Poturalski - Buffalo Hockey Beat

After unlikely in-season comeback from injury, Andrew Poturalski hopes to earn chance with Kraken

After the Coachella Valley Firebirds advanced to the AHL Pacific Division finals, an excited, sweat-soaked Andrew Poturalski greeted his teammates as they entered the dressing room to begin celebrating their series-clinching victory.

The Firebirds, having fallen behind in a best-of-three play-in round and again in a best-of-five series, had just won their third do-or-die game of the Calder Cup Playoffs.

An injured Poturalski had anxiously watched it all, and after that 5-0 win over the ... Read the full article

Williamsville’s Andrew Poturalski hopes to stick with Kraken after elite season

At 28, having played just four NHL games, Andrew Poturalski understands some teams view him as a tweener – too good for the minors but not quite big league material.

As he begins his seventh pro season, Poturalski, who signed a two-year, one-way contract with the Seattle Kraken on July 13, has developed into one of the most talented and decorated players in the minors or Europe.

The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Williamsville native enjoyed one of ... Read the full article

Sabres prospects JJ Peterka, Jack Quinn earn honors from AHL

Buffalo Sabres forward prospects JJ Peterka and Jack Quinn have earned AHL All-Rookie Team honors for their dynamic seasons with the Rochester Americans, the league announced Wednesday.

Peterka, 20, leads all rookies with 64 points in 69 games and has also scored 25 goals, a total that is tied with Quinn for third among first-year players. Peterka’s 39 assists rank third among rookies.

The German, who turned 20 on Jan. 14, has registered the most ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Malcolm Subban nears return; Casey Mittelstadt progressing well

BUFFALO – Goalie Malcolm Subban, who has missed the last three contests with an undisclosed injury, accompanied the Sabres on their three-game road trip after practicing this morning.

Subban, 27, hadn’t gone through a full team session since jamming his right foot into the post late in his Sabres debut Dec. 4.

Coach Don Granato said the Sabres will start the trip with three goalies: Subban, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Aaron Dell.

“We have ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Jack Quinn recognized for dynamic month with Amerks

Buffalo Sabres prospect Jack Quinn has been recognized for his dynamic start with the Rochester Americans.

The AHL on Monday named Quinn, who recorded five goals and a whopping 10 points in his first six games this season, the Rookie of the Month for October.

Quinn, a winger the Sabres drafted eighth overall in 2020, has registered at least one goal or two points in four of the six contests. He surpassed last year’s point ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Craig Anderson’s hot start no surprise to Don Granato

Right away this season, Sabres coach Don Granato learned why goalie Craig Anderson has enjoyed such remarkable longevity.

“On Day One when I saw him in shape and as serious and intent as he was, that’s all I needed to see,” Granato said of the 40-year-old, who’s beginning his first season in Buffalo. “Nothing surprised me after that.”

Forget that Anderson is the NHL’s oldest goalie and third-oldest player, trailing only defenseman Zdeno Chara (44) ... Read the full article

Sabres lose Casey Mittelstadt, Henri Jokiharju to injuries: ‘Not short-term’

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ opening night 5-1 opening-night win proved to be costly. Top center Casey Mittelstadt and first-pair defenseman Henri Jokiharju will both be sidelined at least two weeks after suffering injuries, coach Don Granato said.

Mittelstadt suffered an upper-body injury when Brendan Gallagher hectored him after he intercepted a pass halfway through Thursday’s game. After going to the dressing room, Mittelstadt briefly returned to the bench before leaving the contest.

Granato said Jokiharju ... Read the full article

Williamsville’s Andrew Poturalski excited for fresh start with Hurricanes

Having established himself as one of the AHL’s premier forwards, Andrew Poturalski enjoyed some intriguing options as a free agent. European teams pursued the Williamsville native earlier in the summer, offering him hefty six-figure contracts.

Still, Poturalski refused to let money cloud his judgment. If he grabbed the fattest deal and bolted overseas to the Kontinental Hockey League, a circuit comprised mostly of Russian teams, he could effectively be ending his hopes of ever cracking ... Read the full article