#FlattenTheCurve
If the COVID-19 pandemic hadn’t halted the AHL season, Justin Bailey would likely be playing big minutes right now in the Utica Comets’ first-round playoff series.
Of course, given the scoring prowess the former Buffalo Sabres prospect showcased – 28 goals in only 53 games – he could’ve earned another recall to the Vancouver Canucks.
Instead, Bailey, 24, is home in Williamsville making the best of a difficult situation.
“Right when I got home, I ... Read the full article
Former Buffalo Sabres prospect Mikhail Grigorenko has landed with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Following three seasons in the KHL starring for CSKA Moscow, Grigorenko today signed a one-year contract worth $1.2 million, according to Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston.
The 25-year-old Russian last played in the NHL with the Colorado Avalanche in 2016-17.... Read the full article
Chris Bandura, the Buffalo Sabres’ vice president of media relations, was one of 21 employees Pegula Sports and Entertainment dismissed Tuesday.
While PSE did not name Bandura in a press release announcing the layoffs as well as an additional 104 furloughs and temporary executive salary reductions within the organization because of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Buffalo News reported he was let go.
PSE also fired John Sinclair, the Sabres’ vice president of tickets and service, ... Read the full article
BUFFALO – It was in 2016, after Keith Aucoin returned home following a championship season overseas, when he called a friend in the scouting business and asked if he had heard of a young, undersized center turning heads in Germany.
The 20-year-old’s name? Dominik Kahun.
The scout knew nothing about Kahun, who had grabbed Aucoin’s attention during their first year as teammates with Red Bull Munich.
“I’m like, ‘Well, you guys might want to ... Read the full article
After two seasons at Western Michigan, Buffalo Sabres defense prospect Mattias Samuelsson has turned pro.
Samuelsson, 20, has signed a three-year, entry-level contract, the Sabres announced today. They drafted the American in the second round in 2018, 32nd overall.
The 6-foot-4, 223-pound Samuelsson compiled seven goals, 26 points and 78 penalty minutes in 65 career games at Western Michigan. The COVID-19 pandemic cut short his sophomore season.... Read the full article
The American Hockey League season won’t resume before May, the league announced today.
But the league has recommended to its 31 teams they help their players return home, an ominous sign the season could be canceled in the coming weeks.
On Thursday, shortly after the NHL suspended its season indefinitely because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the AHL also stopped its campaign.
On Sunday, the CDC recommended that events with 50 or more people be canceled ... Read the full article
Players, staff, the Buffalo Sabres Foundation and Pegula Sports and Entertainment will help pay the lost wages of game day arena employees if the COVID-19 pandemic forces games to be canceled.
PSE owner and CEO Kim Pegula made the announcement Saturday, three days after the NHL suspended its season indefinitely as more coronavirus cases were confirmed throughout the country.
PSE also owns the Rochester Americans and two National Lacrosse League teams: the Buffalo Bandits and ... Read the full article
Before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the NHL to suspend its season indefinitely on Thursday, the Buffalo Sabres generated a little optimism in their last outing.
In Monday’s 3-2 win over the Washington Capitals, star captain Jack Eichel and rookie Victor Olofsson both busted out of slumps as the Sabres ended their six-game losing streak. Newcomer Dominik Kahun looked impressive again, scoring the shootout-winning goal. Goalie Linus Ullmark dazzled in his first appearance in nearly six ... Read the full article
BUFFALO – Wayne Simmonds doesn’t regret waiving his no-trade clause to join the Sabres two weeks ago.
The Sabres, having crept within six points of a playoff spot, wanted the respected veteran winger to help their push. Meanwhile, Simmonds, an unrestricted free agent following the season, wanted a fresh opportunity after enduring a rough campaign.
So far, the deal – the Sabres sent the New Jersey Devils a conditional fifth-round pick – hasn’t paid many ... Read the full article
BUFFALO – Expect Linus Ullmark to morph into a workhorse again over the final four weeks this season. If the goalie can stay healthy, he might start 12 or 13 of the reeling Sabres’ 14 remaining games.
Ullmark, who hasn’t played since suffering a lower-body injury Jan. 28, will likely start tonight against the Washington Capitals at KeyBank Center.
Before Ullmark missed 17 games – he backed up Carter Hutton on Saturday – he seized ... Read the full article
