Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres legend Rob Ray developed into much more than fighter

BUFFALO – Forget about all of those fights. In his prime, legendary Sabres tough guy Rob Ray often impacted games with more than his fists.

Ray, who was inducted into the Sabres Hall of Fame in an emotional ceremony prior to Friday’s 4-3 win over the Nashville Predators, played a fearless and heavy style as a winger. He could be relentless and wear opponents out.

“Robby was a really good skater,” said John Van Boxmeer, ... Read the full article

Sabres Hall of Fame: Despite pleas from coach, Rob Ray fought Dave Brown, became NHL heavyweight

BUFFALO – John Muckler’s voice cut through the din of the crowd that night 32 years ago as Sabres tough guy Rob Ray squared off with hulking Philadelphia Flyers heavyweight Dave Brown.

Muckler, having coached Brown with the Edmonton Oilers, knew him well. He feared Ray could be in way over his head.

The 6-foot-5 Brown, after all, ranked among the NHL’s most feared and punishing fighters. Few dared to challenge him.

So from the ... Read the full article

Jiri Kulich’s emergence factor in Sabres waiving Nicolas Aube-Kubel; Buffalo makes recall

BUFFALO – As winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel struggled after returning from an early-season knee injury, rookie Jiri Kulich established himself as one of the Sabres’ top forwards, entrenching himself in the NHL.

Right now, Kulich, 20, is centering the Sabres’ top line.

Then early last month, center Tyson Kozak, 22, made an immediate impact in his first NHL action, scoring a goal and showcasing a tenacious style.

As he kept being scratched – he had ... Read the full article

Sabres place Nicolas Aube-Kubel on waivers

The Buffalo Sabres on Monday placed winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel, who has lost his regular spot in the lineup, on waivers.

If Aube-Kubel, 28, clears, the Sabres could assign him to the Rochester Americans. He played 11 games in the AHL with the Hershey Bears early last season before returning to the Washington Capitals.

The Sabres signed Aube-Kubel to a one-year, $1.5 million contract July 1 as they overhauled their fourth line by adding grit ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ryan McLeod practices, ready to return from injury

Buffalo Sabres center Ryan McLeod, who has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury, is expected to return for this afternoon’s contest against the Oilers, coach Lindy Ruff told reporters in Edmonton.

“I’m confident he’ll play,” Ruff told reporters after McLeod participated in Friday’s practice.

McLeod, 25, played four seasons for the Oilers before they traded him to Buffalo during the offseason. He was injured in practice Jan. 16, a day ... Read the full article

Sabres send goalie Devon Levi back to Rochester, recall prospect

Goalie Devon Levi’s latest stint with the Buffalo Sabres lasted one game.

The Sabres this afternoon sent Levi back to the Rochester Americans and recalled center prospect Tyson Kozak from their AHL affiliate.

Levi played in Monday afternoon’s 6-4 road loss to the Seattle Kraken, allowing five goals and making 28 saves.

Assigning Levi, 23, to Rochester likely means Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who has been banged up, is healthy enough to at least dress ... Read the full article

Sabres activate Jiri Kulich from injured reserve, send prospect to Rochester

The Buffalo Sabres this afternoon created a roster spot to activate center Jiri Kulich from injured reserve by sending center Tyson Kozak to the Rochester Americans.

Kulich missed four games with a lower-body injury before returning for this afternoon’s contest against the Seattle Kraken, the start of a four-game road trip. The rookie began the game on the top line pivoting Tage Thompson and Jason Zucker.... Read the full article

Sabres recall goalie Devon Levi, place Ryan McLeod on injured reserve

The Buffalo Sabres on Saturday recalled goalie Devon Levi from the Rochester Americans and created a roster spot by placing center Ryan McLeod on injured reserved.

McLeod, who fell awkwardly in Thursday’s practice, played in Friday’s 5-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He registered his first NHL hat trick in Wednesday’s 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Sabres have used McLeod, who has scored 10 goals this season, up and down the lineup. He ... Read the full article

Former Sabres goalie Dustin Tokarski thriving with Hurricanes

BUFFALO – About to turn 35, an advanced age for a goalie, and coming off a season in which he played just 24 games for the Rochester Americans, Dustin Tokarski found few suitors on the open market.

Finally, in September, Tokarski signed a tryout to attend the Ottawa Senators’ training camp.

When the Senators released the former Sabres backup at the end of camp, he went home to Saskatchewan.

“Just waiting for an opportunity, and ... Read the full article

With rookie Jiri Kulich injured, Sabres recall prospect from Rochester

BUFFALO – Sabres rookie Jiri Kulich, who left Monday’s 4-3 shootout win after suffering a lower-body injury, will be sidelined week to week, coach Lindy Ruff said.

Kulich, 20, has showcased consistent development this season, earning trust from Ruff to be utilized for critical faceoffs and play center, his natural position.

“It’s a loss for us because of how well he had played in the middle and the speed he was generating,” Ruff said ... Read the full article