Laaksonen - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres add three Amerks to taxi squad

The Buffalo Sabres this morning reassigned defenseman Oskari Laaksonen and forwards Ryan MacInnis and Brandon Biro to the taxi squad.

All three players have spent this season with the Rochester Americans.

The Sabres, who begin a two-game road trip tonight against the New York Islanders, need reinforcements. Right now, they have six players in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. They’ve recalled five players to the active roster this week.

... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Oskari Laaksonen generating offense for Amerks

Oskari Laaksonen’s start this season, the defenseman and his coach acknowledged, wasn’t very good. The Sabres prospect struggled during his time in Buffalo, failing to make an impact in rookie camp or the preseason.

When Laaksonen returned to the Rochester Americans to begin his second AHL season – he played just one NHL exhibition game – it took him a bit to get going.

“My first couple games were not at the level I want ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen enjoyed ‘great’ training camp

BUFFALO – On the surface, goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s preseason looks disappointing. Instead of forcing the Sabres to keep him, they demoted the Finn to the minors 10 days before opening night.

Luukkonen, 22, compiled a 0-2-0 record in two starts, allowing five goals in each game.

Still, coach Don Granato said Luukkonen, one of seven players the Sabres sent to the Rochester Americans on Tuesday, enjoyed “a great camp.”

“In a progressive way,” Granato ... Read the full article

Sabres trim training camp roster, send six players to Amerks

BUFFALO – Top goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was among six players the Sabres sent to the Rochester Americans this morning.

The Sabres also assigned forwards Matej Pekar, Ryan MacInnis, Sean Malone and Linus Weissbach and defenseman Oskari Laaksonen to their AHL affiliate.

The Amerks open training camp today. The Sabres, meanwhile, play a road preseason game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.... Read the full article

Sabres to utilize line of Dylan Cozens, J-J Peterka and Jack Quinn

BUFFALO – In a year or two, after wingers J-J Peterka and Jack Quinn acclimate to pro hockey, they could flank center Dylan Cozens on the Sabres’ No. 1 trio.

But right now, the intriguing line is simply an experiment for tonight’s preseason opener in Columbus against the Blue Jackets. Instead of putting the talented youngsters beside veterans, Sabres coach Don Granato wants them to learn on their own.

While Cozens, 20, played 41 NHL ... Read the full article

Sabres don’t give 2017 second-round pick Marcus Davidsson contract

The Buffalo Sabres did not give 2017 second-round pick Marcus Davidsson an entry-level contract by today’s 5 p.m. deadline, making the center a free agent.

The Sabres selected Davidsson 37th overall in ex-general manager Jason Botterill’s first draft, 17 picks before they took goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who played his first four NHL games in April.

Davidsson is the only player from the Sabres’ 2017 draft class they did not sign. Their other selections ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Oskari Laaksonen named AHL North Division All-Star

Buffalo Sabres defense prospect Oskari Laaksonen has earned a spot on the AHL North Division All-Star Team following his rookie season with the Rochester Americans, the league announced Wednesday.

Laaksonen, 21, compiled two goals and 17 points in 28 games. His 15 assists led the Amerks. The Finn ranked fourth among AHL rookie defensemen in points.

The Sabres drafted Laaksonen in the third round in 2017, 89th overall. He played parts of four seasons in ... Read the full article

Dealing Brandon Montour to Panthers likely only Sabres’ first deadline trade

BUFFALO – Defenseman Brandon Montour, like so many of the Sabres’ other notable acquisitions in recent years, left town having never sniffed the playoffs.

The Sabres on Saturday traded Montour, who turns 27 today, to the Florida Panthers in exchange for a third-round pick in 2021.

Barely two years ago, ex-Sabres general manager Jason Botterill paid a steep price for Montour, sending defense prospect Brendan Guhle and a first-round pick to the Anaheim ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Brandon Davidson enjoys stint with Amerks, unhappy with officiating

ROCHESTER – In his first season with the Sabres, Brandon Davidson has mostly served as an extra defenseman, moving back to the taxi squad after playing the odd game.

So when an opportunity materialized for Davidson, 29, to skate for the Americans on Friday, he jumped at it.

Having played just six times with Buffalo this season, he needs to experience game action.

“That’s all it is is repetition,” Davidson said on a Zoom call ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Jack Quinn wows in pro debut with Amerks

ROCHESTER – Seth Appert’s gut told him rookie Jack Quinn deserved an opportunity to follow C.J. Smith in the shootout.

After starting his pro debut slowly, Quinn, 19, grew comfortable as Thursday’s game progressed. Late in the third period, the Sabres prospect created Steven Fogarty’s tying power-play goal for the Americans.

So when Appert needed a second shooter after Smith scored, he wanted to utilize Quinn, an ultra-talented winger Buffalo drafted eighth overall last year.... Read the full article