Peterka - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres begin training camp with high expectations, full roster and stability

BUFFALO – What makes this training camp so unique for the Sabres, besides the fact they’re, you know, relevant again, is the lack of roster competition.

Right now, with the Sabres set to hold their first on-ice sessions today at KeyBank Center, their lineup looks set.

Sure, some guys will be moved around. There will inevitably be injuries. And they could feel compelled to keep one of their talented youngsters if he wows them.

... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Isak Rosen showcases rapid development: ‘Ready to attack’

BUFFALO – Two months later, Isak Rosen has returned to the Sabres a more aggressive, assured and explosive prospect.

“He looks faster. He looks harder on the puck,” Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert said of Rosen’s rapid improvement since development camp ended in mid-July. “And his first step looks like it’s got either more pop or more assertiveness. So some of it’s physical.”

Rosen said prior to recording an assist in Thursday’s Prospects Challenge opener ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Prospects Challenge roster includes three first-round picks

Three first-round picks – centers Matthew Savoie and Jiri Kulich and winger Isak Rosen – are among the 27 youngsters listed on the Buffalo Sabres’ roster for the upcoming Prospects Challenge rookie tournament.

The roster, released Monday, also includes Russian winger Aleksandr Kisakov, a second-round pick in 2020, and winger Flip Cederqvist, a fifth-round selection in 2019 coming off a 14-goal season in the Swedish Hockey League.

The Sabres open the tournament Thursday against the ... Read the full article

Sabres to host Prospects Challenge rookie tournament Sept. 15 to 19

The Buffalo Sabres will be hosting five teams at the Prospects Challenge rookie tournament from Sept. 15 to 19 at LECOM Harborcenter, the team announced Thursday.

This year, the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators will be joining the Sabres, Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins in the round-robin tournament.

Tickets for the games cost $10 and will be available in early August. Season-ticket holders can have their processing fees waived for any ticket ... Read the full article

Prospect Arttu Ruotsalainen leaves Sabres to play in Switzerland

When prospect Arttu Ruotsalainen examined the Sabres’ depth chart, he apparently saw limited opportunities in Buffalo.

Wingers JJ Peterka and Jack Quinn are expected to graduate to Buffalo this season, meaning there’s likely no room for the Finn in the forward corps.

So on Friday, Ruotsalainen, 24, signed a contract to play the upcoming season for EHC Kloten in the Swiss National League.

The Sabres retained Ruotsalainen’s rights last week by tendering him a qualifying ... Read the full article

Talented Sabres prospects JJ Peterka, Jack Quinn ready for duty in Buffalo

BUFFALO – Michael Peca sees Sabres prospect JJ Peterka as such a rare and special talent he refers to the German winger a “unicorn.” Seriously.

Peca, an assistant coach with the Rochester Americans, can’t think of a former teammate or opponent or find anyone in today’s game who resembles the type of player Peterka, 20, can become someday.

“He has no idea how good he can be yet, which is scary,” said Peca, a popular ... Read the full article

Matteo Costantini emerging as one of Sabres’ strongest forward prospects

BUFFALO – Sabres prospect Matteo Costantini sees familiarity all around him at development camp.

Costantini starred for three years in the Jr. Sabres organization, which calls LECOM Harborcenter, the site of this week’s camp, its home. The native of nearby St. Catharines, Ontario, spends the summer training at the facility or across the street at KeyBank Center.

If he looks in the stands, he’ll see Buffalo general manager Kevyn Adams, who used to run the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ development camp roster loaded with top prospects

Eight first-round picks, including all three the Buffalo Sabres selected last week – centers Matthew Savoie, Noah Ostlund and Jiri Kulich – are on the 43-man development camp roster the team released Monday.

The most anticipated camp in a long time – the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Sabres to cancel it the last two years – begins Wednesday at LECOM Harborcenter.

The roster is loaded with top prospects. Forwards Peyton Krebs, Jack Quinn, Isak Rosen ... Read the full article

Sabres release 2022 preseason schedule

BUFFALO – The Sabres will play six preseason games, including three at KeyBank Center, prior to the 2022-23 regular season, the team announced Thursday.

For the second straight season, the Sabres will play every game in an NHL arena. Broadcast and ticket information will be announced at a later date.

For the second straight year, the Sabres don’t play the Toronto Maple Leafs. The rivals usually play a home-and-home series.

The schedule:

Sept. 25: Buffalo ... Read the full article

After breakout season, Sabres award Sean Malone new contract

The Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday rewarded Sean Malone for his breakout year with the Rochester Americans, re-signing the center to a one-year, $750,000 contract.

Malone, 27, seized an opportunity to play an offensive role, setting new career highs last season by registering 20 goals, eight power-play tallies and 37 points in just 39 games for the Sabres’ AHL affiliate. He added two goals and seven points during the Amerks’ 10-game playoff run.

Early in ... Read the full article