Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres GM Tim Murray focusing on center for top pick, ready to add free agents

BUFFALO – In one week, general manager Tim Murray, like just about everyone else associated with hockey, expects stud defenseman Aaron Ekblad will be drafted No. 1 overall. Then the rebuilding Sabres have a franchise-altering decision.

Which slick prospect will they grab at No. 2?

“We’re taking the best player available,” Murray said Thursday inside the First Niagara Center.

Murray acknowledged the obvious, saying there’s a “very good chance” the Sabres will pick one of ... Read the full article

Sabres will likely draft center at No. 2, still want to add another high pick

BUFFALO – In eight days, Sabres general manager Tim Murray fully expects Florida – or whoever the Panthers trade the No. 1 overall pick to – will grab defenseman Aaron Ekblad.

So what will the rebuilding Sabres do with the next selection at the NHL Entry Draft?

“We’re taking the best player available,” Murray said this morning inside the First Niagara Center.

Murray acknowledged the obvious, that, yes, the Sabres will likely select one of ... Read the full article

Otters hire former Sabres defenseman Jay McKee as assistant coach

Twitter funnyman and former Buffalo Sabres defenseman Jay McKee has joined the Ontario Hockey League’s Erie Otters as an assistant coach.

The team introduced the 36-year-old during a news conference this afternoon.

No word on whether he’ll still tweet about Nathan Gerbe’s size.

McKee, who retired from the NHL in 2010, coached one year with the Rochester Americans in 2011-12 before getting fired by former coach Ron Rolston.

Prior to his 802-game NHL ... Read the full article

Sabres sign slick forward prospect Nicholas Baptiste to 3-year, entry-level deal

The Buffalo Sabres have signed forward Nicholas Baptiste to a three-year, entry-level contract, the club announced today.

The 18-year-old, the 69^th overall pick last year, enjoyed a career season in 2013-14, compiling 45 goals and 89 points in 65 games with the Ontario Hockey League’s Sudbury Wolves.

Baptiste has 74 goals and 164 points in 195 OHL games over three seasons. He’s not old enough to play in Rochester yet.... Read the full article

Sabres sign defense prospect Brady Austin to 3-year, entry-level deal

BUFFALO – The Sabres have signed defenseman Brady Austin to a three-year, entry-level contract, the club announced today.

The 20-year-old, the 193^rd overall pick in 2012, split 2013-14 between the Ontario Hockey League’s Belleville Bulls and London Knights, setting career highs with nine goals, 24 assists, 33 points and a plus-51 rating in 67 games.

Austin, 6-foot-3 and 234 pounds, had 29 goals, 110 points and 194 penalty minutes in 322 career OHL games. ... Read the full article

Sabres re-sign Nick Deslauriers to 2-year contract

BUFFALO – The Sabres have re-signed winger Nick Deslauriers to a one-way, two-year contract.

The deal is worth $1.25 million, according to capgeek.com. The 23-year-old would’ve become a restricted free agent this summer.

Deslauriers, acquired from Los Angeles in the March 5 Brayden McNabb trade, compiled one goal and 18 penalty minutes in his first 17 NHL games. He played 10 total games in Rochester following the season.

“Nick was able to step ... Read the full article

Former Sabre Alexander Sulzer signs 5-year deal in native Germany

BUFFALO – Former Sabres defenseman Alexander Sulzer has signed a five-year contract with Kolner Haie, a DEL team in his native Germany.

Sulzer was set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

The 29-year-old played 57 games with the Sabres over parts of three years, compiling six goals and 14 points.

He suffered a season-ending concussion March 13. He said last month he was still experiencing headaches.

The Sabres’ old regime waived ... Read the full article

Amerks’ Colton Gillies hoping impressive AHL season leads to another NHL gig

ROCHESTER – The summer dragged on and on, and Colton Gillies, a former first-round pick with 154 games of big league experience, couldn’t find any work.

Gillies was still months away from turning 25. He had just spent two straight seasons in the NHL. At 6-foot-4, he possessed size, a precious commodity, yet skating was his biggest asset.

Still, no one wanted him.

“I’ve never experienced anything like that,” Gillies said Saturday after a gritty ... Read the full article

Amerks hold late lead, tie series against Wolves

ROCHESTER – A night after blowing a late 3-1 lead and losing the playoff opener in overtime, the Americans experienced deja vu.

“It was ‘Groundhog Day,’” coach Chadd Cassidy joked Saturday after the Amerks grinded out a 3-2 win against the Chicago Wolves, tying the best-of-five Calder Cup playoff series. “We go up 3-1. Rasmus (Ristolainen), just a complete bomb off the crossbar.

“Same thing happened (Friday). We had a chance to go up 4-1 ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Tim Schaller developing into all-around talent with Amerks

ROCHESTER – On April 5, the Americans began the third period of a pivotal late-season tilt trailing the Marlies 3-0. Twenty minutes later, buoyed by fourth-line center Tim Schaller’s natural hat trick, they had rallied for a stunning 4-3 victory in Toronto.

Schaller had four goals in 65 AHL games before scoring three times in a 14-minute stretch.

“I didn’t think it would ever happen, but it did,” Schaller said last week inside the Blue ... Read the full article