Published by hockeybuzz.com, 7-11-2017
(Compiled from media outlets including The Buffalo News and Sabres.com)
The 2017 Buffalo Sabres Development Camp is in the books. The event which was shortened to four days concluded with the French Connection 3-on-3 Tournament, which was always the case, but missing this year was the popular Blue and Gold Scrimmage. New AGM Randy Sexton said that nixing the scrimmage, as well as shortening the camp from seven to four days, was in the best interests of the players.
"Summer training for players this age is critical," Sexton told the gathered media two days ago. "I've seen it happen in other development camps where you have these high-intensity scrimmages or practices. Kids are competitive by nature and now you've got five kids that are nursing injuries for 2-3 weeks. And that throws a serious wrench into their training regimens. So we need to be sure, back to helping these players becoming as good as they're capable of them becoming, that it includes a strong summer of off-ice training."
There was one injury, however, as defenseman Devante Stephens got tangled up with Hudson Fasching and crashed into the boards. Stephens incurred a shoulder injury "that won't require surgery," according to GM Jason Botterill. The injury will require a couple of weeks and Stephens "should be ready for training camp," said Botterill at the close of camp today. Stephens had just signed his entry-level deal with the Sabres two months earlier and there's an opening on defense in Rochester.
Other than that, the youngins were on display and from various reports, some players had themselves a pretty good camp.
Buffalo's 2017 first round pick Casey Mittelstadt looked to be the star of the show. The eighth-overall pick was mentioned often over the weekend and through Monday and with today's 3-on-3 tournament, his stature grew a little bigger. Before we anoint Mittelstadt as the next Jack Eichel, today's 3-on-3 tournament was played full-ice, similar to the NHL's overtime session. There was plenty of room to maneuver, plenty of ice to work with.
Mittelstadt's Team White marched through the tournament without a loss while on their way to the French Connection Trophy. In the championship game Mittelstadt twice was in the midst of wowing the crowd with some shifty maneuvering only to have the horn sound for a required line change. The next time, however, he weaved his way down low near the goal line and roofed a forehand from in tight to give Team White a 2-0 lead.
Winning seems to be a passion of Mittelstadt's. After he lead Team White to a semi-finals win, Brian Duff said that whether he's playing cards or checkers or whatever, "all Mittelstadt does is win." Place that atop his top-three skill-level and Sabres fans have a lot to get excited about.
The rest of Team White:
D, Bryson Martin
D, Erik Autio
LW, Brett Murray
RW, Hudson Fasching
C, Rasmus Asplund
F, Eric Cornel
G, Jake McGrath
Rasmus Asplund got some favorable mentions over the course of the camp and had some good words for Mittelstadt. "This is the first time I've seen Casey play, and I think he's one of the better players I've ever seen play," Asplund said to the media at camp's end. "He's so shifty and he's so hard to play against. I got to play with him today."
Asplund had himself a pretty good camp getting noticed for all the right reasons. Buffalo's second round pick (33rd-overall) heads back to Farjestad BK for his fourth season competing in Sweden's top men's league. Word is that he'll be placed in a scoring role for his final season in the SHL.
Autio, a camp invitee from Penn State also fared well as did Cornel in the tournament.
Finnish defenseman Oskari Laaksonen also appeared at Camp showing that he not only is real, but that he's got more on his frame than the 130 lbs. his bio's said he had on. The third rounder was selected out of no where by Buffalo, having not appeared on any draft lists.
In an interview after Day-2 of camp Laaksonen said to the media, "I was like, 'Oh my God, oh my God.' I ran to my mother. It was a special moment for me." After proving he was real he went about telling the media about the weight issue where he was listed at 103 lbs. "I was like, oh God, I have to correct that one," he said, smiling. He did. Laaksonen clocked in at just under 6' and weighed 152 lbs. It's still small for a defenseman, but the kid's got some definitive skills.
Fellow Finnish countryman Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen looked huge in goal, but was nimble and positionally sound. Laaksonen knows him from playing against him and said of the 6'4" 198 lb. Luukkonen, "He's great. He's a fun guy. He's so fun to be around. He's hugeee, man." On the ice he wasn't so fun to be around for the opposition as he was stout throughout most of the tournament.
