WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Former Sabres prospects Matej Pekar (left), Oskari Laaksonen (center) and Filip Cederqvist all spent time in Rochester but never made it to Buffalo. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
It happens every year or so. One of the Buffalo Sabres’ unheralded mid- or late-round draft picks quickly grabs some attention. Maybe a YouTube sizzle reel builds a little hype. Other times his exploits in training or development camp can raise expectations.
“Who the heck is this guy?” fans might ask.
Matej Pekar’s aggressive antics just days after the Sabres drafted him in 2018 – he hit Casey Mittelstadt, Buffalo’s top forward prospect at ... Read the full article
Konsta Helenius skates July 1 during development camp in LECOM Harborcenter. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
Buffalo Sabres prospect Konsta Helenius will be playing in North America in the 2024-25 season.
Tappara, Helenius’ Finnish team in Liiga, announced Monday on its social media platforms the center has left to join the Sabres organization.
Helenius, the 14th overall pick June 28, signed his entry-level NHL contract July 8.... Read the full article
Youngstown’s Joseph Cecconi signed with Minnesota. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
A year ago, the Rochester Americans’ top nine scorers returned, a remarkable number for an AHL team. This upcoming season, that number might be three.
The Buffalo Sabres’ affiliate was bound to experience some overturn in free agency this offseason after enjoying stability rarely seen in the minors. Some updates are below.... Read the full article
Zemgus Girgensons recently joined Tampa Bay. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
In past offseasons, it sometimes took former Buffalo Sabres time to find work. Some went overseas or returned to the minors. Some never played in the NHL again.
But earlier this month, seven players from the 2023-24 squad quickly signed NHL contracts as free agents. Some updates are below.
– Winger Jeff Skinner signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers.
The Sabres, of course, bought out the final three seasons of Skinner’s ... Read the full article
Linus Weissbach skates off the ice May 10 following his last game with Rochester. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
Winger Linus Weissbach has returned home to play in the Swedish Hockey League.
The former Buffalo Sabres prospect on Saturday signed a two-year contract with Frolunda HC.
Weissbach, 26, spent the last three seasons with the Rochester Americans, scoring 52 goals and 117 points in 192 AHL games. He added four goals and 11 points in 18 contests in the Calder Cup Playoffs.... Read the full article
Buffalo is Sam Lafferty’s fifth NHL team. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres center Sam Lafferty’s first three NHL teams utilized him in a checking role, deploying him for faceoffs in enemy territory for a whopping 73.7 percent of his zone starts.
Then last year, after the Vancouver Canucks acquired Lafferty, 29, from the Toronto Maple Leafs days before the season, they gave him a dual role.
For the first time in his five-year career, he had more offensive zone starts than defensive starts (51.3 ... Read the full article
Buffalo drafted Konsta Helenius on June 28. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres on Monday signed center prospect Konsta Helenius, the 14th overall pick on June 28, to a three-year, entry-level contract.
The Finn, having spent the last two years competing against stronger and more experienced talent in Liiga, could continue his pro hockey in North America next season.
Helenius, 18, and Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams have both said they’re open to different options, including playing in Buffalo or with the Rochester Americans.... Read the full article
Buffalo drafted Matt Savoie ninth overall in 2022. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
After the Buffalo Sabres recently made a minor deal and signed some free agents, it appeared the significant trade that was expected this summer might never materialize.
Maybe, just maybe, general manager Kevyn Adams felt that adding some grit to augment a talented lineup and having a new coach in Lindy Ruff would be enough to help the Sabres end their NHL-record 13-year playoff drought.
But on Friday, Adams, who has expressed his willingness to ... Read the full article
Dennis Gilbert talks Wednesday in KeyBank Center. ©2024
BUFFALO – Almost two years ago, a seven-game stint with the Calgary Flames changed defenseman Dennis Gilbert’s career.
Gilbert played sparingly during that short recall, sometimes skating less than 10 minutes an outing. By the end of that November, he was back in the AHL, where he had spent the entire previous season.
But the lessons the Williamsville native learned from former Flames coach Darryl Sutter and his staff during those three weeks stuck with ... Read the full article
James Reimer has played 501 NHL games. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Having decided to utilize two young goalies next season, the Sabres needed to find a veteran to provide depth at the critical position.
So on Tuesday, they signed James Reimer, 36, to a one-year, one-way contract worth $1 million.
That salary, of course, is hefty for a No. 3 goalie who will likely play in the minors. Still, general manager Kevyn Adams, who recently said the Sabres plan to have Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, 25, ... Read the full article