Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres place Casey Fitzgerald on waivers, create roster spot

BUFFALO – The Sabres this afternoon waived defenseman Casey Fitzgerald, a move that creates a roster spot for them to recall goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen from the Rochester Americans.

Update: Defenseman Henri Jokiharju, out since suffering a lower-body injury on Dec. 9, has been activated from injured reserve and taken Fitzgerald’s roster spot, according to the team’s website.

Update: General manager Kevyn Adams said on today’s “Jeff Marek Show” on 590 The Fan that Luukkonen ... Read the full article

After sending Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to Amerks, expect more moves as Sabres try to keep three goalies

BUFFALO – By loaning goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to the Rochester Americans to create a roster spot for Eric Comrie, the Sabres bought themselves some time.

Right now, the Sabres have a full 23-man roster. If they wanted to activate Comrie from injured reserve and keep Luukkonen, they might’ve had to waive a young defenseman and risk losing him.

The Sabres can send Luukkonen, 23, to the AHL without waivers, so his assignment on Monday ... Read the full article

Sabres send Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to Rochester, activate Eric Comrie

BUFFALO – The Sabres late this afternoon assigned goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to the Rochester Americans, a move that allows them activate Eric Comrie from injured reserve.

Comrie, 27, has missed the last 20 games recovering from a lower-body injury he suffered on Nov. 16. He will likely dress as Craig Anderson’s backup tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers at KeyBank Center.

Given Luukkonen’s hot streak – he has won six straight starts and eight of his ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Eric Comrie set to return from conditioning stint in Rochester

BUFFALO – When the Sabres convene for their pregame skate this morning, Eric Comrie will likely be one of three goalies on the ice as they prepare for the Philadelphia Flyers.

On Friday, Comrie made the third and likely final start of his conditioning assignment with the Rochester Americans, stopping 24 shots in a 3-2 home loss to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

He did not dress for Saturday’s 4-3 road win over the Syracuse Crunch.... Read the full article

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s emergence gives Sabres good goalie problem

BUFFALO – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s emergence as the Sabres’ No. 1 goalie has created a good problem the team will likely have to address in the coming days.

Luukkonen, having won five straight starts and seven of his last eight entering tonight’s home game against the Minnesota Wild, has possibly entrenched himself in the NHL. The Finn, 23, has developed into the Sabres’ backbone and one of their biggest difference-makers over the past month.

His splendid ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tage Thompson reflective after NHL All-Star selection: ‘A tough journey’

BUFFALO – When Sabres center Tage Thompson learned he had earned his first selection to the NHL All-Star Game, he reflected on his long, arduous journey to one of hockey’s premier events.

While Thompson, 25, made his big league debut with the St. Louis Blues in 2017, he struggled for years to secure regular duty and reach his vast potential. He endured demotions, a season-ending injury and other setbacks before enjoying a 38-goal breakout campaign ... Read the full article

Sabres send Eric Comrie to Rochester on AHL conditioning assignment

The Buffalo Sabres on Saturday sent goalie Eric Comrie, who suffered a lower-body injury on Nov. 16, to the Rochester Americans on a conditioning assignment.

Comrie, who has missed the last 17 games, started practicing again in mid-December. He can stay with the Amerks for a maximum of 14 days, according to the collective bargaining agreement.

The Amerks play a road game on Saturday afternoon against the Toronto Marlies.

Update: Comrie started and made ... Read the full article

Lawrence Pilut clears waivers, assigned to Amerks by Sabres

BUFFALO – Defenseman Lawrence Pilut this afternoon cleared waivers and was assigned by the Sabres to the Rochester Americans.

Pilut, who turns 27 today, compiled one goal and three points in 17 games during his recall to Buffalo.

“It’s good that we have tough decisions,” Sabres coach Don Granato said following today’s practice. “He’s filled in very admirably and showed to get better. So the message to him is simple, we don’t want to lose ... Read the full article

After blizzard ravages Buffalo, Sabres return to work with heavy hearts

BUFFALO – Kevyn Adams’ mother-in-law lives about a half mile from him in Clarence, so on Christmas Eve, as a devastating blizzard ravaged the region, he decided to brave the elements and check on her.

“Wrapped up and got out there,” the general manager said prior to Thursday’s 6-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings at KeyBank Center, the Sabres’ first game since Dec.

The short walk ended up taking Adams two hours there and ... Read the full article

Sabres prospects Jiri Kulich, Isak Rosen turning heads at World Juniors

Before Buffalo Sabres prospects Jiri Kulich and Isak Rosen left Rochester to join their respective countries at the World Junior Championship, Americans coach Seth Appert challenged the youngsters to rely on more than their skill during the tournament.

He said the AHL rookies have evolved over the past three months, displaying a willingness to play on the inside and attack the net. Without the puck, they’ve learned how to forecheck and about the physicality needed ... Read the full article