Buffalo drafted goalie Erik Portillo in 2019. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

With Owen Power signed, Sabres can focus on Erik Portillo, Ryan Johnson

BUFFALO – Now that the Sabres have signed defenseman Owen Power to his entry-level contract, their attention can turn to two other top college prospects, goalie Erik Portillo and defenseman Ryan Johnson.

Kevyn Adams said he has already chatted with Portillo, 21, and Johnson, 20, both of whom suffered season-ending losses Thursday at the Frozen Four.

“You want to be respectful because these guys have put their heart and soul into something and trying to ... Read the full article

Devon Levi just enjoyed a dynamic season. ©2022, Jim Pearce, Northeastern

Sabres prospect Devon Levi wants to ‘feel that pressure’ at Northeastern

BUFFALO – When goalie Devon Levi told Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams he would be returning to Northeastern, the prospect explained how another season in college could offer him what he craves.

“He’s such a mature kid the way he looks at it,” Adams said this morning inside KeyBank Center. “And one of the things he said that I found interesting is that, ‘I wanted to feel that pressure every day of people looking at ... Read the full article

Dustin Tokarski (31) loves being around his Buffalo teammates. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Craig Anderson, Dustin Tokarski giving Sabres some of NHL’s best goaltending

BUFFALO – Fresh off a scintillating, career-best effort, Sabres goalie Dustin Tokarski will likely earn another start tonight, his sixth nod in the last seven games.

Tokarski, 32, has performed superbly handling the load for injured goalie Craig Anderson, helping the Sabres emerge from a five-game winless skid.

The 13-year pro has won two straight starts entering tonight’s game against the Calgary Flames at KeyBank Center, posting a 1.50 goals-against average and a .963 ... Read the full article

Devon Levi should make his college debut at Northeastern in October. ©2021, Jim Pearce, Northeastern

Sabres have unique goalie prospect in Team Canada star Devon Levi

On his bedroom door, Buffalo Sabres goalie prospect Devon Levi has a small whiteboard he writes two numbers on every morning.

On Monday, the board read 39 – the number of days remaining in his summer training – and 69 – the number of days until the Northeastern Huskies’ 2021-22 season opener.

“Oh, I’m counting the days,” Levi told the Times Herald by phone Monday.

If everything goes as planned, Levi, who was acquired by ... Read the full article

Erik Portillo enjoyed a terrific season. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres goalie prospect Erik Portillo named USHL All-Star

Buffalo Sabres goalie prospect Erik Portillo has been named a First Team All-Star in the junior United States Hockey League after posting a league-best 2.11 goals-against average with the Dubuque Fighting Saints.

Portillo also compiled a 19-5-1 record and a .915 save percentage in 27 games as a rookie in 2019-20. The Swede ranked fourth in wins and third in save percentage.

The Sabres drafted Portillo in the third round in 2019, 67th overall.... Read the full article

Jake McCabe captained Team USA at the 2013 World Junior Championship. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres notes: Jake McCabe’s advice to Mattias Samuelsson: ‘Be yourself’

BUFFALO – Seven years ago, Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe had no idea he would be named captain of Team USA’s entry at the World Junior Championship.

The team, after all, had some returning players. McCabe, then 19, was participating in his first tournament.

“It was one I was surprised about because I was a first-year player,” McCabe said prior to Friday’s 3-0 loss to the Boston Bruins at KeyBank Center. “But I took it with ... Read the full article

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is in his first pro season. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres’ Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen named ECHL goalie of month

Buffalo Sabres prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has been named ECHL Goaltender of the Month for November after compiling a 6-2-1-0 record with a 1.88 goals-against average, a .925 save percentage and two shutouts with the Cincinnati Cyclones.

After undergoing hip surgery in late April, the Sabres sent Luukkonen, 20, to the Cyclones last month to begin his pro career.

The Sabres drafted the Finn, the Ontario Hockey League’s MVP and top goalie last season, in the ... Read the full article

John Gilmour has played four games this season. ©2019, Hickling Images

Sabres notes: John Gilmour moves up to forward as injury replacement

BUFFALO – In the end, instead of recalling a forward or trading for one, the Sabres simply utilized defenseman John Gilmour as a winger for Tuesday’s 4-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild.

Sabres coach Ralph Krueger, who has five injured forwards, said Monday the Sabres could dress seven defensemen and 11 forwards.

The other option likely would’ve been recalling someone from the Rochester Americans. The AHL club, however, only has two healthy forwards on NHL ... Read the full article

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has started strongly in the ECHL. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen named ECHL goalie of week

Posting two shutouts in two games for the Cincinnati Cyclones helped Buffalo Sabres prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen earn ECHL Goaltender of the Week honors, the league announced today.

Luukkonen made 22 saves in a 1-0 win over the Allen Americans on Thursday and stopped 23 shots in a 5-0 victory against the Fort Wayne Komets on Saturday.

Overall, the Finn, 20, has compiled a 3-2-0 record with a 1.79 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage ... Read the full article

Erik Portillo has some gaudy equipment. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres goalie prospect Erik Portillo stands out on ice

BUFFALO – You can’t miss Erik Portillo on the ice. In addition to being one of three Sabres prospects listed at 6-foot-6 on the roster, the Swede sports the gaudiest equipment of any of the six goalies in development camp.

European teams love plastering advertising everywhere, and Portillo’s Frölunda gear features plenty. Even the back of his pants have two McDonald’s logos.

But fans attending this morning’s three-on-three tournament, the conclusion of the four-day camp ... Read the full article