Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres sign Casey Fitzgerald to entry-level contract

The Buffalo Sabres have signed defense prospect Casey Fitzgerald to a two-year, entry-level contract, the team announced tonight.

Fitzgerald, 22, recently completed his senior season at Boston College.

The former third-round pick will report to the Rochester Americans and play in the AHL on an amateur tryout agreement the rest of the season. His contract, which carries an average annual value of $925,000, will kick in next season.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jason Botterill to run Canada’s World Championship squad

Buffalo Sabres general manager Jason Botterill is one of three executives who will run Canada’s entry at the upcoming World Championship, Hockey Canada announced today.

Joining Botterill will be Ron Francis and Ron Hextall, who have previously served as NHL GMs.

Botterill, 42, is in his second season running the Sabres after 10 years in the Pittsburgh Penguins’ front office. He grew up in Winnipeg and won three gold medals as a player representing Canada ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Will Borgen from Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres recalled Will Borgen from the Rochester Americans this morning, meaning a defenseman was possibly injured in Monday’s 3-1 road loss to the New Jersey Devils.

The Sabres play another road contest tonight against the Ottawa Senators. Coach Phil Housley will have an update later in the day.

Borgen could make his NHL debut.... Read the full article

Sabres recall Lawrence Pilut from Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres recalled rookie defenseman Lawrence Pilut, who played 25 NHL games earlier this season, from the Rochester Americans this afternoon.

Pilut, 23, compiled one goal, six points and a minus-3 rating in nearly three months with the Sabres.

Sabres defenseman Zach Bogosian is missing from today’s practice, according to reports from Newark. Defenseman Matt Hunwick (upper body) is also injured.

Pilut has been dynamic at times in his first American Hockey League ... Read the full article

Newcomer Brandon Montour utilizing skills with Sabres

BUFFALO – In Anaheim, Sabres defenseman Brandon Montour couldn’t play the aggressive, exciting style he has consistently showcased in his first weeks here.

The Ducks’ conservative game constrained the speedy Montour, limiting his effectiveness.

“I got kind of caught with how they want me to play, specific areas where I was just a player on the team,” Montour said Thursday inside KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Matt Hunwick day-to-day; Zach Bogosian practices

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Matt Hunwick is day-to-day with an upper-body injury, coach Phil Housley said this afternoon.

Hunwick missed his second straight practice this morning inside HarborCenter.

Meanwhile, defenseman Zach Bogosian, who missed Thursday’s session, practiced today and will play Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens, the start of a three-game road trip.... Read the full article

Swedish Sabres excited about playing games in Stockholm

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin grew up far away from the NHL in Trollhattan, Sweden, a city of 46,000 about a three- or four-hour car ride from Stockholm.

“Most of my friends have never seen an NHL game before,” the rookie said Thursday inside KeyBank Center.

So the thought of playing two regular-season games in front of his family and friends next season had Dahlin smiling Thursday. The Sabres will face the Tampa Bay ... Read the full article

Sabres to face Lightning in Sweden next season as part of Global Series

BUFFALO – The Sabres will be heading to Europe next season for the second time in their history.

The NHL announced this morning the Sabres will play two contests against the Tampa Bay Lighting on November 8-9 in Stockholm, Sweden, as part of the league’s Global Series.

The Sabres, of course, feature 18-year-old Swedish defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, one of hockey’s budding young stars. The Lightning, meanwhile, have arguably the NHL’s best Swede, defenseman Victor Hedman, ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Carter Hutton nearly steals show in loss to Maple Leafs

BUFFALO – For two periods, as the Toronto Maple Leafs kept pummeling the Sabres, it was reminiscent of tank-era games from several years back.

The Leafs pumped 11 shots on goal before the 10-minute mark Wednesday. At one point in the opening period, they held a 17-2 shot advantage.

Goalie Carter Hutton, meanwhile, turned away shot after shot, keeping the Sabres in a game they had no business being in.

Heck, thanks to center ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Jason Pominville odd man out again

BUFFALO – Jason Pominville understands why he is sitting out. Having played 1,052 NHL games, the Sabres know what the veteran winger offers them.

Nine contests remain in a miserable season. The Sabres, who have fallen from first overall to sixth in the Atlantic Division, want to evaluate other players.

So the Sabres scratched Pominville, 36, for the second straight game Wednesday.

“It’s just the situation we’re at,” Pominville said prior to the 4-2 loss ... Read the full article