Florida’s Jesper Boqvist scores on Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen on Monday. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

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

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen gets ready for a game March 6 in Toronto. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

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

Jacob Bryson sat out as a healthy scratch earlier this season. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

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

Devon Levi signed his entry-level contract March 17. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Years before NHL debut, Sabres goalie Devon Levi earned big win in Buffalo

BUFFALO – Long before goalie Devon Levi joined the Sabres, he earned what he called one of the biggest wins of his life here.

“Even though I was a little kid,” said an excited Levi, who will be making his highly anticipated NHL debut tonight against the New York Rangers.

Levi was 13 to be exact, in the infancy of his career. He had tried out and been cut from an East Coast Selects team ... Read the full article

Devon Levi played two seasons at Northeastern. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

After signing contract, goalie prospect Devon Levi will report to Sabres

Less than two years ago, as general manager Kevyn Adams began rebuilding the Buffalo Sabres, he acquired an intriguing goalie prospect named Devon Levi.

Despite having backstopped Team Canada to a silver medal at the 2021 World Junior Championship, Levi, who on Friday signed a three-year, entry-level contract and will report to the Sabres, was still a bit of an unknown.

A rib injury Levi had suffered with Canada sidelined him his entire freshman ... Read the full article

Matt Savoie (left) and Jiri Kulich are two of Buffalo’s prized prospects. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Matt Savoie, Jiri Kulich and likely other Sabres prospects off limits in trades

BUFFALO – In his early days as general manager, Kevyn Adams began reshaping the Sabres by trading established assets.

Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart and Rasmus Ristolainen all fetched hefty returns and have helped the Sabres compile a deep and talented stable of prospects.

As the Sabres have developed into a playoff contender this season, Adams has learned how much other teams covet their young talent.... Read the full article

Buffalo prospect Devon Levi enjoyed a stellar season in 2021-22, emerging as college hockey’s best goalie. ©2022, Jim Pierece, Northeastern Athletics

Sabres prospect Devon Levi excited to visit Buffalo, happy at Northeastern

Buffalo Sabres prospect Devon Levi does things his way, embracing a patient approach in his development as a goalie while blocking out any outside noise.

To wit: Levi, the NCAA’s top goaltender last season, chose to return to Northeastern for his junior year instead of turning pro. If he had signed with the Sabres, perhaps he would’ve started for the Rochester Americans or earned a quick taste of the NHL.

But Levi, 20, is perfectly ... Read the full article

Kevyn Adams could have a career-defining night. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ three first-round picks at NHL Draft present special opportunity

MONTREAL – General manager Kevyn Adams’ vision for the Buffalo Sabres has started coming together much faster than most observers expected.

It was barely a year ago that Adams, fresh off the Sabres’ dead-last finish, began tackling a daunting rebuild. In his first months on the job in 2020, he had tried to push an older team into the playoffs by acquiring a few notable veterans.

After that team failed spectacularly, Adams implemented his blue ... Read the full article

Jimmy Snuggerud could be available to Buffalo in the first round. ©2022, Rena Laverty

Sabres stay put in NHL Draft Lottery, have top-10 pick again

For the 10th straight year, the Buffalo Sabres will have a top-10 pick in the NHL Draft.

The Sabres stayed put in Tuesday’s NHL Draft Lottery, receiving the ninth and 16th overall selections.

After finishing 24th overall, the Sabres had just 5 percent odds – the ninth-highest in the lottery – for the top pick.... Read the full article

Shane Wright began playing in the OHL when he was just 15. ©2022, Robert John Boucher, Kingston Frontenacs

NHL Draft Lottery: Sabres have terrific prospects available in first round

Right now, there’s no consensus first overall pick for the 2022 NHL Draft.

NHL Central Scouting recently ranked Shane Wright, a youngster so talented the Ontario Hockey League granted him exceptional status to play as a 15-year-old, No. 1 in its final evaluation of North American skaters for the draft.

Wright, a center for the Kingston Frontenacs, has thrived under intense pressure for three years, securing his place among the most dynamic prospects on the ... Read the full article