WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has been tough to beat as a rookie. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
Top Buffalo Sabres goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has been named an ECHL All-Star with the Cincinnati Cyclones, the league announced today.
The Finnish rookie has been stellar for the Cyclones, compiling an 11-4-3-2 record with a 2.09 goals-against average, a .909 save percentage and three shutouts in 18 games.
The Sabres sent Luukkonen, a second-round pick in 2017, 54th overall, to the Cylones in November after he recovered from surgery on his hips.... Read the full article
Casey Fitzgerald turned pro late last season. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – After watching his son, Casey, unleash some wild haymakers Monday afternoon, Tom Fitzgerald congratulated the Sabres prospect on his first pro fight.
“He just said, ‘Good scrap, you didn’t get that from me, you got that from your mother,’” Casey Fitzgerald said of his father, who played 1,097 NHL games. “I got a good laugh from that. It was good to see him after, have him here.”
Tom Fitzgerald fought just seven times ... Read the full article
Anaheim drafted Kyle Olson in 2017. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Sabres forward Kyle Olson started turning heads on his first shift, scoring just 30 seconds into Friday’s Prospects Challenge opener.
The quick goal turned out to be a harbinger for the rookie camp invite.
Olson, 20, has looked impressive throughout the Sabres’ two wins, showcasing his speed, tenacity and versatility.
“He’s smart, he’s skilled, he thinks the game very well, so he’s able to play with skilled players,” Sabres assistant general manager Randy ... Read the full article
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen underwent hip surgery in April. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Top Sabres goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is “right on track” in his recovery from hip surgery, assistant general manager Randy Sexton said.
“He’s making great progress,” Sexton said prior to Saturday’s 4-3 win over the Boston Bruins in the Prospects Challenge rookie tournament.
Still, Luukkonen will miss training camp. When the Finn underwent surgery in April, the Sabres said he would make a full recovery in six months.
They intend on sticking ... Read the full article
The Sabres drafted Brett Murray in the fourth round in 2016. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Not long ago, the Sabres made a deal with Brett Murray, a prospect whose commitment to conditioning wasn’t up to pro standards.
“What we told him was, ‘Look, you have to make the commitment. If you make a commitment and we see it in development camp, we’ll bring you to the rookie tournament,’” Sabres assistant general manager Randy Sexton said prior to Saturday’s 4-3 win over the Boston Bruins inside Harborcenter.
The ... Read the full article
Curtis Lazar has spent most of his pro career in the NHL. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – As general manager Jason Botterill promised, the Sabres added a third goalie shortly after free agency opened Monday, signing veteran Andrew Hammond.
Hammond, whose one-year, one-way deal is worth $700,000, is best known for compiling a 20-1-2 record as a rookie with the Ottawa Senators in 2014-15 and earning “The Hamburglar” nickname.
Overall, Hammond, 31, has put together a 27-15-6 mark with a 2.31 goals-against average, a .923 save percentage and four shutouts ... Read the full article
Andrew Hammond enjoyed an amazing rookie season with Ottawa in 2014-15. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – As general manager Jason Botterill promised, the Sabres added a third goalie today, signing veteran Andrew Hammond to a one-year, $700,000 contract.
Hammond, 31, is best known for compiling a 20-1-2 record as a rookie with the Ottawa Senators in 2014-15.
Overall, Hammond has put together a 27-15-6 mark with a 2.31 goals-against average, a .923 save percentage and four shutouts in 56 career NHL outings.
Hammond spent last season with the Iowa ... Read the full article
Chris Taylor plans to soak up knowledge from the Sabres’ new coaching staff. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – To many observers, Rochester Americans coach Chris Taylor possesses the talent to run an NHL bench someday.
Not only have the Amerks enjoyed two successful seasons under the affable Taylor, players seem to love playing for him.
Not surprisingly, Taylor’s name came up during the Sabres’ search for Phil Housley’s replacement. Taylor, of course, has close ties to general manager Jason Botterill, his friend and former teammate.... Read the full article
Chris Taylor has coached Rochester two seasons. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – When the Sabres began their coaching search last month, general manager Jason Botterill and his assistants, Steve Greeley and Randy Sexton, talked a lot about pursuing experienced NHL candidates.
“But we also wanted to make sure we opened it up,” Botterill said Wednesday inside KeyBank Center after the Sabres announced Ralph Krueger as their new coach. “Through this process it wasn’t always out in the media, but we looked at a lot of ... Read the full article
Jason Botterill has spent the last five weeks looking for a coach. ©2019, Hickling Images
The Buffalo Sabres will introduce Ralph Krueger as the 19th head coach in franchise history today.
Sabres general manager Jason Botterill will address the media at 11 a.m. at KeyBank Center. Krueger, who’s in Europe, will speak on a conference call at 12:30 p.m.
“Throughout his career, Ralph has shown the ability to adapt to a variety of high-pressure environments while leading some of the world’s elite players,” Botterill said in a statement. “His strong ... Read the full article
