Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres prospect Isak Rosen becoming slick scorer, one of Amerks’ ‘drivers’

ROCHESTER – As a rookie barely a year ago, Buffalo Sabres prospect Isak Rosen would’ve been firmly planted on the bench with the Americans clinging to a late one-goal lead.

“I couldn’t fathom putting him on the ice in an empty-net situation 13 months ago,” Amerks coach Seth Appert said following Monday’s practice in Blue Cross Arena.

But Rosen, 20, has developed into what Appert called one of the Amerks’ “drivers” and quietly become one ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Jiri Kulich off to torrid start with Amerks, recall not on mind

ROCHESTER – Buffalo Sabres prospect Jiri Kulich was a force that night, utilizing his 6-foot-1, 186-pound frame and setting three career highs for the Americans.

Kulich, 19, did not score a goal or even assist on one. No, he registered personal bests in puck battles, hits and takeaways on Nov. 10 in a 4-3 win over the Utica Comets, according to Amerks coach Seth Appert.

“All in the same game,” Appert said following Monday’s practice ... Read the full article

Sabres send prospect back to Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres on Friday sent rookie winger Lukas Rousek back to the Rochester Americans and placed center Tage Thompson on injured reserve to create roster space for rookie winger Zach Benson and goalie Eric Comrie.

Benson and Comrie, both of whom had been on injured reserve, played in Friday’s road game against the Winnipeg Jets.

Rousek, 24, compiled zero points and a minus-2 rating in five games with the Sabres. The Czech has scored ... Read the full article

Sabres hope brief NHL experience will help prospect Matt Savoie in junior

BUFFALO – In the heat of a close game, with two precious points at stake, Sabres coach Don Granato did not feel comfortable putting prospect Matt Savoie on the ice.

So in his NHL debut, Friday’s 3-2 win over the Minnesota Wild, Savoie, 19, skated just 3 minutes, 55 seconds over five shifts. He did not play in the third period.

On Saturday, the Sabres sent Savoie, who missed all of training camp, back to ... Read the full article

Injured Alex Tuch could play this week; Sabres send prospect to Amerks

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Alex Tuch, who has missed the last two games with a lower-body injury, could return for Friday’s road game against the Winnipeg Jets, coach Don Granato said.

“I mentioned from the outset, he’s day to day so the issue he’s dealing with could have resolved in, say, 48 hours,” Granato said following Monday’s practice in KeyBank Center. “… He is waiting for the results so he has full mobility and full ... Read the full article

Sabres send prospect Matt Savoie back to junior team

PITTSBURGH – With a full roster a week or two ago, coach Don Granato said the Buffalo Sabres figured only an injury would create a spot for forward prospect Matt Savoie.

When forward Brandon Biro went on injured reserve Monday, the Sabres had a place for Savoie, who had just completed his 14-day conditioning loan in the minors.

Savoie, 19, made his NHL debut in Friday’s 3-2 home win over the Minnesota Wild, skating just ... Read the full article

After strong stint with Rochester, Matt Savoie rejoins Sabres, could play soon; Dylan Cozens close to returning

BUFFALO – Having just returned from a conditioning loan, Sabres prospect Matt Savoie won’t make his NHL debut tonight in Carolina. Coach Don Granato wants to put him into positions he will succeed, so he doesn’t feel comfortable playing him against the Hurricanes after one practice.

In the near future, however, the Sabres will likely give Savoie, 19, a chance to showcase his talents. The slick forward stood out in the AHL, scoring two goals ... Read the full article

After surprise recall, Sabres rookie Ryan Johnson stands out in win in Toronto

TORONTO – Ryan Johnson’s Saturday began in Rochester, where he was preparing to hop on a bus and play with the Americans in Syracuse. It ended in Scotiabank Arena, where the rookie celebrated a win with the Buffalo Sabres and his first NHL point.

Having lost Mattias Samuelsson to a lower-body injury Friday, the Sabres needed another defenseman, and they chose Johnson, 22, over more experienced options.

Johnson said when Rochester’s coaches told him ... Read the full article

Alex Tuch breaks loose late in Sabres’ win over Maple Leafs; Dylan Cozens misses game with injury

TORONTO – No, it wasn’t quite a piano off Alex Tuch’s back. The Sabres winger had scored this season before his two third-period goals Saturday secured a 6-4 win over the Maple Leafs. He said he believes he had been skating well.

Piano’s too heavy for the expression.

“Monkey more than piano,” said Tuch, bringing the weight he was carrying early this season down about 700 pounds.

Fresh off a breakout 36-goal campaign, Tuch hadn’t ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Matt Savoie excelling with Amerks during conditioning loan

BUFFALO – By about 9:30 tonight, Sabres prospect Matt Savoie will have completed his sixth game with the Rochester Americans and his 14-day AHL conditioning loan will be over.

Savoie, 19, has fit in nicely, establishing himself as one of the Amerks’ top scoring threats while showcasing the talents that made him the ninth overall pick in 2022. Staying in Rochester would likely buoy the forward’s development.

But as a teenager whose rights are owned ... Read the full article