Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres send 10 players to Rochester Amerks, waive six others

The Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday loaned 10 players, including center Konsta Helenius, their first-round pick earlier this year, to the Rochester Americans and placed six players on waivers for the purpose of assigning them to their AHL affiliate.

The Sabres also released nine players who are expected to join the Amerks from their training camp tryouts and returned goalie Scott Ratzlaff to the Seattle Thunderbirds, his junior team.... Read the full article

For Zach Metsa, other Sabres prospects, chance to play NHL games special

BUFFALO – The Sabres think highly enough of defenseman Zach Metsa they signed him to a two-year AHL contract in 2023 and immediately awarded him regular duty on a tryout during the Calder Cup Playoffs.

He followed that up by standing out on a deep blue line as a rookie last season in Rochester, registering 24 points in 54 games for the Americans.

So Metsa, 25, is beginning a critical season. While he possesses talent, ... Read the full article

Rochester Amerks captain Michael Mersch retires from hockey

Rochester Americans winger Michael Mersch, who captained the Buffalo Sabres’ AHL affiliate the last three seasons, has retired from hockey.

Mersch, 31, spent the last four seasons in Rochester, compiling 66 goals and 156 points in 220 games. The Amerks made the Calder Cup playoffs every season of his captaincy, advancing as far as the Eastern Conference final in 2023.

The Wisconsin product spent most of his 11-year pro career in the AHL, scoring 188 ... Read the full article

Sabres preseason: Buffalo’s prospects get final chance to impress

Two wins and a third-period lead against an NHL lineup isn’t bad, right? The group of Sabres closing out the preseason in Buffalo as the regular team prepares for Friday’s season opener in Czechia has looked impressive.

Following two 3-2 road wins, a team mostly comprised of Rochester Americans led the Columbus Blue Jackets 2-1 on Saturday before falling 6-3.

Tonight against the Detroit Red Wings at KeyBank Center, that group B group closes out ... Read the full article

Goalie prospect Scott Ratzlaff seizing chance, impressing Sabres

BUFFALO – For Sabres prospect Scott Ratzlaff, playing against NHL players he had only seen on television like Sean Monahan feels surreal.

In a normal training camp, the goalie would’ve been sent back to the Seattle Thunderbirds after about a week. But the Sabres’ season-opening trip to Europe has created unique opportunities for players left in camp.

Ratzlaff, 19, has seized his chance, looking impressive during his first NHL preseason outings.... Read the full article

Sabres preseason: Noah Ostlund, other prospects earn another game

BUFFALO – When the Sabres split into two groups Tuesday – the regular team traveled overseas to start the season, while the B group stayed here to complete training camp – a special opportunity materialized for some players.

Prospects and minor leaguers who would’ve normally received little or no action have an extended look as the Sabres complete their preseason schedule.

On Tuesday, a group filled with youngsters and AHL talent won a 3-2 road ... Read the full article

Amerks’ Mason Jobst has NHL contract, belief he can play for Sabres

BUFFALO – At 30, an advanced age in which a hockey player is often past his prime, center Mason Jobst sees the door to the NHL open a crack.

Jobst, you see, keeps getting better. Over the past three years, he has jumped from 15 to 38 to 50 points. He just enjoyed a career season, tying Isak Rosen for the Rochester Americans’ lead in points and scoring 22 goals, the AHL team’s second-highest total.... Read the full article

Devon Levi happy to compete with UPL, sharp as Sabres beat Blue Jackets

BUFFALO – For years, Sabres goalie Devon Levi has been a workhorse, starting game after game.

At Northeastern, Levi played 89 percent of the Huskies’ games. After turning pro late in 2022-23, he started seven of the Sabres’ final eight contests and the first four last season before suffering an injury.

When Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen seized the No. 1 job late last fall, the Sabres assigned Levi to the Rochester Americans to play regularly, occasionally recalling ... Read the full article

JJ Peterka scores hat trick, shows star qualities as Sabres throttle Penguins

BUFFALO – Let’s temper any excitement over the Sabres’ 7-3 win and winger JJ Peterka’s hat trick in Saturday’s preseason opener by noting the Pittsburgh Penguins brought their B or C squad to KeyBank Center.

The Sabres, meanwhile, dressed what resembled a regular-season lineup featuring perhaps their top two lines and No. 1 goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

An emphatic victory was almost expected. Following a slow start, the Sabres began annihilating the visitors, scoring five times ... Read the full article

After signing contract, Sabres’ Peyton Krebs might have to battle for spot

BUFFALO – When the Sabres overhauled their third and fourth lines during the offseason by trading for Ryan McLeod and Beck Malenstyn and signing two free agents, center Peyton Krebs’ future here became uncertain.

Krebs, the Sabres’ last restricted free agent, is officially back for his fourth season, having signed a two-year, $2.9 million contract on Tuesday. But as training camp opens today with the first on-ice sessions in KeyBank Center, it’s unclear where he ... Read the full article