Tage Thompson has scored 46 goals this season. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres notes: Tage Thompson wanted to hit 50-goal mark

BUFFALO – At the beginning of the season, fresh off a breakout 38-goal campaign, Sabres star Tage Thompson wanted duplicate last year’s career-best output.

“If I could get around the same as I got last year, it would be successful and (I’d) be pretty happy with that,” Thompson said prior to Thursday’s 4-3 overtime win against the Ottawa Senators at KeyBank Center, the Sabres’ home finale.

Well, Thompson, 25, hit the 30-goal mark Jan. 3, ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson has played all 72 games this season. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres notes: Tage Thompson will likely keep gutting out injury

BUFFALO – Sabres center Tage Thompson can’t do more damage to his undisclosed injury by playing with it.

“As long as he can fight through it, tolerate any pain that there might be, the decision is his (whether to play),” coach Don Granato told reporters Saturday in New York following the Sabres’ 2-0 win over the Islanders. “With the tolerance threshold, only he knows.”

Thompson, who was injured when he collided with Timo Meier early ... Read the full article

Victor Olofsson scored two goals Friday. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres change forwards to keep them fresh; Will Devon Levi play this season?

BUFFALO – For four months, center Tyson Jost enjoyed regular duty. His arrival helped solidify the Sabres down the middle, giving them a two-way presence to pivot their third or fourth line.

But Jost sat out Friday’s 5-2 road loss to the Philadelphia Flyers as a healthy scratch. So did winger JJ Peterka, a rookie who scored one goal and three points in the previous two games.

In their places, Sabres coach Don Granato ... Read the full article

Jason Pominville scored 19 goals in just 18 games for Rochester in 2005-06. ©2023, Rochester Americans

Amerks Hall of Fame: Before starring role in Buffalo, Sabres could’ve lost Jason Pominville on waivers

ROCHESTER – No one, it seems, except for perhaps Jason Pominville himself, could believe the Buffalo Sabres did it.

Sure, the team was stacked up front in 2005 as the NHL emerged from the lockout. But why would they waive Pominville, one of their top prospects? He was out of options, and if they wanted to assign him to the Americans again, he would have to clear.

Every other team would have a chance to ... Read the full article

Kyle Okposo models Buffalo’s new third jersey. ©2022, Buffalo Sabres

Sabres unveil revamped black and red ‘Goathead’ third jersey

Having grown up a rabid Buffalo Sabres fan in the early 2000s, the team’s black and red “Goathead” jersey holds special meaning for winger Alex Tuch.

“Definitely my favorite jersey (of all-time),” a smiling Tuch said Monday after the Sabres unveiled a new black and red jersey modeled after the uniforms they wore from 1996 to 2006.

The Sabres, of course, also recently introduced a blue and gold Reverse Retro alternate white jersey with the ... Read the full article

Brandon Biro (center) celebrates one of his goals Tuesday with Henri Jokiharju and Alex Tuch. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres prospects Brandon Biro, Lukas Rousek shine in preseason win

BUFFALO – In the first week of training camp, the Sabres have often been placing forward prospects with established talent, offering Brandon Biro, Lukas Rousek, Linus Weissbach and others special development opportunities.

The reasoning is simple: coach Don Granato believes his veterans will send consistent messages about what the Sabres want collectively as a team.

In Tuesday’s 2-1 preseason victory over the Philadelphia Flyers at KeyBank Center, some of those prospects ranked among the best ... Read the full article

Ryan Miller sported the “Goathead” jersey early in his career. ©2022, Janet Schultz

Sabres bringing back popular black and red ‘Goathead’ as third jersey

The Buffalo Sabres are bringing back the popular black and red “Goathead” jersey for 12 home games this season, the team announced Wednesday.

Fans, of course, feel nostalgic about that logo and color scheme, which the Sabres wore from 1996 until 2006, when they switched back to a blue and gold motif.... Read the full article

Alex Tuch joined Buffalo on Thursday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Alex Tuch thrilled to join Sabres: ‘Buffalo, it’s gonna be like none other’

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Alex Tuch couldn’t stop smiling as he recalled those dynamic post-lockout teams of 2006 and 2007. He kept rattling off players, seemingly trying to name the entire roster.

As a child growing up in Baldwinsville, Tuch, who was acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights in Thursday’s blockbuster Jack Eichel trade, loved the Sabres.

“I grew up next to Tim Connolly, who played here for years,” Tuch said prior to Saturday’s ... Read the full article

Derek Roy spent eight seasons in Buffalo. ©2021, Dan Hickling

Ex-Sabres star Derek Roy retires from hockey after 18 seasons

Center Derek Roy, the Buffalo Sabres’ leading scorer three consecutive years early in his career, has retired from hockey after 18 seasons, he announced today on Instagram.

Roy, 38, spent the 2020-21 campaign playing with Red Bull Munich, a Deutsche Eishockey Liga.

After the Sabres drafted the diminutive Roy in the second round in 2001, 32nd overall, he quickly morphed into one of their top prospects. He spent just over two years with the ... Read the full article

Ryan Miller is Buffalo’s all-time wins leader. ©2021, Dan Hickling

Former Sabres star Ryan Miller to retire; Buffalo still special place for goalie

Ryan Miller felt he owed something to Buffalo. Having arrived as a 22-year-old fresh out of Michigan State, the ex-Sabres goalie experienced a lot of firsts in the city.

“Buffalo is always going to have a big part of my heart,” an emotional Miller said on a Zoom call Thursday to announce his retirement at the conclusion of this season. “I feel like I really grew up there.”

So Miller, the Sabres’ all-time wins leader, ... Read the full article