Broadcast legend Rick Jeanneret was on hand for the play-by-play today and was joined by Rob Ray and Duff, among others. The Sabres had themselves a good crowd at HarborCenter with the team opening up sections as the fans filed in to fill the place for a 3-on-3 tournament in July. Which is not surprising.
Despite all the up's and down's Sabres fans have had, it's their team and they remained excited about them. Most players on the ice won't be representing the Sabres for a few years, but it's great to see where they are now, with that as a backdrop when we watch them three years from now. They're the future of the Blue and Gold.
*****
The future of the Blue and Gold can also be tied to 20 yr. old Jack Eichel. The No. 2 overall pick in 2015 is Buffalo's franchise player and will be entering the final year of his contract this season. Botterill and Co. know that, and they'd like to get an extension with Eichel done this off season.
"Our conversations with Jack and the group have gone extremely well," Botterill said to the media in HarborCenter after the close of development camp. "We'll continue this throughout the summer and see if we can find a common ground because, from our standpoint, we certainly want to get something done. And everything we've heard from Jack and his agents is they want to get something done too."
Connor McDavid, the first-overall pick in 2015 was re-upped by the Edmonton Oilers to the tune of 8 yrs./$100 million, or a record-breaking cap-hit of $12.5 million. That was on the heels of a breakout season where McDavid had 100 points (30+70) and won the Art Ross Trophy (most points,) the Hart Trophy (League MVP,) and the Ted Lindsay Award for most outstanding player as voted upon by his peers.
Eichel won't be getting too close to McDavid's cap-hit, but most think his AVV could be $10 million. An eight-year, $72 million deal might get the job done, but it might take the Sabres a bit more. Botterill wants to get it done, and one would assumed Eichel and Co. want to get it done as well.
Buffalo's other second-overall pick, Sam Reinhart (2014,) is also up for an extension but Botterill said that will be put on hold. "We're excited with Sam but I don't think Sam from a contract standpoint will happen this summer," Botterill said. "We have him under contract another year and we'll see how things play out."
Botterill also has two pending arbitration cases to get ready for--G, Robin Lehner and D, Nathan Beaulieu who the new GM acquired from Montreal for a third round pick.
Showing posts with label 2017 Development Camp. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2017 Development Camp. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
Sunday, July 9, 2017
Players to watch at Sabres Development Camp 2017
Published by hockeybuzz.com, 7-8-2017
Much to the dismay of many a Sabres fan, the 2017 Buffalo Sabres Development Camp, which got underway today, will not include the annual Blue and Gold Scrimmage. That's too bad, because it was a fan favorite. Perhaps the Sabres decided upon a full-on business-like approach this year instead of having the prospects face each other in a live-game situation.
Back in 2015, hockey euphoria hit Sabreland with the drafting of Jack Eichel and the Blue and Gold Scrimmage that year brought in over 17,000 fans on a hot day in July. Last year Alexander Nylander wowwed fans with some penalty shot wizardry while Sabres broadcast legend Rick Jeanneret was in the booth making the call for a live stream at Sabres.com. Back in 2014, Zemgus Girgensons welcomed second-overall draft pick Sam Reinhart to the league with a heavy check and later on in the scrimmage Anthony Florentino and Justin Kea dropped the gloves, a rarity at D-Camps.
For as much as we fans like the scrimmage it's a camp, like the name says, that keys on development. Sabres management, the coaching staff and scouts will be in the stands evaluating the incoming draft class while also looking to see were the rest of the prospects are on the developmental curve. In looking as we laid it out here, there are plenty of lower round picks on long developmental curves wo are in the mix, which is one of the benefits of drafting players headed to college or those of whom are overseas.
After three days of various drills, the camp culminates with the 3-on-3 tournament named for the French Connection. This is a favorite of the organization as it pits many teams consisting of five, or even four, players going against each other in six minute games with :45 second shifts. Three players from each side are on the ice for the half-ice games and they're played without interruption during the round-robin portion.
Player's like Justin Bailey, Nick Baptiste and even Brendan Guhle, are known quantities at this point but they're development will still be under scrutiny while the Sabres will be getting their first up-close look at 2017 NHL Draft newbies like Casey Mittelstadt, Marcus Davidsson and Oskari Laaksonen. There are also five invitees in camp looking to make an impression.
