Training Camp Edition
Tage Thompson has one year left on his current contract. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
Talent is just one part of the equation that convinced the Buffalo Sabres to award Tage Thompson a seven-year, $50 million contract extension.
The deal, announced early Tuesday evening, raised some eyebrows. Yes, Thompson, 24, is coming off a breakout 38-goal season in which he morphed into the Sabres’ top scoring threat and No. 1 center. Still, he hadn’t scored more than eight goals in a campaign prior to last year.
The 6-foot-7 Thompson also ... Read the full article
Tage Thompson scored a career-high 38 goals last season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday rewarded Tage Thompson for his breakout 38-goal season, signing the center to a seven-year, $50 million contract extension.
Thompson, 24, is entering the final season of a three-year, $4.2 million deal. He could’ve become a restricted free agent following the 2022-23 campaign.
The Sabres, of course, view Thompson, their leading scorer last season, as one of their cornerstones of the future.... Read the full article
Ilya Lyubushkin played for Arizona last season before joining Toronto. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
At 28, having played nine pro seasons, newcomer Ilya Lyubushkin is the elder statesmen of the Buffalo Sabres’ defense corps.
Buffalo’s second-oldest defenseman, Casey Fitzgerald, is just 25. The average age of the seven defenders expected to be on the opening night roster is 23.
The six defensemen the Sabres utilized down the stretch late last season – Fitzgerald, Jacob Bryson, Rasmus Dahlin, Henri Jokiharju, Owen Power and Mattias Samuelsson – will all be returning ... Read the full article
Eric Comrie played his only game for New Jersey in Buffalo. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
For the first time in five years, goalie Eric Comrie stayed put last season, playing for one team, the Winnipeg Jets, in one league, the NHL.
There was no shuttling between the big leagues and minors. There was no waiver claim and a sudden change of address.
Comrie, who signed a two-year, $3.6 million contract with the Buffalo Sabres last Wednesday, remained in Winnipeg, quietly establishing himself as a one of the league’s steadiest backups ... Read the full article
Dylan Cozens was excited watching Buffalo makes it draft picks. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – As the Sabres made their picks at the recent NHL Draft, coach Don Granato said he was texting with some of his players, including an excited Dylan Cozens.
Cozens, 21, told Granato “how awesome” it was watching the Sabres add more talent. The center would quickly research their latest selection.
Granato texted Cozens a simple message: “These are the guys you’re going to be mentoring.”
Kevyn Adams could have a career-defining night. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
MONTREAL – General manager Kevyn Adams’ vision for the Buffalo Sabres has started coming together much faster than most observers expected.
It was barely a year ago that Adams, fresh off the Sabres’ dead-last finish, began tackling a daunting rebuild. In his first months on the job in 2020, he had tried to push an older team into the playoffs by acquiring a few notable veterans.
After that team failed spectacularly, Adams implemented his blue ... Read the full article
Craig Anderson entered the NHL in 2002-03. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The Sabres this morning re-signed 41-year-old goalie Craig Anderson to a one-year, $1.5 million contract.
The 2022-23 season will be Anderson’s 20th in the NHL.
During his end-of-season chat with the media, Anderson said he was undecided on whether he would retire.
Sean Malone enjoyed a terrific offensive season in Rochester. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday rewarded Sean Malone for his breakout year with the Rochester Americans, re-signing the center to a one-year, $750,000 contract.
Malone, 27, seized an opportunity to play an offensive role, setting new career highs last season by registering 20 goals, eight power-play tallies and 37 points in just 39 games for the Sabres’ AHL affiliate. He added two goals and seven points during the Amerks’ 10-game playoff run.
Early in ... Read the full article
Alex Tuch grew up rooting for Buffalo. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Nearly seven months later, the novelty of playing for the Sabres, the team he passionately rooted for growing up, hasn’t worn off for winger Alex Tuch.
In the back of his mind, Tuch had hoped an opportunity to join the Sabres would materialize someday, perhaps at the end of his career. Then on Nov. 4, the Vegas Golden Knights sent him to Buffalo as part of the blockbuster Jack Eichel trade.
Tuch, ... Read the full article
Dylan Cozens just completed his second NHL season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens has been named to Team Canada’s entry at upcoming the World Championship in Finland, Hockey Canada announced today.
Cozens, 21, just completed his second NHL season, compiling 13 goals and 38 points in 79 games.
The Yukon native last represented Canada at the 2021 World Junior Championship, winning a silver medal while serving as captain.... Read the full article
