Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres assign Alexander Nylander to Sweden

BUFFALO – The Sabres have assigned forward prospect Alexander Nylander to Team Sweden for the World Junior Championship, the team announced late Wednesday.

The tournament starts next week in Buffalo.

Nylander, 19, dazzled at times during the last two World Junior Championships, scoring nine goals and a whopping 21 points in 14 games.

Perhaps playing among teenagers again will jumpstart Nylander’s season.... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Chad Johnson positive through rough stretch

BUFFALO – To Chad Johnson, his weak numbers are deceiving. Other than a poor 20-minute outing, the Sabres goalie believes he has played well this season.

Naturally, Johnson is frustrated. In 12 games, he is 1-5-3 with a ghastly 3.76 goals-against average and an .880 save percentage, his lone win coming Oct. 15.

Among goalies with 10 or more appearances this season, only Vegas Golden Knights rookie Maxime Lagace has a higher goals-against average and ... Read the full article

Improved Sabres looking up at Bruins

BUFFALO – Having played eight seasons in the old Adams Division, coach Phil Housley understands the Sabres-Bruins rivalry well. Back then, the foes played each other eight times a season and played two memorable playoff series in 1983 and 1988.

“The Buffalo-Boston games have always been physical,” Housley said this morning. “It’s a big divisional game. … They’re in a pretty good spot right now.”

The third-place Bruins are five spots ahead of the last-place ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jacob Josefson close to return

BUFFALO – During his brief return from an ankle injury last month, Sabres center Jacob Josefson contributed immediately, scoring a goal and two points in three outings.

But Josefson, 26, is a third- or fourth-liner whose offensive production is a bonus. Since the Swede tweaked his ankle Nov. 25, the Sabres have missed the veteran’s savviness.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zach Bogosian finding regular form after injury

BUFFALO – In Zach Bogosian’s first two appearances following a 25-game absence, adrenaline carried the Sabres defenseman, coach Phil Housley said.

“Those first two games he was our best defenseman,” Housley said prior to Friday’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes inside KeyBank Center.

But after those outings earlier this month, Bogosian experienced a normal dip returning from his lower-body injury.

“The adrenaline’s not there, now you’re in the game mode and getting prepared, ... Read the full article

Sabres could loan prospect Alexander Nylander to Sweden

BUFFALO – If the Sabres want to jumpstart prospect Alexander Nylander’s season, they have a pretty strong option.

Nylander, 19, has endured a rough four months. After suffering a lower-body injury in rookie camp, the slick forward missed all of the main camp and didn’t make his season debut until Nov. 17 with the Rochester Americans.

So far, Nylander has struggled in his second AHL season, compiling one goal, four points and a minus-8 ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect C.J. Smith piling up points with Amerks

ROCHESTER – It’s early, just 26 tilts into a 76-game season. Still, Buffalo Sabres prospect C.J. Smith hasn’t let up yet, compiling nine goals and a gaudy 27 points to start his AHL career.

So keep an eye on Smith, an undrafted winger the Sabres signed out of UMass Lowell late last season. The Americans’ leading scorer is on a 25-goal, 79-point pace over a full season.

How rare is a campaign like that?... Read the full article

Matt Moulson clears waivers, sent to Ontario Reign

BUFFALO – As expected, winger Matt Moulson cleared waivers today, meaning the Sabres will likely send him to the Rochester Americans.

The NHL’s worst team waived the graying Moulson, 34, on Monday. The veteran compiled zero points and a minus-9 rating in 14 appearances this season.

Moulson hasn’t played in the AHL since 2008-09. He’s in the fourth season of a five-year, $25 million contract.... Read the full article

Waiving Matt Moulson sends strong message to Sabres

BUFFALO – The news the Sabres would waive Matt Moulson hit winger Kyle Okposo hard.

Okposo spoke emotionally and looked shaken discussing the likely end to his best friend’s long Sabres career. Moulson and Okposo became close years ago as New York Islanders teammates. They’re even godfathers to each other’s children.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Scott Wilson has winning background

BUFFALO – On paper, the Sabres acquired a third- or fourth-line forward with 13 goals and 32 points in 123 career NHL games. But in Scott Wilson, they have a player who developed in a winning culture and raised the Stanley Cup six months ago.

For a team currently dead last in the NHL, that means something.

Shortly after the Sabres waived Matt Moulson on Monday, general manager Jason Botterill sent the Detroit Red ... Read the full article