Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres sign Conor Timmins to two-year contract, avoid salary arbitration

The Buffalo Sabres on Sunday avoided salary arbitration with defenseman Conor Timmins, signing him to a two-year, $4.4 million contract.

Timmins, 26, filed for arbitration July 5. He had a hearing scheduled for Saturday, according to Puckpedia.com.

Goalie Devon Levi is the Sabres’ only unsigned restricted free agent.... Read the full article

Williamsville’s Trevor Kuntar thrilled for fresh start in Sabres organization with Rochester Amerks: ‘Dream come true’

Trevor Kuntar takes a positive approach to the struggles every hockey player will inevitably endure. The Williamsville native said his parents, Les and Faye, ingrained that in him. So no matter how difficult the situation, he refuses to have a negative outlook.

Kuntar, 24, just experienced a difficult season in which he fell out of the Boston Bruins’ plans. Fresh off a strong rookie campaign with the Providence Bruins, if he cracked the lineup, his ... Read the full article

Salary arbitration hearing scheduled for Sabres’ Conor Timmins

Newly acquired Buffalo Sabres defenseman Conor Timmins will have his salary arbitration hearing Aug. 2, according to Puckpedia.com.

Timmins, 26, filed for arbitration July 5.

The sides, of course, can still negotiate a new contract. A deal is usually reached before the arbitration hearing.

The Sabres recently chose to take defenseman Bowen Byram to arbitration before signing him to a two-year, $12.5 million contract.... Read the full article

In Clarence’s Gavin McCarthy, Sabres possess mature defense prospect

BUFFALO – Early in Gavin McCarthy’s second season at Boston University, coach Jay Pandolfo believes the Sabres prospect put too much pressure on himself.

The Terriers, having just lost three defensemen from their Frozen Four squad, thrust the Clarence native into a bigger, more demanding role alongside freshman defenseman Cole Hutson last season.

McCarthy, then just 19, a tender age for a sophomore in college hockey, responded by starting the campaign slowly.

“He probably had ... Read the full article

Williamsville’s Trevor Kuntar agrees to AHL contract with Rochester Amerks

Williamsville native Trevor Kuntar has joined the Rochester Americans.

The Buffalo Sabres’ AHL affiliate on Thursday announced it has agreed to terms with Kuntar, a forward, and defenseman Peter Tischke on one-year AHL contracts.

Kuntar, 24, spent his first two pro seasons with the Providence Bruins, Boston’s AHL affiliate. Boston did not give him a qualifying offer last month, making him a free agent.... Read the full article

Sabres add depth up front with another signing for Rochester

The Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday added depth up front, signing center Jake Leschyshyn to a one-year, two-way contract.

Leschyshyn, 26, will likely begin the upcoming season with the Rochester Americans.

He spent most of last season with the Hartford Wolf Pack, registering 13 goals, 24 points, 34 penalty minutes and minus-35 rating in 69 games for the New York Rangers’ AHL affiliate. He also recorded zero points in one outing with the Rangers.... Read the full article

2025-26 Sabres schedule features early home games, long trip in December

An early three-game home stand that concludes against the two-time Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, a home-and-home series with the Toronto Maple Leafs later in October and a six-game road trip in December are among the highlights of the Buffalo Sabres’ 2025-26 schedule the NHL released Wednesday.

The Sabres open the season against the New York Rangers on Oct. 9 at KeyBank Center before visiting the Boston Bruins on Oct. 11.

They begin their three-game ... Read the full article

Sabres sign prospect Radim Mrtka to entry-level contract

The Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday signed defense prospect Radim Mrtka, the ninth overall pick on June 27, to a three-year, entry-level contract.

The deal has a $975,000 average annual value, according to PuckPedia.

Mrtka, 18, is expected to play junior again next season with the Western Hockey League’s Seattle Thunderbirds. He briefly played pro early last year in his native Czechia before coming to North America to receive more ice time.... Read the full article

Sabres sign Bowen Byram to two-year contract, avoid salary arbitration

The Buffalo Sabres late Monday avoided salary arbitration with defenseman Bowen Byram, signing him to a two-year, $12.5 million contract.

When the contract expires, Byram, 24, can become an unrestricted free agent.

The Sabres now have two unsigned restricted free agents: goalie Devon Levi and defenseman Conor Timmins, who earlier this month filed for arbitration.

By recently electing for arbitration with Byram, the Sabres made him ineligible to sign an offer sheet.

Byram’s $6.25 million ... Read the full article

Sabres to host Prospects Challenge rookie tournament Sept. 11 to 15

The Buffalo Sabres will be hosting four teams at the Prospects Challenge rookie tournament from Sept. 11 to 15 at LECOM Harborcenter, the team announced Monday.

The Boston Bruins, Columbus Blue Jackets, New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins will also be participating in the round-robin tournament. The Ottawa Senators have dropped out.

Tickets for the games cost $11.80 and are on sale. Rosters will be announced at a later date.... Read the full article