McCarthy - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres waive eight players, including first-rounder, assign 17 to Rochester

The Buffalo Sabres on Friday placed eight players on waivers, including defenseman Ryan Johnson, a first-round pick in 2019, for the purpose of assigning them to the Rochester Americans.

The Sabres also waived goalie Matt Villalta, defenseman Dennis Gilbert and forwards Mason Geertsen, Trevor Kuntar, Aidan McDonough, Carson Meyer and Jason Polin.

Update: Everyone on waivers cleared.

In addition, the Sabres also assigned the following players to the Amerks, their AHL affiliate: goalies Talyn ... Read the full article

Sabres preseason: Jiri Kulich to center top line; Gavin McCarthy set to debut

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ plan for Jiri Kulich this preseason includes moving him around the lineup at different positions.

So the Czech forward, who missed most of last season recovering from a blood clot, is expected to center the top line alongside Konsta Helenius and Noah Ostlund for at least some of tonight’s preseason road game against the Detroit Red Wings.

Kulich, who will likely play all four exhibition contests, has spent some of training ... Read the full article

Sabres reassign top defense prospect to Rochester Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday reassigned top defense prospect Radim Mrtka from his junior team, the Seattle Thunderbirds, to the Rochester Americans.

Mrtka, the ninth overall pick in 2025, began the season in Rochester before the Sabres sent him to Seattle.

Seattle’s season ended Friday in the first round of the Western Hockey League Playoffs.... Read the full article

Sabres sign prospect Gavin McCarthy to entry-level contract

The Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday signed defense prospect Gavin McCarthy, who served as captain of Boston University as a junior this season, to a three-year, entry-level contract.

The Sabres drafted McCarthy, a Clarence native, in the third round in 2023, 86th overall.

His college career ended Saturday when the University of Connecticut defeated the Terriers 5-3 in the Hockey East Tournament quarterfinal.... Read the full article

In Clarence’s Gavin McCarthy, Sabres possess mature defense prospect

BUFFALO – Early in Gavin McCarthy’s second season at Boston University, coach Jay Pandolfo believes the Sabres prospect put too much pressure on himself.

The Terriers, having just lost three defensemen from their Frozen Four squad, thrust the Clarence native into a bigger, more demanding role alongside freshman defenseman Cole Hutson last season.

McCarthy, then just 19, a tender age for a sophomore in college hockey, responded by starting the campaign slowly.

“He probably had ... Read the full article

NHL Draft: Gavin McCarthy’s selection by Sabres special; Buffalo thrilled to take Anton Wahlberg

NASHVILLE – The daily challenges an NHL general manager faces can keep you awake at night, Kevyn Adams said. Still, moments like the one he experienced Thursday at the NHL Draft table can make all the stress worth it.

After the Buffalo Sabres drafted defenseman Gavin McCarthy in the third round, 86th overall, he walked down to meet Adams and other members of the team.

McCarthy’s excitement made Adams’ mind flash back to all the ... Read the full article