Neuchev - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Devon Levi, Konsta Helenius among players Sabres assign to Rochester

BUFFALO – Goalie Devon Levi and forward Konsta Helenius were among 24 players the Sabres assigned to the Rochester Americans following Saturday afternoon’s 5-2 preseason win over the Detroit Red Wings.

Levi, 23, is expected to begin the year as Rochester’s No. 1 goalie after securing an NHL roster spot out of training camp in each of his first two seasons.

Meanwhile, Helenius, 19, recorded one goal and three points in four exhibition games. In ... Read the full article

Sabres preseason: Konsta Helenius has grit to complement skill, scores early

BUFFALO – With less than a minute remaining in Monday’s 4-0 road win in Columbus, Sabres prospect Konsta Helenius grabbed a pass at the blue line and skated down the right wing toward Blue Jackets goalie Jet Greaves.

A scoring opportunity in the waning seconds of the preseason opener hardly seems important, especially when you’re up 3-0.

Still, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff wanted Helenius, 19, to convert his prime chance.... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Riley Fiddler-Schultz used time as scratch wisely, earned NHL contract: ‘Amazing story’

BUFFALO – Over those difficult six weeks, as he sat out game after game as a healthy scratch, doubt would creep into Sabres prospect Riley Fiddler-Schultz’s head.

A year ago, fresh off a terrific rookie season with the Jacksonville Icemen, Fiddler-Schultz graduated to the Rochester Americans, then promptly morphed into spare part.

From opening night until Nov. 20, when he made his season debut, the Amerks scratched the speedy forward 14 straight games.... Read the full article

Time in Seattle helped Sabres’ Radim Mrtka develop into special prospect

BUFFALO – When the Seattle Thunderbirds selected Radim Mrtka 71st overall in the Canadian Hockey League Import Draft in 2024, they took a flier on a talented defenseman.

Coach Matt O’Dette said the Thunderbirds knew Mrtka planned to play pro hockey in his native Czechia last season. Still, if he did not receive the opportunity he wanted, there was a chance he could join the junior team.

Mrtka, the ninth overall pick by the Sabres... Read the full article

Rochester’s Noah Ostlund establishing himself as Sabres’ top prospect

ROCHESTER – In the midst of a torrid two-month stretch in which Buffalo Sabres prospect Noah Ostlund has developed into the Americans’ top center, one particular night stands out to coach Mike Leone.

“The biggest one for me is we go to Syracuse, which is arguably the hardest place to play in the league,” Leone told the Times Herald. “It’s a real heavy, hard game. They’re really physical.”

That game, a 4-3 overtime victory Feb. ... Read the full article

‘Window’s closing’ for Sabres prospect Aleksandr Kisakov in Rochester

ROCHESTER – In his third and likely final season here, Buffalo Sabres prospect Aleksandr Kisakov has become a spare part, playing just seven of the Americans’ first 45 games.

The Russian winger enjoyed semi-regular duty in his first two AHL campaigns, playing 48 and 32 games, respectively, before sitting out in the Calder Cup Playoffs.

But this year, Kisakov, 22, has often been a healthy scratch for weeks at a time, earning only occasional action.... Read the full article

Video: Sabres prospect Konsta Helenius scores first goal for Rochester

In Friday’s second period, Rochester Americans center Konsta Helenius grabbed a pass from linemate Viktor Neuchev in the slot, skated to the bottom of the right circle and beat goalie Artur Akhtyamov with an odd-angle shot.

The first goal and point of the Finn’s three-game AHL career was pretty nifty.... Read the full article

Sabres send 10 players to Rochester Amerks, waive six others

The Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday loaned 10 players, including center Konsta Helenius, their first-round pick earlier this year, to the Rochester Americans and placed six players on waivers for the purpose of assigning them to their AHL affiliate.

The Sabres also released nine players who are expected to join the Amerks from their training camp tryouts and returned goalie Scott Ratzlaff to the Seattle Thunderbirds, his junior team.... Read the full article

For Zach Metsa, other Sabres prospects, chance to play NHL games special

BUFFALO – The Sabres think highly enough of defenseman Zach Metsa they signed him to a two-year AHL contract in 2023 and immediately awarded him regular duty on a tryout during the Calder Cup Playoffs.

He followed that up by standing out on a deep blue line as a rookie last season in Rochester, registering 24 points in 54 games for the Americans.

So Metsa, 25, is beginning a critical season. While he possesses talent, ... Read the full article

Sabres preseason: Buffalo’s prospects get final chance to impress

Two wins and a third-period lead against an NHL lineup isn’t bad, right? The group of Sabres closing out the preseason in Buffalo as the regular team prepares for Friday’s season opener in Czechia has looked impressive.

Following two 3-2 road wins, a team mostly comprised of Rochester Americans led the Columbus Blue Jackets 2-1 on Saturday before falling 6-3.

Tonight against the Detroit Red Wings at KeyBank Center, that group B group closes out ... Read the full article