Quinn - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Contract talks intensifying for Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power

BUFFALO – In the week leading up to training camp, contract talks for Sabres defensemen Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power became “more intense, more frequent,” general manager Kevyn Adams said.

Still, nothing was completed before camp opened Thursday.

“I was on the phone with both of their agents for a long time late last night,” Adams said prior to Thursday’s opening session in KeyBank Center. “… No update on where we’re at. I don’t think ... Read the full article

Sabres begin training camp with Devon Levi, prospects and Victor Olofsson in spotlight

BUFFALO – The deepest and most talented Sabres team since the rollicking post-lockout days of the mid-2000s will hit the ice today shouldering the expectation it can end the franchise’s embarrassing 12-year playoff drought.

Coming off a season in which they fell one win short of the postseason, the Sabres begin training camp with three sessions at KeyBank Center.

They have a whopping 64 players on their camp roster: seven goalies, 21 defensemen and 36 ... Read the full article

In Vaclav Prospal, Jiri Kulich has special mentor as he fights to make Sabres

BUFFALO – When Vaclav “Vinny” Prospal learned Sabres prospect Jiri Kulich trains in his hometown in Czechia during the summer, he headed to the local rink in Ceske Budejovice to introduce himself.

Prospal, one of the Rochester Americans’ new assistant coaches, ran into some of his former teammates, so he invited Kulich to his house for lunch to chat.

Having coached against Kulich and followed hockey closely, Prospal knew about the youngster’s lethal shot – ... Read the full article

Some former Sabres quickly found new contracts this offseason

The Buffalo Sabres have enjoyed remarkable roster stability this offseason. Right now, every regular from last year’s team is still with them.

If the Sabres keep winger Victor Olofsson – Jack Quinn’s Achilles injury makes a trade seem less likely – every healthy player who played at least 50 games in 2022-23 could be on their opening night roster Oct. 12.

Still, some players have left. So far this summer, three who spent time in ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Don Granato believes Erik Johnson will help Rasmus Dahlin, other defensemen

BUFFALO – If Sabres coach Don Granato puts Erik Johnson on the top defense pairing, he believes the veteran can help Rasmus Dahlin reset from the mental pressure he often puts on himself.

Granato said Johnson, having been a first overall pick like Dahlin, has “walked that walk.”

Of course, Granato thinks Johnson, 35, would have a similar effect on Owen Power, the No. 1 selection in 2021. And if Johnson skates with Mattias ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Amerks close to hiring assistant coaches; Buffalo open to adding another forward

BUFFALO – Instead of getting into a deep discussion of Xs and Os with job candidates or having them diagram plays, Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert prefers to conduct more personal interviews.

“I’m a people-oriented, relationship-oriented person,” the loquacious Appert said Sunday following the first session of Sabres development camp at LECOM Harborcenter.

Appert, whose two assistant coaches, Michael Peca and Mike Weber, both recently left for NHL jobs, said he wants to talk to ... Read the full article

Sabres don’t extend qualifying offers to Tyson Jost, two others

Following the end of his first season in Buffalo, center Tyson Jost talked about what a special group he had joined and how badly he wanted to return to the Sabres.

On Friday, the Sabres did not give Jost, 25, a qualifying offer, meaning he can become an unrestricted free agent when the market opens Saturday.

General manager Kevyn Adams, however, has said he wants Jost to return. By not extending him an offer as ... Read the full article

Sabres confident Jack Quinn will return stronger following Achilles surgery

NASHVILLE – Following a 14-goal rookie season, Buffalo Sabres winger Jack Quinn was expected to become a significant contributor in the upcoming campaign.

But the start of his sophomore season will be delayed months after he tore his Achilles tendon while training earlier this week. He underwent successful surgery Wednesday.

Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams wouldn’t speculate on a timeline for Quinn’s return, only saying it was “significant” and he will make a full recovery. ... Read the full article

Report: Michael Peca leaves Rochester Amerks for job with Rangers

The Rochester Americans must find two new assistant coaches.

Michael Peca, who has been instrumental in developing JJ Peterka, Jack Quinn and some of the Buffalo Sabres’ other forward prospects, has taken a job on coach Peter Laviolette’s staff with the New York Rangers, according to Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek.

Peca, a popular former Sabres captain and center, has strong ties to Laviolette, who was named the Rangers’ new coach last week.

... Read the full article

Sabres wingers JJ Peterka, Alex Tuch starring at World Championship

In the second period of Team Germany’s 5-0 victory Tuesday, JJ Peterka roared through the neutral zone before splitting two Team France defenders and slickly scoring his fourth goal of the World Championship.

Peterka, who recently completed his rookie season with the Buffalo Sabres, has enjoyed a stellar tournament, recording a team-high nine points and a plus-eight rating in seven games. Right now, the winger’s tied for third in tournament scoring.

The Sabres, of course, ... Read the full article