Owen Power played significant minutes as a rookie. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

In locking up Owen Power and Rasmus Dahlin, Sabres put two ‘pillars in place’

BUFFALO – Scan through each NHL roster and try to pick out every so-called franchise defenseman. Most teams don’t have one.

In Owen Power and Rasmus Dahlin, the Sabres possess two.

This week, Power and Dahlin each signed long-term contract extensions, ensuring two foundational pieces can remain teammates through the 2030-31 season.... Read the full article

Rick Jeanneret called Sabres games for 51 seasons. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Rick Jeanneret, legendary voice of Sabres, dies at 81

Legendary play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret, one of the most iconic figures in Buffalo Sabres history, died Thursday evening, the team announced. He was 81.

Jeanneret died following a two-year battle with multi-organ failures, according to his family.

He retired following the 2021-22 season, his record 51st year on the job. He spent last season as a broadcaster emeritus making appearances on behalf of the team and was often seen around KeyBank Center.

The Sabres gave ... Read the full article

Joseph Ceconni joined Rochester in December. ©2023, Rochester Americans

Sabres re-sign Youngstown’s Joseph Cecconi to one-year contract

The Buffalo Sabres on Friday re-signed defenseman Joseph Cecconi, a Youngstown native, to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 in the NHL.

Cecconi, 26, became a mainstay on the Rochester Americans’ blue line following his arrival in a trade Dec. 15, giving them a more defensive defender to complement some of their offensive threats.

In the regular season, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound Cecconi registered three goals and eight points in 41 games. In the ... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin had one goal and three points Saturday afternoon. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin plays brilliantly in win; Devon Levi might be starter

BUFFALO – Go ahead, try to pick Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin’s most impactful play in Saturday afternoon’s thrilling 4-3 come-from-behind victory over the Carolina Hurricanes.

Was it his game-tying power-play score in the second period, his first goal in nearly 11 weeks? His dazzling backhand pass that created center Casey’s Mittelstadt’s tying goal later in the period? Before he dished the puck, he generated highlight footage by zooming down the slot and slickly undressing two ... Read the full article

Craig Anderson allowed six goals before getting pulled Tuesday. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ defensive woes continue in loss to Predators: ‘We will get through this’

BUFFALO – Ten losses in their last 12 games. A ghastly 59 goals allowed during that wretched stretch, the NHL’s worst figure. Four defeats by at least four goals.

Right now, the Sabres are a disaster. A month that began with so much promise – legitimate playoff hopes, a rarity in these parts – has become a nightmare.

Tuesday’s ugly 7-3 loss to the Nashville Predators before a crowd of 13,043 fans at KeyBank Center ... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin has enjoyed a dynamic season. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin replaces injured Tage Thompson in NHL All-Star Game

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin will replace injured teammate Tage Thompson on the Atlantic Division roster for Saturday’s NHL All-Star Game, the league announced this morning.

Thompson, 25, left Wednesday’s 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes after the second period with an upper-body injury and did not return. Coach Don Granato did not have an update following the game.

Of course, Dahlin, 22, is a worthy replacement for Thompson, a center whose 34 goals and ... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin had a five-point night on Saturday. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Five-point game helps Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin earn NHL Third Star honors

BUFFALO – A dynamic five-point outing, the Sabres’ first by a defenseman since 1989, has earned Rasmus Dahlin NHL Third Star honors for the week ending Sunday.

Dahlin, 22, performed dominantly in Saturday’s thrilling 6-5 overtime win against the Minnesota Wild, recording two goals and three assists. His second goal tied the game late regulation before he assisted on winger Victor Olofsson’s game-winning score.

A Sabres defenseman hadn’t recorded a five-game game since Phil ... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin had two goals and five points on Saturday. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Brilliant outing by Rasmus Dahlin leads Sabres past Wild in OT: ‘He was a force’

BUFFALO – By the end of one of the most brilliant performances by a Sabres defenseman in their 53-year history, Rasmus Dahlin was exhausted.

Dahlin, having surpassed a minute on the ice, desperately wanted to get to the bench for a breather late in Saturday’s frantic overtime against the Minnesota Wild.

“I was going to, but I have to play defense,” Dahlin said following his dynamic two-goal, five-point performance in the Sabres’ thrilling 6-5 win. ... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin has already scored four goals this season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin scores another goal, sets NHL record

Right now, you might be watching Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin take his first steps into superstardom.

Dahlin, 22, scored again in Thursday’s 6-3 road win over the Calgary Flames, slipping into the slot and beating goalie Jacob Markstrom 10:49 into the game.

In putting the Sabres up 2-1, the Swede made history, becoming the first NHL defenseman to score a goal in each of his team’s first four games to start a season.... Read the full article

Dan Bylsma spent two seasons coaching Buffalo. ©2021, Dan Hickling

Former Sabres coach Dan Bylsma lands new job in minors

Ex-Buffalo Sabres head coach Dan Bylsma on Tuesday landed a new job as an assistant coach with the Charlotte Checkers, the AHL affiliate the expansion Seattle Kraken will temporarily share with the Florida Panthers.

Bylsma, 50, left the Detroit Red Wings in May to pursue other opportunities after spending three years as an assistant on head coach Jeff Blashill’s staff.

As part of the agreement between Seattle and Florida, the Kraken provided an assistant coach ... Read the full article