Luukkonen - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres sign goalie Michael Houser to NHL contract

The Buffalo Sabres on Monday signed goalie Michael Houser, who has spent all season with the Rochester Americans, to an NHL contract and placed him on waivers.

This is the third straight year the Sabres have awarded Houser, 30, an NHL deal during the season. Each time, he had been playing on an AHL contract.

His new contract is worth a prorated $750,000 in the NHL and $100,000 in the minors, according to capfriendly.com.... Read the full article

With Alex Tuch, Rasmus Dahlin injured, Dylan Cozens dazzles in Sabres’ win

BUFFALO – Above the din of the capacity crowd, Sabres winger Jack Quinn could hear center Dylan Cozens calling for the puck as they skated through the neutral zone.

Quinn and Cozens, who have showcased terrific chemistry as linemates this season, did not play together for most of Sunday afternoon’s 7-4 victory over the Washington Capitals. The Sabres, having lost top-line winger Alex Tuch to a lower-body injury for at least a few weeks, promoted ... Read the full article

Craig Anderson offers Sabres intriguing goaltending option down the stretch

BUFFALO – For five months, the Sabres have carefully managed goalie Craig Anderson’s workload, giving the NHL’s oldest player ample time to recover following his outings.

Only once this season has Anderson, 41, started back-to-back games. The Sabres have essentially limited his appearances to one per week.

Coach Don Granato often attributes Anderson’s success at such an advanced age – as of Saturday afternoon, his .920 save percentage ranked sixth among goalies with at ... Read the full article

After pulling Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Sabres could utilize other goalies

BUFFALO – After Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen recently endured a career-worst outing, coach Don Granato decided the rookie needed a break.

So for the next two games, Granato utilized his other netminders, Craig Anderson and Eric Comrie. The rest offered Luukkonen, 23, a chance to focus on practice and rebound from an ugly 7-3 loss to the Calgary Flames on Feb. 11.

When Granato turned to him again Saturday in San Jose, he responded ... Read the full article

Maple Leafs throttle Sabres early in victory: ‘Horrendous start’

BUFFALO – The barrage mercifully ended about 12 minutes into the first period, when the Sabres, having been torched for four goals by the Toronto Maple Leafs, settled down and started stopping their opponent.

Much of the buzz prior to Tuesday’s 6-3 loss at KeyBank Center centered on the Sabres, one of the NHL’s up-and-coming young teams, and their pursuit of a playoff spot.

For the first time in more than a decade, the Sabres ... Read the full article

Sabres, Maple Leafs renew rivalry with biggest meeting in years; Buffalo changes goalie plan

BUFFALO – Captain Kyle Okposo understands the Toronto Maple Leafs, tonight’s opponent, are the Sabres’ biggest rival.

Of course, that’s based on geography, not anything the teams have recently done on the ice. The Atlantic Division foes haven’t made the playoffs in the same season since 2001.

“To really cement a rivalry you’ve got to play a playoff series against somebody,” Okposo said following Monday’s practice at KeyBank Center. “That’s what kind of really ratchets ... Read the full article

Sabres start fast before Flames roar back: ‘Punched us in the face’

BUFFALO – Following a 10-day break, the Sabres showcased some early jump Saturday afternoon, grabbing a 2-0 lead against the Calgary Flames.

But scoring on two of their first three shots masked signs of trouble. The Flames, who had played twice earlier in the week, outshot them 11-3 in the first period. Coach Don Granato said the Sabres overpassed, looked for the pretty play and complicated simple things.

By about the 15-minute mark, after goals ... Read the full article

Special mentality helped Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen earn No. 1 job

BUFFALO – The burden of expectations could’ve weighed Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen down. After all, shortly after the Sabres drafted him in the second round in 2017, he was labeled as their goalie of the future.

At times in the minors, the Finn seemed to be developing a bit slowly. Injuries and the COVID-19 pandemic limited his playing time. He sometimes struggled or performed inconsistently.

“There’s been ups and downs to it,” Luukkonen said of his ... Read the full article

Sabres lose game to Hurricanes, Tage Thompson to injury

BUFFALO – Forget about Wednesday’s 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, a game that could’ve moved the Sabres into a playoff spot. Right now, having lost No. 1 center and leading scorer Tage Thompson to an upper-body injury, they have bigger concerns.

Thompson, who’s supposed to represent the Sabres in Saturday’s NHL All-Star Game in Sunrise, Florida, left Wednesday’s contest after the second period and did not return.

The TNT broadcast showed Thompson wincing in ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen named top rookie for January

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, whose six wins led all first-year netminders, has earned NHL Rookie of the Month honors for January.

Luukkonen, 23, has emerged as the Sabres’ No. 1 goalie this season, becoming their backbone after being recalled from the Rochester Americans in November.

In January, the Finn was stellar, making at least 30 saves in five of his nine outings. Overall in the month, he compiled a 6-2-1 mark with ... Read the full article