WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Free Agency Edition
Alex Lyon spent the last two seasons in Detroit. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
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
Sam Lafferty played 60 games for Buffalo. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
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
Alex Tuch busted out of a slump Friday. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Alex Tuch’s estimate was just a bit off. Following his slick three-goal performance in Friday’s 6-2 annihilation of the Chicago Blackhawks, the Sabres winger said scoring his first goal at home in “several months” took a monkey off his back.
In reality, Tuch had last scored Nov. 29 in KeyBank Center. Given the Sabres’ recent 13-game winless skid and his own struggles, that probably feels like months ago.
“Doing it in front of ... Read the full article
Jiri Kulich has scored six goals for Buffalo. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The genesis of Sabres center Jiri Kulich’s second goal in Monday’s 7-1 win illustrates how much the rookie has matured over the past three months.
The Czech, 20, put the finishing touches on the Sabres’ first victory in one month by utilizing his lethal shot to beat New York Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin from the left circle.
But 10 seconds earlier in his own zone, Kulich knocked the puck away from Mat Barzal ... Read the full article
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen might have a busy stretch of work coming up. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The goal outburst that helped the Sabres end their 13-game winless skid overshadowed goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s stellar performance heading into the Christmas break.
Luukkonen, 25, quietly enjoyed one of his strongest outings this season in Monday’s 7-1 road win against the New York Islanders, stopping 27 shots and allowing one goal or less for just the fifth time in 24 games.
If the Sabres make an unlikely climb up the standings – they ... Read the full article
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen looks for the puck Thursday between Ryan Johnson (33) and Reese Johnson (52). ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s stellar goaltending is just one part of the Sabres’ improved defense.
Right now, Luukkonen, 24, is the NHL’s hottest goalie, having posted back-to-back shutouts after making 19 saves in Thursday’s 3-0 win over the hapless Chicago Blackhawks.
The Finn’s current shutout streak of 157:55 is the longest by a Sabres netminder since Ryan Miller blanked opponents for 161:35 from Nov. 27 to Dec. 7, 2010. Only five goalies in franchise history ... Read the full article
Devon Levi has played 21 total games this season. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Rookie Devon Levi took a backseat to Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen again Thursday, backing up the new No. 1 goalie during the Sabres’ 3-0 win against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Levi, 22, has watched four straight contests, his last outing coming Jan. 9. Other than the time he spent recovering from a lower-body injury in October, it’s his longest stretch between outings this season (counting two games he played in the minors).
After Levi returned from ... Read the full article
Dylan Cozens was injured Monday. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – By Saturday, the Sabres could have all of their injured players back in the lineup.
Center Dylan Cozens, winger Jeff Skinner and defenseman Mattias Samuelsson, all of whom are day to day with upper-body injuries, will miss tonight’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks at KeyBank Center.
The Sabres close their six-game home stand Saturday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Chicago’s Colin Blackwell skates between Kyle Okposo (21) and Dylan Cozens (24) last season. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
The NHL has postponed tonight’s Sabres game against the Chicago Blackhawks at KeyBank Center because of travel restrictions implemented as a snowstorm batters Buffalo and the surrounding areas.
The game will be made up Thursday at 7 p.m.
KeyBank Center falls within the area of Buffalo affected by a driving ban. Seven other municipalities in Erie Country have also issued bans.
Don Granato lasted three full seasons as coach. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
As a snowstorm batters Buffalo and the surrounding areas, the Sabres are awaiting word whether they’ll play the Chicago Blackhawks tonight.
Coach Don Granato said every player made it to KeyBank Center this morning for the Sabres’ pregame skate. Instead of going home for the afternoon, players have rooms at a downtown hotel.
“So we’re sitting and waiting to see really what’s going to transpire,” Granato said on a Zoom call. “But we’re planning on ... Read the full article