Levi - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres preseason: Radim Mrtka set to debut, Alexandar Georgiev to start

BUFFALO – Bo, meet Radim. Radim, meet Bo. Now go out and play together.

In the opening days of training camp, the Sabres kept the players expected to comprise their NHL roster in one practice group. So defenseman Bowen Byram said he hadn’t met rookie Radim Mrtka until this morning.

Tonight, Byram will be tasked with skating alongside Mrtka, 18, in his NHL preseason debut on the road against the Columbus Blue Jackets.... Read the full article

Sabres begin season facing questions about UPL’s injury and Alex Tuch’s contract extension

BUFFALO – Maybe the Sabres’ fan base is too busy reveling in the Bills’ early-season success to pay much attention. Or perhaps, more likely, many of their supporters have lost interest in a team that owns an NHL-record 14-year playoff drought.

Whatever the case, there’s little buzz around the Sabres as they begin another season.

Players report today to KeyBank Center for physicals and testing. The first on-ice sessions will be held Thursday at LECOM ... Read the full article

Sabres sign goalie Alexandar Georgiev to one-year contract

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

After terrific season in AHL, Sabres sign goalie Devon Levi to two-year contract

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

Sabres sign Conor Timmins to two-year contract, avoid salary arbitration

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

Salary arbitration hearing scheduled for Sabres’ Conor Timmins

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

Sabres sign Bowen Byram to two-year contract, avoid salary arbitration

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

Four years ago, Sabres goalie Alex Lyon ignited NHL career by evolving: ‘Found another level of desperation’

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

Sabres choose to take Bowen Byram to salary arbitration

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

Sabres newcomer Conor Timmins files for salary arbitration

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