Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres notes: Tage Thompson wanted to hit 50-goal mark

BUFFALO – At the beginning of the season, fresh off a breakout 38-goal campaign, Sabres star Tage Thompson wanted duplicate last year’s career-best output.

“If I could get around the same as I got last year, it would be successful and (I’d) be pretty happy with that,” Thompson said prior to Thursday’s 4-3 overtime win against the Ottawa Senators at KeyBank Center, the Sabres’ home finale.

Well, Thompson, 25, hit the 30-goal mark Jan. 3, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Craig Anderson wants to stay in moment; Mattias Samuelsson likely done for season

BUFFALO – A decision will be made later. Right now, Sabres goalie Craig Anderson isn’t ready to say if tonight’s start game will be the final of his decorated 20-year NHL career.

Of course, Anderson, 41, understands retirement is nearing.

“Age is creeping up,” the NHL’s oldest player said prior to the home finale against his old team, the Ottawa Senators, at KeyBank Center.

But Anderson simply wants to stay in the moment.... Read the full article

Popular Sabres goalie Craig Anderson could be nearing retirement

BUFFALO – Pierre Groulx remembers Craig Anderson looked a bit unorthodox in his crease. Instead going down in the butterfly like many modern goalies, he might stand up to stop a shot. The two-pad stack was part of his repertoire.

“He was more of the old school style,” said Groulx, who first served as Anderson’s goalie coach with the Florida Panthers from 2006 to 2008. “… He was one of those guys that read the ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Isak Rosen developing fast, already one of Amerks’ ‘drivers’

ROCHESTER – Buffalo Sabres prospect Isak Rosen has never experienced a season as long and demanding as this one, his first in North America.

Counting seven appearances at the World Junior Championship, Rosen, a winger with the Americans, has already hit the 70-game mark. A year ago in his native Sweden, he played 31 pro games, often skating short minutes.

In Rochester, Rosen, 20, has developed into what coach Seth Appert called one of the ... Read the full article

Alex Tuch’s impact felt on and off ice by Sabres during career-best season

BUFFALO – As the Sabres’ losing streak dragged on last month, winger Alex Tuch could see the struggles taking a toll on Don Granato.

In good times and bad, Granato usually maintains an even-keeled demeanor. But as the Sabres trudged through a wretched stretch in which they lost 10 of 12 games, the normally affable coach wasn’t smiling much.

So Tuch, 26, did something about it. Having developed a strong relationship with Granato – “He’s ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin plays brilliantly in win; Devon Levi might be starter

BUFFALO – Go ahead, try to pick Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin’s most impactful play in Saturday afternoon’s thrilling 4-3 come-from-behind victory over the Carolina Hurricanes.

Was it his game-tying power-play score in the second period, his first goal in nearly 11 weeks? His dazzling backhand pass that created center Casey’s Mittelstadt’s tying goal later in the period? Before he dished the puck, he generated highlight footage by zooming down the slot and slickly undressing two ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Casey Mittelstadt showing star qualities, piling up points

BUFFALO – Following Thursday’s exciting 7-6 shootout win in Detroit, Sabres center Casey Mittelstadt showered and immediately phoned his younger brothers.

Mittelstadt, 24, had just registered two assists against the Red Wings, his third multi-point outing in the last four contests, as the Sabres won for the fifth time in seven tries.

That game, however, wasn’t on his mind. He wanted to celebrate his brother Luke’s memorable two-goal performance in the Frozen Four semifinal win ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Devon Levi wins second consecutive Richter Award

Buffalo Sabres rookie Devon Levi on Friday earned another honor in his decorated college career, becoming the first player to win the Richter Award as college hockey’s top goalie twice.

He also received the award last season.

Levi, 21, enjoyed a dynamic junior season at Northeastern in 2022-23, compiling a 17-12-5 record with a 2.24 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage and six shutouts in 34 games.... Read the full article

At 18, Sabres prospect Jiri Kulich having ‘remarkable’ season in Rochester

ROCHESTER – Americans rookie Jiri Kulich positioned himself in the right circle during a power play, and when Ethan Prow adroitly delivered a pass into his wheelhouse, he quickly unleashed a wicked one-timer.

Kulich, 18, laughed a bit as he recalled his late tying goal, his team-leading 22nd score, in last Wednesday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Cleveland Monsters.

As the Czech forward developed into a coveted prospect the Buffalo Sabres would draft 28th overall... Read the full article

Sabres ready for most meaningful April game in 11 years; Devon Levi could start

BUFFALO – You must go back 11 years and about 820 games to find the last time the Sabres played a late-season contest as meaningful as tonight’s against the Florida Panthers.

Having gone 4-0-1 in their last five outings, the surging Sabres, given up for dead barely two weeks ago, have roared back into the thick of the playoff chase.

“We have gotten back to our identity,” Sabres coach Don Granato said following Monday’s practice ... Read the full article