Here's a look at some of the 40 players to watch:
--D, Anthony Florentino (2013, 143rd overall): "Flo" graduated from Providence this past year and got himself a five-game audition with the Rochester Americans on an AHL contract. As shown by the contract, the previous regime wasn't all-in on the 6'0" 207 lb. native of Boston but with a new regime in place, he'll have an opportunity to make a good first impression. The Sabres shored up their defense this off season and with new head coach Phil Housley liking mobile puck-movers, we're not sure how or if Florentino fits in. But there are openings in the Amerks lineup right now.
--D, Devante Stephens (2015, 122nd): Stephens enters his first pro season after finishing his junior year with career highs in goals (13) and assists (35) for the Rockets and he's the type of mobile, puck-mover that fits right into what Housley and Co. may very well be looking for. At 6'1" 171 lbs. he still has room to grow into his frame and the athleticism the previous regime drafted him for is still there. He should be in the top-six mix in Rochester.
RW, Judd Petersen (2012, 204th): At 24 yrs. old, the Duluth, Minnesota native is the eldest of the vets at camp this year. Petersen was on an uber-long developmental curve as he spent two seasons in the USHL before attending St. Cloud State. This will be the senior's final college season and after taking a statistical step back in 2016-17 from the prior season, Petersen should light things up this go-round. The Sabres will be looking to see how far he's come along in his fourth D-camp.
C, Connor Hurley (2013, 38th): Hurley was the youngest player taken in the 2013 draft and he's needed every possible year of development. The skill-level is there as he has some of he best hands in the league, but lack of size and strength has hampered his confidence which in-turn has kept him away from the scoring zones. Hurley will have one more season at Notre Dame and if he cannot improve statistically, he'll be looking like a miss for the organization.
C, Casey Mittelstadt (2017, 8th): There was a mini uproar in Sabreland when Mittelstadt, who plays a position that's a strength for the organization, was selected over a defenseman, most notably Timothy Liljegren. Mittelstadt was widely considered a top-five pick that dropped to Buffalo and Sabres fans will have the opportunity to see his skill-level at camp.
C, Cliff Pu (2016, 69th): Pu had an excellent camp last year and an even better year for London in 2016-17 where he posted career numbers for the nights (63 games, 35 goals, 51 assists.) As shown by those numbers, he's well on his way developmentally.
D, Will Borgen (2015, 92nd): A lot is being expected of Borgen as he'll be entering his junior season at St. Cloud State. Most expect him to leave college early and begin his professional career with an entry-level deal. Borgen and fellow 2015 draft pick Brendan Guhle are the cream of the prospect crop on defense for the Sabres.
LW, Alexander Nylander (2016, 8th): Nylander got his taste of the NHL last season when he appeared in four games for the Sabres, while collecting his first NHL point (an assist.) Size and strength are his areas to focus upon this off season but also to be closely watched is his compete-level. The knock on Nylander at the draft was that he disappeared before pulling off a brilliant display of skill. Being engaged every second of every shift should be the goal for him. Showing the staff he's all-in on that concept at camp will go a long way towards convincing Buffalo that he's just about ready.
Much to the dismay of many a Sabres fan, the 2017 Buffalo Sabres Development Camp, which got underway today, will not include the annual Blue and Gold Scrimmage. That's too bad, because it was a fan favorite. Perhaps the Sabres decided upon a full-on business-like approach this year instead of having the prospects face each other in a live-game situation.
Back in 2015, hockey euphoria hit Sabreland with the drafting of Jack Eichel and the Blue and Gold Scrimmage that year brought in over 17,000 fans on a hot day in July. Last year Alexander Nylander wowwed fans with some penalty shot wizardry while Sabres broadcast legend Rick Jeanneret was in the booth making the call for a live stream at Sabres.com. Back in 2014, Zemgus Girgensons welcomed second-overall draft pick Sam Reinhart to the league with a heavy check and later on in the scrimmage Anthony Florentino and Justin Kea dropped the gloves, a rarity at D-Camps.
For as much as we fans like the scrimmage it's a camp, like the name says, that keys on development. Sabres management, the coaching staff and scouts will be in the stands evaluating the incoming draft class while also looking to see were the rest of the prospects are on the developmental curve. In looking as we laid it out here, there are plenty of lower round picks on long developmental curves wo are in the mix, which is one of the benefits of drafting players headed to college or those of whom are overseas.
