Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Kyle Okposo thrilled with NHL All-Star selection

BUFFALO – So far, just 39 games into his career here, Kyle Okposo has lived up to his billing as one of the NHL’s most underrated scorers. The winger has quietly been the Sabres’ most consistent forward, compiling 12 goals and 27 points, both team highs.

Okposo’s strong season was rewarded Tuesday with a spot in the NHL All-Star Game for the first time in his 10-year career. The Minnesota native will represent the Atlantic ... Read the full article

Amerks’ Cole Schneider, Linus Ullmark named to AHL All-Star roster

Rochester Americans forward Cole Schneider and goalie Linus Ullmark have been named to the AHL North Division All-Star roster, the league announced today.

Both players have spent time with the Buffalo Sabres.

Schneider, a Williamsville native and St. Joe’s graduate, leads the Amerks and ranks second in the AHL with 34 points in 28 games. His 14 goals rank second on the team and seventh in the league.

Schneider, 26, has 12 multi-point games his ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Justin Bailey’s first NHL goal emotional for mother

WILLIAMSVILLE – The emotional scene that followed Buffalo Sabres rookie Justin Bailey’s first NHL goal Tuesday night “was insane,” said his mother, Karen Buscaglia.

“I cried instantly when he scored,” said Buscaglia, who watched the game at her cousin’s house with five other family members. “Then I screamed and then I cried. We were just jumping up and down.”

As an elated Bailey celebrated in New York’s Madison Square Garden by bending over and pumping ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Taylor Fedun from Amerks

BUFFALO – With defenseman Josh Gorges battling a hip pointer, the Sabres recalled Taylor Fedun from the Rochester Americans this afternoon.

The Sabres start a two-game road trip tonight against the New York Rangers.

Fedun, 28, compiled four assists during an eight-game NHL stint earlier this season. In 20 AHL appearances this season, the Princeton product has four goals and points, tops among Amerks defensemen. His .85 points a game ranks ninth among AHL defensemen.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Johan Larsson out indefinitely after surgery for dislocated elbow, wrist

BUFFALO – Sabres center Johan Larsson has undergone surgery for his dislocated elbow and wrist is out indefinitely, coach Dan Bylsma said.

Larsson, who was injured when Adam McQuaid hit him early in Saturday afternoon’s 3-1 loss to the Bruins, flew back from Boston today.

Update: According to The Buffalo News, Larsson told Gotland Newspapers in his homeland of Sweden through a text message his season is over.

The Swede’s absence leaves the Sabres woefully ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Justin Bailey ready for fresh opportunity

BUFFALO – Instead of being given a spot on a scoring line Friday, winger Justin Bailey, the AHL’s hottest scorer, mostly practiced beside center Derek Grant and Nick Deslauriers, an odd place for one of the Sabres’ top prospects.

Grant and Deslauriers have zero goals and three assists between them in 45 games this season. Incredibly, Grant hasn’t scored a goal in 71 career NHL appearances. Deslauriers has more fights (14) than goals ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Justin Bailey could earn promotion to scoring line

BUFFALO – Sabres prospect Justin Bailey, the AHL’s hottest scorer, mostly practiced on the fourth line today beside center Derek Grant and Nick Deslauriers.

Grant and Deslauriers have zero goals and three assists between them in 45 games this season. Bailey, meanwhile, has scored five goals and seven points in his last five games with the Rochester Americans.

While Bailey, who was recalled this morning, might start on the fourth line Saturday afternoon in ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Tyler Ennis joins teammates on ice

BUFFALO – Without his explosiveness and the ability to juke opponents, speedy Sabres winger Tyler Ennis believes he’s “pretty useless out there.”

“I have to be able to use my agility, my speed, my quickness to create space,” Ennis said Thursday morning after skating with his teammates inside KeyBank Center.

Ennis, 27, couldn’t do any of that earlier this season. The longest-tenured Sabre said he felt something “gradually getting worse” in his groin. An examination ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Alexander Nylander faces high expectations with Sweden

ROCHESTER – A year ago, Buffalo Sabres prospect Alexander Nylander wowed as a 17-year-old at the World Junior Championship, showcasing his dynamic skills while leading Team Sweden with four goals and nine points in seven games.

So naturally, the expectations this year for Nylander, a youngster many believe was the most talented player in the 2016 NHL Draft, are extremely high.

Not only is Nylander a year older, the eighth overall pick has spent the ... Read the full article

South Buffalo’s Tim Kennedy excited for fresh start with Amerks

ROCHESTER – After a difficult few months in Sweden, South Buffalo’s Tim Kennedy was excited to return home and resume his career in his hometown organization.

Just days after Kennedy and Lulea HF of the Swedish Hockey League mutually parted ways last week, the Rochester Americans, the Buffalo Sabres’ top affiliate, quickly signed the forward to an AHL contract.

Kennedy, 30, was waiting at a hotel Saturday before the Amerks’ game against the St. John’s ... Read the full article