Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

With rookie Jiri Kulich injured, Sabres recall prospect from Rochester

BUFFALO – Sabres rookie Jiri Kulich, who left Monday’s 4-3 shootout win after suffering a lower-body injury, will be sidelined week to week, coach Lindy Ruff said.

Kulich, 20, has showcased consistent development this season, earning trust from Ruff to be utilized for critical faceoffs and play center, his natural position.

“It’s a loss for us because of how well he had played in the middle and the speed he was generating,” Ruff said ... Read the full article

Sabres star Tage Thompson heating up after position change, feeling healthier

BUFFALO – Sabres star Tage Thompson’s recent exploits illustrate he must be feeling a heck of a lot better these days.

To wit: in Monday’s 4-3 shootout win, his one-timer that beat goalie Charlie Lindgren was clocked at 103.7 mph, the hardest shot that resulted in a goal since NHL Edge began its tracking in 2021-22.

Thompson, 27, pumped six shots on goal and played a season-high 23 minutes, 48 seconds against the Washington Capitals, ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Noah Ostlund playing mature defensive game in Rochester

ROCHESTER – Buffalo Sabres prospect Noah Ostlund possesses maturity rarely seen in rookies.

Mike Leone said Ostlund, 20, is perhaps the most responsible player in the defensive zone he has ever coached. Vinny Prospal said the coaches don’t worry when the Swede’s line is playing in its own zone.

Ostlund, a center the Sabres drafted 16th overall in 2022, arrived in North America late last season. He has played just 10 games for the Americans ... Read the full article

Sabres organization makes two minor trades with Penguins

The Buffalo Sabres organization on Friday made two trades, acquiring two forwards for the Rochester Americans.

The Sabres obtained Bennett MacArthur, who has spent all season with the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers, in exchange for defenseman Colton Poolman.

Not exactly the type of deal that will improve the struggling Sabres.

In an AHL trade, the Amerks acquired Jagger Joshua, who has spent this season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and the Nailers, in exchange for future considerations.... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Devon Levi evolving in Rochester, sparking surging Amerks

ROCHESTER – On Tuesday, goalie Devon Levi arrived at Paul Louis Arena, a 70-year-old rink the Americans occasionally use to practice, and found Carl Hirner, the team’s equipment manager, had put a winter hat around the top of his mask.

The antiquated single-pad facility is less than a mile from Blue Cross Arena, the Amerks’ regular home, and, for lack of a better term, absolutely freezing.

It was New Year’s Eve, and the Amerks had ... Read the full article

Nifty goal illustrates Sabres rookie Jiri Kulich becoming two-way player

BUFFALO – The genesis of Sabres center Jiri Kulich’s second goal in Monday’s 7-1 win illustrates how much the rookie has matured over the past three months.

The Czech, 20, put the finishing touches on the Sabres’ first victory in one month by utilizing his lethal shot to beat New York Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin from the left circle.

But 10 seconds earlier in his own zone, Kulich knocked the puck away from Mat Barzal ... Read the full article

Sabres send prospects Konsta Helenius, Anton Wahlberg from Amerks to World Junior Championship

The Buffalo Sabres on Monday assigned two of their top forward prospects – AHL rookies Konsta Helenius and Anton Wahlberg – from the Rochester Americans to their respective countries for the upcoming World Junior Championship.

Helenius, 18, will be representing Team Finland, while Wahlberg, 19, will be representing Team Sweden.

Both youngsters played in the tournament last year.... Read the full article

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff wants Zach Benson to take fewer penalties

BUFFALO – When Sabres coach Lindy Ruff reshuffled his lines earlier this week, he awarded winger Zach Benson a plum assignment alongside center Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch.

Barely six minutes into Tuesday’s 6-1 road loss to the Montreal Canadiens, his second game on the line, Benson, 19, was whistled for holding.

“He was going to be in that top line,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said in KeyBank Center. “As soon as he took a ... Read the full article

Sabres to make lineup changes; Devon Levi ‘could be an option’ for Bruins

BUFFALO – Sabres center Ryan McLeod, who has an undisclosed injury, participated in this morning’s optional skate and will be a game-time decision tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs, coach Lindy Ruff.

McLeod missed Thursday’s practice for maintenance.

The Sabres, who own an 11-game winless streak (0-8-3), will receive some much-needed help tonight, as captain Rasmus Dahlin is ready to play. Their top defenseman missed eight games battling back spasms.... Read the full article

After assignment to Rochester, Devon Levi could return to Sabres soon

MONTREAL – On Saturday afternoon in Belleville, hours before the Rochester Americans defeated the Senators 8-2, a black SUV picked up goalie Devon Levi and drove him about two hours across Ontario to Toronto.

The night before, Levi had made 27 saves in Rochester’s 7-4 win, improving his record to 7-1-1 with the Amerks. He has performed dynamically in the AHL, so the struggling Buffalo Sabres summoned him to spell No. 1 goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.... Read the full article