Doan - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres begin season facing questions about UPL’s injury and Alex Tuch’s contract extension

BUFFALO – Maybe the Sabres’ fan base is too busy reveling in the Bills’ early-season success to pay much attention. Or perhaps, more likely, many of their supporters have lost interest in a team that owns an NHL-record 14-year playoff drought.

Whatever the case, there’s little buzz around the Sabres as they begin another season.

Players report today to KeyBank Center for physicals and testing. The first on-ice sessions will be held Thursday at LECOM ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Norris switches to No. 9 after making ‘offer’ to Zach Benson

Buffalo Sabres center Josh Norris made teammate Zach Benson an offer he couldn’t refuse.

Benson, who wore No. 9 throughout his first two NHL campaigns, has allowed Norris, who sported No. 13 in his first three outings with the Sabres before a torn oblique muscle ended his season, to take the digit. Benson will now be wearing No. 6.

“Nine’s just been a number that I’ve liked and worn for a lot of my career,” ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Kevyn Adams likes look of team after signings and trades

BUFFALO – In the past week, general manager Kevyn Adams has acquired six players for the Sabres who could be on their opening-night roster by making two trades and four notable signings.

While Adams possibly isn’t done making moves – he could use another top-six forward, and finding one is no easy task – he likes the look of the revamped Sabres.

“We like where our group’s at in terms of the way the roster ... Read the full article

Sabres stay busy by trading for Conor Timmins; Bowen Byram’s future seems uncertain

ORCHARD PARK – When general manager Kevyn Adams called Conor Timmins to inform him the Sabres had acquired him from the Pittsburgh Penguins, the defenseman was at his parents’ cottage just across the border in Fort Erie, Ontario.

As he spoke to Adams on Saturday from the backyard, Timmins, who grew up a Sabres fan about 30 miles away from Buffalo in St. Catharines, said he could see KeyBank Center, the rink he will now ... Read the full article

NHL Draft: Sabres had trade talks prior to taking Radim Mrtka; Buffalo planned to re-sign JJ Peterka

ORCHARD PARK – Up until the Buffalo Sabres selected defenseman Radim Mrtka ninth overall in Friday’s NHL Draft, general manager Kevyn Adams said he was having conversations with his counterparts about trading the pick.

Leading up to the draft, Adams seemed open to dealing his first-rounder for talent that could immediately help the Sabres. He wasn’t, however, going to trade it for the sake of it.

“There weren’t deals that I felt would have made ... Read the full article

Michael Kesselring, Josh Doan thrilled for chance trade to Sabres offers

When defenseman Michael Kesselring recently played alongside Sabres winger Tage Thompson with Team USA at the World Championship, he joked KeyBank Center in Buffalo was his favorite NHL arena.

On Nov. 12, 2023 in Buffalo, Kesselring scored his first NHL goal for the Arizona Coyotes against, of all goalies, Devon Levi, his former college teammate at Northeastern.

“So I can give him a little more crap about it a little bit more often now,” joked ... Read the full article

Sabres trade JJ Peterka to Mammoth in exchange for two players

In trading winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth, the Buffalo Sabres created a big, possibly temporary, hole in their lineup.

Michael Kesserling, the top asset the Sabres received in exchange for Peterka, fills their need for a right-shot defenseman. Winger Josh Doan, the other player acquired early Thursday morning, will likely be utilized on the third or fourth line.

Suddenly, the Sabres need a top-six forward to replace Peterka, who scored 27 goals and ... Read the full article