Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Tage Thompson, JJ Peterka score hat tricks as Sabres throttle Bruins

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said he hasn’t asked Tage Thompson, his star center-turned-winger, if he’s over the injury that forced him to change positions.

Ruff doesn’t plan to find out, either. Not after Thompson and linemate JJ Peterka each recorded a hat trick, four points and a gaudy plus-6 rating alongside center Jiri Kulich in Tuesday’s 7-2 annihilation of the Boston Bruins.

Right now, Thompson is performing too dynamically at right wing to ... Read the full article

Jiri Kulich’s emergence factor in Sabres waiving Nicolas Aube-Kubel; Buffalo makes recall

BUFFALO – As winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel struggled after returning from an early-season knee injury, rookie Jiri Kulich established himself as one of the Sabres’ top forwards, entrenching himself in the NHL.

Right now, Kulich, 20, is centering the Sabres’ top line.

Then early last month, center Tyson Kozak, 22, made an immediate impact in his first NHL action, scoring a goal and showcasing a tenacious style.

As he kept being scratched – he had ... Read the full article

In frustrating season, Sabres try to see growth, stay in good place

BUFFALO – Thirty-three games remain in what has become a lost season for the Sabres, starting with tonight’s home contest against the Boston Bruins.

After the Sabres emerged from their 13-game winless skid last month, they found their footing a bit, winning some games and igniting a flicker of hope. A torrid week or two could’ve vaulted them back into the thick of the playoff race.

But having lost four out of their last five ... Read the full article

Sabres place Nicolas Aube-Kubel on waivers

The Buffalo Sabres on Monday placed winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel, who has lost his regular spot in the lineup, on waivers.

If Aube-Kubel, 28, clears, the Sabres could assign him to the Rochester Americans. He played 11 games in the AHL with the Hershey Bears early last season before returning to the Washington Capitals.

The Sabres signed Aube-Kubel to a one-year, $1.5 million contract July 1 as they overhauled their fourth line by adding grit ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jordan Greenway feeling well, close to practicing again

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Jordan Greenway, who has missed the last 18 games after undergoing surgery to repair a mid-body injury, could start practicing soon, coach Lindy Ruff said.

“He’s been doing good,” Ruff said following Monday’s practice. “He’s been skating. Again, skated this morning. I mean, this is just me, I haven’t talked to our medical guys, but with the reports I’ve been getting, I anticipate him getting back into practice in the near ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ryan McLeod practices, ready to return from injury

Buffalo Sabres center Ryan McLeod, who has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury, is expected to return for this afternoon’s contest against the Oilers, coach Lindy Ruff told reporters in Edmonton.

“I’m confident he’ll play,” Ruff told reporters after McLeod participated in Friday’s practice.

McLeod, 25, played four seasons for the Oilers before they traded him to Buffalo during the offseason. He was injured in practice Jan. 16, a day ... Read the full article

Sabres send goalie Devon Levi back to Rochester, recall prospect

Goalie Devon Levi’s latest stint with the Buffalo Sabres lasted one game.

The Sabres this afternoon sent Levi back to the Rochester Americans and recalled center prospect Tyson Kozak from their AHL affiliate.

Levi played in Monday afternoon’s 6-4 road loss to the Seattle Kraken, allowing five goals and making 28 saves.

Assigning Levi, 23, to Rochester likely means Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who has been banged up, is healthy enough to at least dress ... Read the full article

Sabres activate Jiri Kulich from injured reserve, send prospect to Rochester

The Buffalo Sabres this afternoon created a roster spot to activate center Jiri Kulich from injured reserve by sending center Tyson Kozak to the Rochester Americans.

Kulich missed four games with a lower-body injury before returning for this afternoon’s contest against the Seattle Kraken, the start of a four-game road trip. The rookie began the game on the top line pivoting Tage Thompson and Jason Zucker.... Read the full article

Sabres recall goalie Devon Levi, place Ryan McLeod on injured reserve

The Buffalo Sabres on Saturday recalled goalie Devon Levi from the Rochester Americans and created a roster spot by placing center Ryan McLeod on injured reserved.

McLeod, who fell awkwardly in Thursday’s practice, played in Friday’s 5-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He registered his first NHL hat trick in Wednesday’s 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Sabres have used McLeod, who has scored 10 goals this season, up and down the lineup. He ... Read the full article

Penguins goalie Alex Nedeljkovic seals win over Sabres by scoring goal

BUFFALO – Long before he stopped a puck behind his net and flung it down the ice toward the Sabres’ open net late in Friday’s 5-2 win, Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Alex Nedeljkovic was enjoying one heck of a game.

Nedeljkovic stymied the Sabres all night, outplaying his his counterpart, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. In the second period, the American recorded the secondary assist on Cody Glass’ power-play goal that would prove to be the winner.... Read the full article