Norris - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Jack Quinn, the Sabres’ power play and other things to watch this season

BUFFALO – Friendly reminder, gang, while Seth Appert is the assistant coach in charge of the Sabres’ power play, it’s Lindy Ruff’s show. He’s the head coach.

Oh, and goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen posted a .909 save percentage last season. Yes, the Finn struggled at times in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. But he still enjoyed a strong campaign.

Why do these things bear repeating just one game into the season? Well, the Sabres lost Thursday’s opener ... Read the full article

Mattias Samuelsson might be ready for opener; Sabres make roster move

BUFFALO – Injured Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson could play in Thursday’s season opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Samuelsson, who suffered a lower-body injury blocking a shot in the second preseason game, skated on his own Tuesday and could practice with the Sabres on Wednesday, coach Lindy Ruff said.

If the Sabres’ top shutdown defender can’t play in Columbus, Ruff expects him to return in the near future.... Read the full article

Sabres lose Mattias Samuelsson, Olen Zellweger to injuries in preseason win

BUFFALO – Uh-oh. Tuesday’s 5-1 preseason win over the Columbus Blue Jackets’ junior varsity squad proved to be costly, as defensemen Mattias Samuelsson and Olen Zellweger both left the game with injuries.

Samuelsson, 26, blocked Luca Pinelli’s shot 4:36 into the second period before leaving the game around the halfway mark.

Coach Lindy Ruff said Samuelsson, the Sabres’ top shutdown defender, will be further evaluated today.... Read the full article

Sabres preseason: Buffalo to dress full NHL lineup versus Columbus; Jiri Kulich to keep playing

BUFFALO – With the exception of one goalie, the lineup the Sabres will dress for tonight’s preseason game against the Blue Jackets is likely the one they field for their season opener Oct. 1 in Columbus.

With only four preseason games and veterans who have played 100 NHL games now limited to just two appearances, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff figured he would put his main group together tonight against the Blue Jackets’ B team.

Among ... Read the full article

Sabres make depth signings, trade after free agency opens; Jarmo Kekalainen open to making more moves

BUFFALO – After free agency opened Wednesday, the Sabres stayed pretty quiet, signing four depth players likely ticketed for the minors and trading goalie Devon Levi.

While more notable moves could materialize – “We’re still open for business,” general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said in LECOM Harborcenter – the roster might be pretty much set.

“By no means we’re desperate to add anything right now,” Kekalainen said. “It needs to be a perfect fit both from ... Read the full article

Sabres sign Buffalo’s Dennis Gilbert in free agency

BUFFALO – The Sabres this afternoon brought back a familiar face in free agency, signing defenseman Dennis Gilbert to a one-year, one-way contract worth $850,000.

Right now, the Buffalo native likely ranks eighth on the Sabres’ depth chart.

Gilbert, 29, spent most of 2024-25 with the Sabres after signing as a free agent, registering five assists and 50 penalty minutes in 25 games.... Read the full article

After breakout stretch, Sabres’ Zach Benson signs long-term contract

Buffalo Sabres winger Zach Benson has parlayed a breakout stretch in the Stanley Cup Playoffs into a seven-year, $52.5 million contract.

Benson, 21, inked the deal Wednesday, a week before he could’ve become a restricted free agent.

His $7.5 million salary cap hit ranks fourth on the Sabres, trailing only captain Rasmus Dahlin ($11 million), defenseman Owen Power ($8.35 million) and center Josh Norris ($7.95 million).... Read the full article

Sabres’ depth offers options to change lineup; Tage Thompson back at wing

BUFFALO – The Sabres find strength in numbers, as in they boast some of the NHL’s best depth, giving them intriguing choices to construct their lineup and tailor it to their opponent.

To wit: in Saturday’s come-from-behind 8-3 win in Montreal, rookie defenseman Zach Metsa made his debut, becoming the 27th player to skate for the Sabres in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

After sitting out the first 11 games as a healthy scratch, Metsa also ... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin, Sabres rally from early deficit to stun Canadiens, force Game 7: ‘Our captain steps up’

MONTREAL – In the moment, the score meant nothing to the Buffalo Sabres. That they faced an early two-goal deficit after captain Rasmus Dahlin scored 32 seconds into the do-or-die contest, well, so be it.

If they maintained their focus on Saturday against the Canadiens, they told themselves, and kept doing the right things in the hostile Bell Centre, they would be rewarded.

“We actually liked our game to start,” winger Jason Zucker said after ... Read the full article

Sabres change lineup, mix up lines for Game 6 against Canadiens

MONTREAL – The Buffalo Sabres made one lineup change for tonight’s do-or-die contest against the Canadiens, inserting rookie defenseman Zach Metsa and scratching veteran Luke Schenn for Game 6 of the second-round series.

Metsa, 27, made his debut in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He sat out the first 11 games as a healthy scratch.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff has lauded Metsa’s decision-making ability and how he breaks the puck out.... Read the full article