Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

World Juniors helping Sabres prospect Alexander Nylander’s development

BUFFALO – In the AHL, where Alexander Nylander has spent most of the last season and a half, the slick forward is still a youngster adjusting to pro hockey.

But at the World Junior Championship, Nylander, 19, is a veteran. In his third and final tournament, Team Sweden, which will compete for a gold medal tonight, has leaned heavily on the Sabres prospect.

... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Linus Ullmark named AHL Player of Week

Two wins and a sterling 1.46 goals-against average helped Rochester Americans goalie Linus Ullmark earn AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Sunday, the league announced today.

The Swede stopped 65 of 68 shots (a .956 save percentage) in two starts, beating the Belleville Senators and Laval Rocket.

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Amerks’ Stevie Moses suspended

The Rochester Americans have suspended forward Stevie Moses indefinitely for breach of contract, general manager Randy Sexton announced Friday.

The organization will have no further comment, according to a one-sentence press release.

Moses, 28, signed a one-year AHL contract with the Buffalo Sabres’ top affiliate in July.... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Robin Lehner debuts different masks

BUFFALO – For a few moments this morning, Robin Lehner looked, well, a little scary. Instead of sporting his usual head protection at the beginning of practice, the Sabres goalie warmed up wearing a 1970s-style “Jason” mask and a winter hat.

Lehner took a few lights shots from goalie coach Andrew Allen, including one off the primitive mask.

“Old Buffalo mask, tried it on, I have a lot of respect for them,” Lehner said ... Read the full article

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