WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
2026-27 Season Edition
Judd Peterson had a goal and an assist in Saturday’s scrimmage. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Technically, Judd Peterson still belonged to the Sabres, but the NHL club wasn’t too interested in evaluating the St. Cloud State University forward.
Just a year ago, Peterson appeared to have no future with the organization that had drafted him out of high school in the seventh round, 204th overall, in 2012.
After participating in two development camps run by the team’s old regime, Peterson, 22, wasn’t invited back in 2014 or ... Read the full article
Alexander Nylander hasn’t worn a Sabres jersey on the ice yet. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Watching a top prospect skate in a Sabres jersey for the first time, even in a development camp setting, is a special experience for fans always eager to welcome new talent.
For the next six days, starting with today’s session inside HarborCenter, the Sabres’ rabid fan base will receive its first glimpses of Swedish winger Alexander Nylander, the eighth overall pick June 24 at the First Niagara Center, sporting blue and gold ... Read the full article
Kyle Okposo knew he had to change his approach to hockey. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Three years ago, after his production plummeted to four goals and 24 points in the lockout-shortened 48-game season, Kyle Okposo started fretting.
Okposo knew he had accomplished some good things in his four seasons with the New York Islanders. Still, after following up a 24-goal campaign with an awful season, he learned he lacked consistency.
So he seriously examined his career.
“I just felt that I was kind of being pushed into a ... Read the full article
Anders Nilsson played for two teams last season. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – After a goalie reneged on a verbal agreement with the Sabres on Friday, general manager Tim Murray said he was open to anything – a trade, landing another free agent or even using prospect Linus Ullmark – to fill the backup role.
With most of the established goalies in the Sabres’ price range already signed, Murray went the trade route today, sending a 2017 fifth-round draft pick to the St. Louis Blues for ... Read the full article
Hours before his latest alleged incident, Evander Kane particpated in a youth clinic at HarborCenter. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Even if Evander Kane is cleared of the harassment complaints recently filed against him, Sabres general manager Tim Murray believes the winger needs to change his behavior.
Kane, 24, has been involved in two off-ice legal incidents since December.
Two women filed a complaint against Kane following an alleged altercation at a Buffalo bar June 24, the same day the Sabres hosted the NHL Draft.
“Certainly we don’t like this is twice now ... Read the full article
Kyle Okposo was sold on Buffalo early. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The conversation lasted maybe 15 minutes. General manager Tim Murray wanted to gauge Kyle Okposo’s interest, and the free agent wanted to hear what the Sabres could offer him.
When Murray began telling him how underrated the city is, Okposo stopped him and said he knows all about Buffalo and likes it. The nine-year veteran wanted to learn more about the organization.
So after Murray talked about the Sabres and the bright future ... Read the full article
Kyle Okposo will sign a lucrative contract. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The pickings are so slim in NHL free agency this year, perhaps the most coveted player available, Kyle Okposo, has never cracked the 30-goal or 70-point marks.
Okposo, of course, is a talented winger. The Minnesota native is coming off a 22-goal, 64-point season with the New York Islanders. He has 139 goals and 369 points in 529 NHL games over nine years, including three 20-goal seasons and two 60-point campaigns.
Yes, Okposo ... Read the full article
Dmitri Kulikov thought he would stay in Florida. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – When the Sabres examined defenseman Dmitry Kulikov as a potential trade target, the team’s decision-makers studied video of the Florida Panthers’ first-round playoff series.
While the Panthers lost to the lower-seeded New York Islanders in six games, Kulikov’s performance wowed them. In critical tilts, the Russian thrived playing a No. 1 shutdown role against the Isles’ top talent.
Those outings helped convince the Sabres they needed to pursue the Russian, who believes he ... Read the full article
Dmitri Kulikov is excited by his new opportunity. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – When the Florida Panthers acquired Keith Yandle’s rights last week, Dmitry Kulikov was initially excited the team had an offensive defenseman in its arsenal.
But three days later, the Panthers signed Yandle to a seven-year, $44.45 million contract. With the NHL Draft just a day away, Kulikov, 25, said he was starting to have doubts he would stay in Florida.
“I was comfortable in Florida,” Kulikov, who was traded to the Sabres on ... Read the full article
Mark Pysyk figured he was in the Sabres’ plans. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Fresh off his first full NHL season, Mark Pysyk figured he was in the Sabres’ long-term plans. With the defenseman skating regular minutes in 55 games, the team improved 27 points, moving from last overall to 23rd.
“I wasn’t really banking on anything happening,” Pysyk told the Times Herald by phone Sunday.
Then Saturday morning, as Pysyk slept, his phone began lighting up with calls and texts. Eventually, his fiancé informed ... Read the full article