Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres notes: Zach Metsa impressive in limited action; Buffalo adds defender

BUFFALO – In his first days here, Sabres defenseman Zach Metsa acknowledged his new surroundings felt “a little bit intimidating.”

“You come to a new spot, new group, new guys around you,” Metsa told the Times Herald prior to scoring his first NHL goal and point in Tuesday’s 5-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in KeyBank Center.

As an older, under-the-radar prospect who played on an AHL contract for two seasons, Metsa, 27, usually spent ... Read the full article

Sabres recall high-scoring defenseman from Rochester Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres this afternoon recalled defenseman Zac Jones, whose 28 assists lead the AHL, from the Rochester Americans.

Having lost defenseman Michael Kesselring to a lower-body injury last Wednesday in Dallas, the Sabres have only six healthy defensemen.

The Sabres possibly summoned Jones, who did not play during two recalls earlier this season, to serve as an extra defender.... Read the full article

After win streak ends, Sabres to change lineup by inserting Jason Zucker

BUFFALO – As the Sabres recently rattled off 10 consecutive wins, they utilized the same 18 skaters most nights, only making changes for injuries.

If it’s working, why mess with it, right?

Coach Lindy Ruff explained the performance within that lineup, not so much the victories – “Just how well the individuals were playing,” he said – forced the Sabres to keep things consistent.

When Ruff, his staff and even general manager Jarmo Kekalainen sat ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Dunne seizing chances in NHL as he heads home to St. Louis

BUFFALO – Sabres center Josh Dunne figures at least 50 supporters, perhaps as many as 100, will be on hand tonight at the Enterprise Center to watch him play his first NHL regular-season game in St. Louis.

Following Sunday’s practice, Dunne, 27, was still working on an exact number, reaching out to people and receiving texts.

“But that’s all part of the fun,” Dunne, whose Sabres carry an eight-game win streak into tonight’s contest against ... Read the full article

Sabres send prospects to Rochester, get injured players back

BUFFALO – The Sabres on Sunday sent prospects Ryan Johnson and Isak Rosen back to the Rochester Americans.

They recalled Johnson, 24, before Saturday’s 4-1 win over the Boston Bruins because captain Rasmus Dahlin’s absence left them with just six defensemen.

Dahlin, who visited his fiancée, Carolina Matovac, in Sweden over the Christmas break, is expected to rejoin the Sabres today in St. Louis for the start of their three-game road trip.... Read the full article

Sabres star Rasmus Dahlin won’t play versus Bruins; Buffalo makes recall

BUFFALO – Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin returned to Sweden over the Christmas break to be with his fiancée, Carolina Matovac, and will miss tonight’s game against the Boston Bruins, coach Lindy Ruff said.

“He’s just attending to his fiancée in Sweden, should be back shortly,” Ruff said this morning in KeyBank Center.

Dahlin missed three games in November to visit Matovac, who has been rehabbing after experiencing major heart failure and undergoing a heart transplant ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Noah Ostlund scoring big goals, earning keep after latest recall

BUFFALO – Sabres rookie Noah Ostlund was within earshot across the visiting dressing room in the Canadian Tire Centre, waiting to be interviewed after scoring again in Tuesday’s 3-2 overtime win, so winger Alex Tuch joked he shouldn’t heap too much praise on his linemate.

“I don’t want to give him too many props,” Tuch said in Ottawa after assisting on Ostlund’s third goal in five games since the Sabres recalled him for the third ... Read the full article

Sabres continue front-office overhaul by firing associate GM Jason Karmanos

The Buffalo Sabres on Saturday continued overhauling their front office by firing associate general manager Jason Karmanos, who also served as the Rochester Americans’ GM.

Former Sabres GM Kevyn Adams, who was fired Monday and replaced by Jarmo Kekalainen, hired Karmanos, whom he knew from his playing days with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Karmanos, who joined the Sabres in 2021, attended Buffalo’s last game, Thursday’s 5-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers at KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

Sabres recall prospect from Rochester

BUFFALO – The Sabres this afternoon recalled winger Isak Rosen prior to their game against the New York Islanders at KeyBank Center

Rosen, one of the Sabres’ top forward prospects, scored twice for the Amerks in Friday’s 3-2 victory over the Belleville Senators, including the overtime winner.

Sabres forward Tyson Kozak is questionable for this afternoon’s contest with an upper-body injury.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Jarmo Kekalainen to ‘take charge’ of Alex Tuch’s contract talks; Buffalo could go down to two goalies

BUFFALO – In his first days on the job, Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said he plans to “take charge” of contract negotiations with winger Alex Tuch’s representatives.

Tuch, one of former GM Kevyn Adams’ biggest trade acquisitions, expressed his desire earlier this season to sign an extension with the Sabres.

But has another difficult campaign changed Tuch’s mind? The Baldwinsville native can become an unrestricted free agent following the season.... Read the full article