Appert - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres to showcase glimpse of future in prospects Peyton Krebs, JJ Peterka

BUFFALO – Sabres prospect JJ Peterka was grocery shopping with Linus Weissbach on Monday in Rochester when his teammate’s phone rang.

Peterka’s phone wasn’t working, so to relay some special news, Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert called Weissbach, one of the German’s roommates.

“That was kind of weird but then I got the phone and Appert told me I got called up, so it was amazing,” said a smiling Peterka, who was officially recalled this ... Read the full article

GM Kevyn Adams addresses Sabres’ COVID-19 problems

After having three games postponed and one player enter the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol, the Sabres wanted to practice one final time before beginning a four-day break.

“Really get the guys going before we lead into the break,” Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said on a Zoom call Tuesday.

Adams said doctors approved the plan. If the Sabres didn’t have any additional positive cases, they would skate Tuesday morning at LECOM Harborcenter.

But on Tuesday, two ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Jack Quinn sidelined by mono with Amerks

BUFFALO – Sabres prospect Jack Quinn, who’s off to a torrid start in the AHL, has tested positive for mono and will be sidelined until after Christmas, Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert said.

“It’s certainly unfortunate knowing how well he was playing, but knowing Jack, he’ll come back strong from this,” Appert told the team’s website.

When Quinn, 20, missed two games last week, the Amerks said he had the flu.

... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Peyton Krebs on tear with Amerks, piling up points

ROCHESTER – At the end, after adding two more assists, Buffalo Sabres prospect Peyton Krebs showcased his underutilized shot, one-timing Sean Malone’s pass to secure the Americans’ fourth consecutive victory.

Wednesday’s overtime goal was just Krebs’ third shot on goal in the last four games. The winger, however, had recorded a whopping seven points in the last three contests entering Friday, six of them assists.

Amerks assistant coach Michael Peca, who subbed for coach ... Read the full article

With Casey Mittelstadt injured, could Sabres utilize JJ Peterka or Jack Quinn?

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Don Granato acknowledged that, yes, sometimes it can be hard to resist the temptation to recall one of the organization’s top prospects.

“There is a big temptation, yes, yes,” Granato said following Wednesday’s practice inside KeyBank Center. “When you go to Rochester and you see the skill level of those kids … there’s a big temptation that’s tough to fight at times.”

Having lost center Casey Mittelstadt to another upper-body injury ... Read the full article

AHL postpones two Amerks games due to COVID-19 protocols

The AHL on Wednesday afternoon postponed the Rochester Americans’ next two games due to COVID-19 protocols.

The Amerks were scheduled to host the Syracuse Crunch on Wednesday at Blue Cross Arena and the Springfield Thunderbirds on Friday. No makeup dates have been announced.

On Wednesday morning, the Amerks announced coach Seth Appert entered the league’s COVID-19 protocol and would be unavailable to coach against the Crunch. In his absence, assistants Michael Peca and Mike Weber... Read the full article

Seth Appert in COVID-19 protocol, to miss Amerks game

Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert has entered the AHL’s COVID-19 protocol and will be unavailable for tonight’s home game against the Syracuse Crunch, the team announced this morning.

In his absence, assistant coaches Michael Peca and Mike Weber will coach the Buffalo Sabres’ affiliate.

Appert, 47, is the first member of the Amerks to be sidelined by COVID protocols this season.

Update: The AHL this afternoon postponed tonight’s game and the Amerks’ home contest Friday ... Read the full article

Mark Jankowski grateful for time with Amerks, excited to join Sabres

BUFFALO – After spending nearly four straight seasons in the NHL, Sabres center Mark Jankowski found limited opportunities as a free agent during the summer. Eventually, he settled for an invitation to the New Jersey Devils’ training camp.

After the tryout expired and the Devils passed on signing him, a chance to join the Rochester Americans materialized.

Jankowski said he and the Amerks’ coaching staff talked a lot. He liked what he heard and felt ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Peyton Krebs changes positions, scores first goal for Amerks

Peyton Krebs likely won’t play left wing for very long. The Buffalo Sabres still envision the prospect as a center in the future.

But for the time being, Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert wants to keep Krebs, 20, in the spot he moved him last Friday.

“I’ll play any position,” Krebs told the Times Herald on Tuesday.

When Appert shifted Krebs beside center Mark Jankowski late in the Amerks’ 5-4 shootout win over the Lehigh ... Read the full article

Could Sabres look to Amerks goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for help?

BUFFALO – Given the Sabres’ recent goaltending woes, the rebuilding team could be forced to award prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen a look soon.

Maybe Luukkonen would stay for just a game or two. Or perhaps he might receive regular action while No. 1 goalie Craig Anderson, 40, recovers from his upper-body injury.

The Sabres, as evidenced by the ugly 2-9-1 streak they carry into tonight’s game against the Montreal Canadiens at KeyBank Center, need help ... Read the full article