Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Jack Quinn scoring goals, developing into one of Sabres’ offensive drivers

BUFFALO – Exactly one year ago, in the early stages of the roughest stretch of his career, Sabres winger Jack Quinn hadn’t scored a goal and had already been scratched.

Today, fresh off a slick one-goal, three-point outing, Quinn has scored three times – that’s as many goals as Rasmus Dahlin, Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch have combined this season – and is tied for the team lead with six points.

Quinn’s outburst has helped ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen from conditioning assignment

The Buffalo Sabres on Thursday recalled Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen from his AHL conditioning assignment with the Rochester Americans, giving them three goalies.

Luukkonen stopped 21 shots in Wednesday’s 4-2 win over the Syracuse Crunch, his first outing since suffering a lower-body injury Oct. 1 and exiting an exhibition game after one period.

The Finn, who was expected to be the Sabres’ No. 1 goalie, also missed the first week of training camp after tweaking a different ... Read the full article

Goalie Colten Ellis dazzles in NHL debut, backstops Sabres to win

BUFFALO – In the opening minutes of a goalie’s NHL debut, facing a shot or two and simply feeling the puck can help him calm any nerves and settle into the game.

So as Sabres goalie Colten Ellis waited and waited for his first chance to make a save on Wednesday, it was fair to wonder how he would react.

Well, Ellis, a recent waiver claim who backed up veteran Alex Lyon in the Sabres’ ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Jiri Kulich knew he had to change; Buffalo makes roster move

BUFFALO – When Sabres center Jiri Kulich had the puck on his stick earlier this season, instead of carrying it and utilizing his speed, he quickly tried to make a play with it.

“It wasn’t my game I used to play, so I had to change something,” Kulich told the Times Herald prior to Wednesday’s game against the Detroit Red Wings in KeyBank Center.

Kulich, 21, struggled so badly Sabres coach Lindy Ruff briefly demoted ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Colten Ellis to make first start; Buffalo to make lineup change after roster move

BUFFALO – Sixteen days and six games since the Sabres claimed Colten Ellis on waivers, the goalie will be starting his first NHL game tonight against the Detroit Red Wings.

“There’s been a lot of emotions the last couple days since finding out,” Ellis said this morning in KeyBank Center. “Something I worked my whole life for, and just super grateful and happy for the opportunity.”

So far, Ellis, 25, has backed up veteran ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen starts important season with conditioning assignment in Rochester: ‘I feel great’

ROCHESTER – On Tuesday, Buffalo Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen walked into Blue Cross Arena, donned a gray Americans practice jersey and touched the ice in the 70-year-old rink for the first time since early in the 2022-23 season.

“It’s a weird but cool feeling,” a smiling Luukkonen, who will begin an AHL conditioning assignment tonight, told the Times Herald following Tuesday’s practice. “I have so many good memories here. It’s kind of like you haven’t ... Read the full article

Sabres newcomer Josh Doan displaying offensive growth: ‘Just seen a glimpse’

BUFFALO – At each level before he reached the NHL – junior, college and the AHL – Sabres winger Josh Doan showcased offensive growth in his second season.

With the Chicago Steel, he shook off a frustrating five-goal rookie year and scored 31 times. As a sophomore at Arizona State University, he upped his goal total from 12 to 16.

In his first taste of the pros, Doan registered three goals in 14 games for ... Read the full article

Sabres recall two players from Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres on Sunday recalled defenseman Zac Jones and center Noah Ostlund from the Rochester Americans.

In Saturday afternoon’s 3-0 win, defenseman Jacob Bryson entered concussion protocol after Florida Panthers winger Jonah Gadjovich hit him into the boards in the first period, knocking him out of the game.

The Sabres, who play a road game tonight against the Montreal Canadiens, did not practice Sunday. They had one extra forward, Josh Dunne, scratched against ... Read the full article

Sabres defeat Panthers with complete, heavy effort: ‘A lot of passion’

BUFFALO – Well, a lot can change in three days, huh? The Sabres, a laughingstock earlier in the week thanks to their dreadful 0-3-0 start, suddenly look like a contender in the crowded Eastern Conference.

To wit: fresh off a four-goal victory, the Sabres showcased a complete and heavy effort throughout Saturday’s emotional 3-0 triumph over the Florida Panthers, setting an aggressive tone all afternoon and also standing up for themselves physically.

Goalie Alex Lyon, ... Read the full article

Zach Metsa realizes unlikely NHL dream with recall to Sabres: ‘I was shocked’

BUFFALO – Zach Metsa beat incredibly long odds to reach the Sabres and fulfill his unlikely dream. After all, he’s an undrafted 5-foot-9 defenseman who spent his first two pro seasons playing on an AHL contract.

Two and a half years ago, less than a week after winning a national championship with Quinnipiac University, he signed that deal and joined the Rochester Americans on a tryout before it kicked in.

Today, Metsa, having been recalled ... Read the full article