Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

After impressive rookie season, Sabres sign Zach Metsa to contract extension

The Buffalo Sabres on Friday signed defenseman Zach Metsa, one of their biggest surprises last season, to a one-year, one-way contract extension worth $900,000.

Metsa, 27, is entering the final season of a two-year, two-way deal worth $1.63 million he signed in 2025. He can become an unrestricted free agent when his extension expires following the 2027-28 season.

After signing his first NHL contract last year, the 5-foot-9, 198-pound Metsa earned his first recall... Read the full article

Former Sabres prospects have found new jobs all over this summer

For a while, former Buffalo Sabres defense prospect Nikita Novikov looked like a steal as he quickly adapted to North American hockey.

Not only did the Russian generate offense without the benefit of power-play time, he led the Rochester Americans in plus-minus – gaudy ratings of 20 and 28, respectively – in each of his first two seasons.

Novikov, a sixth-round pick in 2021, 188th overall, appeared to be on track to at least earn ... Read the full article

Rochester hires Philip Samuelsson as assistant coach

The Rochester Americans on Thursday named Philip Samuelsson, who recently retired following a 15-year pro career as a defenseman, as an assistant coach.

He replaces Nathan Paetsch, who earlier this month left the Buffalo Sabres’ AHL affiliate to become head coach of the Youngstown Phantoms.

Samuelsson, 35, played nearly 900 games as a pro, including 13 in the NHL and 512 in the AHL.... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Radim Mrtka handled trade rumors well, kept developing

BUFFALO – When word leaked in early March the Sabres would deal defense prospect Radim Mrtka to the St. Louis Blues if veteran defenseman Colton Parayko waived his no-trade clause, Seattle Thunderbirds coach Matt O’Dette said he and his assistants checked in on the youngster.

Their message to Mrtka, 19, was simple: control what you can control.

“He handled it really well,” O’Dette told the Times Herald. “He’s pretty, in a lot of ways, ... Read the full article

Nathan Paetsch leaves Rochester for head coaching job in Youngstown

Nathan Paetsch, who spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach with the Rochester Americans, has left the Buffalo Sabres’ AHL affiliate to become head coach of the Youngstown Phantoms.

The Phantoms, a junior team, play in the United States Hockey League. Ryan Ward, their last coach, recently moved up to the AHL to become an assistant with the Providence Bruins.

Paetsch, 43, spent 17 seasons in Buffalo’s organization as player, assistant coach ... Read the full article

After long junior career, former Sabres standout Jay McKee ready to coach pro with AHL Hamilton Hammers

In his early days as a coach, Jay McKee said he visualized success the same way he had as a player. The popular former defenseman, a linchpin on some beloved Buffalo Sabres teams in the late 1990s and early 2000s, wanted to reach the highest level as quickly as possible.

“As a former athlete … you strive to be at the top level,” said McKee, who played his first NHL game at 18 and secured ... Read the full article

Former Sabres found new jobs as free agents this summer

In his sixth pro season, forward Josh Dunne finally stuck in the NHL. Other than a one-game stint with the Rochester Americans in October, he spent all year in Buffalo, playing a career-high 34 games as he established himself as a versatile and rugged presence on the Sabres’ fourth line.

On another team, the affable Dunne, 27, might’ve enjoyed more regular duty. But the Sabres possessed depth up front, so he moved in and out ... Read the full article

2026-27 Sabres schedule features early home stand, rugged stretches on road before Christmas

An early five-game home stand, two road contests against the Montreal Canadiens in a five-day span in October and a rigorous stretch in which they play 10 of 12 games on the road in late November and early December are among the highlights of the Buffalo Sabres’ 2026-27 schedule the NHL released Thursday.

The 84-game schedule – the NHL has added two regular-season contests and cut the preseason from six games to four – means ... Read the full article

Sabres bring in John Davidson as senior advisor; Buffalo makes minor trade

The Buffalo Sabres have added to their front office by hiring John Davidson, a popular former goalie and broadcaster who has spent most of the past 20 years working as a president of hockey operations, as a senior advisor, the team announced Monday.

Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen, 60, and Davidson, 73, know each other well, having worked closely together with the Columbus Blue Jackets and St. Louis Blues.

Shortly taking over as president of ... Read the full article

Sabres add goalie depth for Rochester by signing Matt Villalta

The Buffalo Sabres on Saturday added goalie depth, signing Matt Villalta to a one-year, two-way contract.

Villalta, 27, gives the Sabres a veteran netminder for the Rochester Americans. He will likely share the net with prospects Topias Leinonen or Scott Ratzlaff, both of whom spent time in the AHL last season.

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Villalta has spent most of his career in the AHL, compiling 123-83-20 record with a 2.93 goals-against average, a .903 save ... Read the full article