WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Alexander Nylander spent three seasons in the Sabres organization. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – Following another underwhelming season, it felt like only a matter of time before the Sabres cut their losses and traded winger Alexander Nylander.
Through three years as a pro, Nylander, the eighth overall pick by the Sabres’ old regime in 2016, has mostly been a bust.
Sure, the Swede has occasionally showcased his slick skills. Still, he hasn’t consistently displayed the tenacity to match them.
Nylander, 21, couldn’t develop into a dominant ... Read the full article
The Sabres drafted Alexander Nylander eighth overall in 2016. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – The Sabres traded winger Alexander Nylander to the Chicago Blackhawks today for defenseman Henri Jokiharju, a swap of former first-round picks.
The deal is hardly surprising. Following another underwhelming season in which he battled injuries, Nylander’s days in the organization seemed numbered.
The Swede, the eighth overall pick by the team’s old regime in 2016, never showcased the tenacity to match his array of talents.... Read the full article
Marcus Johansson played with New Jersey and Boston last season. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Sabres winger Marcus Johansson began his NHL career playing center. When the Washington Capitals needed help there three years ago, he briefly moved back.
So, yes, Johansson, 28, certainly has experience at the position. But the Swede has spent the bulk of his nine-year career skating at left wing.
The Sabres, who signed Johansson to a two-year, $9 million contract on Saturday, need more depth down the middle.
So what role might he ... Read the full article
Marcus Johansson began his NHL career as a center. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Sabres winger Marcus Johansson began his NHL career playing center. When the Washington Capitals needed help there three years ago, he briefly moved back.
So, yes, Johansson, 28, certainly has experience at the position. But the Swede has spent the bulk of his nine-year career skating at left wing.
The Sabres, who signed Johansson to a two-year, $9 million contract on Saturday, need more depth down the middle.
So what role might he ... Read the full article
Marcus Johansson spent seven seasons in Washington. ©2019, Hickling Images
In signing Marcus Johansson to a two-year, $9 million contract on Saturday, the Buffalo Sabres addressed a major need, adding a winger capable of filling a top-six role.
Johansson, 28, can also play center, so he offers the Sabres, who need help down the middle, versatility.
The Swede has played 90 NHL playoff games, more than any other Sabre. He just played 22 contests during the Boston Bruins’ run to the Stanley Cup final.
That ... Read the full article
Marcus Johansson began his career in Washington. ©2019, Hickling Images
The Buffalo Sabres made their first notable addition in free agency today, signing winger Marcus Johansson to a two-year, $9 million contract.
Johansson, 28, can skate on the first or second line and, having played 94 career NHL playoff games, possesses more postseason experience than any Sabre.
The Swede can also play center. The Sabres, of course, need someone to pivot the second line.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Johansson has compiled 120 goals, 334 points and ... Read the full article
Remi Elie played 16 games with the Sabres last season. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Four of the Sabres’ five remaining restricted free agents – defenseman Jake McCabe, goalie Linus Ullmark and forwards Remi Elie and Evan Rodrigues – filed for salary arbitration before today’s deadline.
Only forward Johan Larsson passed on it.
Filing, of course, doesn’t mean a player will go to arbitration. Negotiations can continue. Most contracts are settled before it reaches an arbiter.
But the four Sabres want more than what their qualifying offer would ... Read the full article
Dylan Cozens was hurt Saturday. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Top Sabres draft pick Dylan Cozens underwent successful surgery on his left thumb earlier this week and needs two to three months to recover, the team announced this afternoon.
That means Cozens, the seventh overall pick last month, could miss rookie camp or training camp in September.
Cozens hurt his thumb when defenseman Brandon Hickey hip-checked him during Saturday’s development camp three-on-three tournament inside Harborcenter.... Read the full article
Zemgus Girgensons joined the Sabres in 2013. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – The Sabres have re-signed forward Zemgus Girgensons to a one-year, $1.6 million contract, the team announced this afternoon.
The Latvian, 25, was a restricted free agent.
Girgensons, a veteran of 420 NHL games, is one of three Sabres left from the 2013-14 squad that finished dead last in the NHL. Forward Johan Larsson and defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen are the others.
Only Ristolainen (424 games) has made more appearances over that stretch.
The 6-foot-2, ... Read the full article
Andrew Hammond has earned the nickname “The Hamburglar.” ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Last season, for the first time in his six-year career, new Sabres goalie Andrew Hammond didn’t play a single NHL game.
Even as an undrafted rookie in 2013-14, Hammond earned 35 minutes of big league action. In 2017-18, a tough campaign in which he bounced around and started just one regular-season contest, he won a playoff game for the Colorado Avalanche.
But last year, the affable Hammond, 31, spent the entire season with ... Read the full article