WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
October Edition
Brett Murray played one NHL game earlier this season. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
The Buffalo Sabres this afternoon recalled winger Brett Murray, who played one NHL game earlier this season, from the Rochester Americans.
Sabres center Dylan Cozens left this morning’s practice early, although coach Don Granato said he expects him play in Tuesday’s road game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Sabres did not have an extra forward on the roster before summoning Murray.... Read the full article
Victor Olofsson has scored three goals in the last three games. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
Buffalo Sabres winger Victor Olofsson’s second-period goal Sunday afternoon felt like a back-breaker against the Los Angeles Kings.
Barely four minutes after winger Rasmus Asplund’s short-handed score, Olofsson capitalized on Jacob Bryson’s blocked shot, beating goalie Jonathan Quick from the slot after the defenseman poked the puck to him.
At the 7:39 mark, the Sabres led 2-0. The Kings, having won the previous afternoon, should’ve had less energy than the Sabres.
But Olofsson’s third goal ... Read the full article
Brett Murray played for Rochester on Friday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres this afternoon recalled winger Brett Murray from the Rochester Americans.
Having lost centers Cody Eakin and Casey Mittelstadt to injuries, the Sabres did not have an extra forward on the roster before summoning Murray.
The Sabres play a road game tonight against the New Jersey Devils.
The 6-foot-5, 228-pound Murray, 23, played his first two NHL games late last season. He earned a long look from the Sabres during training camp and ... Read the full article
Jack Quinn played three preseason games for Buffalo. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The Sabres trimmed their training camp roster again this afternoon, sending wing prospects Jack Quinn and Brett Murray to the Rochester Americans.
The Sabres now have 27 players – 16 forwards, nine defensemen and two goalies – left in camp.
Quinn, the eighth overall pick last season, played three preseason games, compiling one assist and two shootout goals. Following two shaky outings, Quinn enjoyed a strong night in Tuesday’s 5-4 road shootout loss ... Read the full article
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen played two preseason games. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – On the surface, goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s preseason looks disappointing. Instead of forcing the Sabres to keep him, they demoted the Finn to the minors 10 days before opening night.
Luukkonen, 22, compiled a 0-2-0 record in two starts, allowing five goals in each game.
Still, coach Don Granato said Luukkonen, one of seven players the Sabres sent to the Rochester Americans on Tuesday, enjoyed “a great camp.”
“In a progressive way,” Granato ... Read the full article
Dustin Tokarski played 13 games for Buffalo last season. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Very quietly, Sabres goalie Dustin Tokarski has enjoyed a stellar training camp, allowing just one goal in nearly 53 minutes of preseason action.
Tokarski, 32, has outplayed newcomer Aaron Dell in the competition for the backup job behind Craig Anderson.
Tokarski will start tonight’s road exhibition game against the Pittsburgh Penguins before Dell relieves him. Another strong outing by Tokarski could cement a roster spot.
Earlier today, the Sabres sent top goalie ... Read the full article
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is considered Buffalo’s goalie of the future. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Top goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was among six players the Sabres sent to the Rochester Americans this morning.
The Sabres also assigned forwards Matej Pekar, Ryan MacInnis, Sean Malone and Linus Weissbach and defenseman Oskari Laaksonen to their AHL affiliate.
The Amerks open training camp today. The Sabres, meanwhile, play a road preseason game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.... Read the full article
Mark Pysyk spent his first four NHL seasons in Buffalo. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sometimes, Mark Pysyk said, it seems like he only left the Sabres a week ago. Other times, however, he acknowledged it feels like it has been a long time.
The Sabres, who signed a one-year, $900,000 contract to return, left in 2016. Only one teammate from the affable defenseman’s first run here, center Zemgus Girgensons, is still with the team.
“I see him walking around, the way he plays, his body takes a ... Read the full article
Brett Murray played his first two NHL games last season. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – Brett Murray’s transformation into one of the Sabres’ best forward prospects spans three regimes over more than five years.
Ex-Sabres general manager Tim Murray (no relation) drafted him way back in 2016. He did not receive an entry-level NHL contract right away – the Sabres had concerns about his conditioning – so he began his pro career in 2019 by settling for an AHL deal.
But over the past two years, the 6-foot-5, ... Read the full article
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen played his first four NHL games last season. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen displayed it often last season, especially toward the end. The Sabres goalie prospect would become locked in and perform so well he developed some swagger.
Luukkonen, 22, wasn’t boisterous, mind you. The Finn simply possessed what Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert called an “incredible presence.”
“It’s just like something you feel during the games,” Luukkonen said of his swagger. “But I think it’s more you build up that confidence. And once ... Read the full article