Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

As excited Colten Ellis arrives in Buffalo for first chance, Sabres waive goalie

BUFFALO – As the Sabres searched to improve their goaltending, they targeted Colten Ellis, a St. Louis Blues prospect whose path to the NHL was blocked by Jordan Binnington and Joel Hofer.

Ellis, 25, needed to clear waivers to be returned to the AHL, where he has spent most of the last two seasons tending goal for the Springfield Thunderbirds.

So when, as expected, he hit the wire, the Sabres claimed him Monday.... Read the full article

Sabres to trim roster by waiving goalie Alexandar Georgiev

BUFFALO – The Sabres will be placing goalie Alexandar Georgiev on waivers today, coach Lindy Ruff said.

Georgiev, who struggled during the preseason, became expendable Monday when the Sabres claimed goalie Colten Ellis, 25, off waivers from the St. Louis Blues.

“When Ellis became available, he’s someone that as an organization we felt really highly about,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said following today’s practice in KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

Sabres claim rookie goalie Colten Ellis off waivers from Blues, finalize roster

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ crease is getting crowded.

The team on Monday added its fourth goalie, claiming Colten Ellis, 25, off waivers from the St. Louis Blues.

Ellis, who has never played in the NHL, joins Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Alex Lyon and Alexandar Georgiev in Buffalo.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said on Monday that Luukkonen, who has been sidelined by a lower-body injury, won’t be ready for Thursday’s season opener against the New York Rangers.

When ... Read the full article

Sabres get closer to finalizing 23-man roster by waiving player

The Buffalo Sabres on Sunday waived center Josh Dunne and will assign him to the Rochester Americans if he clears.

The Sabres, who open the season Thursday, must finalize their regular-season roster by Monday.

They have 27 players left on their training camp roster. They can reach the 23-man limit by placing four of their six players who have been sidelined – goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, wingers Zach Benson and Jordan Greenway and defensemen Michael Kesselring, ... Read the full article

Radim Mrtka among four prospects Sabres send to Rochester

Defenseman Radim Mrtka on Saturday was among four prospects the Buffalo Sabres assigned to the Rochester Americans.

They also sent center Noah Ostlund and defensemen Vsevolod Komarov and Zachary Metsa to their AHL affiliate.

The Sabres, who open the season Thursday, must finalize their 23-man roster by Monday. They have 28 players left on their training camp roster.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tyson Kozak focused on staying healthy after successful NHL stint

BUFFALO – In his first taste of the NHL last season, Sabres center Tyson Kozak learned that if he wants to stick around, he must stay healthy.

Talent isn’t an issue. Kozak, 22, showcased a gritty, mature style that belied his limited experience.

If he can limit his injuries – given his history, that’s a big if – he might someday entrench himself among the Sabres’ bottom-six forwards.... Read the full article

Injuries sideline Sabres’ Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Michael Kesselring

BUFFALO – Injuries will likely keep Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and defenseman Michael Kesselring from playing in Thursday’s season opener against the New York Rangers.

Coach Lindy Ruff said Luukkonen and Kesselring, both of whom left Wednesday’s 5-3 preseason loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, are “kind of week to week.”

“It’s going to be more than day to day,” Ruff said following today’s pregame skate in KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

After season in minors, Ryan Johnson making case for roster spot with Sabres

BUFFALO – Right now, the Sabres possess so much notable depth that a strong argument can be made for keeping every bubble player left in training camp.

Center Tyson Kozak’s gritty, mature style grabbed the Sabres’ attention during his 21-game look last season. Josh Dunne’s heavy game might fit nicely on the fourth line. Dunne, one of the AHL’s best all-around centers, has a one-way contract this season.

Goalie Alexandar Georgiev led the NHL in ... Read the full article

Sabres lose Owen Power to injury; Jiri Kulich ready to play

BUFFALO – Make that three injured defensemen for the Sabres.

Coach Lindy Ruff said Owen Power missed Tuesday’s practice with a strain and is day to day. He joins defensemen Bowen Byram and Mattias Samuelsson on the sideline.

Ruff said Byram, who suffered an undisclosed injury in Saturday afternoon’s exhibition game, skated on his own Tuesday. Samuelsson is week to week with an upper-body injury.... Read the full article

Sabres send two players to Rochester, make recall

BUFFALO – The Sabres today assigned defenseman Zac Jones and forward Jake Leschyshyn to the Rochester Americans and recalled defenseman Vsevolod Komarov from their AHL affiliate.

Jones, 24, and Leschyshyn, 26, must clear waivers.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said some defensemen “probably outplayed” Jones, who has 115 games of NHL experience.

“I think we know what he is,” Ruff said following today’s practice in KeyBank Center. “I think he’s really good with the puck, he’s ... Read the full article