After three days of various drills, the camp culminates with the 3-on-3 tournament named for the French Connection. This is a favorite of the organization as it pits many teams consisting of five, or even four, players going against each other in six minute games with :45 second shifts. Three players from each side are on the ice for the half-ice games and they're played without interruption during the round-robin portion.
Player's like Justin Bailey, Nick Baptiste and even Brendan Guhle, are known quantities at this point but they're development will still be under scrutiny while the Sabres will be getting their first up-close look at 2017 NHL Draft newbies like Casey Mittelstadt, Marcus Davidsson and Oskari Laaksonen. There are also five invitees in camp looking to make an impression.
Here's a look at some of the 40 players to watch:
--D, Anthony Florentino (2013, 143rd overall): "Flo" graduated from Providence this past year and got himself a five-game audition with the Rochester Americans on an AHL contract. As shown by the contract, the previous regime wasn't all-in on the 6'0" 207 lb. native of Boston but with a new regime in place, he'll have an opportunity to make a good first impression. The Sabres shored up their defense this off season and with new head coach Phil Housley liking mobile puck-movers, we're not sure how or if Florentino fits in. But there are openings in the Amerks lineup right now.
--D, Devante Stephens (2015, 122nd): Stephens enters his first pro season after finishing his junior year with career highs in goals (13) and assists (35) for the Rockets and he's the type of mobile, puck-mover that fits right into what Housley and Co. may very well be looking for. At 6'1" 171 lbs. he still has room to grow into his frame and the athleticism the previous regime drafted him for is still there. He should be in the top-six mix in Rochester.
RW, Judd Petersen (2012, 204th): At 24 yrs. old, the Duluth, Minnesota native is the eldest of the vets at camp this year. Petersen was on an uber-long developmental curve as he spent two seasons in the USHL before attending St. Cloud State. This will be the senior's final college season and after taking a statistical step back in 2016-17 from the prior season, Petersen should light things up this go-round. The Sabres will be looking to see how far he's come along in his fourth D-camp.
C, Connor Hurley (2013, 38th): Hurley was the youngest player taken in the 2013 draft and he's needed every possible year of development. The skill-level is there as he has some of he best hands in the league, but lack of size and strength has hampered his confidence which in-turn has kept him away from the scoring zones. Hurley will have one more season at Notre Dame and if he cannot improve statistically, he'll be looking like a miss for the organization.
C, Casey Mittelstadt (2017, 8th): There was a mini uproar in Sabreland when Mittelstadt, who plays a position that's a strength for the organization, was selected over a defenseman, most notably Timothy Liljegren. Mittelstadt was widely considered a top-five pick that dropped to Buffalo and Sabres fans will have the opportunity to see his skill-level at camp.
C, Cliff Pu (2016, 69th): Pu had an excellent camp last year and an even better year for London in 2016-17 where he posted career numbers for the nights (63 games, 35 goals, 51 assists.) As shown by those numbers, he's well on his way developmentally.
D, Will Borgen (2015, 92nd): A lot is being expected of Borgen as he'll be entering his junior season at St. Cloud State. Most expect him to leave college early and begin his professional career with an entry-level deal. Borgen and fellow 2015 draft pick Brendan Guhle are the cream of the prospect crop on defense for the Sabres.
LW, Alexander Nylander (2016, 8th): Nylander got his taste of the NHL last season when he appeared in four games for the Sabres, while collecting his first NHL point (an assist.) Size and strength are his areas to focus upon this off season but also to be closely watched is his compete-level. The knock on Nylander at the draft was that he disappeared before pulling off a brilliant display of skill. Being engaged every second of every shift should be the goal for him. Showing the staff he's all-in on that concept at camp will go a long way towards convincing Buffalo that he's just about ready.
Saturday, July 8, 2017
2017 Sabres Development Camp Roster
Published by hockeybuzz.com, 7-7-2017
The Buffalo Sabres youngins will hit the HarborCenter ice beginning tomorrow for the start of Sabres 2017 Development Camp. The stated goals of the four-day event, as per the team are to "introduce prospective players to professional work habits and organizational standards" while giving the players "an opportunity to become familiar with the team and the resources available to them through the Sabres development staff and the performance team."
