Johnson - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres preseason: Buffalo’s prospects face stiff test in Columbus

The Buffalo Sabres’ squad comprised of prospects and AHL talent has exceeded expectations, winning both of its outings since the regular roster traveled overseas.

In each of those 3-2 road victories – Tuesday in Pittsburgh and Thursday in Ottawa, a game in which 2022 first-round pick Noah Ostlund scored in overtime – neither opponent dressed much NHL talent.

So tonight’s contest in Columbus will be the B team’s stiffest team. The Blue Jackets’ lineup will ... Read the full article

Sabres preseason: Konsta Helenius, Noah Ostlund set to make debuts

BUFFALO – Fresh off two exhibition wins in which they dressed a regular-season lineup and throttled the competition, the Sabres will use minor leaguers for tonight’s road game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Later today, about 25 or so Sabres will leave for the team’s season-opening trip to Europe. Meanwhile, the rest of the training camp roster will stay in Buffalo and complete the preseason schedule.

So tonight’s roster is filled with AHL and ECHL talent. ... Read the full article

Injury won’t sideline Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin long

BUFFALO – As the Sabres practiced this morning, defenseman Rasmus Dahlin watched from the tunnel in a blue sweatshirt with the hood pulled over his baseball hat alongside some of the team’s medical staff.

Still, the Sabres can breath a sigh of relief. Coach Lindy Ruff said the “mid-body injury” Dahlin suffered in Wednesday’s opening session of training camp likely won’t sideline him long.

“Doing well,” Ruff said following practice in KeyBank Center. “Just probably ... Read the full article

After injury-plagued season, Sabres still high on prospect Tyson Kozak

BUFFALO – Fresh off a standout rookie season in which he established himself as one of the Sabres’ best forward prospects, Tyson Kozak never found a groove last year.

The aggressive center battled injuries throughout a difficult campaign with the Rochester Americans, leaving the lineup for long stretches and missing 31 total games.

“When you come back, your confidence is a little gone,” Kozak told the Times Herald prior to Friday’s 3-1 win over the ... Read the full article

Konsta Helenius among first-rounders on Sabres’ Prospects Challenge roster

Five first-round picks, including centers Konsta Helenius, the 14th overall selection this year, and Jiri Kulich, who scored 27 goals in the AHL last season, highlight the 22-man Prospects Challenge roster the Buffalo Sabres released Tuesday.

Forwards Noah Ostlund, Isak Rosen and defenseman Ryan Johnson are the other Buffalo first-rounders who will be participating in the rookie camp tournament that runs from Friday until Monday at LECOM Harborcenter.... Read the full article

Former Sabres quickly found work as free agents this summer

In past offseasons, it sometimes took former Buffalo Sabres time to find work. Some went overseas or returned to the minors. Some never played in the NHL again.

But earlier this month, seven players from the 2023-24 squad quickly signed NHL contracts as free agents. Some updates are below.

– Winger Jeff Skinner signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers.

The Sabres, of course, bought out the final three seasons of Skinner’s ... Read the full article

As career with Sabres likely nears end, Eric Comrie excited to work on game

BUFFALO – In what are likely the final days of his two-year career here, as he watches game after game as the backup or a healthy scratch, Sabres goalie Eric Comrie feels excitement.

At first, the affable Comrie, who hasn’t played since March 7, had a difficult time sitting out. For a while at least, he dressed for games behind starter Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. When the Sabres recalled rookie Devon Levi last month, he was relegated ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zemgus Girgensons sees future in Buffalo, glad trade deadline passed

BUFFALO – Prior to Friday’s trade deadline, Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams spoke to some teams interested in acquiring winger Zemgus Girgensons and likely could’ve received a late-round pick in exchange for the 11-year veteran.

But in Girgensons, Adams said he sees a player “so important within the fabric of this team.” After dealing captain Kyle Okposo and defenseman Erik Johnson, he couldn’t trade Girgensons simply because he has an expiring contract.

It sounds like ... Read the full article

Casey Mittelstadt’s status made trading for coveted Bowen Byram possible

BUFFALO – Kevyn Adams said he never shopped Casey Mittelstadt around the NHL. No, the Sabres general manager said, the center’s emergence made him a sought-after asset.

When other GMs called him to ask about Mittelstadt, his leading scorer, he made it clear he was willing to listen and think about possible scenarios.

Adams said he had been working for a couple of years to find a young, top-pair defenseman. Those type of defenders, of ... Read the full article

Sabres recall two players from Amerks, send rookie to Rochester

BUFFALO – The Sabres this afternoon recalled forward Tyson Jost and defenseman Kale Clague from the Rochester Americans and sent rookie defenseman Ryan Johnson to the AHL club.

The Sabres traded captain Kyle Okposo to the Florida Panthers and defenseman Erik Johnson to the Philadelphia Flyers before this afternoon’s deadline, so they needed some reinforcements.

Jost, 25, compiled four goals and 14 points in 25 games with the Amerks during his longest stint in the ... Read the full article