Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Coach: Sabres’ Lawrence Pilut aggressive, talented defenseman

Buffalo Sabres newcomer Lawrence Pilut tries to approach everything – “On the ice, in the gym, wherever you are,” said Johan Lindbom, the defenseman’s former coach – with a gung-ho mentality.

That helped the Swede morph from an undrafted, unheralded youngster into one of Europe’s best defensemen, creating an opportunity to sign a two-year, entry-level NHL contract earlier this month.

That aggressive mindset might endear Pilut, 22, to his new coaches and fans in Buffalo ... Read the full article

Sabres to play Hockeyville preseason game in Clinton

The NHL has chosen the Buffalo Sabres – a last-place team that will boast some notable talent next season – to play in the annual the Hockeyville preseason game, this time against the Columbus Blue Jackets Sept. 25 in Clinton.

The Central New York town won the right to host an exhibition contest and $150,000 in rink upgrades for Clinton Arena after compiling the most votes online.... Read the full article

Sabres sign Lawrence Pilut to entry-level contract

The Buffalo Sabres have signed Lawrence Pilut, a high-scoring defenseman from the Swedish Hockey League, to a two-year, entry-level contract, the team announced today.

The 5-foot-11, 179-pound Pilut scored eight goals and 38 points in 52 games with HV71 this season.

Word came out in late April that Pilut, 22, planned to join the Sabres.... Read the full article

Sabres re-sign Casey Nelson to contract extension

BUFFALO – The Sabres have re-signed defenseman Casey Nelson, arguably their biggest surprise during a dreary 2017-18 season, to a two-year, $1.625 million contact extension, the team announced today.

He would’ve become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Nelson, 25, exceeded expectations after beginning the season buried on the depth chart. When the Sabres summoned him from the AHL in mid-January, he became the 13th defender to dress for them this season.

But Nelson ... Read the full article

Russ Brandon resigns from Bills, Sabres

BUFFALO – Russ Brandon has resigned as managing partner and president of Pegula Sports and Entertainment.

Kim Pegula will take over Brandon’s role as president of the Bills, Sabres and PSE, owners Terry and Kim Pegula said in a statement released late this afternoon.... Read the full article

Mike Weber knows Rasmus Dahlin will be special player for Sabres

Prior to Mike Weber’s short stint overseas, the former Buffalo Sabres defenseman watched some highlights of a 17-year-old phenom he would be joining with Frolunda HC, a Swedish Hockey League team.

The whiz kid’s name? Rasmus Dahlin, the ultra-gifted defenseman the Sabres will select first overall after winning Saturday’s NHL Draft Lottery.... Read the full article

Coveted prospect Rasmus Dahlin will make Sabres relevant again

TORONTO – With the bounce of a ball, the Buffalo Sabres, one of the NHL’s laughingstocks for years, suddenly became relevant again.

Years from now, winning Saturday’s NHL Draft Lottery could be remembered as a seminal moment in franchise history.

When the Sabres pick Rasmus Dahlin first overall June 22 in Dallas, they will possess arguably the best defense prospect in decades. The Swede has superstar potential. Even at 18 years old – if you ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Phil Housley likely has ace defenseman in Rasmus Dahlin

TORONTO – Over Phil Housley’s first season as coach, the Sabres rarely showcased the aggressive style the slick Hall of Fame defenseman wants to implement in Buffalo.

The NHL’s worst team didn’t possess the talent to play fast and move the puck from the blue line the way Nashville Predators did during Housley’s successful stint as an assistant coach.... Read the full article

Sabres win NHL Draft Lottery, right to select Rasmus Dahlin

TORONTO – Few expected this would happen. Sure, thanks to their last-place finish, the Buffalo Sabres owned the highest odds – just 18.5 percent – for the first overall pick in Saturday’ NHL Draft Lottery.

But Buffalo teams don’t have any luck, right? The Sabres also had the best odds in 2014 and 2015 and lost the lottery both times.

Then at 10:14 p.m. Saturday inside the CBC building, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly revealed ... Read the full article

Sabres have chance at No. 1 overall pick in NHL Draft Lottery

TORONTO – The Buffalo Sabres will have one of the top three picks in the upcoming NHL Draft.

Thanks to their last-place finish, the Sabres have the highest odds – just 18.5 percent – for the first overall pick in tonight’s NHL Draft Lottery.

When the league announced the 15th through fourth picks before the San Jose Sharks/Vegas Golden Knights second-round playoff tilt, the Sabres weren’t among them. They couldn’t have fallen past the fourth ... Read the full article