Benson - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Josh Norris could be out until November; Mattias Samuelsson injured

BUFFALO – The upper-body injury Sabres center Josh Norris suffered in Thursday’s season-opening loss could sideline him well into November, coach Lindy Ruff said.

While Ruff did not offer a firm time frame, he acknowledged prior to Monday afternoon’s game against the Colorado Avalanche that Elliotte Friedman’s report of eight weeks on Sportsnet’s “32 Thoughts” podcast is “probably pretty close.”

Ruff said Norris, who was injured taking a faceoff late in the 4-0 loss to ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Norris will miss ‘significant amount of time’ with injury

Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff told reporters this morning in Boston that center Josh Norris will miss “a significant amount of time” after suffering an upper-body injury in Thursday’s season-opening loss to the New York Rangers.

“I don’t know what that amount is for sure,” Ruff said prior to tonight’s game against the Bruin in TD Garden.

Ruff said Norris, who was injured taking a faceoff late in the 4-0 loss, is still being evaluated.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Norris out injured; Zach Benson to leave hospital

BUFFALO – Fresh off the most productive summer of his career, a healthy Josh Norris seemed poised to enjoy a breakout season as the Sabres’ new No. 1 center.

The oft-injured Norris, 26, dazzled during four preseason outings, scoring three goals and an NHL-high seven points.

But just one game into the season, he’s hurt again, joining five teammates on the sideline.

What the heck is going on?

“Maybe it’s just a test for us ... Read the full article

Alexandar Georgiev part of Rochester’s roster; Sabres make recall

BUFFALO – Veteran Alexandar Georgiev, who earlier this week cleared waivers, is one four goalies on Rochester Americans’ season-opening roster.

Devon Levi, Topias Leinonen and Scott Ratzlaff are the Amerks’ other netminders.

Georgiev, 29, hasn’t played in the AHL since an 11-game stint with the Hartford Wolf Pack in 2018-19. He signed a one-year, one-way contract last month.... Read the full article

Sabres shut out by Rangers in opener; Zach Benson hospitalized

BUFFALO – Don’t let the final score fool you. The Sabres’ 4-0 loss in Thursday’s season opener to the New York Rangers was closer than the score might indicate.

The Sabres trailed by one goal with less than six minutes remaining. Following a weak first period, they pumped 26 shots on Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin over the final 40 minutes.

Not that any of that mattered to the disgruntled capacity crowd of 19,070. Fans packed ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Colten Ellis standing out in Buffalo, will get chance to play

BUFFALO – By his second season toiling away in the ECHL, Sabres goalie Colten Ellis said hockey began to feel like a job.

Ellis, 25, spent most his rookie year stopping pucks in Worcester, Massachusetts, before the St. Louis Blues assigned him to Tulsa, Oklahoma, for his second season.

Almost two years into his career, he had played just six games for the Springfield Thunderbirds, the Blues’ AHL affiliate.

He said he forgot to enjoy ... Read the full article

Sabres claim rookie goalie Colten Ellis off waivers from Blues, finalize roster

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ crease is getting crowded.

The team on Monday added its fourth goalie, claiming Colten Ellis, 25, off waivers from the St. Louis Blues.

Ellis, who has never played in the NHL, joins Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Alex Lyon and Alexandar Georgiev in Buffalo.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said on Monday that Luukkonen, who has been sidelined by a lower-body injury, won’t be ready for Thursday’s season opener against the New York Rangers.

When ... Read the full article

After rough season, Sabres’ Jack Quinn responds to challenge from Lindy Ruff

BUFFALO – On the surface, Jack Quinn’s 2024-25 season might look productive. The Sabres winger set career highs across the board, recording 15 goals, 24 assists and 39 points.

Of course, two other telling numbers must be attached to that stat line: minus-18, his team-worst rating, and six, the number of games he sat out as a healthy scratch before scoring his first goal against a goalie on Dec. 15.

“You look at a tough ... Read the full article

Sabres get closer to finalizing 23-man roster by waiving player

The Buffalo Sabres on Sunday waived center Josh Dunne and will assign him to the Rochester Americans if he clears.

The Sabres, who open the season Thursday, must finalize their regular-season roster by today.

They have 27 players left on their training camp roster. They can reach the 23-man limit by placing four of their six players who have been sidelined – goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, wingers Zach Benson and Jordan Greenway and defensemen Michael Kesselring, ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen being evaluated for injury; Mattias Samuelsson close to practicing

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who left Wednesday’s 5-3 preseason loss after one period with a lower-body injury, is being evaluated today, coach Lindy Ruff said.

Ruff said the Sabres will know more about Luukkonen’s status later today. He stopped 11 of the 12 shots he faced against the Pittsburgh Penguins before Alexandar Georgiev replaced him.

Luukkonen missed the first week of training camp after tweaking a lower-body injury. Ruff said the Sabres hope ... Read the full article