Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Former Sabre Chad Ruhwedel fitting in with Penguins

BUFFALO – By last season, when Chad Ruhwedel earned just a one-game recall, it was obvious the Sabres would move on from the talented AHL defenseman.

Of course, a lack of injuries – Buffalo’s blue line stayed remarkably healthy in 2015-16 – limited his action. But even the year before, as a 10-goal, 36-point campaign helped Ruhwedel receive Rochester Americans MVP honors, he managed only four NHL appearances.

“It was kind of a rough season ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Brady Austin, Casey Nelson from Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres, down four defensemen to injury, recalled Brady Austin and Casey Nelson from the Rochester Americans this morning.

Austin, 23, will almost certainly make his NHL debut in tonight’s road tilt against the Detroit Red Wings. Meanwhile, Nelson, 24, has already made 16 appearances with the Sabres.

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Austin has two goals, nine points, 36 penalty minutes and a minus-10 rating in 61 games with the Amerks this season, his ... Read the full article

Sabres must recall defensemen from Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres, down a whopping four defensemen, plan to recall two from the Rochester Americans for Monday’s road game in Detroit, coach Dan Bylsma said.

They practiced with only four healthy defenders this morning inside HarborCenter.

Not exactly ideal, huh?

Defensemen Taylor Fedun (foot) and Cody Franson (unspecified) were injured in Friday’s 2-1 shootout win in Anaheim. Justin Falk (bruised calf, two games) and Dmitry Kulikov (upper body, seven games) are also hurt.... Read the full article

Sabres recall Taylor Fedun to replace Justin Falk

The Buffalo Sabres today recalled defenseman Taylor Fedun to replace Justin Falk, who recently bruised his calf blocking a shot, coach Dan Bylsma told reporters in California.

Fedun, 28, played 25 games with the Sabres earlier this season, compiling seven assists. The Princeton product has five goals and 23 points in 29 appearances with the AHL Rochester Americans.

The Sabres will also be without winger Justin Bailey for tonight’s road tilt against the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Nick Deslauriers finally playing, contributing

BUFFALO – When Sabres coach Dan Bylsma charged Nick Deslauriers with creating some energy, the gritty winger’s first instinct, of course, was to fight.

But these days, those opportunities are scarce. Deslauriers has only fought four times this season. He certainly wasn’t going to find one enjoying a rare shift on the first line with the listless Sabres down three goals Saturday.

“I would’ve loved to get a fight there, but I don’t think ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Justin Bailey has opportunity to stay in Buffalo

BUFFALO – Right now, thanks to his torrid goal-scoring run in the AHL and some injuries with the big club, Sabres winger Justin Bailey has the best opportunity of his young career to stick in the NHL for good.

For the last five weeks, the speedy Bailey, 21, has enjoyed regular duty, playing 19 straight games. Some contests the Williamsville native has skated on a top line.

“It’s a really big one,” Sabres coach Dan ... Read the full article

Amerks loan Cal O’Reilly to AHL Marlies

Apparently, the Rochester Americans’ struggles became too much for Cal O’Reilly.

The Amerks today loaned O’Reilly, their captain and second-leading scorer, to the Toronto Marlies, the Maple Leafs’ AHL affiliate.

O’Reilly, 30, signed a two-year, one-way contract worth $1.4 million with the Buffalo Sabres in 2015. Giving a huge salary to an AHL player supposedly illustrated how badly the Sabres wanted to win in Rochester. But the Amerks missed the playoffs last season and ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Evan Rodrigues earning keep

BUFFALO – On a team featuring 11 veterans earning more than $3 million, Evan Rodrigues, a rookie 15 games into his NHL career, was arguably the Sabres’ best player during two wretched road losses last weekend.

Let that sink in.

“It’s a little disappointing Rodrigues is one of our best players,” Sabres general manager Tim Murray said Wednesday. “It’s great for him. But I’m not sure that’s what should’ve happened in those two games.”... Read the full article

Sabres’ Evan Rodrigues now NHL regular

BUFFALO – On a team featuring 11 veterans earning more than $3 million, Evan Rodrigues, a rookie 14 games into his NHL career, was arguably the Sabres’ best player during two wretched road losses last weekend.

“It’s a little disappointing Rodrigues is one of our best players,” Sabres general manager Tim Murray said earlier this week. “It’s great for him. But I’m not sure that’s what should’ve happened in those two games.”

Still, the ... Read the full article

Captain Brian Gionta wants to stay with Sabres

BUFFALO – Brian Gionta said it again Tuesday, that despite a small chance of reaching the playoffs and an expiring contract, he wants to stay with the Sabres, the team he has captained three seasons.

“I’ve made my position pretty clear,” Gionta said prior to the Sabres’ 5-4 overtime loss to the Nashville Predators inside KeyBank Center. “I’d like to stay here. I’d like to be here going on in the future. I want to ... Read the full article