By:
On:
In: Atlantic Division, Central Division, General, NHL
With: 1 Comment

Sunday night ended any speculation about Center, Ryan O’Reilly, being traded to the St. Louis Blues. He is no longer a Buffalo Sabre. GM Jason Botterill was essentially given what he asked for. Two roster players (Patrik Berglund, Vladmir Sobotka), a prospect (Tage Thompson), and two higher draft picks (1st-2019 with conditions, 2nd-2021). Scoring and forward depth plagued Buffalo but Berglund and Sobotka will improve the bottom-six eventually. Thompson likely starts in the minors and could elevate someone from Rochester (C.J. Smith, Sean Malone) if they are ready. A first round pick never hurts although it is Top 10 protected. The Blues, adding two centersRead More →

By:
On:
In: Atlantic Division, General, NHL
With: 1 Comment

The Buffalo Sabres held their annual development camp this past week, followed by the 3 on 3 scrimmage. For some, this was the first chance to view Rasmus Dahlin, the highlight, in a game-like setting. Yesterday’s scrimmage results ended with 2017 1st round pick, Casey Mittelstadt‘s, group winning the tournament, again. Over 40 draftees, signees and invitees worked on skills, on and off the ice, while concluding the camp with some game simulation. Season ticket holders filed into the Harbor Center in downtown Buffalo to watch potential pros. Though not that close to an real game, the youngsters had the opportunity to show off. EmbedRead More →

By:
On:
In: Atlantic Division, NHL
With: 0 Comments

Putting it bluntly, the Montreal Canadiens are not on the upswing any time soon. General Manager, Marc Bergevin, has made few moves within the last few years that have benefited the historic franchise. Short or long term. The 21-time Stanley Cup organization has a monster opportunity at hand: the 3rd Draft selection. For most NHL teams, a top 3 selection could do wonders. But there is a problem: Bergevin rarely makes good decisions. The Habs are lucky to hold such power in the Draft but I cannot imagine fans are confident that it matters. Yesterday, I posted a poll on Twitter for hockey fans toRead More →

By:
On:
In: Atlantic Division, NHL
With: 1 Comment

There is only one predictable occurrence for the Buffalo Sabres as the NHL Draft approaches: selecting Rasmus Dahlin. Immediately, the course of the franchise will be altered due to the defenseman’s dynamic skill set. Acquiring Dahlin is similar to having a fourth, phenomenal forward on the ice. He can dance with the puck in a way many forwards cannot. Embed from Getty Images As important as the decision is with the first pick in the Draft, it will also be GM Jason Botterill‘s easiest. Dahlin will have an impact but as all know from the past season, the Sabres have holes galore. The worst goal-scoringRead More →

By:
On:
In: Atlantic Division, NHL
With: 0 Comments

The Buffalo Sabres have finally found their pot of gold: the fortune to draft first. The 2018 NHL Entry Draft is special as its top prospect is the uniquely gifted defenseman; Rasmus Dahlin. This player will add significant value to the dumpster fire that has been the Sabres. And before anyone asks: NO! They are not trading the top pick or taking anyone other than Dahlin. If they do, I will eat guacamole, which is no different to diarrhea. Dahlin possesses abilities that most forwards can only hope for and his addition to the Sabres affects the future of another defenseman: Rasmus Ristolainen. The 23Read More →

By:
On:
In: Atlantic Division, NHL, Playoffs
With: 1 Comment

In a league where contact to the head continues, who would have thought a tongue to the face would require attention. The NHL obviously believed that Boston Bruins’ forward, Brad Marchand, would not repeat himself. HA! Wrong again! Gross!! Friday night during Game 4 of Round 2, the Bean Town pest licked Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Callahan‘s,face. The sad part is that this was not a first. Marchand performed the same atrocity against Toronto forward, Leo Komarov. As usual, Marchand was drawing the opposition to commit and infraction as pests do. He may run his mouth, poke players, and contact the head but lickingRead More →

By:
On:
In: Atlantic Division, Awards, NHL, Review
With: 0 Comments

The Hart Trophy: the National Hockey League’s prize for Most Valuable Player. Unlike the Art Ross and Rocket Richard Awards, the Hart is a subjective honor voted on by the media. As the regular season closes, Boston Bruins forward, Brad Marchand, garners attention. The Bruins top the Eastern Conference with 103 points with Marchand leading the way for the club (34-50-84). After Sunday afternoon’s matchup with the Philadelphia Flyers, there should be some debate over disgusting plays he imposes on others. Foul Play Despite his significance to the Bruins success, Brad Marchand continues to be the center of negative attention. During yesterday’s game, the 29Read More →

By:
On:
In: Atlantic Division, NHL
With: 0 Comments

The Buffalo Sabres have nothing to play for with 7 games remaining. The importance of winning them is insignificant as it does not translate into the next season. For fans, the wish is to close the season and hope GM Jason Botterill is announcing Rasmus Dahlin’s name in June. There has not been anything to be interested in…until now. Late Monday morning, Bob McKenzie tweeted that forward prospect, Casey Mittelstadt, will join the Buffalo Sabres. After closing out his freshman season with the University of Minnesota, Mittelstadt will sign his entry level contract. Since development camp, the starving Buffalo sports fans observed a highly skilledRead More →

By:
On:
In: Central Division, General, NHL
With: 1 Comment

Amateur Scouting for the NHL is far from an exact science despite improvement in player rankings over the past decade. Technology continues significantly impact player evaluation across the board, providing access to talent outside of North America. If Pavel Datsyuk were draft eligible in 2018, he would be a top-three prospect. Potential first overall selection, Rasmus Dahlin, would have fallen through the cracks back in the 90’s. Scouting staffs have nearly unlimited access to upcoming talent and it continues to drive Central Scouting reports. The Draft Pick Even with advances in talent evaluation, did Nashville Predators’ GM, David Poile, expect the impact that Viktor ArvidssonRead More →

By:
On:
In: Atlantic Division, Central Division, General, NHL
With: 1 Comment

Growing up in the Buffalo area exposes one to every opinion on tanking for the best draft odds. The local media shares contrasting views as the Sabres were in last place, for two consecutive years. As Buffalo is close to last in the NHL again, the debate is ongoing. The 2015 race for 30th achieved the desired result: a franchise center. Before you comment; yes, Jack Eichel is a franchise center despite the suckfest that is the Buffalo Sabres. Lacking significant improvement since then, certain media claims that tanking leads to a losing culture. Just look at Twitter and notice the heated discussions about theRead More →