Buffalo Sabres Links: Combine, NHL Recap

The Stanley Cup Finals are now officially underway, as the Chicago Blackhawks took game one on Wednesday night. Next up, the teams don’t meet again until Saturday — but that doesn’t mean we can’t talk about it.

First up, here’s a piece from ESPN with nine thoughts about the Finals. (Though this was posted prior to Wednesday’s game, the points still apply.)

Next up from Bleacher Report — who could be the Conn Smythe Trophy winner?

More from Sabres News

Though many are looking at the Stanley Cup Finals from one perspective, Forbes today posted a piece looking at it from an economic standpoint, highlighting some of the best players in the Finals for the money they’re getting paid. [Forbes]

Spoiler alert, but it comes as absolutely no surprise that Tampa Bay’s Tyler Johnson ranks top of the list.

In other economic-related hockey news this morning – there seems to be a lot of that — could the Pittsburgh Penguins be up for sale?

Reports indicate that Penguins owners are exploring a potential sale of the franchise. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Friendly reminder, folks, that this isn’t the first time potential talks of a sale have come up under Lemieux’s ownership. Both times previously, the sales have fallen through for one reason or another, but we’ll keep a close eye on what’s happening here.

Either way, there are no plans to move the Penguins out of Pittsburgh, as they have a long-term lease with Consol Energy Center.

The possible sale of the Penguins was just one thing that came out of Gary Bettman’s annual state of the game address on Wednesday.

Another topic of conversation: expansion, the process of which Bettman says could begin in June. [ESPN]

Potential expansion cities are said to include Las Vegas, Seattle and Quebec City.

Meanwhile, one of the most exciting things happening in Buffalo this week is the NHL Combine, being hosted by the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center and HARBORcenter. Some 120 prospects for the 2015 NHL Draft have converged on Buffalo for the week; this is an incredible hockey event that Buffalo’s been fortunate enough to get.

It also has a solid economic impact on the city of Buffalo, too. [WKBW]

Just think about it – all those hotel rooms, dinners at local restaurants, etc. Not to mention having some of the top prospects, hockey gurus and media members from around the league right here in the Queen City — it’s an awesome time to be around.

Thinking about the Combine being in Buffalo this year just makes me think about next June, when the Buffalo Sabres will host BOTH the NHL Combine and the 2016 NHL Draft. It sure is an exciting time to be living in the 716.

Next: Predicting the Cup Final

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