Byram - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres send Alex Tuch to Capitals in sign-and-trade deal

ORCHARD PARK – Barely nine months ago, as he began the final season of his contract, Alex Tuch said he would love to make Buffalo his long-term home. On Wednesday, with no chance to keep him, the Sabres traded the winger to Washington Capitals.

What changed since the start of training camp?

“I think that’s a question for him,” general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said hours before the Sabres dealt Tuch. “We wanted to sign him.”... Read the full article

Bowen Byram ‘didn’t want to negotiate’ new contract, so Sabres made trade with Blackhawks

ORCHARD PARK – The Sabres tried to convince Bowen Byram to stay in Buffalo. General manager Jarmo Kekalainen said he spent all season working on a new contract, calling it his “first priority.”

But Byram, 25, wanted to become a No. 1 defenseman, an opportunity he would likely never have in Buffalo with captain Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power and Mattias Samuelsson around. So, according to Kekalainen, Byram “didn’t want to negotiate.”

“He wasn’t gonna sign ... Read the full article

Buffalo Sabres trade Bowen Byram to Chicago Blackhawks in blockbuster deal, land fourth overall pick

The Buffalo Sabres completed a blockbuster trade with the Blackhawks tonight, sending defenseman Bowen Byram and winger Jordan Greenway to Chicago in exchange for the fourth overall pick in Friday’s NHL Draft, the 45th selection and defenseman Louis Crevier.

Now, does general manager Jarmo Kekalainen have another move up his sleeve? Will the Sabres, who host the draft Friday and Saturday at KeyBank Center, make their early pick? Or could they package it with, say, ... Read the full article

Trading Bowen Byram wouldn’t make much sense for Sabres

BUFFALO – You can be sure Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen has been fielding calls from his counterparts inquiring about the availability of Bowen Byram, who can become an unrestricted free agent next year.

As a puck-moving defenseman fresh off a career-best 11-goal, 42-point season and some standout performances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Byram, 25, is a coveted asset as he enters his prime.

GMs are simply doing their due diligence. Kekalainen should listen ... Read the full article

Following injury-plagued year, Sabres trade Michael Kesselring to Sharks

Almost a year ago, the Buffalo Sabres made their biggest move of the offseason, acquiring right-shot defenseman Michael Kesselring as the centerpiece of a blockbuster trade with the Utah Mammoth.

Today, after playing just 34 games last season, Kesselring, 26, is a member of the San Jose Sharks.

The Sabres on Wednesday made their first move this offseason, trading Kesselring and the 27th overall pick in the NHL Draft on June 26 in Buffalo to ... Read the full article

Following injury-plagued year, Sabres express belief in Michael Kesselring: ‘We’ve seen the potential’

“Honestly, I think it’s been pretty good for me, and whenever the next opportunity comes, I’ll be probably the most ready I’ve been all year.” – Michael Kesselring on March 25 prior to sitting out his sixth straight game as a healthy scratch

BUFFALO – As he morphed into a spare part down the stretch, Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring tried to make the most of a difficult situation.

If the arrival of defensemen Logan ... Read the full article

Whistle costs Beck Malenstyn, Sabres go-ahead goal: ‘A chaotic sequence’

BUFFALO – With Monday’s Game 7 tied halfway through the third period, Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram landed a shot from the point on Jakub Dobes that winger Jordan Greenway quickly poked through the goalie’s pads.

As the puck moved toward the goal line, referee Wes McCauley blew his whistle just before Sabres winger Beck Malenstyn knocked it into the net, raised his arms in celebration and the crowd erupted.

The goal did not count, and ... Read the full article

Sabres’ depth offers options to change lineup; Tage Thompson back at wing

BUFFALO – The Sabres find strength in numbers, as in they boast some of the NHL’s best depth, giving them intriguing choices to construct their lineup and tailor it to their opponent.

To wit: in Saturday’s come-from-behind 8-3 win in Montreal, rookie defenseman Zach Metsa made his debut, becoming the 27th player to skate for the Sabres in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

After sitting out the first 11 games as a healthy scratch, Metsa also ... Read the full article

For Sabres, Game 7 against Canadiens will be special: ‘We’re the better team’

BUFFALO – Having cut his teeth as a member of the Vegas Golden Knights, Sabres winger Alex Tuch has experienced the craziness that often accompanies Game 7s in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The memories of his first one in 2019 are seared in his mind.

“Oh yeah,” Tuch replied Sunday when asked if he has any crazy recollections of the three he has played.

Then Tuch, whose Sabres host Game 7 of their second-round series ... Read the full article

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Zach Benson star as Sabres defeat Canadiens, even series: ‘Our belief never wavered’

MONTREAL – Last week, coach Lindy Ruff said he relayed a straightforward message to goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen as he patiently waited for his next opportunity to play.

“Your time will come, you got to be ready,” Ruff told him.

At the time, with goalie Alex Lyon performing so dynamically, Luukkonen might’ve felt his next start would materialize in the distant future. But Ruff has relied on two, sometimes three netminders all season.... Read the full article