Ostlund - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres goalie Colten Ellis to make first start; Buffalo to make lineup change after roster move

BUFFALO – Sixteen days and six games since the Sabres claimed Colten Ellis on waivers, the goalie will be starting his first NHL game tonight against the Detroit Red Wings.

“There’s been a lot of emotions the last couple days since finding out,” Ellis said this morning in KeyBank Center. “Something I worked my whole life for, and just super grateful and happy for the opportunity.”

So far, Ellis, 25, has backed up veteran ... Read the full article

Sabres recall two players from Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres on Sunday recalled defenseman Zac Jones and center Noah Ostlund from the Rochester Americans.

In Saturday afternoon’s 3-0 win, defenseman Jacob Bryson entered concussion protocol after Florida Panthers winger Jonah Gadjovich hit him into the boards in the first period, knocking him out of the game.

The Sabres, who play a road game tonight against the Montreal Canadiens, did not practice Sunday. They had one extra forward, Josh Dunne, scratched against ... Read the full article

Sabres claim rookie goalie Colten Ellis off waivers from Blues, finalize roster

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ crease is getting crowded.

The team on Monday added its fourth goalie, claiming Colten Ellis, 25, off waivers from the St. Louis Blues.

Ellis, who has never played in the NHL, joins Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Alex Lyon and Alexandar Georgiev in Buffalo.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said on Monday that Luukkonen, who has been sidelined by a lower-body injury, won’t be ready for Thursday’s season opener against the New York Rangers.

When ... Read the full article

Radim Mrtka among four prospects Sabres send to Rochester

Defenseman Radim Mrtka on Saturday was among four prospects the Buffalo Sabres assigned to the Rochester Americans.

They also sent center Noah Ostlund and defensemen Vsevolod Komarov and Zachary Metsa to their AHL affiliate.

The Sabres, who open the season Thursday, must finalize their 23-man roster by Monday. They have 28 players left on their training camp roster.... Read the full article

Sabres preseason: Buffalo loses another player to injury, gets one back

BUFFALO – Another day, another injury for the Sabres.

Coach Lindy Ruff said this morning winger Zach Benson has “a little bit of an ailment that we’re keeping him off the ice for.” He said the injury is only a “short-term thing.”

Benson joins defensemen Mattias Samuelsson (upper body) and Owen Power (strain) and forwards Jordan Greenway (mid body) and Noah Ostlund (undisclosed) on the sideline.... Read the full article

Sabres lose Owen Power to injury; Jiri Kulich ready to play

BUFFALO – Make that three injured defensemen for the Sabres.

Coach Lindy Ruff said Owen Power missed Tuesday’s practice with a strain and is day to day. He joins defensemen Bowen Byram and Mattias Samuelsson on the sideline.

Ruff said Byram, who suffered an undisclosed injury in Saturday afternoon’s exhibition game, skated on his own Tuesday. Samuelsson is week to week with an upper-body injury.... Read the full article

Sabres preseason: Radim Mrtka set to debut, Alexandar Georgiev to start

BUFFALO – Bo, meet Radim. Radim, meet Bo. Now go out and play together.

In the opening days of training camp, the Sabres kept the players expected to comprise their NHL roster in one practice group. So defenseman Bowen Byram said he hadn’t met rookie Radim Mrtka until this morning.

Tonight, Byram will be tasked with skating alongside Mrtka, 18, in his NHL preseason debut on the road against the Columbus Blue Jackets.... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Noah Ostlund displays toughness, skill in loss

BUFFALO – Having arrived in North America late in the 2023-24 season, Sabres center prospect Noah Ostlund is still acclimating to a more physical brand of hockey.

On the larger ice surface in his native Sweden, there’s less contact and, of course, fewer fights.

“I’m not as used to it as you guys over here are because we don’t have that in Sweden,” Ostlund said following Saturday’s chippy 7-5 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets ... 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

Radim Mrtka, Noah Ostlund highlight first-rounders on Sabres’ Prospects Challenge roster

Four first-round picks, including defenseman Radim Mrtka, the ninth overall selection this year, and center Noah Ostlund, who finished last season in the NHL, highlight the 26-man Prospects Challenge roster the Buffalo Sabres released Tuesday.

Forwards Konsta Helenius and Isak Rosen, who has played 15 games for the Sabres over the last two seasons, are the other Buffalo first-rounders who will be participating in the rookie camp tournament that runs from Friday to Monday in ... Read the full article