Jiri Kulich began the season in Buffalo. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres recall Jiri Kulich from Rochester

The Buffalo Sabres have recalled rookie forward Jiri Kulich from the Rochester Americans prior to tonight’s road game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Coach Lindy Ruff told reporters in Philadelphia that Kulich will play tonight. The Sabres summoned Kulich because winger Jordan Greenway left Friday’s practice with an undisclosed injury.... Read the full article

(From left) Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Tage Thompson and Jordan Greenway are all dealing with injuries. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ UPL, Tage Thompson won’t play versus Flyers; Jordan Greenway injured

BUFFALO – In Tage Thompson’s absence against the St. Louis Blues, centers Ryan McLeod and Dylan Cozens picked up the slack for the Sabres’ leading scorer.

McLeod scored once and created linemate Alex Tuch’s late tying goal in Thursday’s 4-3 overtime win by deftly feeding him from behind the net.

Earlier in the third period, Cozens knocked down Oskar Sundqvist before racing to the net and converting a rebound. While officials overturned the goal because ... Read the full article

Nathan Gerbe played a big role in helping Buffalo secure its last playoff spot in 2011. ©2024, Dan Hickling

13 years ago today, the Buffalo Sabres clinched their last playoff spot

It feels like a lifetime ago. In reality, 13 years have passed since the Buffalo Sabres clinched their last playoff berth.

On April 8, 2011, the Sabres completed a stunning turnaround by defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 in overtime and securing a spot in the postseason.

Barely five months earlier, they had ranked dead last in the NHL.

Read about the Sabres’ wild win that night – they sat on the puck at the end ... Read the full article

Jack Quinn scored two goals Friday. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

UPL, Jack Quinn and rare timeout help Sabres beat Flyers, stay in playoff chase

BUFFALO – Three goals on the first 10 shots, a robust shooting percentage of 30, will cover up some problems. So will terrific goaltending.

The Sabres illustrated that Friday in defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2, a critical win that moved them to within four points of the second wild card spot.

While the Flyers opened up a huge shot advantage early, the Sabres made their limited chances count on goalie Ivan Fedotov, who made his ... Read the full article

Eric Comrie has played nine games for Buffalo this season. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

As career with Sabres likely nears end, Eric Comrie excited to work on game

BUFFALO – In what are likely the final days of his two-year career here, as he watches game after game as the backup or a healthy scratch, Sabres goalie Eric Comrie feels excitement.

At first, the affable Comrie, who hasn’t played since March 7, had a difficult time sitting out. For a while at least, he dressed for games behind starter Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. When the Sabres recalled rookie Devon Levi last month, he was relegated ... Read the full article

Alex Tuch celebrates his goal March 12. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Steady Alex Tuch giving Sabres offense, veteran leadership

BUFFALO – In experiencing the highs and lows of a disappointing season in which he and the Sabres have sometimes struggled, winger Alex Tuch has found what he called a “baseline” and learned to keep his emotions steady.

“Not letting (yourself) get too emotional here or shut down emotionally there during certain situations, because personally and with the team, there’s been a lot of ups and downs,” Tuch explained following Thursday’s practice in KeyBank Center. ... Read the full article

Casey Mittelstadt has developed into a coveted center. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Casey Mittelstadt’s status made trading for coveted Bowen Byram possible

BUFFALO – Kevyn Adams said he never shopped Casey Mittelstadt around the NHL. No, the Sabres general manager said, the center’s emergence made him a sought-after asset.

When other GMs called him to ask about Mittelstadt, his leading scorer, he made it clear he was willing to listen and think about possible scenarios.

Adams said he had been working for a couple of years to find a young, top-pair defenseman. Those type of defenders, of ... Read the full article

Erik Johnson skates Wednesday morning in Toronto. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres trade Erik Johnson to Flyers; Buffalo makes final deal

BUFFALO – The Sabres this afternoon traded veteran defenseman Erik Johnson to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2024.

The Sabres scratched Johnson, 35, the last five games to protect their asset before this afternoon’s deadline.

After signing a one-year, $3.25 million contract as a free agent, Johnson, who won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022, compiled three goals and three points in 50 games with the Sabres.... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin stopped wearing neck protection when he joined the NHL. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin wants to wear neck guard again

BUFFALO – Sweden mandates that hockey players wear neck guards, so Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin wore one growing up and during his short stint playing pro.

Dahlin, 23, grew accustomed to the protection – “I had no problem with it,” he said – and considered it part of his normal equipment.

“I got here (in 2018) and then I somehow stopped using them,” Dahlin said following Thursday’s practice in KeyBank Center. “But I think it’s ... Read the full article

Lukas Rousek began the season in Rochester. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres prospect Lukas Rousek to make season debut with Buffalo

BUFFALO – When the Sabres recently placed winger Zach Benson and goalie Eric Comrie on injured reserve, they recalled two young forward prospects.

Brandon Biro, 25, rewarded the Sabres by scoring his first two NHL goals in Wednesday’s 5-2 road win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Biro will be joined by another rookie, Lukas Rousek, 24, in tonight’s lineup against the Flyers.

“It’s an opportunity for us to see what we have in our organization and ... Read the full article