Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

In need of spark, Sabres turn to rookie Konsta Helenius versus Canadiens

MONTREAL – A week ago, shortly after center Konsta Helenius arrived in Buffalo to serve as a Black Ace, the Sabres promoted the rookie to the main practice group.

While the Sabres boast depth up front, Helenius, who turned 20 on Monday, is a high-end young talent. By moving him up, they illustrated he could be an option during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

On Tuesday, in Game 4 of the Sabres’ second-round series, Helenius made ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Sam Carrick expected to play in second round versus Canadiens; Konsta Helenius joins practice

BUFFALO – Expect to see center Sam Carrick, who has missed the last 13 games with a left arm injury, play during the Sabres’ second-round series against the Montreal Canadiens.

Carrick on Tuesday practiced for the first time since getting injured in a fight March 31.

“He’s out there right now getting some contact,” Ruff said following Tuesday’s practice. “His fitness levels are good, everything. His return to play, he’s worked really hard ... Read the full article

Sabres recall prospects from Rochester; Logan Stanley questionable for Game 6

BUFFALO – The Sabres have recalled seven prospects from the Rochester Americans to serve as Black Aces – extra players during a playoff run – after their AHL affiliate’s season ended.

Goalie Devon Levi, forwards Konsta Helenius, Riley Fiddler-Schultz and Anton Wahlberg and defensemen Ryan Johnson, Vsevolod Komarov and Radim Mrtka have all joined the Sabres.

The players will practice in a separate group from the Sabres, who play Game 6 of their first-round playoff ... Read the full article

Sabres lose Noah Ostlund to injury for ‘period of time’

BUFFALO – Sabres rookie Noah Ostlund will be sidelined “a period of time” after suffering a lower-body injury in Tuesday’s 2-1 overtime playoff loss to the Boston Bruins, coach Lindy Ruff said.

“The news wasn’t good, don’t exactly know how much (time),” Ruff said this morning in KeyBank Center.

With Ostlund out, center Josh Norris, who has missed the last three games, will likely move into the lineup for Game 6 of the first-round playoff ... Read the full article

In Noah Ostlund, Sabres possess smart, special talent: ‘I belong here now’

BOSTON – Noah Ostlund figures by the second time the Buffalo Sabres recalled him this season, he started feeling comfortable in the NHL.

Not that the rookie looked out of the place in those early-season outings and during an eight-game look late last year, his first taste of the big leagues.

But after the Sabres summoned Ostlund from the Rochester Americans again in early November, he started scoring and earning more ice time. By later ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Noah Ostlund could return from injury Thursday

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said rookie forward Noah Ostlund, who has missed the last 12 games with an upper-body injury, is “real close” to playing.

“I would consider him a possibility for tomorrow,” Ruff said this afternoon in KeyBank Center.

The Sabres play Game 3 of their first-round playoff series Thursday in Boston against the Bruins. The best-of-seven series is tied 1-1.... Read the full article

Injured Sabres Noah Ostlund, Alex Lyon return to practice; Buffalo could make lineup change for Game 1 of playoffs

BUFFALO – Expect to see rookie forward Noah Ostlund return from his upper-body injury during the Sabres’ first-round series against the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Ostlund, 22, practiced as an extra Saturday, his first session since going down March 25 late in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Bruins.

The best-of-seven series starts tonight at KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

Grinding in minors and paying dues molded Sabres’ Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen into special NHL goalie

BUFFALO – In those early years, as he grinded in the minors and his paid dues, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen said it could be difficult to see the big picture.

Luukkonen, having developed into one of hockey’s top prospects and been anointed the Sabres’ goalie of the future, kept hearing the same thing.

“You’re a young guy, everybody tells you this and that and that you’re going to be great,” Luukkonen said following Sunday’s practice ... Read the full article

Sabres reassign top defense prospect to Rochester Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday reassigned top defense prospect Radim Mrtka from his junior team, the Seattle Thunderbirds, to the Rochester Americans.

Mrtka, the ninth overall pick in 2025, began the season in Rochester before the Sabres sent him to Seattle.

Seattle’s season ended Friday in the first round of the Western Hockey League Playoffs.... Read the full article

Rookie Zach Metsa back with Sabres, perhaps for good

OTTAWA – By Sunday night, after Buffalo Sabres defenseman Zach Metsa completed a grueling stretch of the three games in three days with the Rochester Americans, he was spent.

“Just mentally and emotionally, you’re just kind of drained after the third game,” the defenseman told the Times Herald prior to Thursday’s game against the Senators in the Canadian Tire Centre.

In his brief return to the minors, Metsa, 27, received the full AHL experience, playing ... Read the full article