Georgiev - Buffalo Hockey Beat

With UPL injured, Sabres could turn to Alex Lyon, who loves underdog role

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Alex Lyon has won 173 games in pro hockey, including 51 in the NHL.

Three years ago, the Yale product notched six straight late-season victories that propelled the Florida Panthers to an unlikely playoff berth. Four years ago, he won 12 times during the Chicago Wolves’ run to the Calder Cup and posted a shutout in the championship-clinching game.

When Lyon, 32, thinks about the finest wins of his career, a ... Read the full article

Sabres lose Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Michael Kesselring to injuries

BUFFALO – After missing the first week of training camp with a lower-body injury, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen began practicing and ramping up to begin the season as the Sabres’ No. 1 goalie.

On Wednesday, the Sabres planned for Luukkonen to play the opening 40 minutes in his first preseason action.

The Finn lasted one period before he re-aggravated his injury and was replaced by Alexandar Georgiev for precautionary reasons.... Read the full article

After season in minors, Ryan Johnson making case for roster spot with Sabres

BUFFALO – Right now, the Sabres possess so much notable depth that a strong argument can be made for keeping every bubble player left in training camp.

Center Tyson Kozak’s gritty, mature style grabbed the Sabres’ attention during his 21-game look last season. Josh Dunne’s heavy game might fit nicely on the fourth line. Dunne, one of the AHL’s best all-around centers, has a one-way contract this season.

Goalie Alexandar Georgiev led the NHL in ... Read the full article

Sabres preseason: Buffalo loses another player to injury, gets one back

BUFFALO – Another day, another injury for the Sabres.

Coach Lindy Ruff said this morning winger Zach Benson has “a little bit of an ailment that we’re keeping him off the ice for.” He said the injury is only a “short-term thing.”

Benson joins defensemen Mattias Samuelsson (upper body) and Owen Power (strain) and forwards Jordan Greenway (mid body) and Noah Ostlund (undisclosed) on the sideline.... Read the full article

Sabres preseason: goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen practices; Jiri Kulich injured

BUFFALO – Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen knows if the Sabres hope to end their embarrassing 14-year playoff drought, he must bounce back following a disappointing season in which he often struggled and briefly lost his starting job.

It can be argued no player is more integral to the Sabres’ success than Luukkonen, who failed to build on his breakout 2023-24 campaign and sat out late-season games when journeyman James Reimer took over the net.

So it ... Read the full article

After trade, career-worst season, goalie Alexandar Georgiev excited for fresh chance with Sabres

BUFFALO – Following a perfect 40-minute outing in the preseason opener, Sabres goalie Alexandar Georgiev will likely start again tonight in Detroit or Saturday afternoon at home against the Red Wings.

One week into training camp, No. 1 goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen hasn’t practiced. In the coming days, if he doesn’t return from his lower-body injury he recently tweaked, his status for the season opener Oct. 9 could be in question.

Each day the Finn misses ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Bowen Byram aware of trade rumors during summer; Mason Geertsen Buffalo’s new ‘enforcer’

BUFFALO – You bet Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram heard his name repeatedly materialize in trade rumors during the offseason.

“I feel like I’ve been in trade rumors since I first came into the league,” Byram said Monday morning in KeyBank Center. “It’s not anything new for me. I definitely see them and whatever. But at the end of that day, I have a job to do in the summer, which is prepare for the upcoming ... Read the full article

Sabres preseason: Radim Mrtka set to debut, Alexandar Georgiev to start

BUFFALO – Bo, meet Radim. Radim, meet Bo. Now go out and play together.

In the opening days of training camp, the Sabres kept the players expected to comprise their NHL roster in one practice group. So defenseman Bowen Byram said he hadn’t met rookie Radim Mrtka until this morning.

Tonight, Byram will be tasked with skating alongside Mrtka, 18, in his NHL preseason debut on the road against the Columbus Blue Jackets.... Read the full article

Sabres hopeful Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen won’t be injured long; Jordan Greenway begins training camp sidelined

BUFFALO – As training camp approached and Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen began ramping up his workouts to get into game mode, general manager Kevyn Adams said the Finn started experiencing some pain.

“He was just not able to … be strong and push and (do) the stuff that he needs to do,” Adams said Wednesday in LECOM Harborcenter as players reported to camp for physicals and testing.

Adams said Luukkonen, 26, is day to day ... Read the full article

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