The NHL scouting combine returns to Buffalo this week with player testing taking center stage Friday into Saturday.

This is the fourth straight year Buffalo will host the event, featuring the top prospects from North America and Europe, including Rasmus Dahlin, expected to go first overall to the Sabres.

The combine will also be here next year and if the city has its way, this will be a long-term relationship.

"I think it is just a testament to how much Buffalo loves hockey and how much Buffalo wants the combine here,” said Jason Jerome, director of athletic development at Impact Sports Performance. “We purposely put as much energy into this as possible because we cherish the relationship we have with the NHL and with central scouting. We cherish the opportunity to have the combine in buffalo and to have it in the city. It's not just about that day, it's not just about running a great combine. It is what this whole event means to this city, what hockey means to this city."