Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Torrid stretch puts Sabres’ Rasmus Ristolainen in elite company

BUFFALO – The significance of defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen’s recent exploits shouldn’t be overshadowed by the Sabres’ disappointing season.

In the near future, if Ristolainen becomes an NHL All-Star or garners serious Norris Trophy consideration, remember the torrid run he is enjoying entering tonight’s tilt against the Carolina Hurricanes at KeyBank Center.

Ristolainen has three goals, two overtime winners and 14 points while averaging a whopping 27 minutes, 41 seconds of ice time over the last ... Read the full article

Youngstown’s Joe Cecconi competing for spot on Team USA

BUFFALO – A few years ago, as Youngstown’s Joe Cecconi began developing into a notable defense prospect, the youngster possessed some offensive flair in his game.

Then the 6-foot-2, 218-pound Cecconi started evolving. Sure, he moves well and has a strong shot. But the University of Michigan sophomore understands he’s at his best utilizing his big frame and smarts.

That means he has morphed into a defensive defenseman.

“We love the size, and we know ... Read the full article

South Buffalo’s Tim Kennedy excited for fresh start with Amerks

ROCHESTER – After a difficult few months in Sweden, South Buffalo’s Tim Kennedy was excited to return home and resume his career in his hometown organization.

Just days after Kennedy and Lulea HF of the Swedish Hockey League mutually parted ways last week, the Rochester Americans, the Buffalo Sabres’ top affiliate, quickly signed the forward to an AHL contract.

Kennedy, 30, was waiting at a hotel Saturday before the Amerks’ game against the St. John’s ... Read the full article

South Buffalo’s Tim Kennedy back in Sabres organization with Amerks

South Buffalo’s Tim Kennedy is back with the Sabres organization.

Kennedy’s AHL rights have been transferred to the Rochester Americans, Buffalo’s top affiliate, from the Charlotte Checkers, Sabres general manager Tim Murray announced today.

After leaving Lulea HF of the Swedish Hockey League, the Amerks signed Kennedy to an AHL contract over the weekend. The contract, Murray said, triggered the AHL waiver process, and Kennedy was claimed by the Checkers, the Carolina Hurricanes’ affiliate.

“Charlotte ... Read the full article

Sabres send Taylor Fedun to Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres sent defenseman Taylor Fedun back to the Rochester Americans today.

Fedun, 28, played eight games, recording four assists, all in his first three appearances. The Princeton product hasn’t played since hurting his shoulder Dec. 3. He started practicing again earlier this week.

The Amerks host the St. John’s IceCaps tonight. Fedun has two goals and 12 points in 14 games for the AHL club this season.

Update: Defenseman Zach Bogosian will ... Read the full article

Rasmus Ristolainen’s overtime winner pushes Sabres past Islanders

BUFFALO – As Kyle Okposo started zooming up the ice on a long two-on-one in overtime Friday, the Sabres winger initially had one thought: shoot the puck.

But when Okposo hit the center red line, he spotted defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen racing into the play from behind.

“I knew I was giving it to him at that point,” Okposo said following the Sabres’ 3-2 comeback win against the New York Islanders, his former team he faced ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Kyle Okposo couldn’t wait to face Islanders

BUFFALO – Months ago, coach Dan Bylsma and Kyle Okposo talked about different scenarios for the Sabres’ big offseason acquisition in the upcoming season.

Bylsma said he wanted Okposo, 28, to understand he didn’t have to carry the load after signing a seven-year, $42 million contract.

During that conversation, Bylsma said Okposo only talked about one game on the 2016-17 schedule – Friday’s tilt against the New York Islanders, the winger’s first meeting against ... Read the full article

Top Sabres could keep seeing fewer minutes

BUFFALO – Sabres center Ryan O’Reilly averages more ice time than any NHL forward – 21 minutes, 50 seconds a game – but the workhorse skated a season-low 17:08 in Tuesday’s 6-3 win against Los Angeles.

Defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, meanwhile, averages a team-high 26:39 a game, yet only skated 22:04 on Tuesday, his second-lowest total this season.

What happened? A few things.

For starters, the Sabres didn’t kill any penalties and has only one ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Kyle Okposo excited to face Islanders

BUFFALO – A reflective Kyle Okposo couldn’t stop smiling this morning talking about the New York Islanders, a team he said he “grew up” with for nine years.

Okposo, who signed a seven-year, $42 million contract with the Sabres on July 1, will face his old team for the first time tonight.

“I left there and I was a veteran guy, I was one of the guys that had been there the longest,” an excited ... Read the full article

Sabres captain Brian Gionta thriving in 15th season

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Dan Bylsma can’t tell you how old Brian Gionta is, which illustrates how much he cares about his captain’s age.

“I don’t even know,” Bylsma said Thursday after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s tilt against the New York Islanders at KeyBank Center.

Gionta, for the record, is 37 years old, an advanced age when most NHL players are long retired, or, at best, reduced to a bit role.

Occasionally, winger Marcus ... Read the full article