Linus Weissbach is returning to Rochester. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres assign seven players to Amerks, release 14 from PTOs

The Buffalo Sabres on Friday made their first significant roster cuts of training camp, assigning seven players to the Rochester Americans and releasing 14 from their professional tryouts.

The Sabres have 39 players – 21 forwards, 13 defensemen and five goalies – left on their roster.

They loaned the following players to the Amerks: forwards Filip Cederqvist, Aleksandr Kisakov, Tyson Kozak, Olivier Nadeau, Viktor Neuchev and Linus Weissbach; defenseman Nikita Novikov.... Read the full article

The Joe Thornton Community Centre is ready for the Sabres. ©2023

Jacob Bryson, Sabres excited to play in Hockeyville: ‘It’s very special’

ST. THOMAS, Ont. – When the Buffalo Sabres arrived via a police escort at Joe Thornton Community Centre to prepare for tonight’s Kraft Hockeyville game, defenseman Jacob Bryson, who grew up in nearby London, left the bus first to greet excited fans.

“I would say I was ordered,” joked Bryson, who will play in tonight’s preseason game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Of course, Bryson gladly, as he said, “led the charge.” He occasionally practiced ... Read the full article

Linus Weissbach cracked the 20-goal mark last season. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres re-sign Linus Weissbach to one-year, two-way contract

The Buffalo Sabres on Monday re-signed winger Linus Weissbach to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 in the NHL.

Weissbach 25, was the Sabres’ last restricted free agent. The Swede has spent his entire two-year pro career with the Rochester Americans.

He scored 20 goals and 47 points in 69 games last season, offensive numbers that ranked third and fourth, respectively, on the Amerks. He added three goals and 10 points in 12 games during ... Read the full article

Buffalo drafted Anton Wahlberg in the second round last month. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres sign Anton Wahlberg, Brett Murray to contracts

The Buffalo Sabres on Friday signed two players, inking forward prospect Anton Wahlberg to a three-year, entry-level contract and winger Brett Murray to a one-year, two-way deal.

Wahlberg, 18, is the first member of the Sabres’ 2023 draft class to sign a contract. The Swede’s deal has a $950,000 average annual value, according to capfriendly.com.

Murray, 24, was a restricted free agent. His deal is worth $775,000 in the NHL. He will receive $250,000 in ... Read the full article

Tyson Jost (17) pursues the puck last season with teammate Kyle Okposo behind him. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres don’t extend qualifying offers to Tyson Jost, two others

Following the end of his first season in Buffalo, center Tyson Jost talked about what a special group he had joined and how badly he wanted to return to the Sabres.

On Friday, the Sabres did not give Jost, 25, a qualifying offer, meaning he can become an unrestricted free agent when the market opens Saturday.

General manager Kevyn Adams, however, has said he wants Jost to return. By not extending him an offer as ... Read the full article

Hershey’s Riley Sutter shakes hands with Malcolm Subban following Friday’s 1-0 win over the Americans. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Rochester Amerks’ wild postseason run ends with loss to Hershey: ‘Such an unbelievable team’

ROCHESTER – The reality Seth Appert would never coach this group of Americans again hit him hard in the moments after Friday’s season-ending 1-0 loss to the Hershey Bears.

This group, Appert said, took time to find its way. In late February, the Amerks were mired in sixth place. In the beginning of the season, they lost their starting goalie and two established talents expected to be big contributors.

“Success and this high a level ... Read the full article

Rochester’s Linus Weissbach zooms to the net and beats Hershey goalie Hunter Shepard early in Monday’s game. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Rochester Amerks implode late against Hershey, on brink of elimination; Matthew Savoie scratched

ROCHESTER – Having stared down elimination three times earlier in the Calder Cup Playoffs, it might be premature to write off the Americans.

When they faced a win-or-go-home scenario in the AHL North Division semifinals, they responded by rattling off seven straight wins.

They’ve thrived under adversity. So perhaps they can rebound from Monday’s emotional 4-2 loss to the Hershey Bears in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Still, following their third-period implosion, it’s ... Read the full article

Rochester’s Sean Malone battles for position Saturday between Hershey’s Logan Day and goalie Hunter Shepard. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Rochester Amerks lose, fall behind to Hershey: ‘Tackle football out there’

ROCHESTER – After the Americans opened the AHL Eastern Conference finals by scoring another five goals, it felt like their offense might overwhelm another opponent.

In winning two Calder Cup Playoffs series, the Amerks averaged six goals a game in their six victories. They seemed to be picking up where they left off.

But in Games 2 and 3 against the Hershey Bears, the Amerks have been forced to play what coach Seth Appert called ... Read the full article

Rochester’s Linus Weissbach gets tangled with Laval’s Tory Dello earlier this season. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres prospect Linus Weissbach adds grittiness to game for Amerks: ‘A rat’

ROCHESTER – Linus Weissbach doesn’t consider his stark transformation over the past two seasons a change. The Buffalo Sabres prospect still showcases the skills that helped him enjoy a terrific college career and make a quick impact with the Americans.

“It’s more about kind of adding to,” the winger told the Times Herald last Wednesday in Blue Cross Arena. “I think everything I do has kind of brought me to this point.”

OK, call it ... Read the full article

Youngstown native Joseph Cecconi skates to the bench after scoring for Rochester 14 seconds into Tuesday’s game. ©2023, Tori Hartman, Hershey Bears

Rochester Amerks stay red hot, defeat Hershey in conference final opener

Seven straight victories in the Calder Cup Playoffs. Forty-one goals scored during that torrid stretch.

In Tuesday’s AHL Eastern Conference final opener, the Rochester Americans stayed red hot, pouncing on the Hershey Bears early and cruising to a 5-1 win at Giant Center.

Defenseman Joseph Cecconi, a Youngstown native, scored 14 seconds into the contest before winger Brett Murray made it 2-0 at 9:04.... Read the full article