Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres add depth, sign Andrew Hammond, Curtis Lazar and others

BUFFALO – As general manager Jason Botterill promised, the Sabres added a third goalie today, signing veteran Andrew Hammond to a one-year, $700,000 contract.

Hammond, 31, is best known for compiling a 20-1-2 record as a rookie with the Ottawa Senators in 2014-15.

Overall, Hammond has put together a 27-15-6 mark with a 2.31 goals-against average, a .923 save percentage and four shutouts in 56 career NHL outings.

Hammond spent last season with the Iowa ... Read the full article

Sabres acquire Jimmy Vesey from Rangers for draft pick

BUFFALO – Three years ago, the Sabres’ old regime gambled a bit, trading a third-round pick to the Nashville Predators for the rights to the Hobey Baker Award winner Jimmy Vesey.

But the high-scoring college winger rejected the Sabres, waited until mid-August to become a free agent and signed with the New York Rangers.

In his first trip to Buffalo as a rookie, Vesey, of course, was booed.

So the Sabres’ acquisition of Vesey ... Read the full article

Trades, not free agents, likely Sabres’ best option for improving roster

BUFFALO – The Sabres must examine every option to improve their weak roster, so, yes, general manager Jason Botterill acknowledged, they’ve discussed some of the top free agents on the market.

It’s no secret center Matt Duchene would fill a glaring need as the No. 2 pivot behind Jack Eichel.

For a few years, even as the Sabres kept struggling, their greatest strength was up the middle.

Most teams are lucky to have one top ... Read the full article

Colin Miller’s arrival could spell end of Rasmus Ristolainen’s Sabres tenure

BUFFALO – Just weeks after the Vegas Golden Knights’ unlikely run to the Stanley Cup final in 2018, new Sabres defenseman Colin Miller inked a four-year, $15.5 million contract with the expansion team.

Having agreed to a team-friendly deal – fresh off a 10-goal, 41-point season, he signed for just $3.875 million a year – Miller, 26, probably figured he was in Vegas’ long-term plans.

But the Golden Knights’ early success has started to wreak ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Dylan Cozens suffers thumb injury

BUFFALO – Sabres prospect Dylan Cozens left this morning’s development camp three-on-three tournament with a thumb injury after defenseman Brandon Hickey hip-checked him at the blue line.

After Cozens got up from the ice, he removed his left glove and examined his thumb, which was bent awkwardly. He then skated off the ice.

Update: Cozens said he’s “not concerned” about his thumb, which isn’t broken.

“It’s good,” he said. “I saw the videos and stuff. ... Read the full article

Colin Miller on joining Sabres: ‘It’s going to be a great opportunity’

BUFFALO – Just weeks after the Vegas Golden Knights’ unlikely run to the Stanley Cup final last year, new Sabres defenseman Colin Miller signed a four-year, $15.5 million contract with the expansion team.

Having inked a such a team-friendly deal – it has just a $3.875 million salary cap hit – Miller, 26, figured he was in Vegas’ long-term plans.

But the Golden Knights’ early success has created cap problems this offseason. They’ve been forced ... Read the full article

Colin Miller’s acquisition could be start of busy summer for Sabres

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ acquisition of defenseman Colin Miller from the Vegas Golden Knights for two draft picks Friday night will only fuel speculation more moves are coming soon.

Right-shot defenseman are coveted by NHL teams. The Sabres now possess five of them, a high number they must trim to create more balance on their defense pairs.

Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, of course, is a righty. After six seasons of losing in Buffalo, a ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie prospect Erik Portillo stands out on ice

BUFFALO – You can’t miss Erik Portillo on the ice. In addition to being one of three Sabres prospects listed at 6-foot-6 on the roster, the Swede sports the gaudiest equipment of any of the six goalies in development camp.

European teams love plastering advertising everywhere, and Portillo’s Frölunda gear features plenty. Even the back of his pants have two McDonald’s logos.

But fans attending this morning’s three-on-three tournament, the conclusion of the four-day camp ... Read the full article

Sabres acquire Colin Miller from Golden Knights

BUFFALO – The Sabres acquired defenseman Colin Miller from the Vegas Golden Knights tonight for a second-round pick in 2021 and a fifth-round selection in 2022.

The 6-foot-1, 196-pound Miller, 26, compiled three goals and 26 points in 65 games last season. Miller has three years left on a contract that pays him $3.875 million annually.... Read the full article

Amerks bring back Taylor Leier on AHL contract

The Rochester Americans have signed forward Taylor Leier to a one-year AHL contract, the Buffalo Sabres’ affiliate announced today.

Leier, 25, morphed into one of the Amerks’ top forwards following his Jan. 17 arrival from the Philadelphia Flyers organization, scoring 12 goals and 23 points in 35 games.

According to the Amerks, Leier had successful surgery this offseason. The team did not specify what kind of surgery he underwent.

Overall, Leier compiled 22 goal and ... Read the full article