The Daily: Which Ex-Sabres Player is Best GM?; Berggren Speaks

The Buffalo Sabres can’t make the playoffs. But they are creating a reputation as a franchise that helps develop future NHL general managers.

Daniel Briere (Philadelphia Flyers), Mike Grier (San Jose Sharks) and Chris Drury (New York Rangers) are all former Buffalo players. They all played on the 2005-06 Sabres. Buffalo Hockey Now’s Jason Moser had some fun with that fact this week by asking which former Sabres player is the best GM.

Moser explores how each GM is performing, and let’s the readers decide who is having the most impact.

“The verdict is still out on Briere, but if Philadelphia shows sustainable strides in 2024-2025,” Moser writes, “he should be positioned to solidify himself as a lead executive in the NHL.”

About Drury, Moser said: “The true judgment Drury will face is when it’s time to move on from the core. If he can do so and keep the Rangers competitive, he’ll solidify himself as one of the more stable general managers in the NHL.”

Moser said this about Grier: “Grier has accomplished the first phase of remaking the Sharks and now faces the most difficult and crucial portion of the rebuild. He should have some leeway over the next couple of seasons, but his moves will be under a microscope as San Jose looks to return to prominence.”

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Jonatan Berggren opened up, to a Swedish journalist, about the frustration he felt last season after the Red Wings sent him to the American Hockey League.

Former Red Wings prospect Tnias Mathurin will play for the Windsor Spitfires this season.  Detroit officials chose not to sign him.

Do you like Nate Danielson’s potential more than Marco Kasper’s potential? NHL.com apparently does. Danielson is No. 2 on NHL.com’s top Red Wings’ prospects. Simon Edvinsson is No. 1.

Red Wings Offseason

The Red Wings and Detroit Lions put out a video of players’ visit to the Lions’ training camp this week.

A few @DetroitRedWings players attended practice yesterday and they came bearing gifts! Thanks for coming through, guys! pic.twitter.com/9gGrprFz7E

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 12, 2024

Hockey Now Network

Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski explains the Penguins’ latest trade with the St. Louis Blues. The Penguins are stockpiling NHL draft pick and the Blues were issuing an offer sheet. Pittsburgh Penguins.

Washington: What Alex Ovechkin needs to do to take down Wayne Gretzky’s record in 2024-25. Washington Capitals.