Category Archives: News Release

COZENS AGREES TO ENTRY-LEVEL CONTRACT

Posted on July 15, 2019 by | Leave a comment

BUFFALO, N.Y. (July 15, 2019) — The Buffalo Sabres today announced the team has signed forward Dylan Cozens to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Cozens (6’3”, 180 lbs., 2/9/2001) was selected by the Sabres in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft in Vancouver after finishing the 2018-19 season tied for 10th among all WHL skaters with 84 points (34+50) in 68 games for the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

In his second full season with Lethbridge, Cozens also ranked in the top 10 among WHL skaters in even-strength assists (10th, 34) and even-strength points (T-8th, 59). The Whitehorse, Yukon native added eight points (4+4) in seven playoff contests.

In addition to his WHL success in 2018-19, Cozens also represented Canada in international play twice last season. He recorded five points (2+3) in five games to help Canada to a gold medal at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in August. He later served as an alternate captain for Team Canada at the 2019 IIHF World U18 Championship in Sweden, where tied for seventh in tournament scoring with nine points (4+5) in seven games.

As a WHL rookie in 2017-18, Cozens won the Jim Piggott Trophy as the WHL’s rookie of the year after he led all first-year skaters in goals (22) and finished second among rookies with 53 points. The forward has recorded 138 points (57+81) and a plus-26 rating in 128 career WHL games, adding 29 points (14+15) in 35 playoff games

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SABRES INK LARSSON TO ONE-YEAR DEAL

Posted on July 12, 2019 by | Leave a comment

BUFFALO, N.Y. (July 12, 2019) — The Buffalo Sabres today announced the team has signed forward Johan Larsson to a one-year contract with an AAV of $1.55 million.

Larsson (5’11”, 202 lbs., 7/25/1992) recently completed his seventh NHL season and recorded 14 points (6+8) in 73 games. Larsson, who played one game for the Minnesota Wild before being traded to the Sabres in April 2013, has recorded 79 points (32+47) in 331 career NHL games. Seven of his 32 career goals have been game-winners and the Sabres are 20-7-4 all-time when Larsson scores.

Before coming to the NHL, Larsson was named Rookie of the Year in the Swedish Hockey League and was a member of the Brynäs IF team that captured the 2011-12 SHL championship. The Lau, Sweden native appeared in two IIHF World Junior Championships, including as team captain in 2012 when his team won the gold medal.  Larsson also won a gold medal with Team Sweden at the 2018 IIHF World Championship.

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SABRES ACQUIRE JOKIHARJU FROM BLACKHAWKS

Posted on July 9, 2019 by | Leave a comment

BUFFALO, N.Y. (July 9, 2019) — The Buffalo Sabres today announced the team has acquired defenseman Henri Jokiharju (joh-kee-HARH-yoo) from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for forward Alexander Nylander.

Jokiharju (6’0”, 193 lbs., 6/17/1999) made his NHL debut in 2018-19, posting 12 assists in 38 games for the Blackhawks. He also recorded 17 points (2+15) in 30 AHL games for the Rockford IceHogs and his .57 points per game ranked eighth among rookie AHL defensemen with more than 20 games played.

A native of Oulu, Finland, Jokiharju made two appearances in international tournaments for Finland in 2018-19, winning a gold medal at both the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship and the 2019 IIHF World Championship. His five points (2+3) and plus-6 rating in seven games both ranked third among World Juniors defensemen. He also played for Team Finland at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship and won a gold medal with Finland at the 2016 IIHF World U18 Championship.

“Henri is a young, mobile defenseman who has shown he can compete at the NHL level,” Sabres General Manager Jason Botterill said. “His international success last season only furthered his development and we are excited to add him to our current group of defensemen.”

Drafted by Chicago in the first round (29th overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft, Jokiharju was named to the Western Conference Second All-Star Team in 2018 after recording 71 points (12+59) in 63 games for the Portland Winterhawks (WHL). He posted 119 points (21+98) in 134 career WHL games before making his professional debut last season.

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SABRES, JOHANSSON AGREE TO TWO-YEAR CONTRACT

Posted on July 6, 2019 by | Leave a comment

BUFFALO, N.Y. (July 6, 2019) — The Buffalo Sabres today announced the team has signed forward Marcus Johansson to a two-year contract with an AAV of $4.5 million.

Johansson (6’1”, 205 lbs., 10/6/1990) split time between the New Jersey Devils and Boston Bruins in 2018-19, where he recorded 30 points (13+17) in 58 combined games. He added a career-high 11 points (4+7) in 22 playoff games for the Bruins during their Stanley Cup Final run.

A nine-year NHL veteran, Johansson has recorded 334 points (120+214) in 588 career games and added 41 points (13+28) in 94 career playoff contests. He has appeared in the playoffs in all but one of his NHL seasons since being drafted by the Washington Capitals in the first round (24th overall) of the 2009 NHL Draft.

Internationally, Johansson has represented his country in three major tournaments. The Landskrona, Sweden native captained his country to a bronze medal at the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship after being a member of the squad that took home a silver medal at the 2009 World Juniors. He also played for Team Sweden at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia

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SABRES SIGN GIRGENSONS TO ONE-YEAR CONTRACT

Posted on July 5, 2019 by | Leave a comment

BUFFALO, N.Y. (July 5, 2019) — The Buffalo Sabres today announced the team has signed forward Zemgus Girgensons on a one-year contract with an AAV of $1.6 million.

Last season, Girgensons (6’2”, 211 lbs., 1/5/1994) played 72 games for the Sabres and recorded 18 points (5+13), all of which came at even strength. His 18 even-strength points marked Girgensons’ highest total since he recorded a career-high 23 even-strength points in 2014-15.

Drafted by the Sabres in the first round (14th overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft, Girgensons has recorded 119 points (49+70) and 120 penalty minutes in 420 career NHL games for Buffalo and appeared in the 2015 NHL All-Star Game. The Riga, Latvia native has represented his country numerous times, including the 2014 Winter Olympic Games and the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship.

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