Kekalainen - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres trade prospect to Hurricanes in exchange for Gavin Bayreuther

Jarmo Kekalainen on Saturday added defense depth in his first trade as Buffalo Sabres general manager, acquiring Gavin Bayreuther from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for forward prospect Viktor Neuchev.

Bayreuther, 31, has been assigned to the Rochester Americans.

Having lost Jacob Bryson to an upper-body injury in Thursday’s 4-2 win against the Montreal Canadiens, the Sabres needed another left-shot defenseman in the organization.... Read the full article

Maturity, not just talent, earned Sabres’ Josh Doan new contract after trade

MONTREAL – Skill is just one part of Buffalo Sabres winger Josh Doan’s repertoire and why he earned a long-term contract extension during his breakout season.

At 23, barely 100 games into his NHL career, Doan possesses maturity that belies his age and limited experience.

“I think character sets him apart,” Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said on Thursday, a day after Doan signed a seven-year, $48.75 million extension. “His work ethic, he comes to ... Read the full article

After trade, hot start, Sabres give Josh Doan huge contract extension

MONTREAL – When the Buffalo Sabres traded for Josh Doan almost seven months ago, they acquired an intriguing but unproven young winger who had never played a full NHL season.

Defenseman Michael Kesselring, not Doan, who on Wednesday signed a seven-year, $48.75 million contract extension, was viewed as the centerpiece of the blockbuster deal that sent winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth.

But to complete the trade, former Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams insisted ... Read the full article

Marc Bergevin staying ‘levelheaded’ in first days as Sabres’ associate GM

BUFFALO – Marc Bergevin has spent his first days as the Sabres’ associate general manager getting up to speed on an organization he only knew from afar.

As he worked as a senior advisor for the Los Angeles Kings, Bergevin, 60, said he knew the Sabres possessed a talent-laden roster.

“But why they haven’t made the playoffs?” he asked. “… They have good players. There’s a reason why, and … it’s impossible to tell unless ... Read the full article

After win streak ends, Sabres to change lineup by inserting Jason Zucker

BUFFALO – As the Sabres recently rattled off 10 consecutive wins, they utilized the same 18 skaters most nights, only making changes for injuries.

If it’s working, why mess with it, right?

Coach Lindy Ruff explained the performance within that lineup, not so much the victories – “Just how well the individuals were playing,” he said – forced the Sabres to keep things consistent.

When Ruff, his staff and even general manager Jarmo Kekalainen sat ... Read the full article

Sabres’ win streak shows they might be starting something special

COLUMBUS – Hours before a 5-1 loss to the Blue Jackets ended the Buffalo Sabres’ win streak at 10 games, coach Lindy Ruff revealed some of the superstitions that materialized during one of the hottest stretches in franchise history.

For example, Ruff said assistant coach Marty Wilford refused to change his bench attire, so he wore the same brown suit each game.

Meanwhile, as the Sabres got on a tear and Owen Power kept reading ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Noah Ostlund scoring big goals, earning keep after latest recall

BUFFALO – Sabres rookie Noah Ostlund was within earshot across the visiting dressing room in the Canadian Tire Centre, waiting to be interviewed after scoring again in Tuesday’s 3-2 overtime win, so winger Alex Tuch joked he shouldn’t heap too much praise on his linemate.

“I don’t want to give him too many props,” Tuch said in Ottawa after assisting on Ostlund’s third goal in five games since the Sabres recalled him for the third ... Read the full article

Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen says new adds necessary, willing to make more

OTTAWA – For now, the roster will stay intact. Why would new general manager Jarmo Kekalainen mess with it? The Buffalo Sabres carried a six-game win streak into Tuesday’s contest against the Senators.

“There’s no need to disrupt anything right now with the good flow going,” Kekalainen said prior to Tuesday’s game in the Canadian Tire Centre.

Over the final two periods of Sunday’s 3-1 win in New Jersey, the Sabres’ third straight win under ... Read the full article

Once given up for dead, win streak has vaulted Sabres into thick of playoff race

OTTAWA – Two weeks ago, having just lost to the feeble Calgary Flames for the second time in three weeks, the Buffalo Sabres appeared to be barreling toward another postseason DNQ.

Their third consecutive defeat as they began a six-game road trip kept them mired in last place in the Eastern Conference, eight points out of the second wild card spot.

At that point, the Sabres had just two road wins all season, including zero ... Read the full article

Sabres add to new front office by hiring Marc Bergevin, Josh Flynn

The Buffalo Sabres on Sunday made their first front-office hires under new general manager Jarmo Kekalainen, adding Marc Bergevin as associate GM and Josh Flynn as assistant GM.

Bergevin, 60, served as GM of the Montreal Canadiens from 2012 to 2021, making the playoffs six times and reaching the Stanley Cup final in 2021. He most recently worked as a senior advisor for the Los Angeles Kings.

He began his post-playing career working for the ... Read the full article