WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Free Agency Edition
Tage Thompson scored his 39th goal Tuesday. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
OTTAWA – The Buffalo Sabres’ recent victories – Tuesday’s 5-2 win over the Senators was their second straight and fifth in their last six games – come with a caveat. They fell out of playoff contention long ago, meaning the contests, at least standings-wise, are meaningless.
The pressure has been off the Sabres for weeks. Playing looser surely helps them.
Still, these wins illustrate coach Lindy Ruff’s message is sinking in. While it took months, ... Read the full article
Jack Quinn had two three-point performances over the weekend. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
OTTAWA – In the midst of a career-best stretch, fresh off consecutive three-point outings, Buffalo Sabres winger Jack Quinn’s disappointment is still evident.
Quinn, 23, entered Tuesday’s game against the Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre on a tear, having scored four goals and eight points in his last four outings.
But in what was expected to be a breakout season, he has struggled at both ends of the ice – he began Tuesday’s game ... Read the full article
Isak Rosen has scored 27 goals for Rochester this season. ©2025, Michleline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres rookie Isak Rosen understands the opportunities he has recently enjoyed are difficult to earn.
Rosen, the Rochester Americans’ leading scorer, has been recalled three times this month as the Sabres deal with a depleted forward corps.
They’re giving the Swede, the 14th overall pick in 2021, a chance to showcase the talent that has helped him score 27 goals and 54 points in 55 games this season.... Read the full article
Tage Thompson (left) celebrates his game-winning goal Tuesday with Zach Benson. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Lindy Ruff is admittedly a bit stubborn. The veteran coach believes he can fix anything, even his current team, which still sits in last place following Tuesday’s 3-2 win over the Ottawa Senators, his 600th victory with the Sabres.
After becoming the second coach in NHL history to reach the milestone with one team, Ruff compared taking over the Sabres this season in the midst of their NHL-record 13-year playoff drought to driving ... Read the full article
Brett Murray has played 24 games for Buffalo in his career. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Winger Brett Murray’s prospect status expired a year or two ago. At 26, six seasons into his pro career, he has established himself as one of the Rochester Americans’ top scorers and a respected young veteran.
Recalls to the NHL, however, have been infrequent. He played two games last season. Zero in 2022-23.
Monday’s 3-2 overtime win against the Boston Bruins marked his first appearance with the Sabres in 15 months and just ... Read the full article
Jiri Kulich has played left Saturday afternoon’s game injured. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Center Jiri Kulich, who left Saturday afternoon’s 4-3 shootout win after getting hit in the head, is in concussion protocol and did not accompany the Sabres to Boston, where they begin a four-game road trip tonight against the Bruins.
The rookie could eventually join the team.
“That could be tomorrow,” Ruff said following Sunday’s practice in KeyBank Center. “It’s a day-by-day (situation) to see where it’s at.”
Kulich left Saturday’s game after Vegas ... Read the full article
Buffalo captain Rasmus Dahlin celebrates his game-tying goal Saturday afternoon. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Tomas Hertl had the game-clinching goal on his stick, only open ice and an empty net ahead, when he decided to give former Sabres captain Jack Eichel another chance to tell the locals to buzz off.
Instead of shooting the puck from the right circle with 37 seconds left to give the Vegas Golden Knights a two-goal lead, the veteran backhanded it to Eichel in the slot.
Eichel, who had put Vegas up ... Read the full article
Josh Norris has played three games for Buffalo. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres center Josh Norris missed Friday’s practice with an undisclosed injury he has been battling, coach Lindy Ruff said.
Ruff did not have an update on Norris, who was acquired from the Ottawa Senators prior to last Friday’s trade deadline.
“He’s just being evaluated by our medical staff today,” Ruff said following the session in KeyBank Center.... Read the full article
Rasmus Dahlin is in his first season as Buffalo’s captain. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin processed the question and wanted a little clarification.
“Who?” Dahlin asked incredulously when he was told a member of the “Spittin’ Chiclets” podcast said he would ask general manager Kevyn Adams for a trade if the last-place Sabres don’t improve.
When informed it was Paul Bissonnette, the Swede asked again.
“Who wants to be moved?” he asked.... Read the full article
JJ Peterka has recorded a career-high 51 points this season. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu
As Friday’s trade deadline approached, rumors swirled teams were interested in acquiring winger JJ Peterka from the Buffalo Sabres.
Why wouldn’t they be? The 23-year-old is coming off a 28-goal campaign and has already set a new career high with 51 points in just 59 games this season.
Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams, however, has no plans to trade Peterka.... Read the full article