Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres goalie prospect Samuel Meloche plays calm style similar to Carey Price

From his seat in the Bell Centre eight years ago, Samuel Meloche began studying the craft of goaltending and developing a special appreciation for Carey Price’s talent. Watching the Montreal Canadiens star move around the crease fascinated the youngster.

Price, who won the Hart and Vezina trophies in 2014-15, possessed athleticism and a special calmness in his game. Meloche wanted to be like him.

“I just fell in love with his game,” the Buffalo Sabres ... Read the full article

Sabres won’t re-sign Brett Murray for Rochester Amerks

Winger Brett Murray, who spent the last six seasons with the Rochester Americans and scored a career-high 27 goals in 2024-25, won’t be re-signed by the Buffalo Sabres, Dave Gagner, his agent, told the Times Herald.

Gagner said Rochester general manager Jason Karmanos informed him the Sabres don’t plan to bring back the unrestricted free agent.

Murray played 26 games for the Sabres over parts of four seasons, registering two goals and six points. ... Read the full article

Sabres won’t re-sign Mason Jobst for Rochester Amerks

Center Mason Jobst, who served as the Rochester Americans’ captain last season, won’t be returning to the Buffalo Sabres organization, a source told the Times Herald.

Jobst, an unrestricted free agent, spent the last three seasons with the Amerks and part of the 2021-22 campaign.

Following a 22-goal, 50-point season in 2023-24, the Sabres rewarded Jobst, 31, with a one-year, two-way NHL contract worth $350,000 in the minors, according to Puckpedia.com. He had played ... Read the full article

Former Sabres found new jobs as free agents this offseason

A year ago, Jeff Skinner lasted less than a day on the open market after the Buffalo Sabres bought out the final three seasons of his eight-year, $72 million contract.

The Edmonton Oilers believed he could play alongside superstars Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl, so they quickly signed the winger to a one-year, $3 million deal.

In late December, the Oilers scratched Skinner for the first time, and he sat out all but five of ... Read the full article

After terrific season in AHL, Sabres sign goalie Devon Levi to two-year contract

The Buffalo Sabres on Thursday locked up their last restricted free agent, signing goalie Devon Levi to a two-year, $1.625 million contract.

Levi, 23, just enjoyed a terrific season with the Rochester Americans, registering a 25-13-4 record with a 2.20 goals-against average, a .919 save percentage and a league-best seven shutouts in 42 games. He posted a 5-3 mark in the Calder Cup Playoffs.

The Sabres’ top goalie prospect also played nine games for Buffalo ... Read the full article

Williamsville’s Trevor Kuntar thrilled for fresh start in Sabres organization with Rochester Amerks: ‘Dream come true’

Trevor Kuntar takes a positive approach to the struggles every hockey player will inevitably endure. The Williamsville native said his parents, Les and Faye, ingrained that in him. So no matter how difficult the situation, he refuses to have a negative outlook.

Kuntar, 24, just experienced a difficult season in which he fell out of the Boston Bruins’ plans. Fresh off a strong rookie campaign with the Providence Bruins, if he cracked the lineup, his ... Read the full article

Williamsville’s Trevor Kuntar agrees to AHL contract with Rochester Amerks

Williamsville native Trevor Kuntar has joined the Rochester Americans.

The Buffalo Sabres’ AHL affiliate on Thursday announced it has agreed to terms with Kuntar, a forward, and defenseman Peter Tischke on one-year AHL contracts.

Kuntar, 24, spent his first two pro seasons with the Providence Bruins, Boston’s AHL affiliate. Boston did not give him a qualifying offer last month, making him a free agent.... Read the full article

Sabres add depth up front with another signing for Rochester

The Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday added depth up front, signing center Jake Leschyshyn to a one-year, two-way contract.

Leschyshyn, 26, will likely begin the upcoming season with the Rochester Americans.

He spent most of last season with the Hartford Wolf Pack, registering 13 goals, 24 points, 34 penalty minutes and minus-35 rating in 69 games for the New York Rangers’ AHL affiliate. He also recorded zero points in one outing with the Rangers.... Read the full article

In USHL star Luke Osburn, Sabres might have special defense prospect

BUFFALO – Rochester Americans coach Mike Leone understands talking about a prospect in the same breath as a current or former NHL star can create unrealistic expectations.

Still, he wanted to illustrate how much Luke Osburn, a high-scoring defenseman the Sabres drafted in the fourth round in 2024, has impressed him.

“It’s an unfair comparison, but you know when Duncan Keith played, he was really wiry and his skating ability,” Leone said of the former ... Read the full article

After difficult two years, Sabres goalie prospect Topias Leinonen thriving

BUFFALO – When the Sabres drafted goalie Topias Leinonen 41st overall in 2022, they likely believed he would be ready to begin his career in North America in three years.

Sure enough, Leinonen, having signed his entry-level contract in March, is expected to start the upcoming season with the Rochester Americans or the Jacksonville Icemen, their ECHL affiliate.

Leinonen, 21, just enjoyed a standout season for Mora IK, a second-tier pro team in Sweden, compiling ... Read the full article