Reinhart - Buffalo Hockey Beat

More change likely coming after Jarmo Kekalainen replaces Kevyn Adams as Sabres GM

What happens next? General manager Kevyn Adams, having been fired on Monday by owner Terry Pegula and replaced by Jarmo Kekalainen, is gone after a five-and-a-half-year run in which he failed to build the Buffalo Sabres into a playoff team.

Adams, a Clarence native Pegula and his wife, Kim, a co-owner, hired as GM despite having never worked in an NHL hockey department, came oh-so-close to delivering that elusive playoff berth in 2022-23, when the ... Read the full article

After winning second Stanley Cup with Panthers, Sabres legend Rick Dudley has no plans to retire

Rick Dudley knows the end of his long and remarkable life in hockey is looming.

The 76-year-old Lewiston resident, a senior advisor to Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito, is one of game’s oldest and most respected executives.

The Stanley Cup eluded Dudley, who has spent 56 years in hockey as a player, coach and executive, until last season. Now, the septuagenarian has won back-to-back championships as part of the Panthers’ brain trust.... Read the full article

Sabres trade JJ Peterka to Mammoth in exchange for two players

In trading winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth, the Buffalo Sabres created a big, possibly temporary, hole in their lineup.

Michael Kesserling, the top asset the Sabres received in exchange for Peterka, fills their need for a right-shot defenseman. Winger Josh Doan, the other player acquired early Thursday morning, will likely be utilized on the third or fourth line.

Suddenly, the Sabres need a top-six forward to replace Peterka, who scored 27 goals and ... Read the full article

Sabres GM Kevyn Adams won’t say if JJ Peterka requested trade

ORCHARD PARK – General manager Kevyn Adams believes he and coach Lindy Ruff each had productive exit meetings with winger JJ Peterka in April following the Buffalo Sabres’ disappointing 79-point season.

Adams said Peterka, 23, analyzed his game during “positive, productive and honest conversations” about himself and the team and said he must improve defensively and do more to help the Sabres.

“I think that’s a sign of maturity from him,” Adams said Tuesday at ... Read the full article

Offseason likely to feature trades about to kick into high gear for Sabres

In winger JJ Peterka and defenseman Bowen Byram, the Buffalo Sabres possess two budding stars under 25.

Peterka, 23, is coming off a career-high 68-point season and has recorded 28 and 27 goals, respectively, in each of the last two campaigns.

Meanwhile, in his first full season in Buffalo, Byram, 24, enjoyed a breakout year, scoring 38 points while averaging nearly 23 minutes of ice time per outing.

The youngsters, both of whom are due ... Read the full article

Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin named to Team Sweden’s Olympic roster

Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin will be representing Team Sweden at the Olympics in February.

The defenseman on Monday was named to a preliminary roster for the Milano Cortina Games.

Each of the 12 countries participating released their first six selections. Dahlin, 25, is the only Sabres player who earned an early spot.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin, UPL named to 4 Nations tournament rosters

Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin and goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will be representing their respective countries at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February.

The NHL and NHLPA on Wednesday announced Dahlin as one Team Sweden’s seven defensemen and Luukkonen as one of Team Finland’s three netminders.

Sabres center Tage Thompson (USA), winger Alex Tuch (USA) and defenseman Henri Jokiharju (Finland), all of whom were believed to be in the mix to represent their respective countries, did ... Read the full article

Sabres roar back against Panthers, fall apart late: ‘It was right there’

BUFFALO – On one hand, the Sabres erased an early 2-0 deficit Monday against the Florida Panthers and made things interesting. Despite losing 5-2, they matched the Stanley Cup champions’ skill and grit.

On the other hand, the Sabres, whose three-game winning streak was snapped, showed they haven’t reached the Panthers’ class. They broke down defensively all night, took ill-advised penalties and wilted late while allowing two third-period goals.

Coach Lindy Ruff doesn’t take much ... Read the full article

Sabres make big commitment to goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen with hefty five-year contract

Barely nine months ago, goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s future with the Buffalo Sabres seemed in doubt.

When goalie Devon Levi arrived from college late in 2022-23, the Finn became a spare part. After watching the final seven games that season, he backed up or was scratched for the first six contests of 2023-24.

So on one hand, yes, the five-year, $23.75 million contract Luukkonen signed on Wednesday is a bit surprising. The Sabres clearly wanted Levi, ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Jacob Bryson standing out following stint in Rochester

BUFFALO – When the Sabres sent defenseman Jacob Bryson to the minors for the first time in almost three years, he knew the assignment would be temporary.

Playing in the AHL could help Bryson, 26, find a groove after sitting out 29 of the first 32 games as a healthy scratch, and return to Buffalo ready to contribute.

“That was the plan,” he said prior to Thursday’s 4-0 loss to the Florida Panthers in KeyBank ... Read the full article