Murray - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres prospect Jiri Kulich displaying growth with Amerks; Vinnie Hinostroza playing big minutes in Rochester

ROCHESTER – The silver medal Buffalo Sabres prospect Jiri Kulich recently earned at the World Junior Championship hasn’t changed his life much.

Of course, Kulich, 18, is proud to have scored the overtime goal against Sweden to send Czechia to its first gold medal game since 2001. But following what he called an “unbelievable” experience, he simply resumed his rookie season with the Americans.

If he had returned home earlier this month, he might’ve been ... Read the full article

Sabres fall behind early but roar back in loss to Penguins: ‘A ton of chances’

PITTSBURGH – With the Buffalo Sabres trailing by one goal in the waning minutes of Saturday’s 3-1 loss, winger JJ Peterka set up a splendid scoring chance for linemate Jack Quinn at the top of the right circle.

But instead of unleashing a shot on goalie Casey DeSmith, the rookie quickly passed to center Dylan Cozens, who couldn’t handle the puck in the left circle.

“Everybody watching wishes Jack Quinn would have taken that shot ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Henri Jokiharju sidelined by lower-body injury; D recalled

PITTSBURGH – Buffalo Sabres defenseman Henri Jokiharju suffered a lower-body injury in Friday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Penguins and will be sidelined week to week.

Jokiharju, 23, was injured early but finished the game, playing 23 minutes, 59 seconds. The Finn possibly hurt himself blocking Evgeni Malkin’s shot late in the first period.

With Jokiharju sidelined, defenseman Lawrence Pilut will likely move into the lineup tonight against the Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. Granato ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Former Buffalo prospect Brandon Hagel thriving with Lightning

BUFFALO – Over the past 10 years, five prospects the Sabres drafted in the sixth round or later have played NHL games. Just three have earned regular duty.

Winger Victor Olofsson has scored 11 goals for the Sabres this season, a total that trails only center Tage Thompson’s 13. Goalie Linus Ullmark, who departed Buffalo in 2021, has a stunning 13-1-0 record for the Boston Bruins.

The other? Tampa Bay Lightning winger Brandon Hagel, ... Read the full article

After demotion by Sabres to Rochester, Anders Bjork embraces fresh chance

ROCHESTER – Prior to scoring Wednesday’s overtime winner, Americans winger Anders Bjork looked rusty in his season debut.

Having served as the Sabres’ 14th forward before clearing waivers on Tuesday, he hadn’t played in 12 days. He joined the Amerks the morning of their 4-3 win against the Belleville Senators, participated in a short skate and was thrown into the lineup.

Not surprisingly, Bjork, a veteran of 211 NHL games, struggled at times to win ... Read the full article

Sabres trim roster, send Matt Savoie to junior, 21 players to Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres on Saturday assigned center Matt Savoie to his junior team and loaned 21 players to the Rochester Americans, their AHL affiliate.

They have 31 healthy players left in training camp. They must finalize their 23-man regular-season roster by 5 p.m. on Oct. 10.

The Sabres gave Savoie, the ninth overall pick this year, a long look during camp, awarding him three preseason games before sending to the Winnipeg Ice. Savoie, 18, was ... Read the full article

Sabres re-sign Brett Murray to one-year contract

The Buffalo Sabres on Monday re-signed winger Brett Murray, who played 19 NHL games last season, to a one-year, two-way contract.

The deal is worth $750,000 in the NHL and $225,000 in the AHL, according to capfriendly.com.

The Sabres now have two unsigned restricted free agents: goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and forward Arttu Ruotsalainen.

Murray, 23, compiled two goals and six points during his recalls to Buffalo last season. He made his first two NHL ... Read the full article

Sabres agree to terms with Victor Olofsson on two-year contract

BUFFALO – The Sabres today locked up their most significant restricted free agent, agreeing to terms with winger Victor Olofsson on a two-year, $9.5 million contract.

Olofsson, who turns 27 next Monday, finished last season on a tear, compiling 15 goals and 28 points over his final 34 games. He also enjoyed a hot start, scoring five goals and nine points in the first seven games.

If Olofsson hadn’t suffered a wrist injury in early ... Read the full article

Through free agency or trade, Sabres must find another goalie

BUFFALO – The Sabres possess a stable of strong goaltending prospects.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, a Finn labeled as the Sabres’ goalie of the future, has looked impressive in his limited NHL action. While he has battled injuries and struggled at times in the minors, he’s still a terrific young talent.

The Sabres also boast Devon Levi, the NCAA’s top goalie last season at Northeastern, and drafted Topias Leinonen in the second round on Friday, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ development camp roster loaded with top prospects

Eight first-round picks, including all three the Buffalo Sabres selected last week – centers Matthew Savoie, Noah Ostlund and Jiri Kulich – are on the 43-man development camp roster the team released Monday.

The most anticipated camp in a long time – the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Sabres to cancel it the last two years – begins Wednesday at LECOM Harborcenter.

The roster is loaded with top prospects. Forwards Peyton Krebs, Jack Quinn, Isak Rosen ... Read the full article