For the first time in the 22-year history of the NHL Combine, the Buffalo Sabres played host to the events last week, and it was overwhelmingly a success. As a result, one can only hope that the NHL continues to hold its annual combine for draft-eligible prospects in Buffalo for many years to come.
I recall when the first rumors of the NHL Combine coming to Buffalo came up. Initially, it was a “WHOA” moment. After all, the event was always something done up in Toronto and the surrounding area, beginning one year in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and eventually moving to places like the Westin Bristol Place and The International Centre.
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So to hear even a rumor about the Buffalo Sabres possibly hosting the event was huge — and then, eventually, the official announcement came back in August. Not only would the Buffalo Sabres be hosting the event in 2015, but they’d also host it in 2016.
After that, the location is TBD, but why not keep it in Buffalo?
Generally, everyone seemed pretty pleased with this year’s NHL Combine, and the Sabres’ organization and hosting of such events. With testing, interviews and more being held at First Niagara Center, HARBORcenter and the Courtyard by Marriott hotel across the street, everything was organized in close proximity with top-notch facilities.
Just a few people who expressed their positive opinions on the Sabres’ hosting of the Combine included Mark Kelley, Chicago Blackhawks senior director of amateur scouting, and Joe Haggerty of Sportsnet.
“It’s been the best combine, it’s seamless and the organization that Buffalo has done with Dan Marr and Central Scouting has been flawless,” Kelley said.
Haggerty Tweeted a message on Sunday about the “nice job by new look Buffalo hosting NHL combine this wk.”
Other positive reactions:
Back in Edmonton. Hats off to Buffalo for hosting a great combine. Now onto the draft. Should be an exciting one.
— Chris Wescott (@TheChrisWescott) June 7, 2015
Mugshot from the Combine! It was a great experience here in Buffalo!! #nhlcombine https://t.co/bxXziCLcqr
— Adin Hill (@Adin_Hill) June 7, 2015
NHL.com also posted an article on Sunday about Buffalo’s lasting impression in hosting the NHL Combine, with additional quotes from team executives there.
In the end, it seems like everyone was very happy with the Sabres’ hosting of the NHL Combine. Right now, we can say that it’ll be back next year, though the fate of the event after that are unknown. Why not bring it back to the Queen City?
One new topic of conversation that was raised in the last week was the possibility of adding on-ice testing to the NHL Combine.
Of course, anything like that would have to be approved, but if it was — HARBORcenter and First Niagara Center have more than enough space to allow such a thing. Put the on-ice testing at Rink 2 of HARBORcenter (smaller, but would still allow team execs. to see what’s going on), keep the off-ice testing at Rink 1, and player interviews at FNC and the nearby hotels.
Another question that pops up in my head: could the NHL Combine then travel to other cities? Maybe the Sabres host it for a few years, then the league looks at other teams with the potential space to host it. It would definitely be new territory with a lot of kinks to work out, but wouldn’t that be interesting to at least consider?
Next: Sabres 2015 NHL Draft Positions
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