Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres prospect Brandon Biro quietly becoming elite AHL talent with Amerks

ROCHESTER – Last month, Buffalo Sabres prospect Brandon Biro approached Americans coach Seth Appert with a simple question: am I still playing well?

Biro, 25, had been on a tear nearly all season, scoring at more than a point per game clip. In December, he had six consecutive two-point outings and 16 points in 10 contests.

Then, suddenly, the center hit an offensive rut when the calendar turned to 2023. He endured a seven-game point ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Eric Comrie in midst of unusual winning streak

BUFFALO – Eric Comrie’s unusual four-game winning streak began 15 games and 42 days ago, when the Sabres awarded him a rare start Jan. 26 against the Winnipeg Jets.

The goalie had been used sparingly following his return from a lower-body injury that sidelined him seven weeks. After playing Jan. 10, he sat out eight straight games before earning the nod against his old team. He stopped 19 shots that night, helping the Sabres extend ... Read the full article

Prospect Devon Levi enjoying season of growth, excited about Sabres’ future

If Buffalo Sabres prospect Devon Levi had left Northeastern last year and turned pro, he might’ve already earned his first taste of the NHL.

Levi likely would’ve started his career with the Rochester Americans. But given the uncertain state of the Sabres’ goaltending at times this season, he could’ve been awarded a look by now.

Instead, Levi, 21, is back at Northeastern, where he’s grateful for the adversity he has endured during what has become ... Read the full article

Sabres recall defenseman from Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres, who played Monday’s 3-2 home loss to the Edmonton Oilers without injured defensemen Mattias Samuelsson and Riley Stillman, have recalled Lawrence Pilut from the Rochester Americans.

It’s unclear if the Sabres have another injured defenseman or they just want insurance. They play a road game tonight against the New York Islanders.

Samuelsson and Stillman are both day to day with upper-body injuries, according to the Sabres.... Read the full article

Matt Savoie, Jiri Kulich and likely other Sabres prospects off limits in trades

BUFFALO – In his early days as general manager, Kevyn Adams began reshaping the Sabres by trading established assets.

Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart and Rasmus Ristolainen all fetched hefty returns and have helped the Sabres compile a deep and talented stable of prospects.

As the Sabres have developed into a playoff contender this season, Adams has learned how much other teams covet their young talent.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Rasmus Asplund traded; Injured Rasmus Dahlin practices

BUFFALO – Following his first season as an NHL regular and a standout performance at the World Championship, forward Rasmus Asplund was expected to become a big contributor to the Sabres this year.

Instead, Asplund, 25, lost his regular spot in the lineup in late November, quickly morphing into a spare part.

The Swede had played just two of the last 18 games and 27 overall this season when the Sabres dealt him to the ... Read the full article

Sabres give Anders Bjork fresh chance with trade to Blackhawks

The Buffalo Sabres on Thursday traded winger Anders Bjork to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for future considerations.

The deal possibly gives Bjork, 26, an opportunity to resume his NHL career. In October, the Sabres waived him and assigned him to Rochester, where he began his first stint in the AHL since 2019-20.

Shortly after the deal was announced, the Rockford IceHogs, Chicago’s AHL affiliate, sent center Carson Gicewicz, an Orchard Park native, to Rochester ... Read the full article

Sabres trade rights to goalie prospect Erik Portillo to Kings

The Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday traded the rights to goalie prospect Erik Portillo to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.

The Sabres’ old regime drafted the Swede in the third round in 2019, 67th overall.

There had been speculation that Portillo, 22, would pass on signing with the Sabres and elect for free agency this summer.... Read the full article

After assignment to Rochester, Sabres’ Vinnie Hinostroza happy to be back

BUFFALO – After clearing waivers and reporting for his first stint in the minors in more than five years, a much-needed opportunity quickly materialized for Sabres winger Vinnie Hinostroza.

Of course, under normal circumstances, Hinostroza, 28, wouldn’t have been assigned to the Rochester Americans.

“Vinnie went to Rochester on circumstance, not on play,” Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said Sunday. “… He’s an NHL hockey player.”

But for about a month, Hinostroza, who signed ... Read the full article

Sabres sign goalie Michael Houser to NHL contract

The Buffalo Sabres on Monday signed goalie Michael Houser, who has spent all season with the Rochester Americans, to an NHL contract and placed him on waivers.

This is the third straight year the Sabres have awarded Houser, 30, an NHL deal during the season. Each time, he had been playing on an AHL contract.

His new contract is worth a prorated $750,000 in the NHL and $100,000 in the minors, according to capfriendly.com.... Read the full article