Logan Stanley is making himself right at home in Buffalo, both on and off the ice. After spending his entire professional career with the Winnipeg Jets, Stanley made the move to the Sabres on March 6.
Since then, he's settled into hotel life, had his truck shipped from Manitoba, and even squeezed in some visits to his hometown of Waterloo, Ontario, to catch up with family. With his girlfriend and daughter visiting, the transition has been smoother, thanks in large part to the welcoming atmosphere of his new team.
The Sabres have been riding high, claiming the Atlantic Division lead in recent months. This camaraderie has been a big boost for Stanley.
"It’s an awesome group," he shared after a practice at KeyBank Center. "Everyone’s kind of a similar age, and they’ve been really good to me and welcoming, which has made it easy."
Adjusting to Buffalo's style of play has been a bit of a shift for the towering 6-foot-7 defenseman. The Sabres play a faster-paced game compared to the Jets, demanding quick transitions from defense to offense.
Despite a recent overtime loss at Anaheim, Stanley is impressed with the team's defensive discipline. "The less time you’re playing defense, the more time you have the puck and play offense," he noted, highlighting the team's commitment to solid defense as a foundation for their offensive play.
Buffalo needed a reliable third defensive pair before the trade deadline, and Stanley, alongside Zach Metsa, has stepped up to the plate. Their performance has been rock-solid, both visually and statistically.
In 43 minutes of 5-on-5 play, they’ve conceded zero goals and only four high-danger scoring chances, according to Natural Stat Trick. And they've faced some tough matchups, successfully shutting down lines featuring stars like Artemi Panarin and Adrian Kempe in Los Angeles, and holding strong against Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith in San Jose.
Stanley's integration into the Sabres is a testament to both his adaptability and the team's supportive environment. With his defensive prowess and the Sabres' high-flying style, Buffalo fans have plenty to be excited about as the season progresses.