perhaps Rasmus Asplund, Anders Bjork or Tage Thompson – who could’ve been exposed to the Seattle Kraken next Wednesday.
Skinner, 29, has struggled since signing an eight-year, $72 million contract ... Read the full article
Jason Botterill spent three seasons as Sabres GM. ©2021, Dan Hickling, Hickling Images
Former Buffalo Sabres general manager Jason Botterill has landed a new job as assistant GM of the Seattle Kraken, the expansion team announced today.
Botterill, 44, will be working with Kraken GM Ron Francis, a Hall of Fame player.
The Kraken begin play in the 2021-22 season.
“Everyone in hockey is extremely excited about what’s happening in Seattle, and I am thrilled for this unique opportunity,” Botterill said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to ... Read the full article