Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

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

Sabres send Dalton Smith to Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres sent winger Dalton Smith back to the Rochester Americans today.

Smith, 27, made his NHL debut in Tuesday’s 6-4 home loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, skating 86 seconds a day after the Sabres signed him to a one-year, two-way contract.

The Sabres scratched the tough guy the next two games.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Scott Wilson rewarded for strong start with Amerks

BUFFALO – After winger Scott Wilson broke his right ankle in training camp last season and missed the first three months, he spent five weeks in the minors.

While Wilson, 27, made it back to the NHL – he played 15 late-season games with the Sabres – his recovery was far from over.

“Really dealing with that ankle was a full-year thing for me,” said Wilson, who was injured Sept. 30, 2018.

So when the ... Read the full article

Wayne Primeau on Sabres’ Dalton Smith: ‘He never gave up, he never quit’

BUFFALO – For the second straight game, Sabres winger Dalton Smith skated in the pregame warm-up before being scratched.

If Smith, 27, had played in Saturday afternoon’s 3-2 win over the Florida Panthers, his uncle, former Sabres forward Wayne Primeau, could’ve seen his second NHL game.

On Monday, the Sabres signed Smith to an NHL contract and promoted him from the Rochester Americans. After 400 minor league games, the tough guy made his NHL debut ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Scott Wilson from Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres recalled winger Scott Wilson from the Rochester Americans this morning.

Wilson, 27, has scored six goals and 10 points in 22 games with the Amerks this season.

The Sabres lost rookie winger Victor Olofsson to an undisclosed injury early in the third period of Thursday’s 3-2 overtime win against the Edmonton Oilers.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Conor Sheary finally starting to showcase more offense

BUFFALO – In his five-year NHL career, Sabres winger Conor Sheary said he had never experienced being a healthy scratch until last month.

“That was something different for me,” said Sheary, who sat out three times over a six-game stretch.

But in his first half season as Sabres coach, Ralph Krueger has established he’s willing to scratch anyone.

Krueger benched forward Evan Rodrigues on opening night and has kept sitting him out for months. In ... Read the full article