WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
December Edition
Ilya Lyubushkin played one season in Buffalo. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres trimmed their defense corps Friday night, trading Ilya Lyubushkin to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2025.
The Sabres had nine defensemen on one-way contracts prior to dealing Lyubushkin, who’s entering the final season of a two-year, $5.5 million contract.
While Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams has said he would be comfortable having a surfeit of defensemen in training camp, it wasn’t surprising the Sabres made a move.... Read the full article
Alumni and members of Buffalo’s brass watch as Rick Jeanneret speaks at his banner-raising ceremony April 1, 2022. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
In the moments after the Buffalo Sabres’ nightlong celebration of legendary play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret ended in 2022, coach Don Granato did something out of character.
“RJ Night” had been perfect, as the Sabres rode the wave energy from an emotional pregame banner-raising ceremony to a thrilling victory before a raucous crowd.
As the special evening ended, Granato was prodded to put on a turtleneck and suspenders – a tribute to Jeanneret’s style – for ... Read the full article
Rick Jeanneret called Sabres games for 51 seasons. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
Legendary play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret, one of the most iconic figures in Buffalo Sabres history, died Thursday evening, the team announced. He was 81.
Jeanneret died following a two-year battle with multi-organ failures, according to his family.
He retired following the 2021-22 season, his record 51st year on the job. He spent last season as a broadcaster emeritus making appearances on behalf of the team and was often seen around KeyBank Center.
The Sabres gave ... Read the full article
Buffalo drafted Anton Wahlberg in the second round last month. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres on Friday signed two players, inking forward prospect Anton Wahlberg to a three-year, entry-level contract and winger Brett Murray to a one-year, two-way deal.
Wahlberg, 18, is the first member of the Sabres’ 2023 draft class to sign a contract. The Swede’s deal has a $950,000 average annual value, according to capfriendly.com.
Murray, 24, was a restricted free agent. His deal is worth $775,000 in the NHL. He will receive $250,000 in ... Read the full article
Coach Seth Appert shakes hands with Toronto assistant coach coach John Snowden on May 17 following Rochester’s series-clinching win. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – Instead of getting into a deep discussion of Xs and Os with job candidates or having them diagram plays, Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert prefers to conduct more personal interviews.
“I’m a people-oriented, relationship-oriented person,” the loquacious Appert said Sunday following the first session of Sabres development camp at LECOM Harborcenter.
Appert, whose two assistant coaches, Michael Peca and Mike Weber, both recently left for NHL jobs, said he wants to talk to ... Read the full article
Connor Clifton spent five seasons with Boston before signing with Buffalo. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Their relationship began almost 12 years ago. Connor Clifton was playing for the New Jersey Hitmen, a junior team in his home state. Don Granato was in his first season coaching at the U.S. National Team Development Program.
Clifton, a defenseman the Sabres signed Saturday, hadn’t made Team USA’s Under-17 squad that year. But during the season, he earned a brief recall to the program.
“That month of hockey I learned more than ... Read the full article
Erik Johnson sees similarities between Colorado, his old team, and Buffalo ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – After defenseman Erik Johnson learned the Colorado Avalanche wouldn’t be re-signing him, he said five or six teams emerged as suitors in free agency.
The Sabres, a team he said reminds him of the Avalanche not long ago, quickly moved to the top of his list.
Johnson, 35, called some old teammates and bounced the interested clubs off them.
“All of them really said Buffalo’s a team on the rise,” said Johnson, who ... Read the full article
Erik Johnson won the Stanley Cup with Colorado in 2022. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres today made three moves in the opening hour of free agency, signing right-shot defensemen Erik Johnson and Connor Clifton and re-signing center Tyson Jost.
General manager Kevyn Adams said leading up to free agency he wanted to add to his blue line this offseason, and in Johnson and Clifton he addressed the Sabres’ most glaring need.
Johnson, 35, signed a $3.25 million contract. Meanwhile, Clifton, 28, inked a three-year deal with an ... Read the full article
Tyson Jost (17) pursues the puck last season with teammate Kyle Okposo behind him. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
Following the end of his first season in Buffalo, center Tyson Jost talked about what a special group he had joined and how badly he wanted to return to the Sabres.
On Friday, the Sabres did not give Jost, 25, a qualifying offer, meaning he can become an unrestricted free agent when the market opens Saturday.
General manager Kevyn Adams, however, has said he wants Jost to return. By not extending him an offer as ... Read the full article
Casey McCarthy grew up in Clarence. ©2023
NASHVILLE – The daily challenges an NHL general manager faces can keep you awake at night, Kevyn Adams said. Still, moments like the one he experienced Thursday at the NHL Draft table can make all the stress worth it.
After the Buffalo Sabres drafted defenseman Gavin McCarthy in the third round, 86th overall, he walked down to meet Adams and other members of the team.
McCarthy’s excitement made Adams’ mind flash back to all the ... Read the full article