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Buffalo Sabres: How Riley Stillman is already making an impact

By Zach Jezioro

VANCOUVER, CANADA - FEBRUARY 18: Riley Stillman #61 of the Vancouver Canucks and Noah Cates #49 of the Philadelphia Flyers battle for the puck during the third period of their NHL game at Rogers Arena on February 18, 2023 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, CANADA - FEBRUARY 18: Riley Stillman #61 of the Vancouver Canucks and Noah Cates #49 of the Philadelphia Flyers battle for the puck during the third period of their NHL game at Rogers Arena on February 18, 2023 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Getty Images) /
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It may not seem like it, but Riley Stillman is already making an impact on the Buffalo Sabres. And he’s done so in many facets.

When the Buffalo Sabres acquired defenseman Riley Stillman from the Vancouver Canucks last week, I think a lot of fans including me were a bit confused by it. After the trade was announced, there was tons of buzz not only from the Sabres fanbase but from other fanbases as well.

In fact, 99.9% of the comments were not good regarding the newest Sabres defenseman. However, everyone knows that Stillman isn’t known for his skill. He won’t score a lot of goals, we all know that. With that being said however, he is known for his physicality. As every Sabres fan knows, that is something Buffalo lacks.

Even general manager Kevyn Adams said that in his post trade deadline press conference. That’s why the Sabres acquired Stillman and Jordan Greenway. They were tired of being pushed around and not being physical.

New Buffalo Sabres defenseman has been physical in two games

In his very first game against the Boston Bruins, Stillman didn’t take long to show Buffalo fans what he could do. Bruins forward Jakub Lauko tried to get a hit on Stillman but Riley would have none of it and put Lauko down on the ice.

But it’s what he did in his first game in front of the hometown crowd that stands out to be. Against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Stillman got into a fight and lowered the boom once again. Ian Cole was his next victim as Stillman had a very good check on him.

He then would get into a fight with newly acquired Lightning forward Tanner Jeannot. As you can see in the video, Jeannot won the fight and Stillman had to unfortunately leave the game because of it.

Stillman is day-to-day with an upper body injury, you can see why in the video. But in his small sample size with the Sabres, Stillman is making an impact.

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His physicality is a sight to see for Buffalo and hopefully he can get back soon to help the team make a playoff push. We will find out sooner than later.

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