Adams - Buffalo Hockey Beat

After becoming Sabres’ No. 1 center, Jiri Kulich returns to Rochester Amerks for starring role in playoffs

ROCHESTER – Americans center Jiri Kulich has returned to where he starred for two seasons as a more accomplished and mature player.

When the Buffalo Sabres assigned him to the AHL for a four-game stint in early November, they had just spent a month easing him into the lineup, playing the neophyte at the wing and occasionally scratching him.

Kulich, who will play for the Amerks in tonight’s opener of the Calder Cup Playoffs at ... Read the full article

After breakout season, Bowen Byram wants to sign new contract with Sabres

BUFFALO – When the Sabres traded for Bowen Byram before the 2024 deadline, general manager Kevyn Adams acknowledged they weren’t sure how he would fit in their lineup.

In Byram, they saw a talented defenseman drafted fourth overall who had won the Stanley Cup in 2022. Players of his caliber who have sipped from hockey’s holy grail rarely become available in their early 20s.

Adams couldn’t pass up adding a high-end defenseman, so he dealt ... Read the full article

After struggling and getting scratched, Sabres’ Mattias Samuelsson thrived late

BUFFALO – If Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson could do it over again, he would make New Jersey Devils winger Stefan Noesen pay for the suspect hit that concussed teammate Tage Thompson.

Four other Sabres skaters were on the ice Feb. 2 when Noesen thumped the Sabres’ leading scorer in the head. None of them went after him.

The 6-foot-4, 227-pound Samuelsson, however, bore the brunt of the criticism for the team’s inaction as a woozy ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Norris says oblique injury sidelined him final 18 games

BUFFALO – On March 12 in Detroit, center Josh Norris scored his first goal for the Sabres in their 7-3 loss to the Red Wings.

No one knew it then, but that game, his third with the Sabres after arriving in a trade with the Ottawa Senators, would be his last of the season.

Norris, 25, revealed Saturday a torn oblique muscle he suffered with the Senators on Feb. 1 sidelined him for the final ... Read the full article

Can late-season growth keep Sabres’ offseason changes to a minimum?

BUFFALO – Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin processed the question, searched for the right words and moved back in his chair a bit.

What has general manager Kevyn Adams told him that makes him believe the Sabres can finally get it done and reach the playoffs?

Dahlin, sporting a white hoodie and black Bills hat with a blue backdrop adorned with Sabres logos behind him, spoke confidently. While he refused to get into specifics of his ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Peyton Krebs becomes trusted, versatile asset for Lindy Ruff

BUFFALO – Six and a half months ago, Peyton Krebs sat out the Sabres’ season opener as a healthy scratch. In Thursday’s finale, his 81st consecutive appearance, he centered Alex Tuch and Jason Zucker on a scoring line.

Krebs’ consistent effort and willingness to embrace any task quickly earned him coach Lindy Ruff’s trust. It can be argued Krebs, 24, grew more than any player during Ruff’s first season back behind Buffalo’s bench.

His short-handed ... Read the full article

After trade, welcome from Seth Appert, Sabres’ Josh Norris getting comfortable

BUFFALO – The toughest day of Sabres center Josh Norris’ hockey life ended 1,500 miles from where it started, with a familiar face greeting him at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

Eight years ago, Norris and Sabres assistant coach Seth Appert spent a memorable six weeks together at the US National Team Development Program.

Norris was in his final weeks of junior hockey and about to become a first-round pick by the San Jose Sharks ... Read the full article

Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin strongly denies report he would ask for trade

BUFFALO – Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin processed the question and wanted a little clarification.

“Who?” Dahlin asked incredulously when he was told a member of the “Spittin’ Chiclets” podcast said he would ask general manager Kevyn Adams for a trade if the last-place Sabres don’t improve.

When informed it was Paul Bissonnette, the Swede asked again.

“Who wants to be moved?” he asked.... Read the full article

Strong belief in Sabres helped Jason Zucker sign contract extension

BUFFALO – Having shown few signs of graying at 33, an advanced age in the NHL, Sabres winger Jason Zucker would’ve had plenty of suitors on the open market.

Still, the veteran chose to eschew free agency and sign a two-year, $9.5 million contract extension with the last-place Sabres hours before Friday’s trade deadline Why?

Well, for starters, Zucker has enjoyed what he called the “fun challenge” of being the team’s oldest and most experienced ... Read the full article

Trades show Terry Pegula believes in Kevyn Adams’ vision for Sabres

BUFFALO – In the weeks ahead of the trade deadline, Sabres general manger Kevyn Adams said owner Terry Pegula gave him the same message: What do we need to do to make this team better?

“Everything we should be thinking about is we need to improve, and what are those decisions?” Adams said Pegula told him. “And, Kevyn, come up with answers.”

That last part, of course, is important. While the Sabres rank last in ... Read the full article