WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Calder Cup Playoffs Edition
Buffalo drafted Marcus Davidsson 37th overall. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
The Buffalo Sabres did not give 2017 second-round pick Marcus Davidsson an entry-level contract by today’s 5 p.m. deadline, making the center a free agent.
The Sabres selected Davidsson 37th overall in ex-general manager Jason Botterill’s first draft, 17 picks before they took goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who played his first four NHL games in April.
Davidsson is the only player from the Sabres’ 2017 draft class they did not sign. Their other selections ... Read the full article
Rasmus Dahlin created Tuesday’s winning power-play goal. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – In the early days of the season, the Sabres’ potent power play carried them, accounting for a whopping 50% of their goals over the first 17 games.
But since that scorching start – the Sabres scored 19 times and converted an NHL-best 36.4% of their chances – they’ve been downright awful, mustering just two power-play goals in 38 tries in the last 21 outings.
That’s just 5.3%, the league’s worst number over that ... Read the full article
Linus Weissback enjoyed a stellar senior season. ©2021, Dan Hickling
The Buffalo Sabres have signed winger Linus Weissbach, who just completed his senior season at Wisconsin, to a two-year, entry-level contract, the team announced this afternoon.
The contract kicks in next season. The Sabres drafted Weissbach, 22, in the seventh round in 2017, 192nd overall.
The 5-foot-8, 161-pound Weissbach registered 12 goals and 41 points in 31 games in 2020-21, numbers that ranked second on the Badgers behind winger Cole Caufield, who recently ... Read the full article
Jason Botterill doesn’t want to rush. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
CHICAGO – Forget about the quick fix. The Buffalo Sabres left the NHL Draft festivities with six prospects and nothing else.
As trade activity engulfed the NHL over the past few days, new Sabres general manager Jason Botterill stayed quiet, choosing to take the patient approach.
Botterill, the hockey world learned, will remake the Sabres, a team six years removed from its last playoff appearance, at his own speed. Outside expectations won’t influence the 41-year-old, ... Read the full article
Jason Botterill is running his first draft as Sabres general manager. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
CHICAGO – The Sabres drafted Swedish center Marcus Davidsson in the second round, 37th overall, this morning.
The 6-foot, 192-pound Davidsson had five goals and nine points last season with Djurgårdens of the Swedish Hockey League. The 18-year-old also played with Djurgårdens’ under-20 team in 2016-17, scoring six goals and 10 points in nine outings.
Davidsson is NHL Central Scouting’s 12th-ranked European skater.
Update: In the second round, 54th overall, the Sabres have selected Ukko-Pekka ... Read the full article
