WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Free Agency Edition
The Sabres drafted Rasmus Dahlin first overall. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Fans can now reserve their seats for defenseman Rasmus Dahlin’s first appearances in a Sabres uniform.
The team announced this morning tickets for the annual Prospects Challenge rookie tournament from Sept. 7 to 10 at HarborCenter are now on sale.
The Sabres, Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins will all be competing in a round-robin challenge.
Tickets for the games – each team plays three times – cost $10 and are ... Read the full article
The Sabres selectred Vasily Glotov in the seventh round in 2016. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
The Rochester Americans have signed forwards Tyler Randell and Vasily Glotov to one-year AHL contracts, the Buffalo Sabres’ top affiliate announced today.
The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Randell played 27 games with the Boston Bruins in 2015-16, scoring six goals and six points.... Read the full article
Ray Emery was known for his competitiveness. ©2018, Hickling Images
For years, Martin Biron only knew about Ray Emery’s ultra-competitive side.
Their 2007 fight, the centerpiece of a memorable brawl between Biron’s Buffalo Sabres and Emery’s Ottawa Senators, ranks among the wildest goalie scraps ever and provided the seminal moment of the teams’ fierce post-lockout rivalry.... Read the full article
C.J. Smith compiled 17 goals and 44 points last season. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – The Sabres have re-signed forward C.J. Smith, one of the AHL’s top rookies last season, to a one-year, two-way deal, the team announced today.
The contract is worth $874,125 at the NHL level.
Winger Sam Reinhart is now the Sabres’ only unsigned restricted free agent.... Read the full article
Nick Baptiste stayed with the Sabres down the stretch last season. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – The Sabres have re-signed forwards Nick Baptiste and Danny O’Regan to one-year, two-way contracts, the team announced this morning.
The deals are worth $787,500 and $874,125, respectively, in the NHL.
Baptiste, 22, earned regular NHL duty throughout the second half last season, compiling four goals and six points in 33 games with the Sabres.
The Sabres drafted Baptiste in the third round, 69th overall, in 2013. He compiled seven goals and 18 points ... Read the full article
Sean Malone has played one NHL game. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – The Sabres have re-signed forward Sean Malone, a West Seneca native who spent last season in the AHL, to a one-year, two-way deal, the team announced today.
The contract is worth $787,500 at the NHL level.
After battling injuries and missing all of training camp, Malone, 23, earned regular duty as a rookie with the Rochester Americans in 2017-18, compiling 12 goals and 22 points in 73 games.... Read the full article
Steve Smith won three Stanley Cups during his playing career. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Despite finishing dead last in 2017-18, the Sabres kept their entire coaching staff. There will, however, be one addition to Phil Housley’s crew next season.
The Sabres have hired former NHL defenseman Steve Smith, a three-time Stanley Cup winner, as an assistant coach, the team announced this morning.
Other than Housley, a Hall of Fame defenseman, the only former NHL defender on staff, Chris Hajt, played six games. Given the Sabres just drafted ... Read the full article
The Sabres drafted Rasmus Dahlin first overall June 22. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – The Sabres have signed first overall pick Rasmus Dahlin to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced today.
Dahlin, perhaps the best defense prospect in decades, is expected to jump into the lineup next season.... Read the full article
Jack Eichel has worn No. 9 with Team USA. ©2018, Hickling Images
Get ready to see No. 9 jerseys all over Buffalo. Sabres star Jack Eichel changed his number today, switching from 15 to the digit he wore at Boston University.
Eichel announced his new number on Instagram, first posting a picture of himself skating in a Sabres jersey with an emoji covering his back. The center later posted a photo with the No. 9 showing and the words, “New season, new number.”
No. 9 has been ... Read the full article
Griffin Luce will be a junior in college. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – For defenseman Griffin Luce, the proud grandson of a Sabres legend and a fan of the team growing up, wearing Blue and Gold for four days last week was a special experience.
Luce, 20, attended other NHL development camps earlier in his career. But participating in the Sabres’ camp with his grandfather, Don, watching from the HarborCenter stands, had extra meaning for the University of Michigan defenseman.... Read the full article