WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition
Ramsus Ristolainen has played seven seasons with the Sabres. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu
Rasmus Ristolainen understands that if the Buffalo Sabres make significant moves this offseason, he could be dealt.
“If changes will happen, I know I’m one of the first ones probably who is going to get traded,” the defenseman said on a Zoom call Thursday, two days after the Sabres’ season officially ended. “It’s part of the business and I’m ready, whatever happens. I have really enjoyed my time in Buffalo. It’s home for me.”
Buffalo ... Read the full article
Kyle Okposo makes Buffalo his permanent home. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu
Last year, Kyle Okposo and his family decided to sell their home in Minnesota and make Clarence their permanent residence. The roots he laid down in Buffalo have helped the veteran winger develop a unique understanding of how the Sabres’ stunning run of futility has disenchanted a passionate fan base.
“I understand the weight of the team that’s on the city, and I get it, because I now live here full time,” Okposo said on ... Read the full article
Lawrence Pilut has spent the past two seasons with the Sabres. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu
Defenseman Lawrence Pilut has left the Buffalo Sabres to join a Russian team in the Kontinental Hockey League.
Pilut, 24, has signed with Traktor Chelyabins, according to The Buffalo News. Hockeynews.se also reported Pilut was set to leave for Russia.
His new contract includes an NHL out clause, according to The News, although it’s unclear if he could depart the team during the season.
The Swede will become a restricted free agent when the ... Read the full article
Goalie Linus Ullmark stops Washington’s Nicklas Backstrom in the Sabres’ final game of the season March 9. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu
Throughout their nine-year playoff drought, the Buffalo Sabres have consistently ranked among the NHL’s bottom-feeders. Only once in that ugly stretch – in 2011-12, the season their run of futility began – have they contended for a postseason spot.
Eight years ago, the Sabres roared back from last place, briefly grabbing a spot before falling apart in the waning days of the season.
There haven’t been many what-ifs during the sorriest stretch in franchise history. ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel (9) and Sam Reinhart (23) finished first and second, respectively, in scoring for the Sabres. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu
Seventy-five days after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the NHL to suspend its schedule, the Buffalo Sabres’ season is officially over.
Rather than finishing the regular season, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman this afternoon announced a return to play plan in which 24 teams – the top 12 from each conference ranked by points percentage – will play a qualifying round before the Stanley Cup playoffs if the league can resume this summer.
The Sabres finished ... Read the full article
Clint Malarchuk (left) and Drew Ryan talk about more than hockey. ©2020, Drew Ryan
They spent an hour catching up. Hockey, as it often does during conversations with Clint Malarchuk, was discussed. Drew Ryan, a goalie like Malarchuk, explained how a stretching regimen has added seven inches to the butterfly motion he plans to utilize.
Ryan treats tending goal for the USA Warriors Ice Hockey team so passionately he recently started developing a new, more composed style. He’s 57.
The retired Army colonel likes to say he’ll do ... Read the full article
Jesper Olofsson has spent his entire career overseas. ©2020, Rochester Americans
The Rochester Americans have signed Jesper Olofsson, the older brother of Buffalo Sabres winger Victor Olofsson, to a one-year AHL contract, the team announced today.
Jesper Olofsson, 28, has spent most of his career in the Swedish Hockey League, compiling 69 goals and 125 points in 254 games over parts of seven seasons. He spent the last two years with Färjestad BK, scoring 17 goals in each of those seasons and a career-high 33 ... Read the full article
Rasmus Ristolainen has enjoyed a bounce-back season. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu
“We’re continuing to try to set this team up where we’re putting (Rasmus Ristolainen) in positions to have success.”
– Buffalo Sabres general manager Jason Botterill, Aug. 17, 2019
As their nine-year run of futility indicates, the Sabres rarely accomplish what they set out to do. The once-proud franchise has become a laughingstock.
Still, in the case of defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, the Sabres deserve credit for helping him develop a smarter, sturdier style as ... Read the full article
Jason Pominville (29) played 10 seasons with the Sabres. ©2020, Hickling Images
Former Buffalo Sabres captain Jason Pominville has landed a new job.
Pominville, 37, has joined Pionniers de Lanaudière in his hometown of Repentigny, Quebec, as an associate coach at the peewee and midget espoir levels. He will also serve as an adviser and specialist with the hockey organization’s skills academy.
After playing 14 years in the NHL, including 10 seasons with the Sabres, Pominville spent last season coaching with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres and playing ... Read the full article
The Sabres sent Casey Mittelstadt to Rochester in December. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu
In the not-so-distant past, Buffalo Sabres prospect Casey Mittelstadt would’ve likely played two or three years of college hockey before turning pro. After leaving school, instead of being rushed to the NHL, he would’ve started an apprenticeship with the Rochester Americans.
But the NHL has changed dramatically in the last 10 years or so, morphing into a game dominated by young men. At the same time, the salary cap has whittled down teams’ depth.
Prized ... Read the full article