Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

After winning second Stanley Cup with Panthers, Sabres legend Rick Dudley has no plans to retire

Rick Dudley knows the end of his long and remarkable life in hockey is looming.

The 76-year-old Lewiston resident, a senior advisor to Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito, is one of game’s oldest and most respected executives.

The Stanley Cup eluded Dudley, who has spent 56 years in hockey as a player, coach and executive, until last season. Now, the septuagenarian has won back-to-back championships as part of the Panthers’ brain trust.... Read the full article

Sabres stars Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch earn invites to USA Hockey’s Olympic Orientation Camp

Buffalo Sabres wingers Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch are two of the 44 players USA Hockey has invited to its Olympic Orientation Camp for the upcoming Milano Cortina Games.

The camp will take place August 26 and 27 in Plymouth, Mich. The Olympics start Feb. 5.

South Buffalo native Patrick Kane and former Sabres captain Jack Eichel, who in June was named to a preliminary Olympic roster, are also among the invites USA Hockey released ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie prospect Samuel Meloche plays calm style similar to Carey Price

From his seat in the Bell Centre eight years ago, Samuel Meloche began studying the craft of goaltending and developing a special appreciation for Carey Price’s talent. Watching the Montreal Canadiens star move around the crease fascinated the youngster.

Price, who won the Hart and Vezina trophies in 2014-15, possessed athleticism and a special calmness in his game. Meloche wanted to be like him.

“I just fell in love with his game,” the Buffalo Sabres ... Read the full article

Sabres won’t re-sign Brett Murray for Rochester Amerks

Winger Brett Murray, who spent the last six seasons with the Rochester Americans and scored a career-high 27 goals in 2024-25, won’t be re-signed by the Buffalo Sabres, Dave Gagner, his agent, told the Times Herald.

Gagner said Rochester general manager Jason Karmanos informed him the Sabres don’t plan to bring back the unrestricted free agent.

Murray played 26 games for the Sabres over parts of four seasons, registering two goals and six points. ... Read the full article

Sabres won’t re-sign Mason Jobst for Rochester Amerks

Center Mason Jobst, who served as the Rochester Americans’ captain last season, won’t be returning to the Buffalo Sabres organization, a source told the Times Herald.

Jobst, an unrestricted free agent, spent the last three seasons with the Amerks and part of the 2021-22 campaign.

Following a 22-goal, 50-point season in 2023-24, the Sabres rewarded Jobst, 31, with a one-year, two-way NHL contract worth $350,000 in the minors, according to Puckpedia.com. He had played ... Read the full article

Former Sabres found new jobs as free agents this offseason

A year ago, Jeff Skinner lasted less than a day on the open market after the Buffalo Sabres bought out the final three seasons of his eight-year, $72 million contract.

The Edmonton Oilers believed he could play alongside superstars Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl, so they quickly signed the winger to a one-year, $3 million deal.

In late December, the Oilers scratched Skinner for the first time, and he sat out all but five of ... Read the full article

After terrific season in AHL, Sabres sign goalie Devon Levi to two-year contract

The Buffalo Sabres on Thursday locked up their last restricted free agent, signing goalie Devon Levi to a two-year, $1.625 million contract.

Levi, 23, just enjoyed a terrific season with the Rochester Americans, registering a 25-13-4 record with a 2.20 goals-against average, a .919 save percentage and a league-best seven shutouts in 42 games. He posted a 5-3 mark in the Calder Cup Playoffs.

The Sabres’ top goalie prospect also played nine games for Buffalo ... Read the full article

Sabres likely to renew KeyBank Center lease with Erie County; Firm examining arena for possible renovations

BUFFALO – The Sabres will likely allow their KeyBank Center lease agreement with Erie County to automatically be extended for five years on Sept. 30, Pete Guelli, the chief operating officer of the Sabres and Buffalo Bills, said Wednesday.

“We can also opt out, and then there’s another year on the lease after that, but the way conversations are trending, it’s likely just to continue the way it is,” Guelli said after the Sabres and ... Read the full article

Sabres sign Conor Timmins to two-year contract, avoid salary arbitration

The Buffalo Sabres on Sunday avoided salary arbitration with defenseman Conor Timmins, signing him to a two-year, $4.4 million contract.

Timmins, 26, filed for arbitration July 5. He had a hearing scheduled for Saturday, according to Puckpedia.com.

Goalie Devon Levi is the Sabres’ only unsigned restricted free agent.... Read the full article

Williamsville’s Trevor Kuntar thrilled for fresh start in Sabres organization with Rochester Amerks: ‘Dream come true’

Trevor Kuntar takes a positive approach to the struggles every hockey player will inevitably endure. The Williamsville native said his parents, Les and Faye, ingrained that in him. So no matter how difficult the situation, he refuses to have a negative outlook.

Kuntar, 24, just experienced a difficult season in which he fell out of the Boston Bruins’ plans. Fresh off a strong rookie campaign with the Providence Bruins, if he cracked the lineup, his ... Read the full article