Jason Zucker is Buffalo’s oldest player. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu

Strong belief in Sabres helped Jason Zucker sign contract extension

BUFFALO – Having shown few signs of graying at 33, an advanced age in the NHL, Sabres winger Jason Zucker would’ve had plenty of suitors on the open market.

Still, the veteran chose to eschew free agency and sign a two-year, $9.5 million contract extension with the last-place Sabres hours before Friday’s trade deadline Why?

Well, for starters, Zucker has enjoyed what he called the “fun challenge” of being the team’s oldest and most experienced ... Read the full article

JJ Peterka has recorded a career-high 51 points this season. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Kevyn Adams not interested in trading JJ Peterka; Buffalo makes recalls from Rochester

As Friday’s trade deadline approached, rumors swirled teams were interested in acquiring winger JJ Peterka from the Buffalo Sabres.

Why wouldn’t they be? The 23-year-old is coming off a 28-goal campaign and has already set a new career high with 51 points in just 59 games this season.

Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams, however, has no plans to trade Peterka.... Read the full article

Jason Zucker signed a two-year extension. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Jason Zucker signs extension; Buffalo makes two minor trades

When Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams first discussed a contract extension with winger Jason Zucker almost two months ago in Seattle, he challenged him a little bit.

Adams asked Zucker, 33, why he wanted to stay with the Sabres.

“He just said, ‘I’ve fallen in love with this town and the locker room and these young guys, and I want to see this through. I know how good this team can be, and I ... Read the full article

Erik Brannstrom began his NHL career in Ottawa. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres land Erik Brannstrom in trade with Rangers, deal Henri Jokiharju

The Sabres made another trade before the 3 p.m. deadline, dealing winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel, who has been playing for the Rochester Americans, to the New York Rangers in exchange for defenseman Erik Brannstrom.

Brannstrom, 25, spent his brief tenure in the Rangers organization playing with the Hartford Wolf Pack, their AHL affiliate.

Incredibly, this is the third time he has been traded this season.... Read the full article

Noah Ostlund has started scoring in January. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Rochester’s Noah Ostlund establishing himself as Sabres’ top prospect

ROCHESTER – In the midst of a torrid two-month stretch in which Buffalo Sabres prospect Noah Ostlund has developed into the Americans’ top center, one particular night stands out to coach Mike Leone.

“The biggest one for me is we go to Syracuse, which is arguably the hardest place to play in the league,” Leone told the Times Herald. “It’s a real heavy, hard game. They’re really physical.”

That game, a 4-3 overtime victory Feb. ... Read the full article

Kevyn Adams has assets to trade. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu

As trade deadline approaches, Sabres must make difficult roster decisions

BUFFALO – It’s over for this edition of Sabres. The same group of young talent that appeared to be on the precipice of something special two years ago will almost certainly be broken up in the coming days and months.

Expect some moves, possibly minor ones, to be made prior to Friday’s trade deadline. The last-place Sabres, after all, have players set to become unrestricted free agents following the season.

Significant deals, of course, usually ... Read the full article

Nicolas Aube-Kubek celebrates his goal in Wednesday’s win. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

After struggling with Sabres, Nicolas Aube-Kubel finding game in Rochester

ROCHESTER – For three months, winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel moved in and out of the lineup, never finding a groove while often skating short minutes for the Buffalo Sabres.

In his first days with the Sabres, Aube-Kubel, 28, looked like he would fit nicely on their revamped fourth line, offering them some much-needed grit and speed.

The newcomer enjoyed a strong training camp and stood out early in Buffalo’s season-opening loss Oct. 4 before injuring his ... Read the full article

Devon Levi has responded well after suffering back-to-back losses. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres prospect Devon Levi displaying dominance in Rochester after slump

ROCHESTER – Buffalo Sabres prospect Devon Levi’s ability to embrace any adversity he experiences has enhanced his development with the Americans.

Levi, 23, has enjoyed a stellar run here over parts of two seasons, winning 66 percent of his games while emerging as one of the AHL’s elite goalies.

Still, like any second-year pro, he has felt some bumps. Last month, he lost back-to-back games in regulation for the first time.

In the second outing ... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin has been piling up points. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin on tear, quietly becoming one of NHL’s top offensive threats

BUFFALO – At his current pace, captain Rasmus Dahlin would register 72 points over a full season, one less than his career high and the second-highest total by a Sabres defenseman in the last 35 years.

Pretty good, right? Well, consider Dahlin has scored nine goals and 46 points despite battling injuries from the get-go this season and missing eight games with back spasms in December.

What kind of gaudy numbers would the ultra-talented Swede ... Read the full article

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen served as Team Finland’s third goalie. ©2025, Micheline Veluvolu

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen rejoins Sabres early; Tage Thompson added to Team USA at 4 Nations

BUFFALO – Instead of taking a day off he earned, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen got back on the ice Wednesday, rejoining practice a day early following his return from the 4 Nations Face-Off.

“UPL was a surprise guest,” coach Lindy Ruff joked following the Sabres’ 70-minute practice in KeyBank Center.

Luukkonen, 25, served as Team Finland’s third goalie, watching games from the press box as Jusse Saros and Kevin Lankinen handled the netminding duties.

He ... Read the full article