Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

AHL season won’t resume before May

The American Hockey League season won’t resume before May, the league announced today.

But the league has recommended to its 31 teams they help their players return home, an ominous sign the season could be canceled in the coming weeks.

On Thursday, shortly after the NHL suspended its season indefinitely because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the AHL also stopped its campaign.

On Sunday, the CDC recommended that events with 50 or more people be canceled ... Read the full article

PSE will pay arena workers if COVID-19 pandemic forces game cancellations

Players, staff, the Buffalo Sabres Foundation and Pegula Sports and Entertainment will help pay the lost wages of game day arena employees if the COVID-19 pandemic forces games to be canceled.

PSE owner and CEO Kim Pegula made the announcement Saturday, three days after the NHL suspended its season indefinitely as more coronavirus cases were confirmed throughout the country.

PSE also owns the Rochester Americans and two National Lacrosse League teams: the Buffalo Bandits and ... Read the full article

Coronavirus fears put NHL season, Sabres on hold indefinitely

Before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the NHL to suspend its season indefinitely on Thursday, the Buffalo Sabres generated a little optimism in their last outing.

In Monday’s 3-2 win over the Washington Capitals, star captain Jack Eichel and rookie Victor Olofsson both busted out of slumps as the Sabres ended their six-game losing streak. Newcomer Dominik Kahun looked impressive again, scoring the shootout-winning goal. Goalie Linus Ullmark dazzled in his first appearance in nearly six ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Wayne Simmonds doesn’t regret waiving no-trade clause

BUFFALO – Wayne Simmonds doesn’t regret waiving his no-trade clause to join the Sabres two weeks ago.

The Sabres, having crept within six points of a playoff spot, wanted the respected veteran winger to help their push. Meanwhile, Simmonds, an unrestricted free agent following the season, wanted a fresh opportunity after enduring a rough campaign.

So far, the deal – the Sabres sent the New Jersey Devils a conditional fifth-round pick – hasn’t paid many ... Read the full article

Goalie Linus Ullmark Sabres’ best option this season and likely next one

BUFFALO – Expect Linus Ullmark to morph into a workhorse again over the final four weeks this season. If the goalie can stay healthy, he might start 12 or 13 of the reeling Sabres’ 14 remaining games.

Ullmark, who hasn’t played since suffering a lower-body injury Jan. 28, will likely start tonight against the Washington Capitals at KeyBank Center.

Before Ullmark missed 17 games – he backed up Carter Hutton on Saturday – he seized ... Read the full article

Sabres send Jonas Johansson to Amerks; Linus Ullmark ready to dress

BUFFALO – With goalie Linus Ullmark ready to back up Carter Hutton tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers, the Sabres sent rookie Jonas Johansson back to the Rochester Americans on Friday.

A lower-body injury has sidelined Ullmark, 26, the last 17 games. He started practicing again Monday.

“It’s just the next step,” Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said of Ullmark dressing for a game. “We’re being patient in this process and making sure that he’s game ready, ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Lawrence Pilut, send John Gilmour to Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres swapped defensemen with the Rochester Americans today, recalling Lawrence Pilut and sending John Gilmour back to their AHL affiliate.

Pilut, 24, has compiled zero points in 11 NHL games this season. He has produced offensively with the Amerks, scoring six goals and 23 points in 37 outings.

The Swede has been shuttling between Buffalo and Rochester over the past several weeks.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Jason Botterill happy Zach Bogosian landed with Lightning

BUFFALO – Before the Sabres terminated Zach Bogosian’s contract, general manager Jason Botterill said the team tried on its own and worked with the defenseman to find a solution.

“It didn’t materialize,” Botterill said Monday inside KeyBank Center.

So the Sabres cut ties with Bogosian, 29, on Friday, putting him on termination waivers after he was suspended for refusing to report the Rochester Americans. The Sabres originally waived the Massena native Feb. 14.

On ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Jonas Johansson dazzles in first NHL win

BUFFALO – After receiving two starts early in his NHL career, Sabres goalie Jonas Johansson took a backseat to veteran Carter Hutton two weeks ago.

Hutton’s emergence from a long slump allowed the Sabres to utilize him regularly again.

So Johansson, a rookie the Sabres recalled when Linus Ullmark suffered a lower-body injury, patiently waited to play another game.

Prior to earning his first NHL victory in Sunday’s afternoon 2-1 win against the Winnipeg ... Read the full article

Former Sabre Zach Bogosian clears waivers, becomes free agent

PITTSBURGH – Defenseman Zach Bogosian cleared waivers today, making the 12-year NHL veteran a free agent.

The Buffalo Sabres placed Bogosian on unconditional waivers Friday with the intention of terminating his contract.

Bogosian refused to report to the Rochester Americans after the Sabres assigned him to their AHL affiliate on Feb. 15, a day after waiving him.

The Massena native must sign with a new team before Monday’s trade deadline to be eligible for the ... Read the full article