Florida’s Matthew Tkachuk and Buffalo’s Alex Tuch shove each other in Saturday afternoon’s game ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres, Panthers plant seeds of fierce rivalry in heated early-season game

BUFFALO – If you’re wondering, following Saturday afternoon’s entertaining 4-3 loss to Matthew Tkachuk and the Florida Panthers, the Sabres don’t play their budding Atlantic Division rival again until Jan. 16.

That three-month wait is too long for coach Don Granato, who loves the grit and tenacity the Sabres displayed while refusing to back down to the Panthers, one of the NHL’s heavyweights.

Saturday’s heated affair at KeyBank Center looked more like a late-season contest ... Read the full article

Rochester rookie Isak Rosen (left) celebrates his goal with Sean Malone on Friday. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres prospect Isak Rosen scores goal, enjoys impressive debut with Amerks

ROCHESTER – Americans winger Isak Rosen took off from the point, moving up as a penalty killer stumbled in his pursuit of defenseman Lawrence Pilut.

As Pilut fended off some hectoring, he fed the open Swede a soft pass in the right circle.

“Got it right into the wheelhouse,” Rosen said following Friday’s 4-2 win over the Toronto Marlies at Blue Cross Arena, his AHL debut.

The Sabres prospect unleashed a wicked one-timer, beating ... Read the full article

Craig Anderson is beginning his 20th NHL season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

At 41, Sabres’ Craig Anderson receives coveted opening night assignment

BUFFALO – In Craig Anderson, Sabres coach Don Granato sees a passionate veteran goalie who understands the end is nearing.

“Craig is a guy that’s very connected to his love of the game, and he sees, hey, my career’s coming to an end, I’m clear and definitively going to miss this, so I’m going to love what I’m going to miss,” Granato said after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s game against the Ottawa Senators ... Read the full article

Mattias Samuelsson has played just 54 NHL games. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres don’t see Mattias Samuelsson’s contract as risky: ‘He is the antidote’

BUFFALO – The sample size is small, just 54 games over parts of two NHL seasons. Still, it was enough to convince the Sabres that defenseman Mattias Samuelsson deserved a seven-year, $30 million contract extension.

The massive deal, announced Wednesday shortly after the Sabres extended coach Don Granato’s contract, certainly raised some eyebrows.

But the Sabres don’t feel it’s a risky move. In the 6-foot-4, 227-pound Samuelsson, a top-pair defender, they believe they possess a ... Read the full article

The Sabes are confident JJ Peterka (left) and Jack Quinn will keep developing in the NHL. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres excited to add JJ Peterka, Jack Quinn to roster: ‘They will acclimate’

BUFFALO – Sabres rookie JJ Peterka stood before the media in his sweat-soaked practice uniform, a smile etched on his face.

On Monday, general manager Kevyn Adams called Peterka, 20, and Jack Quinn, 21, and informed them they had earned a spot in the Sabres’ opening night lineup.

Two years ago, after drafting Quinn eighth overall, Adams moved up to take Peterka with the 34th pick after the German surprisingly fell out of ... Read the full article

JJ Peterka skates during Monday’s practice. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres make moves, set 23-man roster; JJ Peterka, Jack Quinn stay in Buffalo

BUFFALO – The Sabres on Monday finalized their 23-man regular-season roster, sending goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and defenseman Lawrence Pilut to the minors and placing forward Riley Sheahan on injured reserve with a muscle injury.

That means wingers JJ Peterka and Jack Quinn, both of whom enjoyed dynamic rookie seasons with the Rochester Americans last year, have made the big club.

While Peterka did not stand out during training camp, the Sabres are confident he ... Read the full article

Lawrence Pilut is one of several defensemen Buffalo signed during the summer. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Lawrence Pilut, Chase Priskie and other D help Sabres upgrade depth

BUFFALO – The Sabres have likely known for months which seven defensemen will comprise their opening night roster.

Jacob Bryson, Rasmus Dahlin, Henri Jokiharju, Casey Fitzgerald, Owen Power and Mattias Samuelsson entrenched themselves on the blue line last season. In signing Ilya Lyubushkin in free agency, the Sabres added a gritty veteran presence they lacked.

But what about the rest of the defense corps? Given the rugged nature of the position, defensemen are always at ... Read the full article

Jack Quinn played his first two games with Buffalo last season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

After monster season, Sabres prospect Jack Quinn about to crack NHL roster

BUFFALO – Early in Tuesday’s 4-2 victory, Sabres prospect Jack Quinn aggressively cut from the left wing into the slot, zipped by a defender and released a low, hard shot toward the far side from one knee.

While Quinn, 21, did not score – Carolina Hurricanes goalie Pyotr Kochetkov made a terrific pad save – the slick play illustrated the youngster’s burgeoning confidence.

“That’s just my game,” Quinn said following Wednesday’s session of training camp ... Read the full article

JJ Peterka has registered one assist in three preseason games. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres prospect JJ Peterka fighting to make NHL roster

BUFFALO – Coach Don Granato said it’s only natural that Sabres rookie JJ Peterka might be pressing as he battles to earn a roster spot out of training camp.

So far, Peterka, 20, has had an underwhelming preseason, registering just one assist in three outings.

“I would love to score a little bit more right now,” Peterka said this morning inside KeyBank Center. “But for me, it’s just trying to find my game and getting ... Read the full article

JJ Peterka could start the season in Buffalo. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

After weekend transactions, Sabres’ regular-season roster nearly set

BUFFALO – After reassigning 23 players over the weekend, the Sabres nearly have their regular-season roster set.

On Monday, 28 players – 15 forwards, 10 defensemen and three goalies – practiced inside KeyBank Center. The Sabres held one session for the first time in training camp.

They must finalize their 23-man roster by 5 p.m. next Monday.

The Sabres, who have two preseason games left, starting with tonight’s home contest against the Carolina Hurricanes, have ... Read the full article