Nadeau - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres goalie Devon Levi looks sharp in preseason debut

BUFFALO – While the Sabres have three goalies battling for two spots, Devon Levi, having started seven critical late-season games last year, likely secured his place and the No. 1 job months ago.

In his first preseason start Tuesday, Levi, 21, only strengthened the belief he will be the opening night starter, stopping all 19 shots he faced in 40 minutes of action.

Goalie Devin Cooley, a free agent ticketed for the AHL, relieved Levi ... Read the full article

Sabres to give prospect Zach Benson look on top line

BUFFALO – Placing rookie Zach Benson on the top line with center Tage Thompson and Jeff Skinner for tonight’s preseason game isn’t a reward, coach Don Granato said.

“He’s a good hockey player,” Granato said after the Sabres prepared for the Boston Bruins in KeyBank Center. “He’s earned it in the sense that he might only be 18 years old, but he’s developed himself enough to be able to keep up with those two in ... Read the full article

Viktor Neuchev, Zach Benson and Isak Rosen score, illustrate Sabres’ depth

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Viktor Neuchev scored in front early, converting center Tyson Kozak’s nifty backhand pass from behind the net. Winger Zach Benson followed minutes later, releasing a wicked shot from the left circle.

After the New Jersey Devils scored in the second period, winger Isak Rosen zoomed to the net unfettered, recording his second goal in as many nights.

The early goals in Saturday’s 4-2 win at the Prospects Challenge in LECOM Harborcenter ... Read the full article

In Vaclav Prospal, Jiri Kulich has special mentor as he fights to make Sabres

BUFFALO – When Vaclav “Vinny” Prospal learned Sabres prospect Jiri Kulich trains in his hometown in Czechia during the summer, he headed to the local rink in Ceske Budejovice to introduce himself.

Prospal, one of the Rochester Americans’ new assistant coaches, ran into some of his former teammates, so he invited Kulich to his house for lunch to chat.

Having coached against Kulich and followed hockey closely, Prospal knew about the youngster’s lethal shot – ... Read the full article

After strong season, Sabres prospect Isak Rosen ready for recall to Buffalo

BUFFALO – Isak Rosen said he needed to experience a season like last year, his first in North America. The Sabres prospect showcased durability, playing a whopping 99 total games over a dizzying 10-month stretch.

A year earlier in his native Sweden, he suffered a season-ending hand injury, and he played just 39 times. Staying healthy in 2022-23 allowed him to display consistent development throughout a campaign in which he played in two World Junior ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Olivier Nadeau offers Amerks another intriguing rookie

ROCHESTER – Buffalo Sabres prospect Olivier Nadeau needed this new experience. Earlier this month, the end of his junior career angered him.

Nadeau, 20, enjoyed a terrific year with the Gatineau Olympiques, a team built to win a championship this season. After recovering from shoulder surgery, he scored 22 times in 34 games, including a four-goal outing Feb. 9. Gatineau, which acquired him in the offseason, named him captain just 18 games into his tenure.... Read the full article

Sabres assign prospect Matt Savoie to Rochester Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres on Sunday assigned center prospect Matt Savoie, the ninth overall pick in 2022, to the Rochester Americans.

Savoie, 19, can join the Amerks, Buffalo’s AHL affiliate, because his junior campaign with the Winnipeg Ice ended Friday in the Western Hockey League championship. Teenagers who play for Canadian Hockey League teams aren’t eligible to play for AHL clubs until their season is over.

The Amerks begin the best-of-seven Eastern Conference final series ... Read the full article

Sabres to pick 13th overall; Blackhawks win lottery, can draft Connor Bedard

The Buffalo Sabres stayed put in Monday’s NHL Draft Lottery, receiving the 13th overall pick.

The most interesting news, of course, was the Chicago Blackhawks, who had the third-highest odds at 11.5 percent, winning the lottery and the right to draft junior superstar Connor Bedard.

The Sabres, thanks to their 91-point finish this season – the fourth-highest total among non-playoff teams – weren’t eligible to win the first or second overall pick. A team can ... Read the full article

Lawrence Pilut, Sabres prospects help Amerks advance in Calder Cup Playoffs

SYRACUSE – Seth Appert walked into the dressing room after the Rochester Americans imploded and blew a three-goal lead to the Crunch and told his team take a breath, calm down, and that they would win.

Usually, the coach waits to address his players. But on Saturday, with a do-or-die overtime to decide the AHL North Division semifinal ahead, he wanted to reinforce his belief in them. Later in the intermission, he reminded them their ... Read the full article

Following injury, trade, Sabres prospect Olivier Nadeau enjoying stellar season

Olivier Nadeau’s goals might not dazzle you. The Buffalo Sabres prospect has morphed into a lethal net-front presence, utilizing his 6-foot-2, 201-pound frame to become a standout junior talent.

Nadeau, 20, scores a lot of the so-called “dirty goals.”

“My goals are not like highlight goals but they’re pretty decent,” Nadeau told the Times Herald shortly after scoring a career-high four goals for the Gatineau Olympiques on Feb. 9.... Read the full article