Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres give Anders Bjork fresh chance with trade to Blackhawks

The Buffalo Sabres on Thursday traded winger Anders Bjork to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for future considerations.

The deal possibly gives Bjork, 26, an opportunity to resume his NHL career. In October, the Sabres waived him and assigned him to Rochester, where he began his first stint in the AHL since 2019-20.

Shortly after the deal was announced, the Rockford IceHogs, Chicago’s AHL affiliate, sent center Carson Gicewicz, an Orchard Park native, to Rochester ... Read the full article

Sabres trade rights to goalie prospect Erik Portillo to Kings

The Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday traded the rights to goalie prospect Erik Portillo to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.

The Sabres’ old regime drafted the Swede in the third round in 2019, 67th overall.

There had been speculation that Portillo, 22, would pass on signing with the Sabres and elect for free agency this summer.... Read the full article

After assignment to Rochester, Sabres’ Vinnie Hinostroza happy to be back

BUFFALO – After clearing waivers and reporting for his first stint in the minors in more than five years, a much-needed opportunity quickly materialized for Sabres winger Vinnie Hinostroza.

Of course, under normal circumstances, Hinostroza, 28, wouldn’t have been assigned to the Rochester Americans.

“Vinnie went to Rochester on circumstance, not on play,” Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said Sunday. “… He’s an NHL hockey player.”

But for about a month, Hinostroza, who signed ... Read the full article

Sabres sign goalie Michael Houser to NHL contract

The Buffalo Sabres on Monday signed goalie Michael Houser, who has spent all season with the Rochester Americans, to an NHL contract and placed him on waivers.

This is the third straight year the Sabres have awarded Houser, 30, an NHL deal during the season. Each time, he had been playing on an AHL contract.

His new contract is worth a prorated $750,000 in the NHL and $100,000 in the minors, according to capfriendly.com.... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Jiri Kulich earns AHL Player of the Week honors

A terrific weekend in which Buffalo Sabres prospect Jiri Kulich scored three goals and six points as the Rochester Americans went 3-0 has earned him AHL Player of the Week honors for the period ending Sunday.

Kulich, 18, enjoyed a night of three firsts in Friday’s 8-4 home win over the Laval Rocket, recording two goals, including the game-winner, and three points.

The Czech rookie followed up by recording two assists in Saturday afternoon’s 7-1 ... Read the full article

Sabres injuries: Alex Tuch out at least few weeks; Rasmus Dahlin day to day

BUFFALO – For months, the Sabres stayed remarkably healthy, especially up front, where the forward corps remained almost intact.

But now, they’ll be without first-line winger Alex Tuch for at least a few weeks after he suffered a lower-body injury in Friday’s 3-1 road win over the Florida Panthers. General manager Kevyn Adams said Tuch, 26, is week to week and he expects him to return before the end of the regular season.

To make ... Read the full article

Sabres put Alex Tuch on injured reserve

On Saturday, a day after the Buffalo Sabres moved into a wild card spot, they placed first-line winger Alex Tuch on injured reserve.

The loss of Tuch, of course, is a potentially devastating blow as the Sabres fight for their first playoff spot in 12 years. The 26-year-old has morphed into a star this season, scoring 28 goals and 62 points. Both totals rank second on the team.

It’s unclear what happened to Tuch, who ... Read the full article

Trade to Sabres organization special for Youngstown’s Joseph Cecconi, family

ROCHESTER – Right away, Joseph Cecconi called his grandfather, Joe, to share the special news.

Throughout his grandson’s junior and college career, the elder Cecconi traveled to nearly every one of his home games. He estimates he racked up about 30,000 miles a year driving from his Youngstown home to Muskegon and Ann Arbor.

Then Joseph Cecconi turned pro in 2019 and reported to the Texas Stars, Dallas’ AHL affiliate, and the trips ended. ... Read the full article

Special mentality helped Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen earn No. 1 job

BUFFALO – The burden of expectations could’ve weighed Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen down. After all, shortly after the Sabres drafted him in the second round in 2017, he was labeled as their goalie of the future.

At times in the minors, the Finn seemed to be developing a bit slowly. Injuries and the COVID-19 pandemic limited his playing time. He sometimes struggled or performed inconsistently.

“There’s been ups and downs to it,” Luukkonen said of his ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen named top rookie for January

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, whose six wins led all first-year netminders, has earned NHL Rookie of the Month honors for January.

Luukkonen, 23, has emerged as the Sabres’ No. 1 goalie this season, becoming their backbone after being recalled from the Rochester Americans in November.

In January, the Finn was stellar, making at least 30 saves in five of his nine outings. Overall in the month, he compiled a 6-2-1 mark with ... Read the full article