WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
March Edition
Alexandar Georgiev began last season in Colorado. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
When the Buffalo Sabres signed veteran Alex Lyon in free agency, they appeared to have solidified the goaltending position.
Lyon would back up Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in Buffalo, while Devon Levi would return to the Rochester Americans for another year of development.
So, why did the Sabres on Thursday night, a week before training camp opens, sign veteran goalie Alexandar Georgiev to a one-year, $825,000 contract?... Read the full article
Devon Levi played nine games for Buffalo last season. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres on Thursday locked up their last restricted free agent, signing goalie Devon Levi to a two-year, $1.625 million contract.
Levi, 23, just enjoyed a terrific season with the Rochester Americans, registering a 25-13-4 record with a 2.20 goals-against average, a .919 save percentage and a league-best seven shutouts in 42 games. He posted a 5-3 mark in the Calder Cup Playoffs.
The Sabres’ top goalie prospect also played nine games for Buffalo ... Read the full article
Connor Timmins joined Buffalo on June 28. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres on Sunday avoided salary arbitration with defenseman Conor Timmins, signing him to a two-year, $4.4 million contract.
Timmins, 26, filed for arbitration July 5. He had a hearing scheduled for Saturday, according to Puckpedia.com.
Goalie Devon Levi is the Sabres’ only unsigned restricted free agent.... Read the full article
Buffalo acquired Conor Timmins on June 28. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
Newly acquired Buffalo Sabres defenseman Conor Timmins will have his salary arbitration hearing Aug. 2, according to Puckpedia.com.
Timmins, 26, filed for arbitration July 5.
The sides, of course, can still negotiate a new contract. A deal is usually reached before the arbitration hearing.
The Sabres recently chose to take defenseman Bowen Byram to arbitration before signing him to a two-year, $12.5 million contract.... Read the full article
Bowen Byram could’ve gone to arbitration. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres late Monday avoided salary arbitration with defenseman Bowen Byram, signing him to a two-year, $12.5 million contract.
When the contract expires, Byram, 24, can become an unrestricted free agent.
The Sabres now have two unsigned restricted free agents: goalie Devon Levi and defenseman Conor Timmins, who earlier this month filed for arbitration.
By recently electing for arbitration with Byram, the Sabres made him ineligible to sign an offer sheet.
Byram’s $6.25 million ... Read the full article
Buffalo is Alex Lyon’s fifth NHL team. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
The genesis of the Alex Lyon you’ve seen over the past four seasons – the goalie who won the Calder Cup, earned critical late-season victories for the Florida Panthers and played so well for the Detroit Red Wings that the Buffalo Sabres awarded him a two-year contract – can be traced to the 2021 offseason.
Following five years in the Philadelphia Flyers organization, he said the limited opportunities he found in free agency forced him ... Read the full article
Bowen Byram can sign a new contract before his salary arbitration hearing. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres today chose salary arbitration for restricted free agent defenseman Bowen Byram, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
The moves means Byram, 24, is no longer eligible to sign an offer sheet.
In team-elected arbitration, the player picks the term of the award. For example, Byram could chose a two-year contract and become an unrestricted free agent when the deal expires.
The sides, of course, could complete a new contract before their hearing.... Read the full article
Connor Timmins spent most of last season in Pittsburgh. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
Newly acquired Buffalo Sabres defenseman Conor Timmins has filed for salary arbitration, the NHL Players’ Association announced today.
Timmins, 26, is one of the Sabres’ three unsigned restricted free agents. Defenseman Bowen Byram and goalie Devon Levi also need new contracts.
Byram had arbitration rights but did not use them.
Filing, of course, doesn’t mean a player will go to arbitration. Negotiations can continue. The sides usually reach a deal before the arbitration hearing.... Read the full article
Topias Leinonen played in Sweden last season. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – When the Sabres drafted goalie Topias Leinonen 41st overall in 2022, they likely believed he would be ready to begin his career in North America in three years.
Sure enough, Leinonen, having signed his entry-level contract in March, is expected to start the upcoming season with the Rochester Americans or the Jacksonville Icemen, their ECHL affiliate.
Leinonen, 21, just enjoyed a standout season for Mora IK, a second-tier pro team in Sweden, compiling ... Read the full article
Bowen Byram is a restricted free agent. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – If a team swoops in and gives restricted free agent Bowen Byram an offer sheet, general manager Kevyn Adams said the Sabres are prepared to match it.
“The moves we’ve made and the position we’ve put ourselves in from the cap perspective has been strategic,” Adams said prior to Wednesday’s session of development camp in LECOM Harborcenter. “If you leave just enough room in your cap that where maybe you see a projection ... Read the full article