Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) – Newly acquired defenseman Riley Stillman was at practice on Wednesday, but couldn’t participate because he’s still waiting for immigration issues to be cleared up. Buffalo Sabres head coach Don Granato says he’s inclined to put him in the lineup as soon as he’s cleared.
Granato also says defenseman Rasmus Dahlin skated on his own Wednesday, but won’t play Thursday in Boston against the Bruins. He also doesn’t anticipate him playing Saturday at home against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Stillman is excited to be a member of the Sabres just from watching them play, and the way they mesh as a team.
Stillman is only 24-years-old, and after being drafted in the fourth round of the 2016 NHL Draft by the Florida Panthers, he was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks, and later the Vancouver Canucks.
"There were a lot of emotions that come through, but I’m excited to come to a group that’s young and coming in the right direction, and in the hunt for a playoff spot," said Stillman on Wednesday. "It’s fun playing hockey that matters every night, and I’m just ecstatic to be here."
Stillman has played 32 games for the Canucks, 65 games for the Blackhawks and 43 games for the Panthers. He’s had an inconsistent career so far, but he feels his game is on the rise.
“It’s something that’s coming," Stillman said. "In the last couple of games, I’ve been trending in a better direction. I’m coming to bring in some sandpaper, some grit and to play hard.”
Stillman has seen how the Sabres play twice this season with the Canucks, and once last year with the Hawks. He loves the attack style Granato has implemented in Buffalo.
“There’s so many things to be excited about playing here. The system that we play, the guys that have implemented, the system and taking advantage of it," Stillman said. "I think it’s something that I can bring: An on your toes mentality with aggressiveness.”
Stillman’s dad, Cory, played with Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams while with Carolina the year the Hurricanes beat Buffalo and won the Stanley Cup. Little Riley was motoring around the dressing room back then, and he certainly remembers Adams.
“It’s funny, we talked today actually. Some old memories of me buzzing around the room as a kid folding towels and hanging out with the trainers, and picking his brain," Stillman recalled. "I’d like to say this is going to be the first time I’ve played with somebody who played with my dad, but it’s not, as my dad also played with 'Skinny' [Jeff Skinner] too. It’s nice to have that.”
Cory Stillman went on to play 1,025 NHL games and retired after the 2010-11 season.
Just like Mattias Samuelsson, Stillman says he’s learned a lot from his dad, but he did say he likes being more of a dad now.
We’ve seen this current group give the fans something to cheer about, as they can score goals and score in a hurry. Stillman has come into this building as a visitor, and has definitely noticed.
“They’re a team that we didn’t want to play against," he said. "The skill and the talent, and they want to win for each other. The crowd here is incredible. The fans they have here in Buffalo are intimidating, and when the team’s going and the team’s rolling, and when I watched the game last night when the guys started to turn it on, the fans were so passionate and made it such a wonderful atmosphere for the team to play in.”
Granato made no changes to the lines or the defense in Wednesday’s practice.
