Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

How Sabres’ Devon Levi seized chance in Rochester, became better goalie

BUFFALO – Instead of chasing the highest levels growing up, Sabres goalie Devon Levi chose to play where he would enjoy the best opportunity to develop his craft.

For example: in 2019-20, his draft season, he tended goal in the Central Canada Hockey League, a circuit that produces some NHL talent but is overshadowed by the major junior Canadian Hockey League.

“It’s a good league, but it wasn’t up there on the radar,” Levi said ... Read the full article

Sabres, UPL struggle early in ugly loss to Senators: ‘We let him down’

BUFFALO – Over the past three months, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has not only morphed into the Sabres’ backbone, he has emerged one of the NHL’s elite goalies.

Luukkonen’s dynamic netminding is the biggest reason the Sabres still have a minuscule chance – basically win their final nine games and get a lot of help – of grabbing the Eastern Conference’s second wild card spot and ending their 12-year playoff drought.

So as the Finn struggled mightily ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Ryan Johnson earning big minutes with Rochester Amerks

BUFFALO – A confident Ryan Johnson recently returned to the Rochester Americans following an unexpected 41-game stay with the Sabres.

As a first-round pick who played four seasons of college hockey at Minnesota, it’s hardly surprising that Johnson, 22, cracked the NHL as a rookie.

But after earning his first recall Nov. 4, the defenseman showcased poise that belied his limited experience, forcing the Sabres to keep him for more than four months.

... Read the full article

Rochester signs Sabres goalie prospect Scott Ratzlaff to amateur tryout

The Rochester Americans on Wednesday signed Buffalo Sabres goalie prospect Scott Ratzlaff to an amateur tryout.

Ratzlaff’s junior team, the Seattle Thunderbirds, did not qualify for the Western Hockey League playoffs.

Right now, the Amerks need another goalie. The Sabres recently recalled rookie Devon Levi. Meanwhile, veteran Dustin Tokarski did not play over the weekend after battling through an undisclosed problem in last Wednesday’s 6-5 win over the Hartford Wolf Pack.

Update: Tokarski came off ... Read the full article

Sabres know Jack Quinn’s return from injury can give them boost

BUFFALO – When the Sabres announced the lower-body injury winger Jack Quinn suffered two months ago could sideline him six to eight weeks, it appeared his trying season might be over.

The Sabres have just 10 games left, starting with tonight’s home contest against the Ottawa Senators. If Quinn experienced any setbacks, he could’ve run out of time.

In early March, Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams wouldn’t rule out Quinn’s return this season, although he ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jack Quinn practices, close to returning from injury

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Jack Quinn, who has missed the last 23 games after suffering a lower-body injury Jan. 27, returned to practice this morning and could play in Wednesday’s home contest against the Ottawa Senators.

Sabres coach Don Granato said Quinn, 22, is day to day.

“He’s very close, meaning it could be tomorrow,” Granato said after Quinn skated in a contact role during the session in KeyBank Center.

... Read the full article

After trade, Vsevolod Komarov cements status as one of Sabres’ top prospects

So, what kind of defenseman is Buffalo Sabres prospect Vsevolod Komarov?

The Russian recorded 69 points during the regular season, including 55 assists, the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League’s highest totals among defenders.

So, yes, Komarov, whose Drummondville Voltigeurs begin their first-round playoff series Friday, can be labeled as an offensive defenseman.

“You’ll find with a lot of guys putting up those kinds of points, that that’s their gimmick, like they are an offensive guy, ... Read the full article

Sabres assign forward prospect Anton Wahlberg to Rochester, make other roster move

The Buffalo Sabres this morning assigned forward prospect Anton Wahlberg, who spent all season playing for Malmo in the Swedish Hockey League, to the Rochester Americans.

The Amerks, who are fighting for a spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs, have 11 games left, starting with this afternoon’s home contest against the Utica Comets.

Wahlberg, 18, compiled five goals and 10 points in 42 games with Malmo this season. He also recorded one goal and three ... Read the full article

After slow start, Sabres prospect Viktor Neuchev thriving in Rochester

ROCHESTER – In early November, Seth Appert decided rookie winger Viktor Neuchev needed a bit of a wake-up call. So the Americans coach typed some thoughts into Google Translate and handed the Buffalo Sabres prospect a two-page note in Russian.

Appert wanted Neuchev, 20, to understand the commitment and daily habits it takes to become a great AHL player. Early last season, Appert had a similar meeting with center Jiri Kulich, who would score 24 ... Read the full article

After trade, Sabres prospect Calle Sjalin enjoying new opportunity in Rochester

ROCHESTER – In five games here, Buffalo Sabres defense prospect Calle Sjalin has found what he waited nearly two seasons for in Charlotte: a chance to showcase his talent.

In the Florida Panthers organization, Sjalin, 24, was often the odd man out with Checkers, who boast one of the AHL’s deepest blue lines.

So when the Panthers packaged him with a seventh-round pick on March 8 to acquire Sabres captain Kyle Okposo, Sjalin welcomed the ... Read the full article