Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

2018-19 Sabres schedule features early home stand, long January break

DALLAS – A season-opening four-game home stand, a 10-day January break and a Feb. 23 visit from superstar Alex Ovechkin and the Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals are among the highlights of the 2018-19 Buffalo Sabres schedule the NHL released Thursday.

The Sabres open Oct. 4 against the Boston Bruins and stay at KeyBank Center until Oct. 11. Then they begin a season-long five-game road trip Oct. 13 in Arizona, also visiting Vegas, San Jose, ... Read the full article

Sabres could move on from goalie Robin Lehner soon

DALLAS – In the coming days, the Buffalo Sabres could confirm what has been widely speculated for months: goalie Robin Lehner won’t be back for a fourth season.

If the Sabres can’t trade Lehner, rather than making a $4 million qualifying offer to the restricted free agent by Monday’s deadline, they might simply walk away, making him unrestricted.... Read the full article

Sabres’ inability to find steals in NHL Draft contributed to demise

BUFFALO – Nine years ago, the Sabres, whose knack for unearthing mid- and late-round draft gems helped them morph into a Stanley Cup contender earlier in the decade, found another undervalued youngster.

When the Sabres selected Marcus Foligno in the fourth round, 104th overall, he was simply a talented kid with a familiar name.

But the son of former Sabres captain Mike Foligno would quickly develop into one of junior hockey’s top forward prospects.... Read the full article

Anything could happen as GM Jason Botterill tries to overhaul Sabres

BUFFALO – Right now, save for young centers Jack Eichel and Casey Mittelstadt, anyone is probably available from the Sabres if you meet their asking price.

So for a puck-moving defenseman and a speedy winger capable of scoring 20 goals, perhaps you can pry center Ryan O’Reilly away at the NHL Draft later this week in Dallas or in the near future.... Read the full article

Sabres announce 2018 preseason schedule

Here it is, the Buffalo Sabres’ 2018 preseason schedule the team released today. The seven-game slate includes two home contests.

Sept. 17 Buffalo at Columbus, Nationwide Arena

Sept. 18 Pittsburgh at Buffalo, KeyBank Center

Sept. 21 Buffalo at Toronto, Scotiabank Arena

Sept. 22 Toronto at Buffalo, KeyBank Center

Sept. 25 Columbus at Buffalo, Clinton Arena (Clinton, New York)

Sept. 26 Buffalo at Pittsburgh, PPG Paints Arena

Sept. 28 Buffalo at New York Islanders, General Motors ... Read the full article

Sabres give up on Hudson Fasching, trade him to Coyotes

BUFFALO – Before the 2014 trade deadline, former Sabres general manager Tim Murray made a significant trade just weeks into his tenure, sending two second-round picks and defenseman Brayden McNabb to the Los Angeles Kings.

The prize return was a youngster named Hudson Fasching, a 2013 fourth-round pick rapidly developing as a freshman at the University of Minnesota.... Read the full article

NHL Draft prospect Jack Drury wants to carve own career path

BUFFALO – In the hockey world, the Drury name holds weight, so having those five letters stitched on the back of your jersey can be a blessing as well as a burden for a youngster like Jack Drury.

Drury’s uncle, Chris, is a legend in these parts. In his three seasons here, the former co-captain nearly led the Sabres to the Stanley Cup final twice, cementing his reputation for clutch play. The center also won ... Read the full article

Sabres sign goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to entry-level contract

BUFFALO – The Sabres have signed prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, the top-rated European goalie in last year’s NHL Draft, to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced today.

The Sabres picked Luukkonen, 19, in the second round, 54th overall. He spent most of last season at home in Finland playing for Leki, going 11-11-2 with a 2.92 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage for the second-division club.... Read the full article

Amerks re-sign Zach Redmond to AHL contract

The Rochester Americans have re-signed high-scoring defenseman Zach Redmond to a two-year AHL contract, the Buffalo Sabres’ top affiliate announced this morning.

Redmond, 29, is coming off a career-best offensive season in which the 32 assists and 47 points he compiled in 66 games both led the Amerks. His 15 goals ranked third among AHL defensemen. The veteran’s eight power-play goals also topped the Amerks.... Read the full article

Flint’s Ty Dellandrea could be available for Sabres with 32nd pick

BUFFALO – A breakout offensive season starring for the lowly Flint Firebirds has helped center Ty Dellandrea emerge as a possible first-round pick in next week’s NHL Draft.

The prospect NHL Central Scouting rated 25th among North American skaters could hear his name called June 22 in Dallas. Or perhaps he will have to wait until the second round begins the next morning. He said he talked to the Sabres, who own the 32nd selection... Read the full article