Former Sabres prospects Matej Pekar (left), Oskari Laaksonen (center) and Filip Cederqvist all spent time in Rochester but never made it to Buffalo. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Former Sabres prospects have landed all over after leaving Rochester

It happens every year or so. One of the Buffalo Sabres’ unheralded mid- or late-round draft picks quickly grabs some attention. Maybe a YouTube sizzle reel builds a little hype. Other times his exploits in training or development camp can raise expectations.

“Who the heck is this guy?” fans might ask.

Matej Pekar’s aggressive antics just days after the Sabres drafted him in 2018 – he hit Casey Mittelstadt, Buffalo’s top forward prospect at ... Read the full article

Linus Weissbach skates off the ice May 10 following his last game with Rochester. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Ex-Sabres prospect Linus Weissbach signs contract in native Sweden

Winger Linus Weissbach has returned home to play in the Swedish Hockey League.

The former Buffalo Sabres prospect on Saturday signed a two-year contract with Frolunda HC.

Weissbach, 26, spent the last three seasons with the Rochester Americans, scoring 52 goals and 117 points in 192 AHL games. He added four goals and 11 points in 18 contests in the Calder Cup Playoffs.... Read the full article

Filip Cederqvist is in his second AHL season. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres trade prospect Filip Cederqvist to Canadiens

The Buffalo Sabres on Thursday traded wing prospect Filip Cederqvist to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for future considerations.

The 6-foot-3, 203-pound Cederqvist, 23, compiled one goal and four points in 19 games with the Rochester Americans this season.

In a corresponding move, the Amerks traded Chris Jandric to the Laval Rocket, Montreal’s affiliate, in exchange for Noah Laaouan, a swap of defensemen playing on AHL contracts.

After spending parts of three seasons in the ... Read the full article

Linus Weissbach is returning to Rochester. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres assign seven players to Amerks, release 14 from PTOs

The Buffalo Sabres on Friday made their first significant roster cuts of training camp, assigning seven players to the Rochester Americans and releasing 14 from their professional tryouts.

The Sabres have 39 players – 21 forwards, 13 defensemen and five goalies – left on their roster.

They loaned the following players to the Amerks: forwards Filip Cederqvist, Aleksandr Kisakov, Tyson Kozak, Olivier Nadeau, Viktor Neuchev and Linus Weissbach; defenseman Nikita Novikov.... Read the full article

Zach Benson played in Buffalo’s first two preseason games. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres prospect Zach Benson could earn more preseason action; Matt Savoie close to returning

BUFFALO – In the beginning of training camp, coach Don Granato said the Sabres penciled prospect Zach Benson in for three preseason games, a number he will hit tonight against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

But Benson, the 13th overall pick this year, has looked so impressive in his early action he might earn more games. The Sabres have three more after tonight’s in Pittsburgh.

“Now, based on how he’s playing, there’s intrigue that he may get ... Read the full article

Buffalo goalie Devon Levi tries to stop Boston’s Jayson Megna on Tuesday. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres goalie Devon Levi looks sharp in preseason debut

BUFFALO – While the Sabres have three goalies battling for two spots, Devon Levi, having started seven critical late-season games last year, likely secured his place and the No. 1 job months ago.

In his first preseason start Tuesday, Levi, 21, only strengthened the belief he will be the opening night starter, stopping all 19 shots he faced in 40 minutes of action.

Goalie Devin Cooley, a free agent ticketed for the AHL, relieved Levi ... Read the full article

Zach Benson scored in his preseason debut. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres to give prospect Zach Benson look on top line

BUFFALO – Placing rookie Zach Benson on the top line with center Tage Thompson and Jeff Skinner for tonight’s preseason game isn’t a reward, coach Don Granato said.

“He’s a good hockey player,” Granato said after the Sabres prepared for the Boston Bruins in KeyBank Center. “He’s earned it in the sense that he might only be 18 years old, but he’s developed himself enough to be able to keep up with those two in ... Read the full article

Isak Rosen (wearing the ‘A’) and his teammates celebrate his second-period goal Saturday. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Viktor Neuchev, Zach Benson and Isak Rosen score, illustrate Sabres’ depth

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Viktor Neuchev scored in front early, converting center Tyson Kozak’s nifty backhand pass from behind the net. Winger Zach Benson followed minutes later, releasing a wicked shot from the left circle.

After the New Jersey Devils scored in the second period, winger Isak Rosen zoomed to the net unfettered, recording his second goal in as many nights.

The early goals in Saturday’s 4-2 win at the Prospects Challenge in LECOM Harborcenter ... Read the full article

Jiri Kulich warms up before Friday’s Prospects Challenge game. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

In Vaclav Prospal, Jiri Kulich has special mentor as he fights to make Sabres

BUFFALO – When Vaclav “Vinny” Prospal learned Sabres prospect Jiri Kulich trains in his hometown in Czechia during the summer, he headed to the local rink in Ceske Budejovice to introduce himself.

Prospal, one of the Rochester Americans’ new assistant coaches, ran into some of his former teammates, so he invited Kulich to his house for lunch to chat.

Having coached against Kulich and followed hockey closely, Prospal knew about the youngster’s lethal shot – ... Read the full article

Matt Savoie played two games with Rochester during the Calder Cup Playoffs. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres prospect Matt Savoie poised to stick in Buffalo: ‘That’s my goal’

BUFFALO – Sabres prospect Matt Savoie paused for a moment and collected his thoughts before he answered the question.

Savoie, 19, has established himself as a dominant junior star over the past two seasons, scoring 92 goals and a whopping 226 points in 156 total games, including the playoffs.

Clearly, the center’s ready for pro hockey. But the Canadian Hockey League’s agreement with the NHL prohibits him from playing in the AHL this season. He ... Read the full article