Forty players are scheduled to attend the camp lead by "veterans" like Justin Bailey and Nick Baptiste, both of whom started their pro careers in 2015-16 and have well over 100 games of professional experience. Others like collegians Connor Hurley, Anthony Florentino and Sean Malone, all 2013 draft picks who are either still in school or recently graduated, attended their first D-Camp four years ago and are back again. Buffalo natives Bailey and Malone will be joined by another local product in Austin Osmanski of East Aurora.
Buffalo's entire 2017 draft class, lead by eighth-overall pick Casey Mittelstadt and Marcus Davidsson (37th,) is also scheduled to be introduced to their new team at camp and we also get visits from Victor Olofsson and Rasmus Asplund who both played in the top Swedish hockey league last year. There are also five invites including two 18 yr. old goalies who went undrafted in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
The list: (Jersey number, Position, Name, League[s] last year, Drafted)
Pro
#56--RW, Justin Bailey (AHL/NHL) 2013, 52nd-overall
73--RW, Nick Baptiste (AHL/NHL) 2013, 69th
52--RW, Hudson Fasching (AHL/NHL) 2013, 118th (LAK)
86--C, Eric Cornel (AHL) 2014, 44th
74--RW, Vaclav Karabacek (AHL) 2014, 49th
54--D, Bryson Martin (AHL/ECHL) 2014, 74th
70--LW, Alexander Nylander (AHL) 2016, 8th
College
(* will be attending)
17--RW, Judd Peterson (St. Cloud State, NCHC) 2012, 204th
37--C, Connor Hurley (Notre Dame, H-East) 2013, 38th
42--C, Sean Malone (Harvard, ECAC) 2013, 159th
46--D, Anthony Florentino (Providence, H-East) 2103, 143rd
57--C, Maxwell Willman (Brown, ECAC) 2014, 121nd
13--C, Christopher Brown (Boston College, H-East) 2014, 151st
03--D, Will Borgen (St. Cloud State, NCHC) 2015, 92nd
42--D, Ivan Chukurov (UMass, NCAC) 2015, 182nd
38--D, Casey Fitzgerald (Boston College, H-East) 2016, 86th
81--LW, Brett Murray (Penn St., Big-10) 2016, 99th
##--D, Philip Nyberg (UConn, H-East) 2016, 129th
77--C, Casey Mittelstadt (*Minnesota, Big-10) 2017, 8th
05--D, Jacob Bryson (Providence, H-East) 2017, 99th
17--LW, Linus Weissbach (*Wisconsin, Big-10) 2017, 192nd
19--LW, C.J. Smith (UMass-Lowell, H-East) undrafted FA, 2017
CHL
45--D, Brendan Guhle (WHL) 2015, 51st
58--D, Devante Stephens (WHL) 2015, 122nd
61--C, Cliff Pu (OHL) 2016, 69th
79--D, Vojtech Budik (WHL) 2016, 130th
27--LW, Brandon Hagel (WHL) 2016, 159th
51--D, Austin Osmanski (OHL) 2016, 189th
41--C, Vasily Glotov (QMJHL) 2016, 190th
60--G, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (OHL) 2017, 54th
Overseas
50--G, Jonas Johansson (Almtuna, Swe-1/AHL) 2014, 61st
84--LW, Victor Olofsson (Frolunda, SHL) 2014, 181st
65--C, Rasmus Asplund (Farjestad BK, SHL) 2016, 33rd
20--D, Oskari Laaksonen (Ilves, SM-sarja/SM-liiga) 2017 89th
08--C, Marcus Davidsson ( Djurgardens IF, SuperElit/IF, SHL)2017 37th
Invitees
24--C, Bobby McMann (Colgate, ECAC) undrafted
10--D, Erik Autio (Penn St., Big-10) undrafted
06--D, Bill Sweezey (Yale, ECAC) undrafted
33--G, Kyle Keyser (Oshawa, OHL) undrafted
01--G, Jake McGrath (Sudbury, OHL) undrafted
For more info on the camp and a link to the roster from Sabres.com, click here.
The Buffalo Sabres youngins will hit the HarborCenter ice beginning tomorrow for the start of Sabres 2017 Development Camp. The stated goals of the four-day event, as per the team are to "introduce prospective players to professional work habits and organizational standards" while giving the players "an opportunity to become familiar with the team and the resources available to them through the Sabres development staff and the performance team."
