Krebs - Buffalo Hockey Beat

After taste of NHL, Sabres goalie Devon Levi returns to school, plays for Canada

BUFFALO – When Sabres goalie Devon Levi returned to Northeastern last month to finish the semester, coach Jerry Keefe chatted with his former player one day in the Huskies’ lounge.

Levi, 21, had just made the difficult jump from college hockey to the NHL, winning five of his seven starts as the Sabres made a memorable push and fell one victory shy of earning a playoff berth.

It’s not unusual for teams to award forwards ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Isak Rosen catching fire for Amerks in playoffs

Instead of talking to Buffalo Sabres prospect Isak Rosen about his first taste of the Calder Cup Playoffs, Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert and his staff wanted to hear from the rookie.

“What did he learn? What did he take away from those experiences?” Appert said on a Zoom call Friday. “Those are the best developmental moments, is when they own their development and we can poke questions and prod them, but they’re the ones ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Peyton Krebs might’ve found niche in checking role

BUFFALO – At times in his first full NHL season, the pressure to perform overwhelmed Sabres center Peyton Krebs and he struggled to reach his own expectations.

In late November, Krebs sat out four contests as a healthy scratch. He scored his first goal in his 20th outing and had a 26-game goal drought before receiving credit for a fluky one in the season finale.

“I had my ups and downs, for sure,” Krebs said ... Read the full article

Prospect Devon Levi enjoying season of growth, excited about Sabres’ future

If Buffalo Sabres prospect Devon Levi had left Northeastern last year and turned pro, he might’ve already earned his first taste of the NHL.

Levi likely would’ve started his career with the Rochester Americans. But given the uncertain state of the Sabres’ goaltending at times this season, he could’ve been awarded a look by now.

Instead, Levi, 21, is back at Northeastern, where he’s grateful for the adversity he has endured during what has become ... Read the full article

Jordan Greenway could enjoy career-changing opportunity with Sabres

BUFFALO – In their first stint together almost a decade ago with Team USA, Sabres coach Don Granato said he would sometimes push winger Jordan Greenway hard.

Greenway, then a teenager with the U.S. National Team Development Program, did not always like what Granato demanded of him as a junior player. Still, Granato said, the youngster “pushed through,” developing into a terrific NHL prospect.

“We had a great relationship prior,” said Greenway, who made his ... Read the full article

Sabres lose game to Hurricanes, Tage Thompson to injury

BUFFALO – Forget about Wednesday’s 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, a game that could’ve moved the Sabres into a playoff spot. Right now, having lost No. 1 center and leading scorer Tage Thompson to an upper-body injury, they have bigger concerns.

Thompson, who’s supposed to represent the Sabres in Saturday’s NHL All-Star Game in Sunrise, Florida, left Wednesday’s contest after the second period and did not return.

The TNT broadcast showed Thompson wincing in ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Peyton Krebs learning to utilize shot, starting to score goals

BUFFALO – If he had grabbed the puck in the same area just a few weeks earlier, Sabres center Peyton Krebs might’ve held onto it or dished it off.

Shooting likely wouldn’t have been his first choice.

But when Krebs zoomed into the Anaheim zone late in the third period Saturday afternoon, he looked hellbent on beating Ducks goalie John Gibson. After taking a few quick strides, he unleashed a wicked wrist shot from high ... Read the full article

After struggles, Sabres’ Victor Olofsson scoring goals, becoming star

BUFFALO – At times this season, Sabres winger Victor Olofsson has battled adversity and the perception he’s too one-dimensional.

For stretches, he has struggled at even strength and lost ice time, doing little to dispel the belief he’s simply a power-play guy who possesses a lethal shot.

Still, 45 games into the campaign, Olofsson has already registered a career-high 21 goals.... Read the full article

Sabres rookies Jack Quinn, JJ Peterka look like stars in return to lineup

BUFFALO – Well, it did the trick, right?

Following a brief absence that offered slumping rookies Jack Quinn and JJ Peterka a chance to step back and reset, they performed splendidly in their return, helping the Sabres end a three-game losing streak.

Quinn scored the final goal in Saturday’s 5-3 win over the Nashville Predators and also created center Dylan Cozens’ second-period score from deep in the Buffalo zone. Peterka, meanwhile, earned the primary assist ... Read the full article

Sabres goalies Craig Anderson, Eric Comrie and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen embracing difficult situation

BUFFALO – So far, the Sabres’ jam-packed schedule has helped them make the best of a difficult situation and accommodate three goalies.

This week, Craig Anderson, Eric Comrie and rookie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen have all earned starts. Luukkonen remained on the roster following Thursday’s 4-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, a sign he could play tonight’s road game against the Nashville Predators.

The Sabres also play Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and next Saturday. They have ... Read the full article