Quinn - Buffalo Hockey Beat

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

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

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

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

Sabres goalie Eric Comrie set to make debut with slew of prospects

BUFFALO – After watching the first two preseason games, Sabres goalie Eric Comrie will likely be making his debut in tonight’s road contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Sabres, of course, expect Comrie, 27, to play a significant number of games this season or earn the starting job. He signed a two-year, $3.6 million contract during the offseason.

The rest of tonight’s game roster features mostly prospects and players ticketed for the Rochester Americans.... Read the full article

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’ 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