Forty players are scheduled to attend the camp lead by "veterans" like Justin Bailey and Nick Baptiste, both of whom started their pro careers in 2015-16 and have well over 100 games of professional experience. Others like collegians Connor Hurley, Anthony Florentino and Sean Malone, all 2013 draft picks who are either still in school or recently graduated, attended their first D-Camp four years ago and are back again. Buffalo natives Bailey and Malone will be joined by another local product in Austin Osmanski of East Aurora.
Buffalo's entire 2017 draft class, lead by eighth-overall pick Casey Mittelstadt and Marcus Davidsson (37th,) is also scheduled to be introduced to their new team at camp and we also get visits from Victor Olofsson and Rasmus Asplund who both played in the top Swedish hockey league last year. There are also five invites including two 18 yr. old goalies who went undrafted in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
The list: (Jersey number, Position, Name, League[s] last year, Drafted)
Pro
#56--RW, Justin Bailey (AHL/NHL) 2013, 52nd-overall
73--RW, Nick Baptiste (AHL/NHL) 2013, 69th
52--RW, Hudson Fasching (AHL/NHL) 2013, 118th (LAK)
86--C, Eric Cornel (AHL) 2014, 44th
74--RW, Vaclav Karabacek (AHL) 2014, 49th
54--D, Bryson Martin (AHL/ECHL) 2014, 74th
70--LW, Alexander Nylander (AHL) 2016, 8th
College
(* will be attending)
17--RW, Judd Peterson (St. Cloud State, NCHC) 2012, 204th
37--C, Connor Hurley (Notre Dame, H-East) 2013, 38th
42--C, Sean Malone (Harvard, ECAC) 2013, 159th
46--D, Anthony Florentino (Providence, H-East) 2103, 143rd
57--C, Maxwell Willman (Brown, ECAC) 2014, 121nd
13--C, Christopher Brown (Boston College, H-East) 2014, 151st
03--D, Will Borgen (St. Cloud State, NCHC) 2015, 92nd
42--D, Ivan Chukurov (UMass, NCAC) 2015, 182nd
38--D, Casey Fitzgerald (Boston College, H-East) 2016, 86th
81--LW, Brett Murray (Penn St., Big-10) 2016, 99th
##--D, Philip Nyberg (UConn, H-East) 2016, 129th
77--C, Casey Mittelstadt (*Minnesota, Big-10) 2017, 8th
05--D, Jacob Bryson (Providence, H-East) 2017, 99th
17--LW, Linus Weissbach (*Wisconsin, Big-10) 2017, 192nd
19--LW, C.J. Smith (UMass-Lowell, H-East) undrafted FA, 2017
CHL
45--D, Brendan Guhle (WHL) 2015, 51st
58--D, Devante Stephens (WHL) 2015, 122nd
61--C, Cliff Pu (OHL) 2016, 69th
79--D, Vojtech Budik (WHL) 2016, 130th
27--LW, Brandon Hagel (WHL) 2016, 159th
51--D, Austin Osmanski (OHL) 2016, 189th
41--C, Vasily Glotov (QMJHL) 2016, 190th
60--G, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (OHL) 2017, 54th
Overseas
50--G, Jonas Johansson (Almtuna, Swe-1/AHL) 2014, 61st
84--LW, Victor Olofsson (Frolunda, SHL) 2014, 181st
65--C, Rasmus Asplund (Farjestad BK, SHL) 2016, 33rd
20--D, Oskari Laaksonen (Ilves, SM-sarja/SM-liiga) 2017 89th
08--C, Marcus Davidsson ( Djurgardens IF, SuperElit/IF, SHL)2017 37th
Invitees
24--C, Bobby McMann (Colgate, ECAC) undrafted
10--D, Erik Autio (Penn St., Big-10) undrafted
06--D, Bill Sweezey (Yale, ECAC) undrafted
33--G, Kyle Keyser (Oshawa, OHL) undrafted
01--G, Jake McGrath (Sudbury, OHL) undrafted
For more info on the camp and a link to the roster from Sabres.com, click here.
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
Happy 4th. Stuff to ponder while smashing your burger.
Published by hockeybuzz.com, 7-4-2017
It was a frenetic two weeks for Sabres GM Jason Botterill and Co. between the time Buffalo needed to submit their finalized expansion protected list on June 17. From there he had to wait out the process as the Las Vegas Golden Knights decided what they would do and it left him only a few days to get ready for the NHL Entry Draft that weekend. A week later was the start of NHL Free Agency.
