Luukkonen - Buffalo Hockey Beat

After immigration paperwork finalized, Sabres’ Devon Levi ready to go: ‘Can’t keep the beast tamed’

BUFFALO – For almost a week, Sabres goalie Devon Levi anxiously waited for his immigration paperwork to be finalized.

Levi, 21, could be around the team, he just couldn’t practice. For the rookie, who’s known as a rink rat, that wasn’t easy.

“How I was thinking about it is you can’t keep the beast tamed in the cage for too long before getting out and being hungry,” Levi said after participating in Friday morning’s optional ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Eric Comrie enduring ‘difficult’ season, excited to see Devon Levi play

BUFFALO – Eric Comrie sees a bright spot in his trying season. Other than a brief conditioning stint in the minors, the Sabres goalie has stayed put here.

In past seasons, he has led a nomadic existence, bouncing all over North America. Over one two-year stretch, he was claimed on waivers four times.

So while he has battled injuries, lost his starting job and recently allowed 10 goals in one game, the affable Comrie, ... Read the full article

As Sabres struggle, so is goalie Craig Anderson: ‘We owe him a lot more’

BUFFALO – In his two-year career with the Sabres, veteran goalie Craig Anderson had never been pulled from a game before Tuesday’s ugly 7-3 loss to the Nashville Predators.

Despite being the NHL’s oldest player, the 41-year-old’s play hasn’t declined much. Sure, he can’t handle a heavy workload anymore. Age has relegated him to backup status. Throughout his 20th season, he has started about once a week.

Anderson has performed so well at times ... Read the full article

Sabres’ defensive woes continue in loss to Predators: ‘We will get through this’

BUFFALO – Ten losses in their last 12 games. A ghastly 59 goals allowed during that wretched stretch, the NHL’s worst figure. Four defeats by at least four goals.

Right now, the Sabres are a disaster. A month that began with so much promise – legitimate playoff hopes, a rarity in these parts – has become a nightmare.

Tuesday’s ugly 7-3 loss to the Nashville Predators before a crowd of 13,043 fans at KeyBank Center ... Read the full article

Devon Levi thrilled to join Sabres, play games: ‘I’m so happy to be here’

BUFFALO – Last week, shortly after Northeastern’s season ended, goalie Devon Levi and his parents and agents went on a Zoom call to talk to Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams, coach Don Granato and other members of the organization.

Levi, 21, developed a strong feel for the Sabres when he visited for development camp last summer. He liked what he experienced so much he said he did not want to leave town. He made new ... Read the full article

Sabres fall behind early, get clobbered by Bruins: ‘We believe we’re still in it’

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ regression over the past three weeks has been startling. After positioning themselves to compete for their first playoff spot in 12 years, they’ve imploded, dropping nine of their last 11 games.

The Sabres aren’t just losing; opponents are annihilating them. Sunday afternoon’s ugly 7-0 loss to the Boston Bruins marked the third time in their last 10 outings they’ve allowed seven or more goals and lost by at least six.

Since ... Read the full article

Sabres change forwards to keep them fresh; Will Devon Levi play this season?

BUFFALO – For four months, center Tyson Jost enjoyed regular duty. His arrival helped solidify the Sabres down the middle, giving them a two-way presence to pivot their third or fourth line.

But Jost sat out Friday’s 5-2 road loss to the Philadelphia Flyers as a healthy scratch. So did winger JJ Peterka, a rookie who scored one goal and three points in the previous two games.

In their places, Sabres coach Don Granato ... Read the full article

After signing contract, goalie prospect Devon Levi will report to Sabres

Less than two years ago, as general manager Kevyn Adams began rebuilding the Buffalo Sabres, he acquired an intriguing goalie prospect named Devon Levi.

Despite having backstopped Team Canada to a silver medal at the 2021 World Junior Championship, Levi, who on Friday signed a three-year, entry-level contract and will report to the Sabres, was still a bit of an unknown.

A rib injury Levi had suffered with Canada sidelined him his entire freshman ... Read the full article

Goalie Eric Comrie injured again in rough first season with Sabres

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Eric Comrie walked into the dressing room Thursday after allowing 10 goals and immediately took ownership for the ugly loss.

Of course, Comrie, who’s week to week after suffering a lower-body injury in Friday’s practice, made 39 saves during an awful effort against the Dallas Stars. He was hardly the problem.

“He came in after that game and the first thing he did was try to apologize to his teammates,” Sabres ... Read the full article

Sabres end critical week with OT loss to Rangers: ‘We need to play that way’

BUFFALO – The Sabres ended the most critical week of their season having lost all four games and earned just a single point.

With barely a month left, they’ve dropped seven points behind out of a wild card spot and have two other teams ahead of them. Right now, the chances of them roaring up the standings and ending their 11-year playoff drought are slim.

Still, fresh off Saturday afternoon’s 2-1 overtime loss, a game ... Read the full article