Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres land Erik Brannstrom in trade with Rangers, deal Henri Jokiharju

The Sabres made another trade before the 3 p.m. deadline, dealing winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel, who has been playing for the Rochester Americans, to the New York Rangers in exchange for defenseman Erik Brannstrom.

Brannstrom, 25, spent his brief tenure in the Rangers organization playing with the Hartford Wolf Pack, their AHL affiliate.

Incredibly, this is the third time he has been traded this season.... Read the full article

Sabres trade Dylan Cozens to Senators, get Josh Norris, Jacob Bernard-Docker

Two seasons ago, in the midst of a breakout 31-goal campaign, the Buffalo Sabres labeled center Dylan Cozens as one of their cornerstones, awarding him a seven-year contract extension.

Today, after two disappointing seasons, Cozens is gone, having been traded to the Ottawa Senators with defenseman Dennis Gilbert and a second-round pick in 2026 in exchange for center Josh Norris and defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker.

The trade deadline hits at 3 p.m.... Read the full article

Sabres sign veteran Jason Zucker to two-year contract extension

The Buffalo Sabres this morning signed veteran winger Jason Zucker to a two-year contract extension worth $4.75 million per season.

If the Sabres did not re-sign Zucker, 33, prior to the 3 p.m. trade deadline, he would’ve been an attractive rental option for a contender.

He signed a one-year, $5 million contract as a free agent July 1 and could’ve become unrestricted again following the season.... Read the full article

Rochester’s Noah Ostlund establishing himself as Sabres’ top prospect

ROCHESTER – In the midst of a torrid two-month stretch in which Buffalo Sabres prospect Noah Ostlund has developed into the Americans’ top center, one particular night stands out to coach Mike Leone.

“The biggest one for me is we go to Syracuse, which is arguably the hardest place to play in the league,” Leone told the Times Herald. “It’s a real heavy, hard game. They’re really physical.”

That game, a 4-3 overtime victory Feb. ... Read the full article

As trade deadline approaches, Sabres must make difficult roster decisions

BUFFALO – It’s over for this edition of Sabres. The same group of young talent that appeared to be on the precipice of something special two years ago will almost certainly be broken up in the coming days and months.

Expect some moves, possibly minor ones, to be made prior to Friday’s trade deadline. The last-place Sabres, after all, have players set to become unrestricted free agents following the season.

Significant deals, of course, usually ... Read the full article

Sabres lock up Jordan Greenway with two-year contract extension

Since arriving in a trade two years ago, winger Jordan Greenway has given the Buffalo Sabres a physical element they sorely need.

When he’s injured – he has missed 49 games over the past two years, including 34 this season after undergoing surgery to repair a mid-body injury – his absence is noticeable.

While he has scored just three goals this season, the 6-foot-6, 231-pound Greenway is one of the Sabres’ most valuable forwards and ... Read the full article

Sabres showcase weak effort in loss to lowly Sharks: ‘Too many passengers’

BUFFALO – As the Sabres recently found a bit of a groove, they played some games that made you wonder how the heck they fell into last place in the Eastern Conference.

They piled up goals, received strong goaltending and responded well when adversity hit.

But contests like Tuesday’s 6-2 loss to the lowly San Jose Sharks, who rank dead last in the 32-team NHL, serve as a strong reminder why the Sabres dropped out ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Mattias Samuelsson plays after sitting as healthy scratch

BUFFALO – After becoming a healthy scratch and recovering from a lower-body injury, Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson seemed to recapture some of his old form and solidify a regular spot.

Well, Samuelsson, 24, briefly fell out of the lineup again.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff reinserted him for Tuesday’s 6-2 setback to the San Jose Sharks after scratching him for Monday’s 4-3 overtime road loss to the Montreal Canadiens.

To create a spot, the Sabres scratched ... Read the full article

After struggling with Sabres, Nicolas Aube-Kubel finding game in Rochester

ROCHESTER – For three months, winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel moved in and out of the lineup, never finding a groove while often skating short minutes for the Buffalo Sabres.

In his first days with the Sabres, Aube-Kubel, 28, looked like he would fit nicely on their revamped fourth line, offering them some much-needed grit and speed.

The newcomer enjoyed a strong training camp and stood out early in Buffalo’s season-opening loss Oct. 4 before injuring his ... Read the full article

Upon return from Olympics, Pittsburgh fans greeted Sabres goalie and Team USA star Ryan Miller as hero

Fifteen years have passed since former Buffalo Sabres star Ryan Miller nearly backstopped Team USA to an Olympic gold medal at the 2010 Vancouver Games.

While the Americans fell short – Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby scored the iconic overtime goal for Team Canada – Miller was treated as a hero upon his return to the NHL.

This appeared in the March 3, 2010 paper after Miller rejoined the Sabres and received a rousing ovation ... Read the full article