Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Williamsville’s Trevor Kuntar agrees to AHL contract with Rochester Amerks

Williamsville native Trevor Kuntar has joined the Rochester Americans.

The Buffalo Sabres’ AHL affiliate on Thursday announced it has agreed to terms with Kuntar, a forward, and defenseman Peter Tischke on one-year AHL contracts.

Kuntar, 24, spent his first two pro seasons with the Providence Bruins, Boston’s AHL affiliate. Boston did not give him a qualifying offer last month, making him a free agent.... Read the full article

Sabres add depth up front with another signing for Rochester

The Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday added depth up front, signing center Jake Leschyshyn to a one-year, two-way contract.

Leschyshyn, 26, will likely begin the upcoming season with the Rochester Americans.

He spent most of last season with the Hartford Wolf Pack, registering 13 goals, 24 points, 34 penalty minutes and minus-35 rating in 69 games for the New York Rangers’ AHL affiliate. He also recorded zero points in one outing with the Rangers.... Read the full article

In USHL star Luke Osburn, Sabres might have special defense prospect

BUFFALO – Rochester Americans coach Mike Leone understands talking about a prospect in the same breath as a current or former NHL star can create unrealistic expectations.

Still, he wanted to illustrate how much Luke Osburn, a high-scoring defenseman the Sabres drafted in the fourth round in 2024, has impressed him.

“It’s an unfair comparison, but you know when Duncan Keith played, he was really wiry and his skating ability,” Leone said of the former ... Read the full article

After difficult two years, Sabres goalie prospect Topias Leinonen thriving

BUFFALO – When the Sabres drafted goalie Topias Leinonen 41st overall in 2022, they likely believed he would be ready to begin his career in North America in three years.

Sure enough, Leinonen, having signed his entry-level contract in March, is expected to start the upcoming season with the Rochester Americans or the Jacksonville Icemen, their ECHL affiliate.

Leinonen, 21, just enjoyed a standout season for Mora IK, a second-tier pro team in Sweden, compiling ... Read the full article

Kevyn Adams says Sabres would match any offer sheet to Bowen Byram

BUFFALO – If a team swoops in and gives restricted free agent Bowen Byram an offer sheet, general manager Kevyn Adams said the Sabres are prepared to match it.

“The moves we’ve made and the position we’ve put ourselves in from the cap perspective has been strategic,” Adams said prior to Wednesday’s session of development camp in LECOM Harborcenter. “If you leave just enough room in your cap that where maybe you see a projection ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Kevyn Adams likes look of team after signings and trades

BUFFALO – In the past week, general manager Kevyn Adams has acquired six players for the Sabres who could be on their opening-night roster by making two trades and four notable signings.

While Adams possibly isn’t done making moves – he could use another top-six forward, and finding one is no easy task – he likes the look of the revamped Sabres.

“We like where our group’s at in terms of the way the roster ... Read the full article

Sabres sign Alex Lyon, make trade and add depth as free agency opens

What exactly will goalie Alex Lyon’s role be with the Buffalo Sabres?

Right now, Lyon, their most significant signing on Tuesday, the first day of free agency, is likely penciled in as Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s backup.

But what if Luukkonen, 26, struggles like he did last season? Late in the year, veteran James Reimer took over, keeping the Finn on the bench as he enjoyed a career-best stretch.

The Sabres are under enormous pressure to win ... Read the full article

After career-best season, Sabres re-sign Ryan McLeod to $20 million contract

Buffalo Sabres center Ryan McLeod has parlayed a breakout season in which he set new career highs by scoring 20 goals and 53 points into a four-year, $20 million contract.

He inked the deal Tuesday shortly after becoming a restricted free agent.

McLeod, 25, fit in nicely in his first season in Buffalo, moving up and down the lineup while being utilized for faceoffs and as a penalty killer.... Read the full article

Sabres trade Sam Lafferty, re-sign two defensemen; Buffalo signs goalie Alex Lyon to two-year contract

The Buffalo Sabres today traded forward Sam Lafferty to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2026.

Lafferty, 30, struggled last season after signing a two-year, $4 million contract as a free agent, registering four goals, seven points and a minus-15 rating in 60 games.

The Sabres inked the speedy Lafferty, who had just enjoyed a career year with the Vancouver Canucks, when they overhauled their fourth line.... Read the full article

Kevyn Adams comfortable with Devon Levi and UPL, but will Sabres add veteran goalie in free agency?

BUFFALO – In each of the last two seasons, goalie Devon Levi cracked the NHL roster out of training camp only to be demoted by the Sabres in November.

While the Sabres occasionally recalled Levi, 23, he mostly stayed in Rochester, emerging as the Americans’ backbone and one of the AHL’s elite netminders.

Levi, having registered a 2.28 goals-against average and .922 save percentage in the minors, has made a strong case he’s ready to ... Read the full article