WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
December Edition
Jerry Forton ran his first NHL Draft as Buffalo’s director of amateur scouting. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – You had to go back five years and 34 picks to find the last time the Sabres drafted a Russian.
Before they selected winger Prokhor Poltapov 33rd overall Saturday, they hadn’t drafted a Russian since winger Vasily Glotov in the seventh round in 2016.
Poltapov’s selection was harbinger. The Sabres used three straight picks on Russians and took four overall Saturday.
Later in the second round, the Sabres drafted winger Aleksandr Kisakov with ... Read the full article
The Sabres have nine picks today. ©2021, NHL
BUFFALO – The Sabres drafted Russian winger Prokhor Poltapov with the first pick of the second round, 33rd overall, this morning at the NHL Draft.
The 5-foot-11, 174-pound Poltapov, 18, recorded 25 goals and 52 points in 61 games last season with Krasnaya Armiya Moskva, a junior team in the MHL. Poltapov also registered two goals and seven points in seven contests for Team Russia at the World Under-18 Hockey Championship.
He also played one ... Read the full article
Zach Bogosian is beginning his 11th NHL season. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Since the Sabres are off today, defenseman Zach Bogosian plans to enjoy some tranquility and go fishing, one of his passions away from the rink.
Bogosian, who loves bass fishing, said he finds a special peace in himself surrounded by the quietness on the water.
“I get away from everything, everyone,” Bogosian said prior to Saturday’s 3-2 preseason loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs inside KeyBank Center, his first game action since Jan. ... Read the full article
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 28 saves Saturday. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is likely years away from cracking the Sabres.
The goalie prospect is just beginning his North American junior career with the Sudbury Wolves. After that, Luukkonen will probably need years of apprenticeship in the minors.
But Sabres got a glimpse of Luukkonen, a youngster many have tabbed as their goalie of the future, in Saturday’s 3-1 loss to the Boston Bruins in the Prospects Challenge rookie tournament.... Read the full article
The Sabres selectred Vasily Glotov in the seventh round in 2016. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
The Rochester Americans have signed forwards Tyler Randell and Vasily Glotov to one-year AHL contracts, the Buffalo Sabres’ top affiliate announced today.
The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Randell played 27 games with the Boston Bruins in 2015-16, scoring six goals and six points.... Read the full article
Sam Reinhart (23) battles Montreal’s Nick Deslauriers on March 23. ©2018, Hickling Images
TORONTO – In the toughest days of his season, as Sam Reinhart endured goal droughts of 10 and 15 games, the Buffalo Sabres winger said he never changed a thing.
Reinhart, 22, kept preparing the same way each day. Thirty-eight games into his third NHL season, he had mustered only five goals and 11 points.
But Reinhart trusted his approach would pay dividends.... Read the full article
Victor Antipin’s rookie season is over. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
TORONTO – A seething Phil Housley paused before answering the question. The Buffalo Sabres coach clearly wanted to choose his words carefully while still expressing his anger over the NHL’s decision not to suspended Scott Hartnell.
In Saturday’s 7-4 win in Nashville, the Predators forward hit Sabres defenseman Victor Antipin from behind, knocking his head into the glass. The rookie was probably out cold before his body hit the ice.
Antipin will miss the ... Read the full article
The Sabres acquired Marco Scandella on June 30. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Through six days of training camp, the Sabres have handled newcomer Marco Scandella carefully, resting the defenseman after tough workouts.
After scrimmaging the last two days, Scandella, who underwent offseason hip surgery, sat out again today.... Read the full article
Alexander Nylander has looked good so far in training camp. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Some quick updates this morning from KeyBank Center, where the Sabres prepared for tonight’s preseason opener against the Minnesota Wild before flying to Penn State University:
– The Sabres will use a mix of veterans, youngsters and AHL players for the tilt at Pegula Ice Arena.
Eighth overall pick Alexander Nylander, whose early training camp play has impressed coach Dan Bylsma, will debut on the left wing beside center Cal O’Reilly and ... Read the full article