The Sabres became a tight group this season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Upstart Sabres believe they’ve started something special: ‘A different feeling’

BUFFALO – Before center Zemgus Girgensons reported to the rink Saturday morning, his wife, Katie, asked him what he would tell the Sabres’ brass during his end-of-season meetings.

Girgensons, the Sabres’ longest-tenured player, experienced a lot of losing and turmoil over his eight NHL seasons, so in previous years, he had plenty of gripes to share before he left town for the summer.

“Usually in the morning, you’re trying to gather thoughts of all the ... Read the full article

Kyle Okposo moves around Mitch Marner (12) and Michael Bunting (58) on April 12 in Toronto. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Kyle Okposo enjoying terrific comeback season, at forefront of Sabres’ revival

BUFFALO – On Wednesday, the Sabres, a team two days away from finishing its season, had a group of players on the KeyBank Center ice 25 minutes before their final practice started.

To veteran winger Kyle Okposo, 34, the Sabres’ oldest and most experienced player, that speaks volumes about the group’s passion. The Sabres will miss the playoffs for a record-setting 11th straight year, yet no one seems to want the season to end.... Read the full article

Buffalo rookie Owen Power is expected to make his NHL debut Tuesday in Toronto. ©2022, Michigan Athletics

Owen Power’s signing offers upstart Sabres excitement, more hope

As news of Owen Power’s signing spread Friday afternoon, Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said his phone began lighting up with texts from the defenseman’s new teammates.

They wanted to learn when Power, 19, would be joining the Sabres after inking his three-year, entry-level contract and how they could connect with him.

“It says a lot to me of what this group is all about,” Adams said on a Zoom call Friday. “And you ... Read the full article

Buffalo drafted goalie Erik Portillo in 2019. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

With Owen Power signed, Sabres can focus on Erik Portillo, Ryan Johnson

BUFFALO – Now that the Sabres have signed defenseman Owen Power to his entry-level contract, their attention can turn to two other top college prospects, goalie Erik Portillo and defenseman Ryan Johnson.

Kevyn Adams said he has already chatted with Portillo, 21, and Johnson, 20, both of whom suffered season-ending losses Thursday at the Frozen Four.

“You want to be respectful because these guys have put their heart and soul into something and trying to ... Read the full article

Devon Levi just enjoyed a dynamic season. ©2022, Jim Pearce, Northeastern

Sabres prospect Devon Levi wants to ‘feel that pressure’ at Northeastern

BUFFALO – When goalie Devon Levi told Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams he would be returning to Northeastern, the prospect explained how another season in college could offer him what he craves.

“He’s such a mature kid the way he looks at it,” Adams said this morning inside KeyBank Center. “And one of the things he said that I found interesting is that, ‘I wanted to feel that pressure every day of people looking at ... Read the full article

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen played nine games in Buffalo earlier this season before returning to Rochester. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Kevyn Adams happy with goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s play

BUFFALO – In assessing Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s play, Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams looks beyond the suspect numbers the goalie prospect has compiled.

“Better than his numbers,” Adams said prior to Tuesday’s 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes at KeyBank Center. “That’s why I think you got to be careful in the American League getting too caught up in that.”

Still, Luukkonen hasn’t exactly been the Rochester Americans’ backbone. The Finn has struggled at times this ... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin battles Rickard Rakell in Wednesday’s 4-3 overtime win against Pittsburgh. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Rasmus Dahlin becoming vocal leader for Sabres: ‘Showing another side’

BUFFALO – It just happens sometimes, Rasmus Dahlin explained. The ultra-competitive defenseman has no real explanation for it. In the heat of the game, with his adrenaline pumping, he stands ups on the bench, leans over and yells to his Sabres teammates.

“Doesn’t it feel good to compete? Feels good to compete!” Sabres coach Don Granato said Dahlin has shouted. “(He does it) after a guy has a hard shift or he feels guys need ... Read the full article

Vinnie Hinostroza has fit in well in Buffalo. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Vinnie Hinostroza wants to stay, feels something special building

BUFFALO – Winger Vinnie Hinostroza said he reads Twitter, so he knew all about the negativity surrounding the Sabres.

But while exploring his options as a free agent last summer, Hinostroza, 27, saw an opportunity in Buffalo. He talked to Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams and coach Don Granato and learned about their vision for the team.

Hinostroza liked what he heard, and he signed a one-year, $1.05 million contract.

The American had a good ... Read the full article

Kevyn Adams wanted to keep his influential veterans in Buffalo. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Why didn’t the Sabres make any trades before Monday’s deadline?

BUFFALO – In winning four of their last five games, including two straight road contests in overtime, the Sabres have taken significant steps over the past two weeks.

For one of the few times in the past decade, the Sabres are clearly improving as the season progresses. So as the trade deadline approached, general manager Kevyn Adams had to decide if dealing some influential veterans on expiring contracts was worth the return.

For example, goalie ... Read the full article

Peyton Krebs could return to Rochester for the playoffs. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres notes: Peyton Krebs, others could rejoin Amerks for playoffs

BUFFALO – Post-trade deadline, NHL teams are allowed four non-emergency recalls. The Sabres quickly used three Monday to make winger Peyton Krebs and defensemen Casey Fitzgerald and Mattias Samuelsson eligible for the AHL playoffs.

The Sabres assigned the rookies to the Rochester Americans and “recalled” them in a paper transaction.

Right now, the Amerks, despite often using a patchwork lineup because of injuries and recalls, rank fourth in the North Division. If the postseason started ... Read the full article