Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Jake McCabe happy to give number back to Jason Pominville

BUFFALO – Shortly after the Sabres reacquired Jason Pominville from the Minnesota Wild on June 30, equipment manager Dave Williams called the former captain to chat.

As the friends caught up, Williams mentioned Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe, who had worn Pominville’s old No. 29 since 2014, texted him and said he wanted to switch digits.... Read the full article

Sabres to open training camp Sept. 14

BUFFALO – The Sabres will open their main training camp Sept. 14, when veterans report for physicals and testing, then hold their first on-ice sessions a day later, the team announced today.

Like last year, the Sabres will begin camp in HarborCenter. Sessions are open to the public. A full camp roster and schedule will be announced later. The Sabres begin their preseason schedule Sept. 18 at KeyBank Center against the Carolina Hurricanes.... Read the full article

Martin Biron joins Sabres broadcast team as analyst

BUFFALO – Martin Biron is coming to a television near you.

The loquacious former Sabres goalie will serve as an analyst on the team’s MSG broadcasts this season, primarily during pregame, intermission and postgame segments with host Brian Duff. He replaces former Sabres winger Brad May.... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Robin Lehner not out to prove himself

BUFFALO – Robin Lehner’s agents kept telling him to take a one-year contract. After all, the Sabres goalie could parlay another strong season into a lucrative long-term deal.

But fresh off a campaign in which Lehner established himself as the Sabres’ starter and posted the NHL’s 10th-highest save percentage, he wanted a long contract right away.... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Victor Antipin excited to showcase skills in NHL

BUFFALO – Among the pro hockey players enjoying a late-summer skate Thursday inside HarborCenter, an unfamiliar face stood out, a goateed youngster in Sabres apparel sporting No. 93.

Who was it? Russian defenseman Victor Antipin, perhaps the Sabres’ most intriguing offseason addition.... Read the full article

Sabres re-sign Zemgus Girgensons to two-year contract

BUFFALO – The Sabres locked up their last restricted free agent today, signing forward Zemgus Girgensons to a two-year, $3.2 million contract.

Girgensons, 23, compiled seven goals and 16 points in a career-high 75 games last season, his fourth NHL campaign. The Latvian has 37 goals and 86 points in 277 career contests.... Read the full article

Report: Will Butcher to visit Sabres

Defense prospect Will Butcher, the Hobey Baker Award winner as college hockey’s top player last season, will become an unrestricted free agent and visit the Buffalo Sabres, according to the Denver Post.

Butcher, 22, will also visit the New Jersey Devils and the expansion Vegas Golden Knights.... Read the full article

Sabres re-sign Nathan Beaulieu to two-year contract

BUFFALO – The Sabres have re-signed defenseman Nathan Beaulieu to a two-year, $4.8 million contract, the team announced today.

Beaulieu, a restricted free agent, had an arbitration hearing scheduled for Friday.

With Beaulieu’s deal done, the Sabres only have one unsigned RFA, forward Zemgus Girgensons.

The Sabres acquired Beaulieu, 24, from the Montreal Canadiens on June 17 for a 2017 third-round pick.

Beaulieu has played 225 NHL games over four seasons, compiling seven goals, ... Read the full article

Sabres to appear on national TV seven times in 2017-18

The Buffalo Sabres will make seven appearances on national television in 2017-18, the NHL announced today.

The schedule:

Tuesday, Oct. 24 vs. Detroit, 7:30 p.m. (NBCSN)

Wednesday, Oct. 25 at Columbus, 8 p.m. (NBCSN)

Tuesday, Nov. 7 vs. Washington, 7 p.m. (NBCSN)

Tuesday, Dec. 19 vs Boston, 7:30 p.m. (NBCSN)

Sunday, Jan. 1 vs. New York Rangers, 1 p.m. (2018 Winter Classic on NBC)

Thursday, Jan. 18 at New York Rangers, 7:30 p.m. (NBCSN)

Monday, ... Read the full article

Sabres re-sign Evan Rodrigues to two-year contract

BUFFALO – The Sabres have re-signed forward Evan Rodrigues to a two-year, $1.3 million contract, the team announced this afternoon.

With Rodrigues locked up, the Sabres have two unsigned restricted free agents: defenseman Nathan Beaulieu and forward Zemgus Girgensons.

Rodrigues, who turns 24 on Friday, enjoyed a breakout campaign as a center last season, playing regularly with the Sabres for the final two months. In 30 NHL games, the Boston University product compiled four goals ... Read the full article