Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Nick Deslauriers finally playing, contributing

BUFFALO – When Sabres coach Dan Bylsma charged Nick Deslauriers with creating some energy, the gritty winger’s first instinct, of course, was to fight.

But these days, those opportunities are scarce. Deslauriers has only fought four times this season. He certainly wasn’t going to find one enjoying a rare shift on the first line with the listless Sabres down three goals Saturday.

“I would’ve loved to get a fight there, but I don’t think ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Justin Bailey has opportunity to stay in Buffalo

BUFFALO – Right now, thanks to his torrid goal-scoring run in the AHL and some injuries with the big club, Sabres winger Justin Bailey has the best opportunity of his young career to stick in the NHL for good.

For the last five weeks, the speedy Bailey, 21, has enjoyed regular duty, playing 19 straight games. Some contests the Williamsville native has skated on a top line.

“It’s a really big one,” Sabres coach Dan ... Read the full article

Amerks loan Cal O’Reilly to AHL Marlies

Apparently, the Rochester Americans’ struggles became too much for Cal O’Reilly.

The Amerks today loaned O’Reilly, their captain and second-leading scorer, to the Toronto Marlies, the Maple Leafs’ AHL affiliate.

O’Reilly, 30, signed a two-year, one-way contract worth $1.4 million with the Buffalo Sabres in 2015. Giving a huge salary to an AHL player supposedly illustrated how badly the Sabres wanted to win in Rochester. But the Amerks missed the playoffs last season and ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Evan Rodrigues earning keep

BUFFALO – On a team featuring 11 veterans earning more than $3 million, Evan Rodrigues, a rookie 15 games into his NHL career, was arguably the Sabres’ best player during two wretched road losses last weekend.

Let that sink in.

“It’s a little disappointing Rodrigues is one of our best players,” Sabres general manager Tim Murray said Wednesday. “It’s great for him. But I’m not sure that’s what should’ve happened in those two games.”... Read the full article

Sabres’ Evan Rodrigues now NHL regular

BUFFALO – On a team featuring 11 veterans earning more than $3 million, Evan Rodrigues, a rookie 14 games into his NHL career, was arguably the Sabres’ best player during two wretched road losses last weekend.

“It’s a little disappointing Rodrigues is one of our best players,” Sabres general manager Tim Murray said earlier this week. “It’s great for him. But I’m not sure that’s what should’ve happened in those two games.”

Still, the ... Read the full article

Captain Brian Gionta wants to stay with Sabres

BUFFALO – Brian Gionta said it again Tuesday, that despite a small chance of reaching the playoffs and an expiring contract, he wants to stay with the Sabres, the team he has captained three seasons.

“I’ve made my position pretty clear,” Gionta said prior to the Sabres’ 5-4 overtime loss to the Nashville Predators inside KeyBank Center. “I’d like to stay here. I’d like to be here going on in the future. I want to ... Read the full article

Sabres acquire Mat Bodie from Rangers for Dan Catenacci

BUFFALO – In a swap of AHL players, the Sabres acquired defenseman Mat Bodie from the New York Rangers this afternoon for forward Dan Catenacci.

Bodie, 26, has spent his entire pro career with the Hartford Wolf Pack, the Rangers’ AHL affiliate, compiling 20 goals, 98 points and 127 penalty minutes in 196 games. He has eight goals, 30 points and a minus-14 rating in 45 appearances this season. He was also Hartford’s captain.... Read the full article

Goalie Linus Ullmark returns to Sabres’ net

BUFFALO – This campaign, Linus Ullmark’s second in North America, has turned into what the loquacious Sabres goalie thought his rookie season would be like.

“Maybe some call-ups, whatever,” said Ullmark, who will likely start tonight against the Nashville Predators inside KeyBank Center, his first NHL nod since April 9.

Update: Robin Lehner is healthy and will apparently start tonight. Ullmark isn’t dressed.

Early in 2015-16, after only a few AHL appearances following surgery on ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Linus Ullmark from Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres, who close a two-game road trip tonight against the Arizona Coyotes, have recalled goalie Linus Ullmark from the Rochester Americans.

It’s unclear if one of the team’s regular goalies, Robin Lehner or Anders Nilsson, is injured, sick or a deal is in the works. Stay tuned for updates. Lehner has started eight straight games.

Ullmark, 23, has been a workhorse in the AHL this season, going 20-20-2 with a 2.90 ... Read the full article

Sabres add recalls; Derek Grant sent to Amerks

BUFFALO – With the Sabres set to practice tonight in Colorado following a bye week, the team has recalled forwards Justin Bailey and Evan Rodrigues from the AHL.

The rookies spent four days back with the Rochester Americans, playing one game, Wednesday’s 3-2 overtime win at KeyBank Center.

To make room, the Sabres sent center Derek Grant to the Amerks. Grant has zero goals and three assists in 40 games with the Sabres this season. ... Read the full article