Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

In free agency, Patrick Kane narrowed choices to Blackhawks and Sabres

BUFFALO – In the end, Patrick Kane signed with Chicago, choosing to return to the city where he’s a legend to help lead the Blackhawks back to glory.

The Sabres, Kane explained prior to Saturday’s game in KeyBank Center, aggressively pursued his services. When free agency opened July 1, one of the first calls he received was from general manager Jarmo Kekalainen.

“It was tough,” the South Buffalo native said of his decision. “It pretty ... Read the full article

Blackhawks’ Bowen Byram to miss first game versus Sabres after trade; Jordan Greenway begins ‘new chapter’

BUFFALO – Bowen Byram’s first game here as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks will have to wait until next season.

Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill said Byram, 25, is attending to a personal matter and will miss tonight’s game against the Sabres at KeyBank Center.

The Sabres traded Byram, who wanted an opportunity to become a No. 1 defenseman, to Chicago on June 23 in a blockbuster deal that brought the fourth overall pick ... Read the full article

Jack Quinn, the Sabres’ power play and other things to watch this season

BUFFALO – Friendly reminder, gang, while Seth Appert is the assistant coach in charge of the Sabres’ power play, it’s Lindy Ruff’s show. He’s the head coach.

Oh, and goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen posted a .909 save percentage last season. Yes, the Finn struggled at times in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. But he still enjoyed a strong campaign.

Why do these things bear repeating just one game into the season? Well, the Sabres lost Thursday’s opener ... Read the full article

Sabres newcomer Olen Zellweger ready to play after suffering concussion

BUFFALO – Naturally, newcomer Olen Zellweger, the Sabres’ biggest offseason acquisition, wanted to play in Thursday’s season opener in Columbus.

But just nine days had passed since Zellweger, 23, suffered a concussion in a preseason game. While he was feeling better, he did not want to rush back.

So the defenseman decided to wait two more days. He returned to practice today and is expected to made his debut in Saturday’s home opener against ... Read the full article

Months after trade, Sabres sign Louis Crevier to contract extension

Throughout training camp, whenever reporters asked coach Lindy Ruff about defenseman Louis Crevier, one of the Sabres’ offseason additions, he lauded his smart, efficient style.

Crevier, who arrived in Buffalo in the blockbuster trade that sent defenseman Bowen Byram to the Chicago Blackhawks, clearly made a strong first impression on Ruff and the Sabres.

On Thursday morning, hours before their season opener in Columbus against the Blue Jackets, the Sabres illustrated just how much they ... Read the full article

Sabres recall veteran from Rochester Amerks before opener

The Buffalo Sabres this morning recalled veteran defenseman Dennis Gilbert from the Rochester Americans.

To create a roster spot, the Sabres, who open their season tonight in Columbus, placed defenseman Olen Zellweger on injured reserve. Zellweger suffered a concussion last week.

The Sabres summoned Gilbert for insurance because they lost three of their top defensemen to injury – Zellweger, Mattias Samuelsson and Conor Timmins – during the preseason.... Read the full article

Confidence, special ability to meet big moments make Sabres rookie Konsta Helenius unique talent

BUFFALO – When he hopped inside Sami Pajari’s Toyota Yaris in July, Sabres rookie Konsta Helenius figured the Finnish rally car driver would navigate a bit slower than usual through the rough terrain of the forest with a guest aboard.

Instead, Pajari, one of the world’s top-ranked racers, shocked Helenius by speeding through the course in Ylivieska, Finland.

“He did like better time than with his own passenger who’s reading the map,” Helenius recently told ... Read the full article

With Olen Zellweger out, Sabres could recall defenseman for opener

BUFFALO – Mattias Samuelsson practiced Wednesday and could play in tonight’s season opener in Columbus. Meanwhile, newcomer Olen Zellweger missed the session and won’t face the Blue Jackets, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said.

With only six defensemen – Samuelsson is on injured reserve, while Zellweger is on the 23-man roster despite having recently suffered a concussion – Ruff said the Sabres could recall another one before tonight’s contest.

Update: The Sabres this morning recalled defenseman ... Read the full article

Mattias Samuelsson might be ready for opener; Sabres make roster move

BUFFALO – Injured Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson could play in Thursday’s season opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Samuelsson, who suffered a lower-body injury blocking a shot in the second preseason game, skated on his own Tuesday and could practice with the Sabres on Wednesday, coach Lindy Ruff said.

If the Sabres’ top shutdown defender can’t play in Columbus, Ruff expects him to return in the near future.... Read the full article

Sabres waive forward for assignment to Rochester

BUFFALO – The Sabres this afternoon placed winger Conor Sheary on waivers and will assign him to the Rochester Americans if he clears, the team announced.

Sheary, 34, returned to practice today after suffering an upper-body injury last week.

Update: Sheary has cleared.

The Sabres brought back Sheary, who spent 2018-19 and most of 2019-20 in Buffalo, during the offseason, signing him to a one-year, one-way contract worth $850,000.... Read the full article