Zemgus Girgensons signed a one-year contract to try to help the Buffalo Sabres avoid the losing streaks and mistakes that had them on the outside looking in. Two weeks after the league’s trade deadline, however, Girgensons and the rest of the Sabres are facing a harsh reality. They were seven points behind the Detroit Red Wings for the second wild-card spot ahead of a game Sunday against the Calgary Flames in the Eastern Conference. Girgensons thought that this would be the year that the Buffalo Sabres would finally make it to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
With just 11 games left, the Buffalo Sabres may need to win each and every one of them to close the gap and end the team’s 11-year postseason drought, according to Connor Clifton, who spoke to The Buffalo News late on Thursday after the team lost 8-3 in Edmonton.
“For my first time playing in these NHL arenas, it’s been really cool,” Benson said. “Got to see family and friends that I don’t typically get to see all year. It was super-cool to have them be able to watch me play live for the first time. It was a dream come true to be able to play in front of them.”
Amerks addition
Anton Wahlberg, a second-round draft pick in 2023, was assigned by the Sabres to the Rochester Americans as the club’s American Hockey League affiliate pushes to qualify for the Calder Cup Playoffs.
Wahlberg produced five goals and 10 points in 43 games for Malmo of the Swedish Hockey League, averaging 16:54 of ice time as an 18-year-old. The 6-foot-3 power forward also helped Sweden win silver at the IIHF World Junior Championship in January.
To create room for Wahlberg, the Sabres reassigned winger Olivier Nadeau to their ECHL affiliate, the Jacksonville Icemen. The 2021 fourth-round pick has appeared in only five games with the Amerks this season, but he has been a standout with the Icemen, totaling nine goals and 19 points in 32 games.
Mission ahead
Lukas Rousek checked his phone after a recent practice with the Amerks and noticed an unusual amount of text message notifications.
Rousek, 24, saw the news when he unlocked his phone: The Sabres are opening the 2024-25 season in Prague, Czechia, where the winger played professionally prior to signing an entry-level contract with Buffalo. Before Rousek gets too excited, though, he must make the NHL roster in the fall.
“I was very happy,” Rousek told The News following the Sabres’ morning skate in Calgary. “I’m focused on making the team and playing in the NHL. It’s my home rink, and my family and friends want to see me play, but I have to earn a spot first.”
Prospect watch
Matt Savoie and the Moose Jaw Warriors wrapped their regular season Saturday with an 11-1 win, and they’re third in the Western Hockey League’s Eastern Conference entering the playoffs.
The 2022 first-round draft pick had 30 goals and 71 points with 133 shots on goal in only 34 games between Moose Jaw and Wenatchee. His 2.09 points per game led the league this season. He also won 56.1 percent of his faceoffs and earned a plus-24 rating. Savoie is expected to join the Amerks if his season with Moose Jaw ends before Rochester is done.
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