Byram - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Nomadic Nicolas Aube-Kubel excited to give Sabres’ fourth line grit, speed

As free agency approached and winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel began looking for his fifth NHL team in the last three and a half years, he told his agent he wanted to join a younger group.

Having started last season in the AHL – he played 11 games for the Hershey Bears before earning regular duty with the Washington Capitals – Aube-Kubel knew he likely wouldn’t receive a multi-year deal.

But the idea of growing with a ... Read the full article

Kevyn Adams aware of rumors Sabres could buy out Jeff Skinner

BUFFALO – General manager Kevyn Adams knows there are rumors the Sabres could buy out winger Jeff Skinner, who has three seasons remaining on his eight-year, $72 million contract.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on Tuesday called a buyout “a possibility,” igniting speculation about the 14-year veteran’s future.

Skinner, 32, certainly fits the criteria of a player the Sabres, who have missed the playoffs an NHL-record 13 straight seasons, would consider cutting loose.

He struggled last season, ... Read the full article

After difficult season, Sabres’ Dylan Cozens stars for Team Canada

Nine goals scored in 10 outings, two more than any player in the World Championship. A six-game goal streak. An overtime winner. A gaudy 30 percent shooting percentage.

While Sabres center Dylan Cozens fell short of earning a medal in the tournament – Team Canada finished fourth, losing Sunday’s bronze medal game 4-2 to Buffalo defenseman Rasmus Dahlin and Team Sweden – he ended his season on a high note.

Cozens struggled with the Sabres ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Dylan Cozens thriving for Team Canada at World Championship

Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens often plays his best when he’s ticked off, so it wasn’t surprising he responded by scoring a power-play goal for Team Canada in Sunday’s 3-2 win after Team Switzerland’s Kevin Fiala kneed him.

Shortly after Fiala, a winger with the Los Angeles Kings, was ejected, Cozens scored his second of the game and sixth of the World Championship in Czechia.

The Yukon native, of course, just endured a difficult year ... Read the full article

After battling injuries, Sabres’ Mattias Samuelsson mentally stronger

BUFFALO – The days and weeks after Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson underwent season-ending right shoulder surgery took a mental toll on him.

He wore a sling for six weeks, forcing him to use just his left arm. When the team traveled for road games, he stayed in Buffalo.

It made for a frustrating and lonely time.

“It was some hard days there, for sure,” Samuelsson said Thursday as the Sabres held end-of-season meetings in KeyBank ... Read the full article

Missing playoffs hasn’t shaken Rasmus Dahlin’s belief in Sabres: ‘We’re close’

BUFFALO – While the cold reality of missing the playoffs again has smacked the Sabres – “It sucks, honestly,” defenseman Rasmus Dahlin said – they haven’t lost belief they can end an NHL-record 13-year drought.

“I want the Buffalo Sabres in the playoffs, and I’m never going to give up, and I think we’re close,” Dahlin said prior to Thursday’s 4-2 win over the Washington Capitals in the home finale at KeyBank Center. “I think ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Bowen Byram adjusting to Buffalo following trade

BUFFALO – Following a torrid start – three goals and four points in his first three games – Sabres newcomer Bowen Byram has understandably cooled off.

Byram, 22, joined the Sabres in a significant trade March 6 that sent center Casey Mittelstadt to the Colorado Avalanche. While he has certainly showcased some of his talent here, the defenseman must acclimate to a new organization, teammates, expectations, surroundings and more.

“Lots of challenges, lots of getting ... Read the full article

How Sabres’ Devon Levi seized chance in Rochester, became better goalie

BUFFALO – Instead of chasing the highest levels growing up, Sabres goalie Devon Levi chose to play where he would enjoy the best opportunity to develop his craft.

For example: in 2019-20, his draft season, he tended goal in the Central Canada Hockey League, a circuit that produces some NHL talent but is overshadowed by the major junior Canadian Hockey League.

“It’s a good league, but it wasn’t up there on the radar,” Levi said ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Ryan Johnson earning big minutes with Rochester Amerks

BUFFALO – A confident Ryan Johnson recently returned to the Rochester Americans following an unexpected 41-game stay with the Sabres.

As a first-round pick who played four seasons of college hockey at Minnesota, it’s hardly surprising that Johnson, 22, cracked the NHL as a rookie.

But after earning his first recall Nov. 4, the defenseman showcased poise that belied his limited experience, forcing the Sabres to keep him for more than four months.... Read the full article

Bowen Byram, surging Sabres destroy Red Wings, move closer to playoff spot

BUFFALO – Imagine, if you will, a Sabres team capable of locking down defensively like it has over the past 10 weeks and possessing the offensive firepower of last season.

Since Jan. 1, thanks largely to the emergence of goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, the Sabres have boasted the NHL’s third-stingiest defense.

Still, as they’ve focused on different areas of their game and matured this season, their offense has suffered. The fast pace they displayed a year ... Read the full article