Bernard-Docker - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Goalie Colten Ellis dazzles in NHL debut, backstops Sabres to win

BUFFALO – In the opening minutes of a goalie’s NHL debut, facing a shot or two and simply feeling the puck can help him calm any nerves and settle into the game.

So as Sabres goalie Colten Ellis waited and waited for his first chance to make a save on Wednesday, it was fair to wonder how he would react.

Well, Ellis, a recent waiver claim who backed up veteran Alex Lyon in the Sabres’ ... Read the full article

Following trade and injury, Sabres’ Josh Norris settling into prominent role

BUFFALO – Sabres center Josh Norris experienced an unusual summer. For the first time in three years, he was healthy enough to enjoy a normal offseason of training.

“You kind of forget what it’s like to have a fully healthy summer and have to worry about anything physically,” Norris said following an early session of training camp in KeyBank Center. “So, yeah, I’m ready to go.”

Injuries have dogged Norris, 26, for years, limiting him ... Read the full article

Kevyn Adams says Sabres would match any offer sheet to Bowen Byram

BUFFALO – If a team swoops in and gives restricted free agent Bowen Byram an offer sheet, general manager Kevyn Adams said the Sabres are prepared to match it.

“The moves we’ve made and the position we’ve put ourselves in from the cap perspective has been strategic,” Adams said prior to Wednesday’s session of development camp in LECOM Harborcenter. “If you leave just enough room in your cap that where maybe you see a projection ... Read the full article

Sabres sign Alex Lyon, make trade and add depth as free agency opens

What exactly will goalie Alex Lyon’s role be with the Buffalo Sabres?

Right now, Lyon, their most significant signing on Tuesday, the first day of free agency, is likely penciled in as Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s backup.

But what if Luukkonen, 26, struggles like he did last season? Late in the year, veteran James Reimer took over, keeping the Finn on the bench as he enjoyed a career-best stretch.

The Sabres are under enormous pressure to win ... Read the full article

Sabres trade Sam Lafferty, re-sign two defensemen; Buffalo signs goalie Alex Lyon to two-year contract

The Buffalo Sabres today traded forward Sam Lafferty to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2026.

Lafferty, 30, struggled last season after signing a two-year, $4 million contract as a free agent, registering four goals, seven points and a minus-15 rating in 60 games.

The Sabres inked the speedy Lafferty, who had just enjoyed a career year with the Vancouver Canucks, when they overhauled their fourth line.... Read the full article

Sabres don’t extend qualifying offers to Jacob Bernard-Docker, three others

BUFFALO – The Sabres on Monday did not extend an $866,250 qualifying offer to defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker, making him a free agent.

They extended qualifying offers to goalie Devon Levi, defensemen Bowen Byram, Ryan Johnson and Conor Timmins and forwards Tyson Kozak and Ryan McLeod.

Byram, Johnson, McLeod and Timmins all have arbitration rights. Bernard-Docker had them before the Sabres did not qualify him.

Forwards Aleksandr Kisakov, Bennett MacArthur and Tyler Tullio – ... Read the full article

Sabres re-sign Jack Quinn to two-year contract

ORCHARD PARK – The Buffalo Sabres on Friday re-signed winger Jack Quinn to a two-year, $6.75 million contract.

The contract’s $3.375 million average annual value is the ninth highest on the Sabres.

Quinn, who could’ve become a restricted free agent Tuesday, is coming off an inconsistent season in which he often struggled but set career highs by scoring 15 goals and 39 points in 74 games.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jack Quinn on torrid streak, still disappointed in season: ‘Pretty brutal’

OTTAWA – In the midst of a career-best stretch, fresh off consecutive three-point outings, Buffalo Sabres winger Jack Quinn’s disappointment is still evident.

Quinn, 23, entered Tuesday’s game against the Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre on a tear, having scored four goals and eight points in his last four outings.

But in what was expected to be a breakout season, he has struggled at both ends of the ice – he began Tuesday’s game ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jacob Bernard-Docker earning regular duty after trade; Noah Ostlund honored for hot stretch

OTTAWA – In the time he spent earlier this season recovering from a high ankle sprain and also regularly watching games as a healthy scratch, Buffalo Sabres newcomer Jacob Bernard-Docker tried to reflect and understand why he had lost his spot in the lineup.

Bernard-Docker, a right-shot defenseman the Sabres acquired March 7 in the trade that sent center Dylan Cozens to the Senators, said he realized he needed to be harder to play against.... Read the full article

With lineup weakened, Sabres look to Josh Dunne, Tyson Kozak and others

BUFFALO – In Tuesday’s 3-2 win, Alex Tuch and Jason Zucker, two of the Sabres’ top wingers, each played about three minutes under their season averages.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said prior to the game against the Ottawa Senators he believed the virus that has recently run through the team was no longer a problem.

Two hours before the contest, the Sabres recalled center Josh Dunne from the Rochester Americans. Dunne and defenseman Jacob Bryson ... Read the full article