Kozak - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres rookie Jiri Kulich in concussion protocol as JJ Peterka nears return

BUFFALO – Center Jiri Kulich, who left Saturday afternoon’s 4-3 shootout win after getting hit in the head, is in concussion protocol and did not accompany the Sabres to Boston, where they begin a four-game road trip tonight against the Bruins.

The rookie could eventually join the team.

“That could be tomorrow,” Ruff said following Sunday’s practice in KeyBank Center. “It’s a day-by-day (situation) to see where it’s at.”

Kulich left Saturday’s game after Vegas ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Norris misses practice with injury; Buffalo recalls prospect

BUFFALO – Sabres center Josh Norris missed Friday’s practice with an undisclosed injury he has been battling, coach Lindy Ruff said.

Ruff did not have an update on Norris, who was acquired from the Ottawa Senators prior to last Friday’s trade deadline.

“He’s just being evaluated by our medical staff today,” Ruff said following the session in KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen rejoins Sabres early; Tage Thompson added to Team USA at 4 Nations

BUFFALO – Instead of taking a day off he earned, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen got back on the ice Wednesday, rejoining practice a day early following his return from the 4 Nations Face-Off.

“UPL was a surprise guest,” coach Lindy Ruff joked following the Sabres’ 70-minute practice in KeyBank Center.

Luukkonen, 25, served as Team Finland’s third goalie, watching games from the press box as Jusse Saros and Kevin Lankinen handled the netminding duties.

He ... Read the full article

Sabres transactions: Buffalo sends two players to Rochester Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres on Sunday sent rookie forward Tyson Kozak and goalie Felix Sandstrom back to the Rochester Americans.

Neither played in Saturday’s 6-4 road loss to the Nashville Predators, the Sabres’ final game before beginning a two-week break for the 4 Nations Face-Off. They don’t play again until Feb. 22.

Kozak, 22, played in eight games during his recall before battling the flu and leaving the lineup. Overall, he has compiled one goal and ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tage Thompson practices, likely ready to play after suffering concussion

BUFFALO – On Monday, a day after New Jersey Devils pest Stefan Noesen hit Tage Thompson in the head, knocking him out of the Sabres’ 4-3 win, the winger said he was starting to feel the effects of the concussion he suffered.

In the dressing room following the hit and later that night at home, Thompson, who returned to practice Friday, said he felt “totally fine.”

“Then second day it kind of hit me pretty ... Read the full article

Sabres injury updates: Tage Thompson skates, Dylan Cozens misses practice

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Tage Thompson, who left Sunday afternoon’s 4-3 win injured after New Jersey Devils pest Stefan Noesen hit him in the head, skated on his own Wednesday morning, coach Lindy Ruff said.

“Had a good day,” Ruff said following Wednesday’ practice in KeyBank Center. “I mean, he’s got to go through the protocol, the testing, all that stuff. But really felt good, so encouraged.”

In other injury news, Ruff said goalie Ukko-Pekka ... Read the full article

Sabres recall prospect Isak Rosen from Rochester, make other roster move

BUFFALO – The Sabres on Monday recalled winger Isak Rosen, whose 23 goals rank second in the AHL this season, from the Rochester Americans.

To create a roster spot, the Sabres placed center Tyson Kozak on injured reserve. Coach Lindy Ruff said on Saturday that Kozak was sick. He missed Sunday afternoon’s 4-3 win over the New Jersey Devils.

Kozak took a puck off the hand area in Friday’s 4-3 victory against the Nashville ... Read the full article

Sabres eke out win over Devils, don’t go after Stefan Noesen following illegal hit on Tage Thompson

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Lindy Ruff cut off a reporter, refusing to let him finish the question.

“Bull(crap). Bull(crap),” an agitated Ruff interjected when asked about the perception his team did not respond properly Sunday afternoon when New Jersey Devils winger Stefan Noesen hit leading scorer Tage Thompson in the head, knocking him out of the Sabres’ 4-3 win. “Let’s go. Next question.”

Ruff said Thompson, who scored one goal and three points as the ... Read the full article

As trade deadline approaches, Sabres interested in re-signing Jason Zucker

BUFFALO – In the coming days or weeks, Sabres winger Jason Zucker will almost certainly hit the 20-goal mark, one of hockey’s special achievements.

Zucker, 33, is no stranger to the number, having surpassed it five times in his 14-year NHL career, most recently when he scored 27 times in 2022-23.

His ability to keep scoring at an advanced age isn’t surprising. But when he signed a one-year, $5 million contract in free agency, few ... Read the full article

Jiri Kulich’s emergence factor in Sabres waiving Nicolas Aube-Kubel; Buffalo makes recall

BUFFALO – As winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel struggled after returning from an early-season knee injury, rookie Jiri Kulich established himself as one of the Sabres’ top forwards, entrenching himself in the NHL.

Right now, Kulich, 20, is centering the Sabres’ top line.

Then early last month, center Tyson Kozak, 22, made an immediate impact in his first NHL action, scoring a goal and showcasing a tenacious style.

As he kept being scratched – he had ... Read the full article