Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres recall prospect Ryan Johnson from Rochester

BUFFALO – The Sabres this morning recalled defense prospect Ryan Johnson from the Rochester Americans.

Johnson, 23, has registered five assists, 12 penalty minutes and a plus-5 rating in 21 games with the Amerks this season.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Johnson played 41 games as a rookie with the Sabres this season, compiling seven assists, 12 penalty minutes and a plus-3 rating.... Read the full article

As Sabres struggle, anything, including trades, could be on table to improve

BUFFALO – Hours after one of the most embarrassing defeats in franchise history, the Sabres canceled practice and likely relived the horrors of Tuesday’s stunning 5-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in video sessions.

It was no doubt painful viewing.

The Sabres had fallen into a rut before they blew a four-goal lead and lost for just the second time in their 55-year history.

Two months into the season and barely a week removed from ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin, UPL named to 4 Nations tournament rosters

Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin and goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will be representing their respective countries at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February.

The NHL and NHLPA on Wednesday announced Dahlin as one Team Sweden’s seven defensemen and Luukkonen as one of Team Finland’s three netminders.

Sabres center Tage Thompson (USA), winger Alex Tuch (USA) and defenseman Henri Jokiharju (Finland), all of whom were believed to be in the mix to represent their respective countries, did ... Read the full article

Sabres implode in third period, suffer stunning loss to Avalanche; Rasmus Dahlin leaves game injured

BUFFALO – The onslaught ended 11:49 into the game, when Sabres winger Beck Malenstyn grabbed linemate Nicolas Aube-Kubel’s pass at the edge the slot, skated in and tucked a backhander past Colorado Avalanche goalie Alexandar Georgiev.

Malenstyn’s goal on the Sabres’ eighth shot extended their lead to 4-0 and put the wonky Georgiev on the bench for the rest of Tuesday’s contest.

Even with 48 minutes remaining against one of the NHL’s heavyweights, it felt ... Read the full article

Avalanche’s Casey Mittelstadt grateful for trade, fond of time with Sabres

BUFFALO – Former Sabres center Casey Mittelstadt knew a trade could be coming last season.

His emergence as a consistent point producer put him in line to sign a hefty new contract following the campaign. It also transformed him into perhaps general manager Kevyn Adams’ greatest asset as he scoured the market to improve the Sabres.

“I saw the writing on the wall a little bit,” Mittelstadt said Tuesday prior to his first game against ... Read the full article

After injury, Sabres star Tage Thompson resumes what could be special season

BUFFALO – Following a five-game absence, Tage Thompson quickly resumed his role as the Sabres’ offensive catalyst, generating chance after chance during the last three contests.

The ultra-talented center has attempted 30 shots and landed 16 on goal since returning from a lower-body injury, the NHL’s third-highest total entering Monday’s schedule.

He converted zero of those opportunities.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Sam Lafferty sidelined week to week; Mattias Samuelsson, Jordan Greenway progressing from injuries

BUFFALO – Sabres forward Sam Lafferty, who suffered a lower-body injury in Friday afternoon’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks, will be sidelined week to week, coach Lindy Ruff said.

“He’s doing OK, so it could be one those shorter things,” Ruff said following Monday’s practice in KeyBank Center.

Meanwhile, other injured Sabres are progressing.... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Devon Levi registers first pro shutout with Rochester

You must go back 74 games, to Devon Levi’s sophomore season in college, to find the last time the Rochester Americans goalie posted a shutout before his 20-save effort in Friday’s 3-0 win over the Syracuse Crunch.

On Feb. 25, 2023, Levi made 32 saves in Northeastern’s 4-0 win over Massachusetts, recording the 16th and final shutout for of his 66-game career with the Huskies.

Yes, the Buffalo Sabres prospect really blanked his opponents ... Read the full article

Dylan Cozens sparks Sabres’ rally in OT loss to Canucks: ‘Heck of a point’

BUFFALO – After the Vancouver Canucks capitalized on Dylan Cozens’ penalty early in Friday afternoon’s third period, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff knew his center would take ownership for his actions.

Cozens is notoriously hard on himself, and sometimes his intensity gets the best of him.

The Canucks grabbed the lead during the first of Cozens’ two penalties. He also earned an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty by letting an official know just how much disliked his holding ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Jacob Bryson filled with confidence; Buffalo recalls prospect

BUFFALO – In his five-year, 218-game NHL career, Sabres defenseman Jacob Bryson has never felt this good.

“I think confidence-wise, I feel my best,” Bryson said following Thursday’s practice in KeyBank Center. “I’ve been getting good feedback, and every time I watch my shifts I’ve thought I’ve had pretty good games.”

Of course, the 5-foot-9, 177-pound Bryson, like any player, has occasionally struggled. In last Saturday’s 4-2 road win over the San Jose Sharks, he ... Read the full article