Mark Pysyk played 68 games during his second stint in Buffalo. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Former Sabres have quickly landed new contracts this offseason

In past years, a slew of former Buffalo Sabres had difficulty finding work in free agency.

With few suitors on the open market, some settled for training camp tryouts while others went overseas or never played again.

So far this offseason, seven players who spent time in Buffalo last season have quickly landed new NHL contracts. Here’s an update:

... Read the full article

Ilya Samsonov could be interesting goalie for Buffalo to pursue. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Through free agency or trade, Sabres must find another goalie

BUFFALO – The Sabres possess a stable of strong goaltending prospects.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, a Finn labeled as the Sabres’ goalie of the future, has looked impressive in his limited NHL action. While he has battled injuries and struggled at times in the minors, he’s still a terrific young talent.

The Sabres also boast Devon Levi, the NCAA’s top goalie last season at Northeastern, and drafted Topias Leinonen in the second round on Friday, ... Read the full article

Ex-Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller fends of Pittsburgh’s Brandon Sutter during the 2013-14 season. ©2022, Dan Hickling

Sabres to retire ex-goalie Ryan Miller’s No. 30 next season

Decorated ex-Sabres goalie Ryan Miller, the franchise’s all-time leader in wins and games played, will have his No. 30 retired and be inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame during the 2022-23 season, the team announced Friday.

Miller, 41, will become the seventh player and second goalie to have his number hang from the KeyBank Center rafters, joining Gilbert Perreault, Rick Martin, Rene Robert, Tim Horton, Danny Gare, Pat LaFontaine and Dominik Hasek, the ... Read the full article

Ex-Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller talks Wednesday at a news conference for the 2022 Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame inductees. ©2022, Sam Wilson

Ex-Sabres star Ryan Miller enjoying new life, still considers Buffalo ‘home’

BUFFALO – This place, ex-Sabres goalie Ryan Miller said, is part of “the family folklore.” Having been traded more than eight years ago, his son, Bodhi, had only heard about the city where his father became a hockey legend.

So when Miller, 41, was recently elected to the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame, he knew this visit would be extra special. He and his wife, actress Noureen DeWulf, could show their 7-year-old why Buffalo ... Read the full article

Mark Pysyk played 68 games this season in his return to Buffalo. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

After sitting out late, will popular Mark Pysyk return to Sabres?

BUFFALO – By the end of the season, after five months of regular duty, Sabres defenseman Mark Pysyk morphed into a spare part.

Down the stretch, the Sabres utilized a blue line comprised entirely of youngsters – Casey Fitzgerald, at just 25, was the oldest defenseman – so Pysyk, Will Butcher and Colin Miller rarely played.

The Sabres scratched Pysyk 13 times over a 22-game stretch, including eight straight contests, before he returned for last ... Read the full article

Craig Anderson played 31 games this season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Craig Anderson enjoyed ‘amazing’ year with Sabres, undecided on retirement

BUFFALO – If goalie Craig Anderson was in his mid-30s instead of two weeks away from turning 41, re-signing with the Sabres would be a no-brainer.

“If I was five years younger, that would be the ideal situation right now,” Anderson said Saturday of returning to the Sabres. “Yeah, the respect that I received as a player, the respect the players in the room get from management, from the coaching staff. You want to be ... Read the full article

Jeff Skinner has scored 33 goals this season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Jeff Skinner scores late in win, annoys Islanders: ‘Lucky to have him’

BUFFALO – Opponents detest Jeff Skinner, one of the NHL’s foremost pests. The Sabres winger has a knack for getting under their skin, whether it be by running his mouth, relentlessly hounding the puck or scoring goals.

“He’s one of my best friends and I’m pretty sure I would hate his guts on the other side,” Sabres winger Casey Mittelstadt said after Skinner agitated the New York Islanders and scored late in Saturday afternoon’s ... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin has been on a tear for Buffalo. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin, Tage Thompson leading huge offensive surge

BUFFALO – You have to go back 11 years to find the last time the Sabres showcased an offense this exciting and prolific.

The Sabres’ next goal will be their 222nd of the season, their highest total since they scored 240 times in 2010-11, the last year they made the playoffs. They also scored 221 goals in 2018-19.

Overall, the Sabres rank 22nd in goals scored this season entering Saturday afternoon’s home game against the ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson has enjoyed a breakout season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Tage Thompson faces Blues as one of NHL’s rising stars

BUFFALO – Sabres center Tage Thompson acknowledged that, yes, the Stanley Cup that Ryan O’Reilly won in 2019, his first season in St. Louis, is always in the back of his mind.

“But at the same time, it doesn’t change my objective,” Thompson said prior to Thursday’s 6-2 loss to the Blues, his former team, at KeyBank Center. “My objective is to come here and help our team win and help any way I can ... Read the full article

Mattias Samuelsson blocked a shot in Tuesday’s win. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Mattias Samuelsson injured, questionable for tonight’s game

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson, who briefly left Tuesday’s 5-2 win after blocking a shot, is questionable for tonight’s game against the St. Louis Blues with a lower-body injury, coach Don Granato said.

“Mattias is hour to hour, day to day,” Granato said this morning inside KeyBank Center. “He could potentially still (play). We can’t rule him out for tonight, but it’s day to day if he’s not in there tonight.”

Update: Samuelsson ... Read the full article