During that two-week span players came and players went and when all was said and done, the Sabres will be entering the 2017-18 season with Zemgus Girgensons and Rasmus Ristolainen as their who was drafted 14th-overall in 2012, as their longest-tenured Sabres player (by age and draft year.)
That fact was made possible by the departures of young vets Tyler Ennis and Marcus Foligno in a trade with Minnesota. On June 30, prior to the July opening of free agency, Botterill sent Ennis (2008, 26th-overall) and Foligno (2009, 104th) plus a third round pick to the Wild for defenseman Marco Scandella, former Sabre Jason Pominville (2001, 55th) and a fourth round pick.
Pominville was Buffalo's captain at the time of his trade to the Wild back on April 3, 2013 and with Ennis and Foligno gone, no one on that team is with the club any more. The Pominville trade to Minnesota (plus a fourth round pick) netted the Sabres Johan Larsson (who is still on the team,) Matt Hackett, a 2013 first round pick (Nikita Zadorov, 16th) and a 2014 second round pick (Vaclav Karabacek, 49th.)
As the roster stands right now, other than Girgensons, the Sabres have only four homegrown picks presently on it:
D, Jake McCabe (2012, 44th)
D, Rasmus Ristolainen (2013, 8th)
F, Sam Reinhart (2014, 2nd)
C, Jack Eichel, (2015, 2nd)
Barring any other moves, the overhaul of the Sabres in the Terry Pegula era is complete. It now spans three GM's (Darcy Regier, Tim Murray, Botterill,) five head coaches (Lindy Ruff, Ron Rolston, Ted Nolan, Dan Bylsma and Phil Housley, who was hired prior to the Ennis trade) plus one President of Hockey Operations in Pat LaFontaine.
Perhaps we jumped the gun a little bit thinking that the Sabres were well on their way at any point between the hiring of LaFontaine and shortly after the 2015 NHL Draft. Regardless of where anyone stood at any of those points, looking at what's left from Pominville's last game and his return the overall change is pretty stark.
*****
Buffalo's draft situation over the course of the last five years represents a team that bottomed out, yet found itself still spinning it's wheels.
In 2013, as the deconstruction of Regier's "Core" gained steam with the trade of Pominville, the Sabres finished 23rd in the league and selected eighth-overall. The following two seasons were dedicated to bottoming out which resulted in 30th place finishes and consecutive second-overall picks thanks to unlucky lottery results. The Sabres began their climb back to respectability in 2015-16 by finishing 23rd again and drafted eighth overall once again.
Buffalo entered last season with expectations that they could build upon the positives from the prior one. A multitude of reasons had them take a step back and finish 26th overall and under a new lottery system, they'd once again fall prey to the unlucky bounce of the pingpong balls and drop from fifth in the draft to eighth.
Prior to the 2013 draft, the Sabres had never drafted eighth-overall, and now they've done so in three of the last five years.
Also of note, this stretch of five consecutive top-10 picks is the longest in franchise history. The Sabres drafted top-10 three times in a row from their inaugural draft in 1970 to 1972. After that they'd drafted top-10 in consecutive seasons only twice: 1982-83 and 1986-87.
*****
Buffalo Sabres Development Camp begins this weekend with the schedule looking like this:
Sat., July 8: 2 to 3:30 p.m. and 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Sun., July 9: 10 to 11:15 a.m. and 2 to 3:15 p.m.
Mon., July 10: 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. and1:45 to 3:00 p.m.
Tue., July 11: French Connection Tournament: 9:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Not on tap is the Blue and Gold Scrimmage, which was a fan favorite. Who can forger over 17,000 fans showing up on a Friday in July to watch Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart and Co. go at it back in 2015.
Perhaps it's more of a business-like approach this year. The French Connection Tournament is an intra-squad 3-on-3 tournament with multiple teams playing games in rapid-fire succession on half-sheets of ice. For fans it's not super exciting but the Sabres organization uses it as a tool to gauge where prospects and players are on their developmental curves.
All on-ice sessions will be held at HarborCenter and will be free and open to the public.
Have a Happy 4th, y'all. Keep it safe.
