Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres sign prospect Radim Mrtka to entry-level contract

The Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday signed defense prospect Radim Mrtka, the ninth overall pick on June 27, to a three-year, entry-level contract.

The deal has a $975,000 average annual value, according to PuckPedia.

Mrtka, 18, is expected to play junior again next season with the Western Hockey League’s Seattle Thunderbirds. He briefly played pro early last year in his native Czechia before coming to North America to receive more ice time.... Read the full article

Sabres sign Bowen Byram to two-year contract, avoid salary arbitration

The Buffalo Sabres late Monday avoided salary arbitration with defenseman Bowen Byram, signing him to a two-year, $12.5 million contract.

When the contract expires, Byram, 24, can become an unrestricted free agent.

The Sabres now have two unsigned restricted free agents: goalie Devon Levi and defenseman Conor Timmins, who earlier this month filed for arbitration.

By recently electing for arbitration with Byram, the Sabres made him ineligible to sign an offer sheet.

Byram’s $6.25 million ... Read the full article

Sabres to host Prospects Challenge rookie tournament Sept. 11 to 15

The Buffalo Sabres will be hosting four teams at the Prospects Challenge rookie tournament from Sept. 11 to 15 at LECOM Harborcenter, the team announced Monday.

The Boston Bruins, Columbus Blue Jackets, New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins will also be participating in the round-robin tournament. The Ottawa Senators have dropped out.

Tickets for the games cost $11.80 and are on sale. Rosters will be announced at a later date.... Read the full article

In USHL star Luke Osburn, Sabres might have special defense prospect

BUFFALO – Rochester Americans coach Mike Leone understands talking about a prospect in the same breath as a current or former NHL star can create unrealistic expectations.

Still, he wanted to illustrate how much Luke Osburn, a high-scoring defenseman the Sabres drafted in the fourth round in 2024, has impressed him.

“It’s an unfair comparison, but you know when Duncan Keith played, he was really wiry and his skating ability,” Leone said of the former ... Read the full article

Four years ago, Sabres goalie Alex Lyon ignited NHL career by evolving: ‘Found another level of desperation’

The genesis of the Alex Lyon you’ve seen over the past four seasons – the goalie who won the Calder Cup, earned critical late-season victories for the Florida Panthers and played so well for the Detroit Red Wings that the Buffalo Sabres awarded him a two-year contract – can be traced to the 2021 offseason.

Following five years in the Philadelphia Flyers organization, he said the limited opportunities he found in free agency forced him ... Read the full article

Sabres choose to take Bowen Byram to salary arbitration

The Buffalo Sabres today chose salary arbitration for restricted free agent defenseman Bowen Byram, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.

The moves means Byram, 24, is no longer eligible to sign an offer sheet.

In team-elected arbitration, the player picks the term of the award. For example, Byram could chose a two-year contract and become an unrestricted free agent when the deal expires.

The sides, of course, could complete a new contract before their hearing.... Read the full article

Sabres newcomer Conor Timmins files for salary arbitration

Newly acquired Buffalo Sabres defenseman Conor Timmins has filed for salary arbitration, the NHL Players’ Association announced today.

Timmins, 26, is one of the Sabres’ three unsigned restricted free agents. Defenseman Bowen Byram and goalie Devon Levi also need new contracts.

Byram had arbitration rights but did not use them.

Filing, of course, doesn’t mean a player will go to arbitration. Negotiations can continue. The sides usually reach a deal before the arbitration hearing.... Read the full article

After difficult two years, Sabres goalie prospect Topias Leinonen thriving

BUFFALO – When the Sabres drafted goalie Topias Leinonen 41st overall in 2022, they likely believed he would be ready to begin his career in North America in three years.

Sure enough, Leinonen, having signed his entry-level contract in March, is expected to start the upcoming season with the Rochester Americans or the Jacksonville Icemen, their ECHL affiliate.

Leinonen, 21, just enjoyed a standout season for Mora IK, a second-tier pro team in Sweden, compiling ... Read the full article

Kevyn Adams says Sabres would match any offer sheet to Bowen Byram

BUFFALO – If a team swoops in and gives restricted free agent Bowen Byram an offer sheet, general manager Kevyn Adams said the Sabres are prepared to match it.

“The moves we’ve made and the position we’ve put ourselves in from the cap perspective has been strategic,” Adams said prior to Wednesday’s session of development camp in LECOM Harborcenter. “If you leave just enough room in your cap that where maybe you see a projection ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Kevyn Adams likes look of team after signings and trades

BUFFALO – In the past week, general manager Kevyn Adams has acquired six players for the Sabres who could be on their opening-night roster by making two trades and four notable signings.

While Adams possibly isn’t done making moves – he could use another top-six forward, and finding one is no easy task – he likes the look of the revamped Sabres.

“We like where our group’s at in terms of the way the roster ... Read the full article