Clague - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres notes: Henri Jokiharju displays offense; Buffalo makes roster move

BUFFALO – The Sabres mostly utilize defenseman Henri Jokiharju in a defensive role, meaning other than occasionally quarterbacking the second power-play unit, he rarely gets to display his offensive talent.

“Usually five-on-five through the regular 60 minutes of a game, he’s very responsible and focused so much on defense that you don’t get to see some of his offensive touch,” coach Don Granato told reporters Saturday in Minnesota after Jokiharju scored the overtime winner in ... Read the full article

Sabres recall defenseman, send goalie to Rochester

BUFFALO – The Sabres this morning recalled defenseman Kale Clague from the Rochester Americans and assigned goalie Dustin Tokarski to their AHL affiliate.

Sending Tokarski back likely means goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who missed Thursday’s 4-0 loss to the Florida Panthers with a lower-body injury, will be ready for Saturday afternoon’s road game against the Minnesota Wild. The Sabres have said Luukkonen’s day to day.

Update: Luukkonen said following today’s practice he’s ready to play.... Read the full article

Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stars in shutout, emerging as Sabres’ starter

BUFFALO – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s run as the Sabres’ starting goalie this season lasted about a week.

Shortly after he grabbed the No. 1 job, he got sick and missed about 10 days. When he returned, rookie Devon Levi had re-established himself following a brief trip to the minors, and the netminders mostly alternated starts about the next month.

But since Dec. 30, Luukkonen, who posted a 28-save shutout in Monday afternoon’s 3-0 win over the ... Read the full article

Jacob Bryson clears waivers, assigned to Amerks by Sabres

BUFFALO – Now that defenseman Jacob Bryson has cleared waivers and been assigned to the Rochester Americans, the Sabres hope he can start playing games again.

Bryson, 26, had spent all season as the Sabres’ seventh or eighth defenseman, playing just three times before they placed him on waivers Monday.

Tuesday’s assignment to the Amerks, his first stint in the AHL since 2020-21, offers him an opportunity to find a groove again. He hasn’t played ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Matt Savoie stands out in season debut with Amerks

ROCHESTER – Seven minutes into his season debut, Buffalo Sabres forward prospect Matt Savoie grabbed the puck down low during a power play and deftly fed Americans captain Michael Mersch a pass in his wheelhouse.

Mersch one-timed it past Charlotte Checkers goalie Spencer Knight, tying Wednesday’s game at 1 and giving Savoie, 19, his first professional point.

The play, which Amerks assistant coach Vinny Prospal drew up when he noticed the Checkers defended high, illustrated ... Read the full article

Three players clear waivers; Amerks have roster Sabres envisioned

With very few spots available in Buffalo, the Sabres waived some intriguing players during training camp. Considering the dearth of talent on a few NHL teams, it felt like one or two might be claimed.

But on Sunday, defensemen Riley Stillman and Kale Clague and forward Brandon Biro cleared and joined the Rochester Americans.

Every player Buffalo waived during the preseason made it the AHL, giving the Amerks, fresh off a run to the Eastern ... Read the full article

Sabres waive three more players, close to finalizing 23-man roster

The Buffalo Sabres on Saturday moved closer to finalizing their regular-season roster, waiving defensemen Riley Stillman and Kale Clague and forward Brandon Biro for the purpose of assigning them to the Rochester Americans.

The Sabres also sent defenseman Ryan Johnson, 22, and winger Lukas Rousek, 24, to Rochester.

They have 25 players – 15 forwards, seven defensemen and three goalies – left on their training camp roster. They must finalize their 23-man regular-season roster by ... Read the full article

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

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

Sabres re-sign Kale Clague to one-year contract

The Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday added depth to their blue line, re-signing defenseman Kale Clague to a one-year, two-way contract.

The deal is worth $775,000 in the NHL, with $475,000 guaranteed, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, who reported the contract Tuesday.

The Sabres did not give Clague, 25, a qualifying offer last week as a restricted free agent, allowing them to re-sign him for a lower salary as a free agent.... Read the full article