Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Sabres’ initial 2026-27 roster has goalies Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Alex Lyon

The Buffalo Sabres’ initial 23-man roster for the 2026-27 season released Monday features three goalies, six defensemen and 14 forwards.

Goalies Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Alex Lyon and defenseman Olen Zellweger, all of whom suffered injuries in preseason games last week, are listed on the roster.

One rookie, forward Konsta Helenius, made the team.... Read the full article

After losing defensemen to injury, Matt Grzelcyk’s signing gives Sabres boost

BUFFALO – The Sabres wasted no time getting newcomer Matt Grzelcyk acclimated. Without the benefit of a practice or pregame skate, they threw the defenseman into the lineup for their preseason finale.

Grzelcyk, who on Friday signed a one-year, $850,000 contract, looked comfortable throughout Saturday afternoon’s 3-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, skating 16 minutes, 48 seconds, mostly alongside Conor Timmins.

“It almost helped, honestly, just having no pregame skate, nothing – just go right ... Read the full article

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen leaves game injured as Sabres end preseason

BUFFALO – When the Sabres open the regular season Thursday in Columbus, Colten Ellis could be their starting goalie.

A trying preseason in which they lost five significant players to injury in four games, including top goalies Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Alex Lyon, has mercifully ended.

In Saturday afternoon’s 3-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ruff said Luukkonen, who has a history of injuries, left 3:47 into the third period when he tweaked something on ... Read the full article

Signing Matt Grzelcyk shows Sabres in full Stanley Cup mode; Olen Zellweger could be back for opener

BUFFALO – When the Sabres announced Friday they had signed veteran Matt Grzelcyk to a one-year, $850,000 contract, it felt like they might also reveal they expected at least one of their two injured defensemen, Mattias Samuelsson and Olen Zellweger, to be sidelined longer than they expected.

But Samuelsson and Zellweger, both of whom went down in Tuesday’s 5-1 preseason win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, are doing well.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said Samuelsson, ... Read the full article

Sabres waive eight players, including first-rounder, assign 17 to Rochester

The Buffalo Sabres on Friday placed eight players on waivers, including defenseman Ryan Johnson, a first-round pick in 2019, for the purpose of assigning them to the Rochester Americans.

The Sabres also waived goalie Matt Villalta, defenseman Dennis Gilbert and forwards Mason Geertsen, Trevor Kuntar, Aidan McDonough, Carson Meyer and Jason Polin.

Update: Everyone on waivers cleared.

In addition, the Sabres also assigned the following players to the Amerks, their AHL affiliate: goalies Talyn ... Read the full article

After losing two defensemen to injury, Sabres sign veteran Matt Grzelcyk

BUFFALO – The Sabres, who lost two of their top defensemen to injury in Tuesday’s preseason game, added depth to their blue line this morning by signing veteran Matt Grzelcyk to a one-year, $850,000 contract.

Inking the left-shot Grzelcyk, a puck-moving defender, indicates Mattias Samuelsson, who’s week to week with a lower-body injury, and Olen Zellweger, who has a concussion, could be sidelined into the regular season.

The Sabres open their campaign Thursday on the ... Read the full article

With waivers looming, Sabres prospect Ryan Johnson reaches critical juncture in young career

BUFFALO – Ryan Johnson’s legs are his greatest gift. The Sabres prospect is a sublime, world-class skater who possesses the talent to move alongside anyone.

“We know he can skate with the best players,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said of the defenseman following a recent session of training camp in KeyBank Center. “He can skate with the top players in the league.”

Pure skill isn’t an issue. To stick in the NHL, Johnson, the 31st ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Alex Lyon, Jiri Kulich leave loss to Red Wings with injuries

For the second straight preseason game, the Buffalo Sabres lost two key players to injuries.

Goalie Alex Lyon and center Jiri Kulich both exited Thursday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings.

Update: Ruff said Lyon is being evaluated today. The team will know more about his injury Saturday.

Meanwhile, Kulich stayed off the ice today for maintenance. Ruff said the Czech could skate Saturday or play in the preseason finale against the Pittsburgh ... Read the full article

Sabres preseason: Jiri Kulich to center top line; Gavin McCarthy set to debut

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ plan for Jiri Kulich this preseason includes moving him around the lineup at different positions.

So the Czech forward, who missed most of last season recovering from a blood clot, is expected to center the top line alongside Konsta Helenius and Noah Ostlund for at least some of tonight’s preseason road game against the Detroit Red Wings.

Kulich, who will likely play all four exhibition contests, has spent some of training ... Read the full article

Sabres D Mattias Samuelsson week to week with injury; Olen Zellweger in concussion protocol

BUFFALO – It took less than one week of training camp for injuries to the hit the Sabres hard.

When the Sabres open the season next Thursday on the road against the Columbus Blue Jackets, they could be without two of their top four defensemen.

Mattias Samuelsson, their top shutdown defender, is week to week with a lower-body injury he suffered blocking a shot in Tuesday’s 5-1 preseason win over Columbus, coach Lindy Ruff said.... Read the full article