WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Post-Deadline Edition
Radim Mrtka recorded with first point with Rochester on Friday, an assist. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
ROCHESTER – For the time being at least, Buffalo Sabres prospect Radim Mrtka is adapting to the rigors of pro hockey as a member of the Americans.
The AHL, of course, can be unforgiving for teenagers and other neophytes, especially defenseman. But after earning a long look in training camp, rather than sending Mrtka, 18, back to junior hockey, the Sabres assigned him to the Amerks.
How long could the Czech stay? Remember, Sabres general ... Read the full article
Josh Norris has a history of injuries. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Fresh off the most productive summer of his career, a healthy Josh Norris seemed poised to enjoy a breakout season as the Sabres’ new No. 1 center.
The oft-injured Norris, 26, dazzled during four preseason outings, scoring three goals and an NHL-high seven points.
But just one game into the season, he’s hurt again, joining five teammates on the sideline.
What the heck is going on?
“Maybe it’s just a test for us ... Read the full article
Riley Fiddler-Schultz celebrates one of his goals Saturday in the Prospects Challenge. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Over those difficult six weeks, as he sat out game after game as a healthy scratch, doubt would creep into Sabres prospect Riley Fiddler-Schultz’s head.
A year ago, fresh off a terrific rookie season with the Jacksonville Icemen, Fiddler-Schultz graduated to the Rochester Americans, then promptly morphed into spare part.
From opening night until Nov. 20, when he made his season debut, the Amerks scratched the speedy forward 14 straight games.... Read the full article
Noah Ostlund played his first scored in Saturday’s loss to Columbus. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Having arrived in North America late in the 2023-24 season, Sabres center prospect Noah Ostlund is still acclimating to a more physical brand of hockey.
On the larger ice surface in his native Sweden, there’s less contact and, of course, fewer fights.
“I’m not as used to it as you guys over here are because we don’t have that in Sweden,” Ostlund said following Saturday’s chippy 7-5 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets ... Read the full article
Buffalo drafted Radim Mrtka ninth overall. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – When the Seattle Thunderbirds selected Radim Mrtka 71st overall in the Canadian Hockey League Import Draft in 2024, they took a flier on a talented defenseman.
Coach Matt O’Dette said the Thunderbirds knew Mrtka planned to play pro hockey in his native Czechia last season. Still, if he did not receive the opportunity he wanted, there was a chance he could join the junior team.
Mrtka, the ninth overall pick by the Sabres... Read the full article
Isak Rosen played eight games with Buffalo last season. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – On Friday, winger Isak Rosen will suit up for the Sabres in his fourth Prospects Challenge. Given his slick skill set and experience, there’s an expectation he will be a dominant presence in the rookie tournament.
Rosen has registered 48 goals and 105 points over the last two seasons in the AHL and played 15 NHL games. Last year, he developed into the Rochester Americans’ top offense threat, scoring 28 goals and 55 ... Read the full article
Trevor Kuntar often sat out as a healthy scratch last season. ©2025, Providence Bruins
Trevor Kuntar takes a positive approach to the struggles every hockey player will inevitably endure. The Williamsville native said his parents, Les and Faye, ingrained that in him. So no matter how difficult the situation, he refuses to have a negative outlook.
Kuntar, 24, just experienced a difficult season in which he fell out of the Boston Bruins’ plans. Fresh off a strong rookie campaign with the Providence Bruins, if he cracked the lineup, his ... Read the full article
Luke Osburn will play at the University of Wisconsin in the upcoming season. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Rochester Americans coach Mike Leone understands talking about a prospect in the same breath as a current or former NHL star can create unrealistic expectations.
Still, he wanted to illustrate how much Luke Osburn, a high-scoring defenseman the Sabres drafted in the fourth round in 2024, has impressed him.
“It’s an unfair comparison, but you know when Duncan Keith played, he was really wiry and his skating ability,” Leone said of the former ... Read the full article
Alex Lyon spent the last two seasons in Detroit. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
What exactly will goalie Alex Lyon’s role be with the Buffalo Sabres?
Right now, Lyon, their most significant signing on Tuesday, the first day of free agency, is likely penciled in as Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s backup.
But what if Luukkonen, 26, struggles like he did last season? Late in the year, veteran James Reimer took over, keeping the Finn on the bench as he enjoyed a career-best stretch.
The Sabres are under enormous pressure to win ... Read the full article
Sam Lafferty played 60 games for Buffalo. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres today traded forward Sam Lafferty to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2026.
Lafferty, 30, struggled last season after signing a two-year, $4 million contract as a free agent, registering four goals, seven points and a minus-15 rating in 60 games.
The Sabres inked the speedy Lafferty, who had just enjoyed a career year with the Vancouver Canucks, when they overhauled their fourth line.... Read the full article