The Sabres began sending prospects to Cincinnati in 2017-18.

Reports: Cincinnati Cyclones, Sabres’ ECHL affiliate, to sit out season

The Cincinnati Cyclones, the Buffalo Sabres’ ECHL affiliate, will not play in the 2020-21 season, according to Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek and The Buffalo News’ Lance Lysowski.

The Kalamazoo Wings and Idaho Steelheads will also sit out the season, according to Marek.

The COVID-19 pandemic has decimated minor league teams, which rely on gate revenue to operate.

On Nov. 18, the ECHL’s six-team North Division – the Adirondack Thunder, Brampton Beast, Maine Mariners, Newfoundland Growlers and ... Read the full article

Devante Stephens played seven games with Rochester. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres trade Devante Stephens to Lightning for Matthew Spencer

The Buffalo Sabres traded Devante Stephens to the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight in exchange for Matthew Spencer, a swap of ECHL defensemen.

The Sabres have assigned Spencer, 22, to the Cincinnati Cyclones.

The Lightning drafted the 6-foot-2, 206-pound Spencer in the second round in 2015, 44th overall. He has split his three pro seasons between the AHL Syracuse Crunch and ECHL, compiling five goals and 25 points in 106 total games.

Spencer played two games ... Read the full article

C.J. Smith is an AHL star. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres reassign 15 players, including Arttu Ruotsalainen, C.J. Smith

BUFFALO – The Sabres made their first significant roster cuts of training camp this morning, reassigning 15 players, most notably center Arttu Ruotsalainen and winger C.J. Smith.

The Sabres sent Ruotsalainen, 21, back to Ilves, a Finnish team in Liiga. Meanwhile, Smith, 24, must clear waivers before he can go to the Rochester Americans.

The Sabres also sent the following players to the Amerks, their AHL affiliate: forwards Eric Cornel, Sean Malone, Andrew Oglevie, ... Read the full article

Zach Bogosian is beginning his 11th NHL season. ©2018, Hickling Images

Sabres’ Zach Bogosian believes he has ‘whole new level to bring’

BUFFALO – Since the Sabres are off today, defenseman Zach Bogosian plans to enjoy some tranquility and go fishing, one of his passions away from the rink.

Bogosian, who loves bass fishing, said he finds a special peace in himself surrounded by the quietness on the water.

“I get away from everything, everyone,” Bogosian said prior to Saturday’s 3-2 preseason loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs inside KeyBank Center, his first game action since Jan. ... Read the full article

Brendan Hickey feels comfortable in Buffalo. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Brandon Hickey ready for preseason debut

BUFFALO – When Sabres defenseman Brandon Hickey received word he would be playing in tonight’s preseason opener, he said a “whole bunch of anxious energy” started running through his body.

“It’s my first taste of pro hockey,” Hickey said this morning. “I’ve been looking forward to this my whole life. I’m pretty excited to get things going tonight.”

Hickey, 22, is a bit old for a rookie. Despite being picked by the Calgary Flames in ... Read the full article

Matt Moulson scored 14 goals last season. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Matt Moulson upbeat about Sabres’ future, new regime

BUFFALO – In his 11 NHL seasons, winger Matt Moulson has played for nine coaches, including four with the Sabres.

There have been Stanley Cup winners (Marc Crawford and Dan Bylsma), rookies (Scott Gordon, Ron Rolston and others) and old school veterans (Terry Murray and Ted Nolan).

Moulson, 33, has experienced the NHL coaching gamut. So when the three-time 30-goal scorer says new Sabres coach Phil Housley’s sessions “are some of the best practices I’ve ... Read the full article

Justin Bailey knows he must stand out. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres get another opportunity to impress against Leafs

BUFFALO – The Rochester Americans open their training camp Monday, so a for a slew of Sabres, tonight’s preseason tilt against the Toronto Maple Leafs inside KeyBank Center is a final chance to impress coach Phil Housley and the team’s brass.

The Sabres will almost certainly assign some players to their AHL affiliate in the near future.

“If you want to separate yourself from other people on the team or the totem pole, you got ... Read the full article

Phil Housley likes Marco Scandella’s talents. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Phil Housley likes defense, plans to lean on Marco Scandella

BUFFALO – In a two-week span last month, general manager Jason Botterill addressed the Sabres’ most glaring weakness by acquiring defensemen Nathan Beaulieu and Marco Scandella.

Is either player elite? Hardly. Still, as puck-moving defenders, Beaulieu and Scandella offer talents the Sabres sorely lacked last season and add some much-needed depth.... Read the full article

Sean Malone played one NHL game last season. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres prospect Sean Malone healthy, ready for pro hockey

BUFFALO – Before Sabres prospect Sean Malone knew it, his short taste of the NHL, the finishing touch on his whirlwind season, was over.

On April 6, the West Seneca native played his 115th and final game with Harvard, a 2-1 loss to Minnesota Duluth in the semifinal of the NCAA Tournament. Two days later, Malone debuted with the Sabres, skating 12 minutes, 12 seconds in their 3-0 road loss to the Florida Panthers.... Read the full article

Devante Stephens just finished a strong offensive season. ©2017, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres sign Devante Stephens to 3-year, entry-level contract

BUFFALO – The Sabres have signed defenseman Devante Stephens to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced today.

The 6-foot-1, 172-pound Stephens just completed his third junior season with the Western Hockey League’s Kelowna Rockets, setting career highs with 13 goals, 22 assists and 35 points in 67 games. Stephens has 19 goals, 57 points and 166 penalty minutes in 203 career WHL games.

Former Sabres coach Dan Bylsma was so excited when the Sabres ... Read the full article