Anderson - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Special mentality helped Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen earn No. 1 job

BUFFALO – The burden of expectations could’ve weighed Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen down. After all, shortly after the Sabres drafted him in the second round in 2017, he was labeled as their goalie of the future.

At times in the minors, the Finn seemed to be developing a bit slowly. Injuries and the COVID-19 pandemic limited his playing time. He sometimes struggled or performed inconsistently.

“There’s been ups and downs to it,” Luukkonen said of his ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Peyton Krebs learning to utilize shot, starting to score goals

BUFFALO – If he had grabbed the puck in the same area just a few weeks earlier, Sabres center Peyton Krebs might’ve held onto it or dished it off.

Shooting likely wouldn’t have been his first choice.

But when Krebs zoomed into the Anaheim zone late in the third period Saturday afternoon, he looked hellbent on beating Ducks goalie John Gibson. After taking a few quick strides, he unleashed a wicked wrist shot from high ... Read the full article

After struggles, Sabres’ Victor Olofsson scoring goals, becoming star

BUFFALO – At times this season, Sabres winger Victor Olofsson has battled adversity and the perception he’s too one-dimensional.

For stretches, he has struggled at even strength and lost ice time, doing little to dispel the belief he’s simply a power-play guy who possesses a lethal shot.

Still, 45 games into the campaign, Olofsson has already registered a career-high 21 goals.... Read the full article

Sabres place Vinnie Hinostroza on waivers

The Sabres this afternoon placed winger Vinnie Hinostroza, who has played just four of the last 20 games, on waivers.

Not surprisingly, Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams has been trying to trade Hinostroza, according to Sportsnet and The Buffalo News.

Waiving Hinostroza, 28, could create a roster spot for the Sabres to carry three goalies. Since early last week, they’ve been making moves almost daily – most of them on paper – to keep ... Read the full article

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen emerging as Sabres’ No. 1 goalie: ‘Edge is to him right now’

BUFFALO – Following his strong 30-save effort in Monday afternoon’s ugly 4-1 loss to the Florida Panthers, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will likely rest tonight, giving way to Craig Anderson or Eric Comrie.

For the past week, Luukkonen’s emergence has forced the Sabres to make roster moves nearly every day, shuffling players to the AHL in paper transactions. Keeping three goalies in play has been difficult, and they clearly can’t do it much longer.

Luukkonen, ... Read the full article

Sabres rookies Jack Quinn, JJ Peterka look like stars in return to lineup

BUFFALO – Well, it did the trick, right?

Following a brief absence that offered slumping rookies Jack Quinn and JJ Peterka a chance to step back and reset, they performed splendidly in their return, helping the Sabres end a three-game losing streak.

Quinn scored the final goal in Saturday’s 5-3 win over the Nashville Predators and also created center Dylan Cozens’ second-period score from deep in the Buffalo zone. Peterka, meanwhile, earned the primary assist ... Read the full article

Sabres goalies Craig Anderson, Eric Comrie and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen embracing difficult situation

BUFFALO – So far, the Sabres’ jam-packed schedule has helped them make the best of a difficult situation and accommodate three goalies.

This week, Craig Anderson, Eric Comrie and rookie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen have all earned starts. Luukkonen remained on the roster following Thursday’s 4-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, a sign he could play tonight’s road game against the Nashville Predators.

The Sabres also play Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and next Saturday. They have ... Read the full article

When will Sabres rookies Jack Quinn, JJ Peterka play again?

BUFFALO – For a day or two, rookie Jack Quinn is technically a member of the Rochester Americans again. In a paper move on Thursday morning, the Sabres loaned the winger to their AHL affiliate to create room to recall goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

Quinn, 21, isn’t going anywhere. The Sabres needed a roster spot and he can be assigned to the minors without waivers.

General manager Kevyn Adams said on Monday the Sabres would ... Read the full article

Sabres loan Jack Quinn to Rochester to create spot for Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

BUFFALO – For a day or two, Sabres rookie Jack Quinn is technically a member of the Rochester Americans again. In a paper move on Thursday morning, they loaned the winger to their AHL affiliate to create room to recall goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

Quinn, 21, isn’t going anywhere. The Sabres needed a roster spot and he can be assigned to the minors without waivers.

General manager Kevyn Adams said on Monday the Sabres would have ... Read the full article

Sabres start slowly, get blanked by Flyers: ‘Emotionally drained’

BUFFALO – In a span of two days, the Sabres won a thrilling come-from-behind overtime contest before a raucous capacity crowd and got shut out in front of about 9,000 empty seats.

The ebb and flow of a grueling six-month season can create some real clunkers, and the Sabres clearly experienced a letdown on Monday in losing 4-0 to the Philadelphia Flyers at KeyBank Center.

Fresh off Saturday’s exciting 6-5 triumph against the Minnesota Wild, ... Read the full article