Knapp - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres recall three from Amerks on emergency basis

BUFFALO – Yes, the Sabres will have a full lineup for this afternoon’s season finale against the New York Islanders inside the First Niagara Center.

The injury-ravaged club, which lost five players in Saturday’s 4-1 loss in Boston, today recalled winger Nick Deslauriers, goalie Andrey Makarov and defenseman Mark Pysyk from Rochester on an emergency basis.

Makarov could make his first NHL start against the Isles. The 20-year-old Russian played Friday and Saturday for ... Read the full article

Season filled with turmoil about to end for reeling Sabres

Mercifully, 193 days after it started, the most tumultuous season in Buffalo Sabres history will end around 7:30 p.m. Sunday inside the First Niagara Center.

The finale can’t come quickly enough for the reeling Sabres, losers of six straight games and 17 of their last 19.

In a season filled with turmoil, the Sabres endured arguably their roughest game this afternoon in Boston, losing five more players to injury, including goalie Matt Hackett, in ... Read the full article

Sabres recall goalie Connor Knapp from Amerks

BUFFALO – With goalie Andrey Makarov sent back to Rochester to help the Americans secure a playoff spot, the Sabres recalled Connor Knapp today.

If Knapp backs up Matt Hackett on Saturday in Boston, the Sabres would set an NHL record by dressing their ninth goalie this season, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

They’ve recently lost goalies Jhonas Enroth, Nathan Lieuwen and Michal Neuvirth to injuries and also traded Ryan Miller and Jaroslav Halak. ... Read the full article

Sabres’ goalie situation unclear with injuries; Rookie Nathan Lieuwen could start against Flames

BUFFALO – A day after his surprising NHL debut, everything had settled down a bit for Sabres rookie Nathan Lieuwen.

Lieuwen said his body felt OK after playing three games in three days, a rarity for a goalie. He even remembered some of the action he faced Sunday. Memories were a blur following his 22-minute, 10-save relief appearance in the Sabres’ 2-0 loss to Montreal.

“I could remember a few more things this ... Read the full article

Sabres send 13 players to Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres trimmed their training camp roster by 15 players today.

The team sent the following players to AHL Rochester: forwards Colin Jacobs, Eric Locke, Johnny McGuire, Jonathan Parker, Kevin Sunder, Shawn Szydlowski and Frederick Roy; defensemen Nick Crawford (pending waivers), Alex Lepkowski and Matt MacKenzie; goalies Connor Knapp, Nathan Lieuwen and Andrey Makarov.

In addition, the Sabres sent defenseman Brady Austin and forward Peter Trainor back to their junior clubs.... Read the full article

Sabres goalie prospects will battle for action with Amerks next season

BUFFALO – In his first professional season, Connor Knapp sat on the bench in the AHL and watched … and watched … and watched as David Leggio handled the bulk of the Rochester Americans’ goaltending duties.

Knapp made the first of his seven starts Nov. 3, the season’s 10^th game. The rookie played again 13 days later, then sat another three weeks. After Knapp’s Dec. 22 appearance, Leggio started the next 15 games.

Finally, ... Read the full article

Goalie David Leggio signs with Capitals, grateful for time in Sabres organization

BUFFALO – David Leggio has no hard feelings toward the Sabres.

Three summers ago, the goalie figured his championship season in Finland would generate interest back in North America. But offers never materialized. Finally, as the summer dragged on, the Sabres gave Leggio a chance when no one else would, signing him to play behind Jhonas Enroth with the Portland Pirates.

At that point, the 28-year-old Williamsville native had played three AHL games.

“They believed ... Read the full article

Amerks receive Adam from Sabres, Catenacci from junior

BUFFALO – The Rochester Americans received two forwards for their playoff push today.

The Sabres sent Luke Adam, a healthy scratch three of the last four contests, back to the Amerks after playing four games, the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reported.

The 22-year-old scored one goal during his first NHL stint in more than a year.

Meanwhile, the Amerks have recalled Daniel Catenacci, the 77^th overall pick in 2011, from the Ontario ... Read the full article

Sabres loan 20 players to Rochester

BUFFALO – With an NHL lockout likely hitting at midnight tonight, the Sabres loaned 20 AHL-eligible players, including forwards Marcus Foligno and Cody Hodgson, to the Rochester Americans on Friday.

Also assigned were: forwards Luke Adam, Riley Boychuk, Brian Flynn, Zemgus Girgensons, Jacob Lagace, Jonathan Parker, Kevin Sundher, Shawn Szydlowski, Corey Tropp, Phil Varone; defensemen Alex Biega, Nick Crawford, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc, Matt MacKenzie, Brayden McNabb, Mark Pysyk; goalies Connor Knapp and Nathan Lieuwen. The Sabres ... Read the full article

Sabres sign Catenacci, Knapp to entry-level deals

BUFFALO – The Sabres have signed forward Daniel Catenacci and goalie Connor Knapp to entry-level contracts beginning next season. Both will report to Rochester on amateur tryouts.

The 19-year-old Catenacci, the 77^th overall pick in 2011, tallied 33 goals and 72 points in 67 games with the Ontario Hockey League’s Owen Sound Attack this season.

Catenacci, 5-foot-9 and 199 pounds, has 69 goals, 173 points and 299 penalty minutes in 199 career OHL contests.... Read the full article