Casey Mittelstadt has developed into a coveted center. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Casey Mittelstadt’s status made trading for coveted Bowen Byram possible

BUFFALO – Kevyn Adams said he never shopped Casey Mittelstadt around the NHL. No, the Sabres general manager said, the center’s emergence made him a sought-after asset.

When other GMs called him to ask about Mittelstadt, his leading scorer, he made it clear he was willing to listen and think about possible scenarios.

Adams said he had been working for a couple of years to find a young, top-pair defenseman. Those type of defenders, of ... Read the full article

Erik Johnson skates Wednesday morning in Toronto. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres trade Erik Johnson to Flyers; Buffalo makes final deal

BUFFALO – The Sabres this afternoon traded veteran defenseman Erik Johnson to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2024.

The Sabres scratched Johnson, 35, the last five games to protect their asset before this afternoon’s deadline.

After signing a one-year, $3.25 million contract as a free agent, Johnson, who won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022, compiled three goals and three points in 50 games with the Sabres.... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin stopped wearing neck protection when he joined the NHL. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin wants to wear neck guard again

BUFFALO – Sweden mandates that hockey players wear neck guards, so Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin wore one growing up and during his short stint playing pro.

Dahlin, 23, grew accustomed to the protection – “I had no problem with it,” he said – and considered it part of his normal equipment.

“I got here (in 2018) and then I somehow stopped using them,” Dahlin said following Thursday’s practice in KeyBank Center. “But I think it’s ... Read the full article

Lukas Rousek began the season in Rochester. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres prospect Lukas Rousek to make season debut with Buffalo

BUFFALO – When the Sabres recently placed winger Zach Benson and goalie Eric Comrie on injured reserve, they recalled two young forward prospects.

Brandon Biro, 25, rewarded the Sabres by scoring his first two NHL goals in Wednesday’s 5-2 road win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Biro will be joined by another rookie, Lukas Rousek, 24, in tonight’s lineup against the Flyers.

“It’s an opportunity for us to see what we have in our organization and ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson has compiled eight points in the last four games. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Tage Thompson scoring goals, developing into top penalty killer

BUFFALO – Sabres center Tage Thompson scored and also earned the primary assists on rookie Brandon Biro’s first NHL goal and the game-winning goal, so understandably, a terrific defensive play he made late in a three-goal win could be overlooked.

But in Wednesday’s 5-2 road victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, Thompson illustrated his growing maturity by thwarting what looked to be an easy power-play goal.

With Thompson, 26, covering the back side of the net, ... Read the full article

Lukas Rousek played his first two NHL games last season. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres recall forward from Americans

The Buffalo Sabres on Thursday recalled winger Lukas Rousek, who played his first two NHL games last season, from the Rochester Americans.

Winger Alex Tuch missed Thursday’s practice for maintenance, according to the Sabres, so Rousek might’ve been summoned for insurance.

The Sabres had one extra forward, winger Victor Olofsson, for Wednesday’s 5-2 road win over the Philadelphia Flyers. They host the Flyers tonight at KeyBank Center.

Update: Rousek and Tuch will play against ... Read the full article

Casey Mittelstadt has been on a tear since late last season. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Casey Mittelstadt showing star qualities, realizing potential

BUFFALO – It took about five years, an eternity for an eighth overall pick, for Sabres center Casey Mittelstadt to reach this level.

On his way to becoming a top point producer, he endured a surprising demotion to the minors, a position switch, stints on the taxi squad and an injury-riddled season.

Mittelstadt, 24, needed time – a commodity not often given to top prospects thrust into the NHL as teenagers – to figure things ... Read the full article

Zach Benson has played six NHL games. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres lose Zach Benson to injury, add Brandon Biro, Devon Levi

BUFFALO – The Sabres have lost one rookie to injury and added two to the lineup.

General manager Kevyn Adams said on Tuesday that winger Zach Benson, 18, aggravated a lower-body injury he has been dealing with and will be sidelined week to week.

With a roster spot available, the Sabres recalled forward Brandon Biro from the Rochester Americans. Biro, 25, practiced at right wing Tuesday alongside center Tage Thompson and Jordan Greenway. Coach Don ... Read the full article

Devon Levi has been one of college hockey’s elite goalie’s at Northeastern. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres sign goalie prospect Devon Levi to entry-level contract

The Buffalo Sabres this afternoon signed goalie prospect Devon Levi to a three-year, entry-level contract.

The 6-foot, 190-pound Levi, 21, just completed his junior season at Northeastern, where he was arguably the NCAA’s best goalie over the past two years.

Levi registered a 17-12-5 record with a 2.24 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage and six shutouts in 34 games this season. On Saturday, the Huskies lost their first game of the Hockey East ... Read the full article

Kyle Okposo knows the Sabres need to start better than they did on Monday. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres start slowly, get blanked by Flyers: ‘Emotionally drained’

BUFFALO – In a span of two days, the Sabres won a thrilling come-from-behind overtime contest before a raucous capacity crowd and got shut out in front of about 9,000 empty seats.

The ebb and flow of a grueling six-month season can create some real clunkers, and the Sabres clearly experienced a letdown on Monday in losing 4-0 to the Philadelphia Flyers at KeyBank Center.

Fresh off Saturday’s exciting 6-5 triumph against the Minnesota Wild, ... Read the full article