Ostlund - Buffalo Hockey Beat

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

As free agency begins, trades look like best way for Sabres to improve

BUFFALO – Free agency, with its limited crop of talent and exorbitant asking prices, likely won’t help the Sabres much as general manager Jarmo Kekalainen works to improve a roster that has recently lost two of its best players.

The offseason kicks into high gear again today when the market opens at noon.

What could Kekalainen, who’s in his first summer as GM, do to keep the Sabres atop the ultra-competitive Atlantic Division?... Read the full article

Select or trade? No. 4 pick in NHL Draft gives Sabres interesting options

ORCHARD PARK – Luckily for the Sabres, the NHL, which decentralized its draft last year much to the chagrin of, well, pretty much everyone in the hockey world except for some general managers, still has its top prospects gather in a city.

This week, the festivities are being held in Buffalo, so instead of scrambling after acquiring the fourth overall pick in Tuesday’s blockbuster trade with the Chicago Blackhawks, GM Jarmo Kekalainen and his staff ... Read the full article

Sabres send Alex Tuch to Capitals in sign-and-trade deal

ORCHARD PARK – Barely nine months ago, as he began the final season of his contract, Alex Tuch said he would love to make Buffalo his long-term home. On Wednesday, with no chance to keep him, the Sabres traded the winger to Washington Capitals.

What changed since the start of training camp?

“I think that’s a question for him,” general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said hours before the Sabres dealt Tuch. “We wanted to sign him.”... Read the full article

Sabres won’t re-sign Alex Tuch, will try to trade his rights: ‘He’s moving on’

ORCHARD PARK – Winger Alex Tuch’s career with the Buffalo Sabres is over.

General manager Jarmo Kekalainen said this afternoon he’s looking to trade Tuch’s rights because he won’t be re-signing with the Sabres. Tuch, 30, can become an unrestricted free agent next Wednesday.

Update: The Sabres have officially traded Tuch to the Washington Capitals in exchange for a third-round pick and forward David Kampf.

Update: Tuch will sign an eight-year extension worth $10.5 million ... Read the full article

Sabres lose Rochester Amerks assistant coach to Blues

Vinny Prospal, who spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach with the Rochester Americans, has joined Jim Montgomery’s staff as an assistant with the St. Louis Blues, the NHL team announced Monday.

In his tenure with the Buffalo Sabres’ AHL affiliate, Prospal, 51, played a prominent role in the development of some of their top young forwards, including Konsta Helenius, Jiri Kulich and Noah Ostlund.

This marks the first NHL coaching job ... Read the full article

End-of-season injury updates on Owen Power, Tage Thompson, Sam Carrick, Justin Danforth and other Sabres

BUFFALO – When Owen Power crashed feet first into the boards last Thursday, it appeared the Sabres might lose the stud defenseman for the rest of their second-round series against the Montreal Canadiens.

Power briefly left Game 5 before returning to the bench and testing the injury during breaks. Late in the contest, he played two shifts.

He kept gutting out the injury in the Sabres’ final two games of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. In Monday’s ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Sam Carrick expected to play in second round versus Canadiens; Konsta Helenius joins practice

BUFFALO – Expect to see center Sam Carrick, who has missed the last 13 games with a left arm injury, play during the Sabres’ second-round series against the Montreal Canadiens.

Carrick on Tuesday practiced for the first time since getting injured in a fight March 31.

“He’s out there right now getting some contact,” Ruff said following Tuesday’s practice. “His fitness levels are good, everything. His return to play, he’s worked really hard ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Sam Carrick could return from arm injury in second round; Rasmus Dahlin finalist for Masterton

BUFFALO – Wait a second, center Sam Carrick might be available to Sabres in their second-round series against the Montreal Canadiens after all.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said today that Carrick, who has missed the last 13 games after injuring his left arm in a fight March 31, plans to see team doctors today. If everything goes well, he could join his teammates for Tuesday’s practice.

“Which is great news,” Ruff said in KeyBank Center. ... Read the full article

Sam Carrick, Noah Ostlund ruled out for Sabres’ second-round series

BUFFALO – Injured centers Sam Carrick and Noah Ostlund will be sidelined for the Sabres’ second-round series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, coach Lindy Ruff said this afternoon.

Carrick, a key contributor following his arrival before the trade deadline, hasn’t played since injuring his left arm in a fight March 31. He has missed the last 13 games.

He quickly acclimated to his new team, scoring five goals and six points in 13 games while ... Read the full article