Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres reassign top defense prospect to Rochester Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday reassigned top defense prospect Radim Mrtka from his junior team, the Seattle Thunderbirds, to the Rochester Americans.

Mrtka, the ninth overall pick in 2025, began the season in Rochester before the Sabres sent him to Seattle.

Seattle’s season ended Friday in the first round of the Western Hockey League Playoffs.... Read the full article

Rookie Zach Metsa back with Sabres, perhaps for good

OTTAWA – By Sunday night, after Buffalo Sabres defenseman Zach Metsa completed a grueling stretch of the three games in three days with the Rochester Americans, he was spent.

“Just mentally and emotionally, you’re just kind of drained after the third game,” the defenseman told the Times Herald prior to Thursday’s game against the Senators in the Canadian Tire Centre.

In his brief return to the minors, Metsa, 27, received the full AHL experience, playing ... Read the full article

Sabres sign prospect Max Strbak to entry-level contract

The Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday signed defense prospect Max Strbak, a second-round pick in 2023, to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Strbak, 20, will be joining the Rochester Americans for the remainder of the season on an amateur tryout, meaning his deal will kick in next season.

His college career ended Saturday when Ohio State University defeated the Spartans 4-3 in overtime of the NCAA regional final.... Read the full article

Sabres recall rookie Zach Metsa from Rochester Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres this afternoon recalled rookie defenseman Zach Metsa following a three-game weekend stint with the Rochester Americans.

Metsa, Rochester’s captain, registered zero points as the Amerks compiled a 2-1-0 mark.

The Sabres on Thursday assigned Metsa to the AHL so he could play big minutes instead of sitting out in Buffalo as a healthy scratch.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Jordan Greenway skating with ‘zero pain,’ says he can play again this season

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Jordan Greenway can’t explain why his latest rehab regimen has worked so well when the others he tried failed to alleviate his pain.

These days, Greenway, who said he played through “terrible pain” after undergoing two sports hernia surgeries, feels the best he has in years. He sounds happy and relieved as he nears his return to the lineup after missing the last 23 games.

“I’m skating with zero pain, really, ... Read the full article

Why did the Sabres send Zach Metsa back to the Rochester Amerks?

BUFFALO – The Sabres had the option to send rookie Zach Metsa back to the minors, so they figured what the heck, why not take it?

Instead of scratching the defenseman, by assigning him to the Rochester Americans as they did Thursday, he can play big minutes this weekend.

“He’ll play 20-plus minutes, which will be great for him,” Ruff said this morning in KeyBank Center, where the Sabres host the Detroit Red Wings tonight.... Read the full article

The Sabres have had a loaded roster since the trade deadline. How can Lindy Ruff utilize that depth?

BUFFALO – In the coaches’ room each day, the Sabres’ depth dominates the discussion.

“It’s the main topic,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said earlier this week.

Inside those walls, Ruff and his staff deliberate how to best utilize that depth and keep everyone involved.

The Sabres, having compiled a 33-6-4 record in their last 43 games entering tonight’s contest against the Detroit Red Wings at KeyBank Center, have a pretty darn good thing going.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Noah Ostlund misses practice with injury; Zach Metsa sent to AHL

BUFFALO – Sabres rookie Noah Ostlund missed today’s practice and is being evaluated for an upper-body injury, according to the team.

Ostlund, 22, stayed in Wednesday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins after absorbing a hit from Andrew Peek along the boards in the third period.

After beginning the year in the minors, Ostlund has enjoyed a strong season, registering 11 goals, 27 points and a plus-11 rating in 60 games while moving between ... Read the full article

Sabres sign prospect Gavin McCarthy to entry-level contract

The Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday signed defense prospect Gavin McCarthy, who served as captain of Boston University as a junior this season, to a three-year, entry-level contract.

The Sabres drafted McCarthy, a Clarence native, in the third round in 2023, 86th overall.

His college career ended Saturday when the University of Connecticut defeated the Terriers 5-3 in the Hockey East Tournament quarterfinal.... Read the full article

After trades, recalls, newcomers Sam Carrick, Noah Ostlund and others play huge roles in Sabres’ success

BUFFALO – As Sabres center Sam Carrick warmed up prior to Saturday’s 3-2 shootout win against the Toronto Maple Leafs, a placard along the glass featuring a drawing of his head grabbed his attention.

Other than the length of his hair – “I’ve had a snip since then,” the newcomer said – the portrait accurately depicted Carrick.

“Yeah, it was pretty impressive,” he told the Times Herald following Monday’s practice in LECOM Harborcenter.... Read the full article