Eichel - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres stars Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch earn invites to USA Hockey’s Olympic Orientation Camp

Buffalo Sabres wingers Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch are two of the 44 players USA Hockey has invited to its Olympic Orientation Camp for the upcoming Milano Cortina Games.

The camp will take place August 26 and 27 in Plymouth, Mich. The Olympics start Feb. 5.

South Buffalo native Patrick Kane and former Sabres captain Jack Eichel, who in June was named to a preliminary Olympic roster, are also among the invites USA Hockey released ... 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

Sabres GM Kevyn Adams won’t say if JJ Peterka requested trade

ORCHARD PARK – General manager Kevyn Adams believes he and coach Lindy Ruff each had productive exit meetings with winger JJ Peterka in April following the Buffalo Sabres’ disappointing 79-point season.

Adams said Peterka, 23, analyzed his game during “positive, productive and honest conversations” about himself and the team and said he must improve defensively and do more to help the Sabres.

“I think that’s a sign of maturity from him,” Adams said Tuesday at ... Read the full article

Offseason likely to feature trades about to kick into high gear for Sabres

In winger JJ Peterka and defenseman Bowen Byram, the Buffalo Sabres possess two budding stars under 25.

Peterka, 23, is coming off a career-high 68-point season and has recorded 28 and 27 goals, respectively, in each of the last two campaigns.

Meanwhile, in his first full season in Buffalo, Byram, 24, enjoyed a breakout year, scoring 38 points while averaging nearly 23 minutes of ice time per outing.

The youngsters, both of whom are due ... Read the full article

Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin named to Team Sweden’s Olympic roster

Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin will be representing Team Sweden at the Olympics in February.

The defenseman on Monday was named to a preliminary roster for the Milano Cortina Games.

Each of the 12 countries participating released their first six selections. Dahlin, 25, is the only Sabres player who earned an early spot.... Read the full article

As Noah Ostlund develops into star for Rochester, Sabres give him chance

BUFFALO – After Noah Ostlund scored in his sixth straight game, an empty-net goal that sealed another win and the Rochester Americans’ spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs, coach Mike Leone stood in front of his team and told them the Sabres prospect would be going to the NHL.

Teammates hooted and hollered. Someone shouted, “It’s about time!”

“Everyone got excited,” Ostlund said of learning the Sabres would recall him for the first time. “And ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Jiri Kulich in concussion protocol as JJ Peterka nears return

BUFFALO – Center Jiri Kulich, who left Saturday afternoon’s 4-3 shootout win after getting hit in the head, is in concussion protocol and did not accompany the Sabres to Boston, where they begin a four-game road trip tonight against the Bruins.

The rookie could eventually join the team.

“That could be tomorrow,” Ruff said following Sunday’s practice in KeyBank Center. “It’s a day-by-day (situation) to see where it’s at.”

Kulich left Saturday’s game after Vegas ... Read the full article

Sabres fight their way to shootout win over Golden Knights after Jiri Kulich injured: ‘We look like a real team’

BUFFALO – Tomas Hertl had the game-clinching goal on his stick, only open ice and an empty net ahead, when he decided to give former Sabres captain Jack Eichel another chance to tell the locals to buzz off.

Instead of shooting the puck from the right circle with 37 seconds left to give the Vegas Golden Knights a two-goal lead, the veteran backhanded it to Eichel in the slot.

Eichel, who had put Vegas up ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Norris misses practice with injury; Buffalo recalls prospect

BUFFALO – Sabres center Josh Norris missed Friday’s practice with an undisclosed injury he has been battling, coach Lindy Ruff said.

Ruff did not have an update on Norris, who was acquired from the Ottawa Senators prior to last Friday’s trade deadline.

“He’s just being evaluated by our medical staff today,” Ruff said following the session in KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Noah Ostlund playing mature defensive game in Rochester

ROCHESTER – Buffalo Sabres prospect Noah Ostlund possesses maturity rarely seen in rookies.

Mike Leone said Ostlund, 20, is perhaps the most responsible player in the defensive zone he has ever coached. Vinny Prospal said the coaches don’t worry when the Swede’s line is playing in its own zone.

Ostlund, a center the Sabres drafted 16th overall in 2022, arrived in North America late last season. He has played just 10 games for the Americans ... Read the full article