Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen playing at elite level, could be Sabres’ long-coveted franchise goalie

BUFFALO – Think about it, when was the last time the Sabres had a true No. 1 goalie? Not a guy playing well and earning most of the action, but a top-flight NHL starter who could be entrenched in the crease for years.

Linus Ullmark might’ve become that guy if he had re-signed here. Robin Lehner enjoyed some success but battled personal issues. Others have seen their performance – remember how well Jonas Enroth and ... Read the full article

Sabres star Tage Thompson confident despite low offensive output

BUFFALO – This is nothing new for Tage Thompson. The Sabres center has battled adversity – a trade, demotion, unmet expectations and more – throughout his career.

Each experience shaped Thompson, 26, and last season, his fifth here, he developed into one of the NHL’s elite talents, scoring 47 goals and 94 points as the Sabres contended for a playoff spot.

This season, the first of his seven-year, $50 million contract, has often been rough.... Read the full article

Sabres dominate Stars, still lose: ‘Their goalie won that one for them’

BUFFALO – About 14 minutes into Tuesday’s 2-1 loss, Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin grabbed center Casey Mittelstadt’s adroit pass just inside the left circle and quickly unleashed a shot on Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger.

The shaft of Oettinger’s stick nullified a splendid scoring chance, and when the puck fell from the netting above the glass, Dahlin caught it and spiked it in frustration.

“I thought he was like trying to throw it at me ... Read the full article

Tenacity helping Sabres prospect Lukas Rousek pile up points in Rochester

BUFFALO – Seth Appert kept talking, going into detail to explain how aggressive play fueled Buffalo Sabres prospect Lukas Rousek’s recent 13-game point streak.

“On the puck, competitiveness, forechecking, puck battles,” the Americans coach said late last month in Blue Cross Arena in Rochester before the winger’s streak ended. “His battle level is dramatically higher right now than it was at any time he’s been in North America. He’s playing more competitively, he’s hunting the ... Read the full article

Mature game helping Sabres rookie Zach Benson earn keep in NHL

BUFFALO – Zach Benson, the new left winger on the Sabres’ second line alongside center Dylan Cozens and JJ Peterka, hasn’t recorded a point in his last 11 outings. The rookie scored his last goal back on Dec. 15, 18 games ago.

Benson, 18, has compiled four goals in 38 games this season, one less than Jack Quinn, the player he’s replacing, has scored in 17 contests.

Still, after Quinn suffered a lower-body injury Jan. ... Read the full article

Sabres lose Mattias Samuelsson for the rest of the season; Jack Quinn’s injury emotional for his teammates

BUFFALO – Losing defenseman Mattias Samuelsson to a season-ending injury and winger Jack Quinn for six to eight weeks could extinguish the Sabres’ faint playoff hopes.

The Sabres, who practiced Sunday in KeyBank Center following their bye week and NHL All-Star break, must erase a 10-point deficit without two of their top talents.

But forget, for a moment, about their on-ice contributions. Suddenly losing two popular teammates could rattle the Sabres’ psyche.

Watching Quinn, 22, ... Read the full article

Goalie Devon Levi focused in Rochester, not worried about recall by Sabres

ROCHESTER – One start down, at least one to go for goalie Devon Levi. After making 16 saves in Wednesday’s 2-1 loss, the rookie is scheduled to play one of the Americans’ two weekend road games before the AHL breaks for its All-Star Classic.

Now, will Levi, 22, stay with the Amerks beyond this week?

The Buffalo Sabres, who sent Levi to the minors for extra work during their bye week and the NHL ... Read the full article

13 months after trade, Joseph Cecconi developing with Amerks, happy in Sabres organization

ROCHESTER – Joseph Cecconi’s arrival here last season transformed the Americans, giving their defense corps a missing element. Without his muscle, coach Seth Appert said, the AHL club wouldn’t have enjoyed another long run in the Calder Cup Playoffs.

“We don’t go to the conference finals without that trade and getting Cheeks,” Appert said. “We didn’t have enough of that or much of that at all. … Trading for Cecconi, that really solidified our D ... Read the full article

Sabres send Devon Levi to Rochester for work during break, recall goalie

The Sabres on Sunday loaned goalie Devon Levi to the Rochester Americans, a move that allows the rookie to practice and play during Buffalo’s bye week and the NHL All-Star break.

Buffalo also recalled goalie Eric Comrie, who has played five games for Rochester since clearing waivers earlier this month.

Since Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has emerged as the Sabres’ No. 1 goalie, Levi, 22, has played sparingly. On Wednesday, Levi started his first NHL game since ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jack Quinn leaves win against Sharks after injuring left leg

Buffalo Sabres winger Jack Quinn, who spent six months rehabbing from a torn left Achilles tendon and missed the first 32 games this season, departed Saturday’s 5-2 road win over the San Jose Sharks after his left leg bent awkwardly when Tomas Hertl hit him into the boards.

Quinn, 22, was trying to spin away from Hertl between the left circle and blue line when he took the hit. He stayed on the SAP Center ... Read the full article