Robin Lehner signed a one-year contract in July. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres goalie Robin Lehner not out to prove himself

BUFFALO – Robin Lehner’s agents kept telling him to take a one-year contract. After all, the Sabres goalie could parlay another strong season into a lucrative long-term deal.

But fresh off a campaign in which Lehner established himself as the Sabres’ starter and posted the NHL’s 10th-highest save percentage, he wanted a long contract right away.... Read the full article

Victor Antipin likes to move the puck. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres rookie Victor Antipin excited to showcase skills in NHL

BUFFALO – Among the pro hockey players enjoying a late-summer skate Thursday inside HarborCenter, an unfamiliar face stood out, a goateed youngster in Sabres apparel sporting No. 93.

Who was it? Russian defenseman Victor Antipin, perhaps the Sabres’ most intriguing offseason addition.... Read the full article

Zemgus Girgensons has played four seasons with the Sabres. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres re-sign Zemgus Girgensons to two-year contract

BUFFALO – The Sabres locked up their last restricted free agent today, signing forward Zemgus Girgensons to a two-year, $3.2 million contract.

Girgensons, 23, compiled seven goals and 16 points in a career-high 75 games last season, his fourth NHL campaign. The Latvian has 37 goals and 86 points in 277 career contests.... Read the full article

Will Butcher played four NCAA seasons. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Report: Will Butcher to visit Sabres

Defense prospect Will Butcher, the Hobey Baker Award winner as college hockey’s top player last season, will become an unrestricted free agent and visit the Buffalo Sabres, according to the Denver Post.

Butcher, 22, will also visit the New Jersey Devils and the expansion Vegas Golden Knights.... Read the full article

Nathan Beaulieu spent four years in Montreal. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres re-sign Nathan Beaulieu to two-year contract

BUFFALO – The Sabres have re-signed defenseman Nathan Beaulieu to a two-year, $4.8 million contract, the team announced today.

Beaulieu, a restricted free agent, had an arbitration hearing scheduled for Friday.

With Beaulieu’s deal done, the Sabres only have one unsigned RFA, forward Zemgus Girgensons.

The Sabres acquired Beaulieu, 24, from the Montreal Canadiens on June 17 for a 2017 third-round pick.

Beaulieu has played 225 NHL games over four seasons, compiling seven goals, ... Read the full article

Sam Reinhart and the Sabres play on NBC New Year’s Day. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres to appear on national TV seven times in 2017-18

The Buffalo Sabres will make seven appearances on national television in 2017-18, the NHL announced today.

The schedule:

Tuesday, Oct. 24 vs. Detroit, 7:30 p.m. (NBCSN)

Wednesday, Oct. 25 at Columbus, 8 p.m. (NBCSN)

Tuesday, Nov. 7 vs. Washington, 7 p.m. (NBCSN)

Tuesday, Dec. 19 vs Boston, 7:30 p.m. (NBCSN)

Sunday, Jan. 1 vs. New York Rangers, 1 p.m. (2018 Winter Classic on NBC)

Thursday, Jan. 18 at New York Rangers, 7:30 p.m. (NBCSN)

Monday, ... Read the full article

Evan Rodrigues (71) tries to grab the puck between Philadelphia’s Nick Cousins and Valtteri Filppula on March 7. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres re-sign Evan Rodrigues to two-year contract

BUFFALO – The Sabres have re-signed forward Evan Rodrigues to a two-year, $1.3 million contract, the team announced this afternoon.

With Rodrigues locked up, the Sabres have two unsigned restricted free agents: defenseman Nathan Beaulieu and forward Zemgus Girgensons.

Rodrigues, who turns 24 on Friday, enjoyed a breakout campaign as a center last season, playing regularly with the Sabres for the final two months. In 30 NHL games, the Boston University product compiled four goals ... Read the full article

Robin Lehner played in a career-high 59 games last season. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres sign goalie Robin Lehner to one-year contract

BUFFALO – The Sabres have avoided arbitration with Robin Lehner, signing the starting goalie to a one-year, $4 million contract, the team announced this morning.

Lehner, a restricted free agent, had an arbitration hearing scheduled for Thursday.

Not surprisingly, with a new regime and Lehner light on experience as a No. 1 goalie, the Sabres went with a short-term deal. Lehner will be an RFA again next year.

In his first full season as ... Read the full article

Kyle Okposo (21) participated in Brian Gionta’s 1,000th game ceremony prior to his last appearance in March. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Kyle Okposo says concussion led to absence

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Kyle Okposo said he’s fully healthy and ready to play again after a concussion he suffered in March left him hospitalized in intensive care.

In a letter to fans posted on the team’s website, Okposo said an innocent hit during practice late last season eventually forced him to be admitted to the neuro surgical unit at Buffalo General Hospital.... Read the full article

Brett Murray joined Penn State for the second semester. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres prospect Brett Murray happy at Penn State

BUFFALO – In early January, as the upstart Penn State men’s hockey team vaulted up the USCHO poll to the brink of a No. 1 national ranking, the Nittany Lions welcomed a new player, Sabres prospect Brett Murray.

Penn State coach Guy Gadowsky wondered how the NCAA freshman would assimilate to a team enjoying its best season ever.

“For a freshman to come in halfway through the season, I think could be, if the guy ... Read the full article