Houser - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres prospect Anton Wahlberg using size, skill to make impact as rookie in Rochester

ROCHESTER – Americans rookie Anton Wahlberg’s ability to impact games without scoring makes him a unique prospect for the Buffalo Sabres.

To wit: in the third period of Sunday afternoon’s 2-1 overtime loss, coach Mike Leone said the 6-foot-4, 198-pound winger leveled one of the Toronto Marlies and generated three or four scoring chances simply by “playing to his identity and his strengths.”

“With his physical tools, he’s able to get in on the forecheck, ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Isak Rosen generated offense for Rochester, tried to evolve before recall to Buffalo

ROCHESTER – Don’t let Isak Rosen’s numbers fool you. The four goals and team-leading 13 points the Buffalo Sabres prospect has scored in 14 games illustrate just part of his performance this season.

Rosen, who on Monday was recalled by the Sabres, has been an offensive driver for the Americans in the opening weeks of his third AHL season.

Still, other aspects of the winger’s game need work.... Read the full article

Sabres send Devon Levi to Rochester; Buffalo recalls prospect with Jordan Greenway injured

BUFFALO – Before Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen suffered an injury, Devon Levi played just four of the Sabres’ first 15 games, hardly an ideal workload for a young goalie.

Levi, 22, must play regularly. Starting once over a three-week stretch, as he did after allowing six goals in a loss Oct. 17, doesn’t help him. Having recently added veteran James Reimer from waivers, the Sabres have an established backup option behind Luukkonen, who has recovered from his ... Read the full article

As UPL tightens grip on No. 1 job, what do the Sabres do with Devon Levi?

BUFFALO – After rotating games with Devon Levi for two weeks, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has grabbed the Sabres’ No. 1 goalie job again, starting four straight games and nine of the last 10 contests.

Luukkonen’s emergence is hardly surprising. The Finn, 25, established himself as the Sabres’ backbone and one of the NHL’s elite goalies down the stretch last season, playing 36 of the last 43 games. He thrives with the consistent action.

Entering this ... Read the full article

Sabres prospects Noah Ostlund, Tyson Kozak out injured with Rochester

ROCHESTER – Buffalo Sabres prospect Noah Ostlund scored one goal this season before getting injured.

“Not many guys can have an impact on a game when they’re not producing the offense,” Americans coach Mike Leone said of the center.

Meanwhile, Tyson Kozak, another versatile forward prospect, scored a team-leading five goals before going down.... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Tyson Kozak off to hot start with Rochester Amerks; Noah Ostlund scores first goal

ROCHESTER – The most impressive part of Buffalo Sabres prospect Tyson Kozak’s performance Wednesday wasn’t the goal he scored by driving to the net and deftly backhanding a rebound in.

No, while Kozak displayed tenacity and skill in scoring his team-leading third goal, his play later in the Americans’ 6-1 win was more notable.

With the Amerks comfortably up 5-0, he raced into his own zone to thwart a breakaway attempt by the Cleveland Monsters.... Read the full article

Ducks claim goalie James Reimer off waivers from Sabres

James Reimer won’t be going to the Rochester Americans. The Anaheim Ducks on Monday claimed the veteran goalie off waivers from the Buffalo Sabres.

The Sabres signed Reimer to a one-year, one-way contract worth $1 million – a significant salary for a player they hoped to assign to the minors – to provide insurance. In Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, 25, and Devon Levi, 22, the Sabres have one of the league’s youngest goalie tandems.

Reimer, 36, served ... Read the full article

Sabres waive goalie James Reimer

The Buffalo Sabres on Sunday placed veteran goalie James Reimer on waivers.

Reimer, 36, served as the Sabres’ third goalie during their season-opening trip to Europe.

If he clears, he will likely be assigned to the Rochester Americans. He hasn’t played in the AHL since 2010-11, his third pro season.... Read the full article

Sabres send 10 players to Rochester Amerks, waive six others

The Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday loaned 10 players, including center Konsta Helenius, their first-round pick earlier this year, to the Rochester Americans and placed six players on waivers for the purpose of assigning them to their AHL affiliate.

The Sabres also released nine players who are expected to join the Amerks from their training camp tryouts and returned goalie Scott Ratzlaff to the Seattle Thunderbirds, his junior team.... Read the full article

Goalie prospect Scott Ratzlaff seizing chance, impressing Sabres

BUFFALO – For Sabres prospect Scott Ratzlaff, playing against NHL players he had only seen on television like Sean Monahan feels surreal.

In a normal training camp, the goalie would’ve been sent back to the Seattle Thunderbirds after about a week. But the Sabres’ season-opening trip to Europe has created unique opportunities for players left in camp.

Ratzlaff, 19, has seized his chance, looking impressive during his first NHL preseason outings.... Read the full article