Andrew Poturalski is one of the AHL’s elite scorers. ©2023, Mike Zitek, Coachella Valley Firebirds

After unlikely in-season comeback from injury, Andrew Poturalski hopes to earn chance with Kraken

After the Coachella Valley Firebirds advanced to the AHL Pacific Division finals, an excited, sweat-soaked Andrew Poturalski greeted his teammates as they entered the dressing room to begin celebrating their series-clinching victory.

The Firebirds, having fallen behind in a best-of-three play-in round and again in a best-of-five series, had just won their third do-or-die game of the Calder Cup Playoffs.

An injured Poturalski had anxiously watched it all, and after that 5-0 win over the ... Read the full article

Mark Pysyk played 68 games during his second stint in Buffalo. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Former Sabres have quickly landed new contracts this offseason

In past years, a slew of former Buffalo Sabres had difficulty finding work in free agency.

With few suitors on the open market, some settled for training camp tryouts while others went overseas or never played again.

So far this offseason, seven players who spent time in Buffalo last season have quickly landed new NHL contracts. Here’s an update:

... Read the full article

Ilya Samsonov could be interesting goalie for Buffalo to pursue. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Through free agency or trade, Sabres must find another goalie

BUFFALO – The Sabres possess a stable of strong goaltending prospects.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, a Finn labeled as the Sabres’ goalie of the future, has looked impressive in his limited NHL action. While he has battled injuries and struggled at times in the minors, he’s still a terrific young talent.

The Sabres also boast Devon Levi, the NCAA’s top goalie last season at Northeastern, and drafted Topias Leinonen in the second round on Friday, ... Read the full article

Dylan Cozens just completed his second NHL season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Dylan Cozens to represent Team Canada at World Championship

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

Kevyn Adams has a lot of assets to strengthen Buffalo. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

GM Kevyn Adams has plans for Sabres’ three first-round picks

BUFFALO – As the owner of three first-round picks this year, Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams has accumulated some substantial draft capital.

If Adams offers one or two of the selections in a trade, he can likely acquire some established talent that might help the upstart Sabres right away.

But Adams, as he has demonstrated throughout the last year, plans to keep exercising patience.... Read the full article

Jeff Skinner has scored 33 goals this season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Jeff Skinner scores late in win, annoys Islanders: ‘Lucky to have him’

BUFFALO – Opponents detest Jeff Skinner, one of the NHL’s foremost pests. The Sabres winger has a knack for getting under their skin, whether it be by running his mouth, relentlessly hounding the puck or scoring goals.

“He’s one of my best friends and I’m pretty sure I would hate his guts on the other side,” Sabres winger Casey Mittelstadt said after Skinner agitated the New York Islanders and scored late in Saturday afternoon’s ... Read the full article

Owen Power has played four NHL games. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres rookie Owen Power nearing end of dynamic, grueling season

BUFFALO – In a few weeks, after his dizzying year ends, Sabres rookie Owen Power might finally have a chance to sit back and enjoy a little time to himself.

Power, 19, had endured a grueling season prior to signing his entry-level NHL contract, leaving college to represent Team Canada at the Olympics more than 6,500 miles away in Beijing and at the World Junior Championship in Edmonton.

Even in the NHL, Power still has ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson has enjoyed a breakout season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Tage Thompson faces Blues as one of NHL’s rising stars

BUFFALO – Sabres center Tage Thompson acknowledged that, yes, the Stanley Cup that Ryan O’Reilly won in 2019, his first season in St. Louis, is always in the back of his mind.

“But at the same time, it doesn’t change my objective,” Thompson said prior to Thursday’s 6-2 loss to the Blues, his former team, at KeyBank Center. “My objective is to come here and help our team win and help any way I can ... Read the full article

Auston Matthews has already scored 58 goals this season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Auston Matthews’ dominant season no surprise to Sabres coach Don Granato

TORONTO – Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews has ascended to a new level of superstardom this season, scoring an NHL-high 58 goals in 68 outings.

Matthews, who was held pointless in Tuesday’s 5-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, recently became the first player since Mario Lemieux in 1995-96 to score 50 goals over a 50-game stretch. Matthews is on pace to score 66 times this season, a number that hasn’t been reached since Lemieux scored ... Read the full article

Jeff Skinner skates away from Florida’s Mason Marchment on Sunday afternoon. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres can’t generate enough energy, lose to Panthers: ‘Didn’t have … jump’

BUFFALO – During Sunday afternoon’s 5-3 loss, coach Don Granato said he heard very little chatter on the bench, an indicator the Sabres, two days removed from an emotional victory, did not feel fresh.

“Entirety of the game, we just couldn’t get the emotional energy,” Granato said after a 5-3 setback to the Florida Panthers ended the Sabres’ eight-game point streak. “It was low. I give our guys some credit for trying to find it ... Read the full article