The Daily: Sabres Could Be a Beast in the East

They’re not in the same division or even the same conference as the Chicago Blackhawks. But preseason notes show a Buffalo Sabres team that could very well be a beast in the East starting this season. Buffalo Hockey Now’s Mike Augello writes that not only are they predicted to make the playoffs for the first time in over a decade, scores of players on the roster are listed as ones to watch for individual hardware.

Not bad for a team that finally seem to be escaping the seventh circle of rebuild hell. Between Rasmus Dahlin, Tage Thompson, Jack Quinn, and Devon Levi, the Sabres have a shot at getting into the playoffs.

Blackhawks In Case You Missed It

• It’s easy to think believe that Connor Bedard is a preseason betting favorite for the Calder Trophy. But it’s what else was written about him that was a bit surprising
• Logan Cooley signed his entry-level deal with the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday. While he won’t play as a teammate with Blackhawks prospects Oliver Moore and Sam Rinzel, he will now have an epic rookie matchup with Connor Bedard this season.
• Nick Lardis may turn out to be an absolute steal for the Chicago Blackhawks–another wing the team could have to flank so many of the centers in the system.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Jeremy Swayman and the Boston Bruins are nearly $3M apart in arbitration talks.

Detroit: Alex DeBrincat will be suiting up for a charity game along with several other Detroit Red Wings players

Florida: The Senators over the Florida Panthers? Turns out Vladimir Tarasenko spurned the Panthers’ offer for their divisional rival

Montreal: The Montreal Canadiens have enjoyed a number of players who have been considered legends. But what about when they skated off to play with another team? The top 10 Canadiens who looked bizarre wearing another team’s sweater

Philadelphia: Should the Boston Bruins or Toronto Maple Leafs take a chance on former Philadelphia Flyers #2 overall pick Nolan Patrick?

Pittsburgh: Matt Murray provides a cautionary tale for NHL GMs. The former Pittsburgh Penguins goalie who backstopped them to two Stanley Cups now looks like he could be on the LTIR for quite some time