Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres sign goalie James Reimer to one-year contract

BUFFALO – The Sabres this morning added goaltending depth by signing veteran James Reimer to a one-year, one-way contract worth $1 million.

General manager Kevyn Adams recently said the Sabres plan to go with goalies Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, 25, and Devon Levi, 22, next season, so Reimer, despite his salary, could be ticketed for the Rochester Americans.

Reimer, 36, offers the Sabres valuable depth. He has played 501 NHL games over 14 seasons, compiling a 215-177-63 ... Read the full article

Signings, trade help revamp Sabres’ roster: ‘I like the look of our team’

BUFFALO – In signing Jason Zucker to a one-year, $5 million contract, the Sabres believe they added a versatile veteran winger they can utilize up and down the lineup.

“His ability to play anywhere in our lineup, I think, is critical in style,” Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said Monday in KeyBank Center. “He’s played plenty with top skill guys or he could play more of that hard-checking role.”

Meanwhile, center Sam Lafferty, the Sabres’ ... Read the full article

Sabres sign Jason Zucker, Sam Lafferty in free agency, re-sign Jacob Bryson

BUFFALO – The Sabres added two forwards shortly after free agency opened today, signing Jason Zucker to a one-year, $5 million contract and Sam Lafferty to a two-year, $4 million deal.

Zucker, 32, compiled 14 goals, 42 points, 81 penalty minutes and a minus-9 rating in 69 games with the Arizona Coyotes and Nashville Predators last season.

The 5-foot-11, 192-pound Zucker, a winger, has scored 196 goals and 370 points in 697 career NHL games. ... Read the full article

Sabres don’t give Jacob Bryson, two others qualifying offers

LAS VEGAS – The Buffalo Sabres on Sunday did not extend a $1.9 million qualifying offer to defenseman Jacob Bryson, making him a free agent.

The Sabres extendeded qualifying offers to goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, defenseman Henri Jokiharju and forwards Beck Malenstyn and Peyton Krebs.

Luukkonen, Jokiharju and Malenstyn all have arbitration rights.

Defensemen Riley Stillman and Calle Sjalin, two other pending restricted free agents, also did not receive qualifying offers.... Read the full article

Sabres looking to make more moves after trading for Beck Malenstyn

LAS VEGAS – Considering how aggressively general manager Kevyn Adams has spent the offseason pursuing trades to upgrade the Buffalo Sabres, leaving the NHL Draft with one new roster player, winger Beck Malenstyn, seems disappointing.

Still, in trading the 43rd overall pick on Saturday to the Washington Capitals in exchange for Malenstyn, 26, the Sabres addressed a significant need by becoming tougher to play against.

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Malenstyn, a pending restricted free agent, gives ... Read the full article

Kevyn Adams believes Kyle Okposo left lasting impact with Sabres

LAS VEGAS – Having won the Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006, Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams understands what Kyle Okposo, his former captain, felt when he lifted the prized trophy above his head Monday.

“I’m fortunate enough to know how special a feeling that is,” Adams said Thursday in the Wynn Hotel prior to the NHL Draft.

Adams, who traded Okposo to the Florida Panthers on March 8, is happy ... Read the full article

Sabres re-sign defenseman Kale Clague to one-year, two-way contract

LAS VEGAS – The Buffalo Sabres today re-signed defenseman Kale Clague to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 in the NHL.

Clague, 26, recorded one assist in three games for the Sabres last season and three goals and 23 points in 42 contests for the Rochester Americans.

He has spent months at a time in Buffalo over the past two seasons, often serving as an extra defenseman.... Read the full article

Rochester Amerks’ Jiri Kulich named to AHL’s Top Prospects Team again

For the second straight season, Rochester Americans center Jiri Kulich has earned a spot on the AHL’s Top Prospects Team.

Kulich, the 28th overall pick by the Buffalo Sabres in 2022, enjoyed another terrific season in the minors, scoring a team-best 27 goals and 45 points in 57 games. He scored nine times in his final 11 regular-season outings following a long slump. He also represented the Amerks in the AHL All-Star Classic.

The ... Read the full article

Jon Cooper, other NHL coaches helped Rochester Amerks’ Mike Leone grow: ‘People I lean on’

Mike Leone said he considers himself to be probably the luckiest guy in hockey.

The new Rochester Americans coach retired from playing at 28, never rising above the ECHL. But at each level of hockey during his days as a forward – junior, college and pro – he learned from someone who had been an NHL coach or would become one.

As a teenager with the Texarkana and St. Louis Bandits, Leone played for future ... Read the full article

NHL Draft: Rochester Amerks coach Michael Leone made impact on prospect Artyom Levshunov

BUFFALO – Two years ago, Artyom Levshunov arrived in the United States speaking little English. Today, the defenseman can comfortably hold court in front of a throng of reporters and cameras, joking and showcasing his personality.

At the NHL Scouting Combine, the affable Levshunov, 18, smoothly fielded questions, explaining his hockey journey from Belarus to the NHL Draft, where he could be selected as high as second overall June 28.

New Rochester Americans coach Mike ... Read the full article