It was a frenetic two weeks for Sabres GM Jason Botterill and Co. between the time Buffalo needed to submit their finalized expansion protected list on June 17. From there he had to wait out the process as the Las Vegas Golden Knights decided what they would do and it left him only a few days to get ready for the NHL Entry Draft that weekend. A week later was the start of NHL Free Agency.
During that two-week span players came and players went and when all was said and done, the Sabres will be entering the 2017-18 season with Zemgus Girgensons and Rasmus Ristolainen as their who was drafted 14th-overall in 2012, as their longest-tenured Sabres player (by age and draft year.)
That fact was made possible by the departures of young vets Tyler Ennis and Marcus Foligno in a trade with Minnesota. On June 30, prior to the July opening of free agency, Botterill sent Ennis (2008, 26th-overall) and Foligno (2009, 104th) plus a third round pick to the Wild for defenseman Marco Scandella, former Sabre Jason Pominville (2001, 55th) and a fourth round pick.
Pominville was Buffalo's captain at the time of his trade to the Wild back on April 3, 2013 and with Ennis and Foligno gone, no one on that team is with the club any more. The Pominville trade to Minnesota (plus a fourth round pick) netted the Sabres Johan Larsson (who is still on the team,) Matt Hackett, a 2013 first round pick (Nikita Zadorov, 16th) and a 2014 second round pick (Vaclav Karabacek, 49th.)
As the roster stands right now, other than Girgensons, the Sabres have only four homegrown picks presently on it:
D, Jake McCabe (2012, 44th)
D, Rasmus Ristolainen (2013, 8th)
F, Sam Reinhart (2014, 2nd)
C, Jack Eichel, (2015, 2nd)
Barring any other moves, the overhaul of the Sabres in the Terry Pegula era is complete. It now spans three GM's (Darcy Regier, Tim Murray, Botterill,) five head coaches (Lindy Ruff, Ron Rolston, Ted Nolan, Dan Bylsma and Phil Housley, who was hired prior to the Ennis trade) plus one President of Hockey Operations in Pat LaFontaine.
Perhaps we jumped the gun a little bit thinking that the Sabres were well on their way at any point between the hiring of LaFontaine and shortly after the 2015 NHL Draft. Regardless of where anyone stood at any of those points, looking at what's left from Pominville's last game and his return the overall change is pretty stark.
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Buffalo's draft situation over the course of the last five years represents a team that bottomed out, yet found itself still spinning it's wheels.
In 2013, as the deconstruction of Regier's "Core" gained steam with the trade of Pominville, the Sabres finished 23rd in the league and selected eighth-overall. The following two seasons were dedicated to bottoming out which resulted in 30th place finishes and consecutive second-overall picks thanks to unlucky lottery results. The Sabres began their climb back to respectability in 2015-16 by finishing 23rd again and drafted eighth overall once again.
Buffalo entered last season with expectations that they could build upon the positives from the prior one. A multitude of reasons had them take a step back and finish 26th overall and under a new lottery system, they'd once again fall prey to the unlucky bounce of the pingpong balls and drop from fifth in the draft to eighth.
Prior to the 2013 draft, the Sabres had never drafted eighth-overall, and now they've done so in three of the last five years.
Also of note, this stretch of five consecutive top-10 picks is the longest in franchise history. The Sabres drafted top-10 three times in a row from their inaugural draft in 1970 to 1972. After that they'd drafted top-10 in consecutive seasons only twice: 1982-83 and 1986-87.
*****
Buffalo Sabres Development Camp begins this weekend with the schedule looking like this:
Sat., July 8: 2 to 3:30 p.m. and 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Sun., July 9: 10 to 11:15 a.m. and 2 to 3:15 p.m.
Mon., July 10: 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. and1:45 to 3:00 p.m.
Tue., July 11: French Connection Tournament: 9:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Not on tap is the Blue and Gold Scrimmage, which was a fan favorite. Who can forger over 17,000 fans showing up on a Friday in July to watch Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart and Co. go at it back in 2015.
Perhaps it's more of a business-like approach this year. The French Connection Tournament is an intra-squad 3-on-3 tournament with multiple teams playing games in rapid-fire succession on half-sheets of ice. For fans it's not super exciting but the Sabres organization uses it as a tool to gauge where prospects and players are on their developmental curves.
All on-ice sessions will be held at HarborCenter and will be free and open to the public.
Have a Happy 4th, y'all. Keep it safe.
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