Kuntar - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres waive eight players, including first-rounder, assign 17 to Rochester

The Buffalo Sabres on Friday placed eight players on waivers, including defenseman Ryan Johnson, a first-round pick in 2019, for the purpose of assigning them to the Rochester Americans.

The Sabres also waived goalie Matt Villalta, defenseman Dennis Gilbert and forwards Mason Geertsen, Trevor Kuntar, Aidan McDonough, Carson Meyer and Jason Polin.

Update: Everyone on waivers cleared.

In addition, the Sabres also assigned the following players to the Amerks, their AHL affiliate: goalies Talyn ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Alex Lyon, Jiri Kulich leave loss to Red Wings with injuries

For the second straight preseason game, the Buffalo Sabres lost two key players to injuries.

Goalie Alex Lyon and center Jiri Kulich both exited Thursday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings.

Update: Ruff said Lyon is being evaluated today. The team will know more about his injury Saturday.

Meanwhile, Kulich stayed off the ice today for maintenance. Ruff said the Czech could skate Saturday or play in the preseason finale against the Pittsburgh ... Read the full article

Sabres preseason: Jiri Kulich to center top line; Gavin McCarthy set to debut

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ plan for Jiri Kulich this preseason includes moving him around the lineup at different positions.

So the Czech forward, who missed most of last season recovering from a blood clot, is expected to center the top line alongside Konsta Helenius and Noah Ostlund for at least some of tonight’s preseason road game against the Detroit Red Wings.

Kulich, who will likely play all four exhibition contests, has spent some of training ... Read the full article

Sabres preseason: Lindy Ruff will miss opener in Pittsburgh; Buffalo to field young lineup against Penguins

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Lindy Ruff will miss tonight’s preseason opener in Pittsburgh to attend a Celebration of Life ceremony for his former teammate, Brent Peterson, in Nashville.

Sabres assistant coach Seth Appert will run the bench against the Penguins in Ruff’s absence.

Peterson, who played four seasons with the Sabres in the 1980s, died Sept. 11 after a long battle with Parkinson’s. He was 68.... Read the full article

Sabres make depth signings, trade after free agency opens; Jarmo Kekalainen open to making more moves

BUFFALO – After free agency opened Wednesday, the Sabres stayed pretty quiet, signing four depth players likely ticketed for the minors and trading goalie Devon Levi.

While more notable moves could materialize – “We’re still open for business,” general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said in LECOM Harborcenter – the roster might be pretty much set.

“By no means we’re desperate to add anything right now,” Kekalainen said. “It needs to be a perfect fit both from ... Read the full article

Sabres re-sign Trevor Kuntar, ink Conor Sheary in free agency

BUFFALO – The Sabres this afternoon added forward depth in free agency, signing forward Trevor Kuntar to a two-year contract and Conor Sheary and Jason Polin to one-year deals.

Kuntar, 25, enjoyed a breakout year last season, scoring 21 goals for the Rochester Americans and playing his first NHL game.

The Williamsville native signed an AHL contract last summer before earning an NHL deal during the season. His new contract is a two-way deal.... Read the full article

As free agency begins, trades look like best way for Sabres to improve

BUFFALO – Free agency, with its limited crop of talent and exorbitant asking prices, likely won’t help the Sabres much as general manager Jarmo Kekalainen works to improve a roster that has recently lost two of its best players.

The offseason kicks into high gear again today when the market opens at noon.

What could Kekalainen, who’s in his first summer as GM, do to keep the Sabres atop the ultra-competitive Atlantic Division?... Read the full article

Mature, consistent game as No. 1 center helps Sabres prospect Konsta Helenius earn first recall from Rochester

BRIGHTON – Center prospect Konsta Helenius’ first recall to Buffalo could be brief. Right now, the Sabres are scorching, having won 15 of their last 17 games, and coach Lindy Ruff hasn’t tinkered with his lineup much over the past five weeks.

If Sabres center Josh Norris, who’s day to day with an upper-body injury, heals quickly, Helenius, 19, could be returned to the Rochester Americans without playing a game.

The Sabres, who host the ... Read the full article

Sabres recall prospect from Rochester, send forward back to Amerks

Center Noah Ostlund has returned to Buffalo Sabres following a one-game stint with the Rochester Americans.

The Sabres this afternoon recalled the prospect and assigned winger Trevor Kuntar, who made his NHL debut in Thursday’s 3-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks, back to the AHL club.

The Sabres close their six-game road trip Sunday against the Seattle Kraken.... Read the full article

Trevor Kuntar ran with career-changing opportunity in Rochester to earn NHL contract and chance with Sabres

ROCHESTER – Winger Trevor Kuntar doesn’t lack confidence. The Williamsville native isn’t cocky, mind you. He’s grateful for the career-changing opportunity he has earned and the belief Americans coach Mike Leone and others in the Buffalo Sabres organization have shown in him.

Kuntar, who on Wednesday signed a two-way NHL contract, quickly morphed into the Amerks’ biggest surprise this season, scoring a team-high nine goals while providing critical depth, energy and grit before the ... Read the full article