Ullmark - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres release training camp roster, schedule; 37 players to participate

On Friday, the Buffalo Sabres will touch the KeyBank Center ice for the first time in 296 days and begin preparing for the most unusual of seasons.

The NHL will be attempting to play during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it will likely experience problems – positive tests, postponements or even cancellations – as the schedule unfolds.

But those potential roadblocks can be examined another day. The Sabres’ 10-month break is nearly over. Training camp officially ... Read the full article

Goalie Dustin Tokarski thrilled to join Sabres: ‘I got that fire in me’

In his 11-year career, Dustin Tokarski has played 361 games in the American Hockey League, more than any active goalie. The Buffalo Sabres newcomer has won Calder Cup championships as a starter and a backup and as a prospect and a graybeard.

When Tokarski tends goal for the Rochester Americans, he will have played for 10 AHL teams. Three of them are no longer in the league.

Tokarski, 31, has experienced virtually everything in the ... Read the full article

Sabres add goalie depth, sign Dustin Tokarski to two-year contract

The Buffalo Sabres added goaltending depth to the organization today, signing Dustin Tokarski to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $725,000.

The veteran, one of the AHL’s most experienced goalies, is likely ticketed for the Rochester Americans, where he can help mentor goalie prospects Jonas Johansson and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

Tokarski’s arrival means Luukkonen, Buffalo’s top goalie prospect, could spend part of the upcoming season, assuming it can be played, with the ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark motivated to prove doubters wrong

Linus Ullmark started small by tackling some easy home projects. Then the Buffalo Sabres goalie ramped up his renovations. For example, he designed a couch that created more storage in his family’s apartment in Sweden.

“Now we’re in full throttle of remodeling our kitchen back home,” Ullmark said on a Zoom call Thursday.

While Ullmark, 27, might not be the next Bob Vila, he enjoys working with his hands. The projects give his mind an ... Read the full article

Sabres re-sign Victor Olofsson to two-year contract

The Buffalo Sabres have avoided arbitration with Victor Olofsson, re-signing the winger to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $3.05 million, the team announced today.

His hearing was scheduled for Wednesday.

The Sabres now have $3,495,833 of projected salary cap space, according to capfriendly.com.

Olofsson, 25, had a $767,500 cap hit as a rookie last season. He will be a restricted free agent again when the contract expires.... Read the full article

Sabres sign Sam Reinhart, Linus Ullmark to one-year contracts

The Buffalo Sabres avoided arbitration with winger Sam Reinhart and goalie Linus Ullmark by signing the restricted free agents to a pair of one-year contracts Sunday.

Reinhart, whose hearing was scheduled for Tuesday, inked a $5.2 million deal. Meanwhile, Ullmark, whose hearing was set for today, signed a $2.6 million contract.

The Sabres now have $6,545,833 in salary cap space remaining, according to capfriendly.com. They still have one arbitration hearing scheduled: winger Victor Olofsson’s ... Read the full article

Sabres re-sign Sam Reinhart to one-year, $5.2 million contract

The Buffalo Sabres have avoided arbitration with Sam Reinhart, re-signing the winger to a one-year, $5.2 million contract, the team announced today.

His hearing was scheduled for Tuesday.

Reinhart, 24, earned $3.7 million in 2019-20 in the final season of a two-year, $7.3 million contract. He will be a restricted free agent again next year.

The Sabres now have $8,445,833 in salary cap space remaining, according to capfriendly.com. Goalie Linus Ullmark (Monday) and winger ... Read the full article

Report: Sabres, Linus Ullmark $2.3 million apart before arbitration hearing

The Buffalo Sabres and goalie Linus Ullmark are $2.3 million apart heading into Monday’s arbitration hearing, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.

The Sabres offered Ullmark $1.8 million, while he countered with $4.1 million, Friedman tweeted this morning.

Ullmark, 27, earned $1.325 million last season.

The Swede enjoyed his best NHL season in 2019-20, recording a 17-14-3 record with a 2.69 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage in 34 games.

From Nov. 16 until Jan. ... Read the full article

Johan Larsson had little dialogue with Sabres before leaving for Coyotes

If Jason Botterill hadn’t been fired as general manager, then perhaps center Johan Larsson would’ve returned to the Buffalo Sabres.

Larsson, 28, just enjoyed arguably his best NHL season, becoming one of coach Ralph Krueger’s trusted forwards. The checking line the Swede pivoted between Zemgus Girgensons and Kyle Okposo quickly solidified itself as the Sabres’ steadiest combination. Krueger kept the trio intact nearly all season.

It appeared Larsson, who signed a two-year contract with ... Read the full article

Three Sabres file for salary arbitration

Three of the Buffalo Sabres’ four remaining restricted free agents – goalie Linus Ullmark and wingers Victor Olofsson and Sam Reinhart – filed for salary arbitration before today’s deadline.

Only defenseman Brandon Montour passed on it.

Update: Montour has signed a one-year, $3.85 million contract.

Filing, of course, doesn’t mean a player will go to arbitration. Negotiations can continue. The sides usually reach a deal before the arbitration hearing.

Last year, four Sabres filed ... Read the full article