Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres prospect Lawrence Pilut ‘unavailable’ for AHL All-Star Classic

Rochester Americans defenseman Lawrence Pilut will be “unavailable” for Monday’s AHL All-Star Classic, the league announced today, meaning the Buffalo Sabres likely plan to recall the Swede early next week.

Syracuse Crunch defenseman Cameron Gaunce will replace Pilut, who was sent to Rochester when the Sabres began their bye week Sunday.

Following eight days off – the NHL All Star break begins Thursday – the Sabres practice again Monday.... Read the full article

Amerks send Sabres goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to ECHL

The Rochester Americans sent top Buffalo Sabres goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen back to the ECHL today.

Luukkonen, 20, joined the Amerks on Jan. 12 and started two of their three games over the weekend, his first AHL appearances this season.

Amerks general manager Randy Sexton had said Luukkonen’s recall from the Cincinnati Cyclones would likely last a week.... Read the full article

Sabres send Rasmus Asplund, Scott Wilson and Lawrence Pilut to Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres sent forwards Rasmus Asplund and Scott Wilson and defenseman Lawrence Pilut back to the Rochester Americans this morning.

The Sabres’ bye week, which started today, and the NHL All-Star break are back-to-back, so they have eight straight days off. They don’t play again until Jan. 28.

Asplund scored one goal and three points in 28 games during his first NHL stint. The Swede, 22, recently subbed on the top line for injured ... Read the full article

Curtis Lazar earning keep with Sabres: ‘I am an NHL player’

BUFFALO – In the waning minutes of Tuesday’s 4-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights, Sabres center Curtis Lazar couldn’t get off the ice.

Lazar’s marathon shift began with 2:18 left in the third period and the Sabres clinging to a one-goal lead. Following an icing and a timeout, the play kept going and going as the Golden Knights pressed with the extra attacker.

“We knew what we had to do,” Lazar said following Wednesday’s ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tage Thompson undergoes shoulder surgery, out five to six months

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Tage Thompson’s season is over.

The Sabres announced this afternoon Thompson, 22, has undergone successful surgery on his right shoulder and will be sidelined five to six months.

The 6-foot-7, 215-pound Thompson, one of the Sabres’ top forward prospects, was injured in the waning minutes of his season debut Nov. 17, a 4-1 road loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.... Read the full article

Amerks recall Sabres goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen from ECHL

The Rochester Americans, who have allowed 18 goals over a four-game losing streak, recalled top Buffalo Sabres goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen from the ECHL this morning.

Amerks general manager Randy Sexton recently said Luukkonen, 20, would play games with Rochester during the second half of the season. So despite the Amerks’ struggles, this could be part of the Sabres’ original plan for Luukkonen.

Update: Sexton told The Buffalo News that Luukkonen will spent a week ... Read the full article

Lawrence Pilut could have opportunity to stick with Sabres

BUFFALO – Before the Sabres departed for Sweden in early November, they recalled defenseman Lawrence Pilut from the Rochester Americans for some insurance.

While Pilut, 24, did not play overseas, he practiced, giving Sabres coach Ralph Krueger an opportunity to watch the slick prospect up close for the first time.

Despite missing all of training camp as he recovered from offseason shoulder surgery, Pilut, who was recalled Tuesday, had made a positive early impression ... Read the full article

Michael Frolik hasn’t joined Sabres; Jake McCabe out against Blues

BUFFALO – Five days after the Sabres acquired Michael Frolik from the Calgary Flames, the Czech still hasn’t joined his new team.

Frolik, 31, is still going through the immigration process, according to the team.

“We’re hoping that that all goes well and that he joins us tomorrow, but we won’t know that until some other issues are cleared up this afternoon,” Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said following today’s practice inside KeyBank Center. “Of course, ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Lawrence Pilut from Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres recalled defenseman Lawrence Pilut from the Rochester Americans this morning.

Pilut, 24, has enjoyed a strong season with the Amerks, scoring five goals and 21 points in 29 games.

The Swede recently earned his second straight selection to the AHL All-Star Classic.... Read the full article

Top Sabres goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen named ECHL All-Star

Top Buffalo Sabres goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has been named an ECHL All-Star with the Cincinnati Cyclones, the league announced today.

The Finnish rookie has been stellar for the Cyclones, compiling an 11-4-3-2 record with a 2.09 goals-against average, a .909 save percentage and three shutouts in 18 games.

The Sabres sent Luukkonen, a second-round pick in 2017, 54th overall, to the Cylones in November after he recovered from surgery on his hips.... Read the full article