Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Anders Bjork clears waivers, assigned to Amerks by Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday assigned forward Anders Bjork to the Rochester Americans after he cleared waivers.

Bjork, 26, lost his spot in the lineup late last season and never regained it. The Sabres scratched him for the first two games this season.

The 6-foot, 197-pound Bjork hasn’t played in the AHL since a seven-game stint with the Providence Bruins in 2019-20. He has spent most of his career in the NHL, making just 29 ... Read the full article

Sabres place Anders Bjork on waivers

BUFFALO – The Sabres on Monday placed forward Anders Bjork, a healthy scratch both games this season, on waivers, according to reports.

Bjork, 26, lost his spot in the lineup late last season and never regained it, sitting out more than a month straight.

This year, the American had an underwhelming training camp, and he never appeared to be close to cracking the forward corps.

With forward Riley Sheahan ready to be activated from ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Isak Rosen scores goal, enjoys impressive debut with Amerks

ROCHESTER – Americans winger Isak Rosen took off from the point, moving up as a penalty killer stumbled in his pursuit of defenseman Lawrence Pilut.

As Pilut fended off some hectoring, he fed the open Swede a soft pass in the right circle.

“Got it right into the wheelhouse,” Rosen said following Friday’s 4-2 win over the Toronto Marlies at Blue Cross Arena, his AHL debut.

The Sabres prospect unleashed a wicked one-timer, beating ... Read the full article

Sabres don’t see Mattias Samuelsson’s contract as risky: ‘He is the antidote’

BUFFALO – The sample size is small, just 54 games over parts of two NHL seasons. Still, it was enough to convince the Sabres that defenseman Mattias Samuelsson deserved a seven-year, $30 million contract extension.

The massive deal, announced Wednesday shortly after the Sabres extended coach Don Granato’s contract, certainly raised some eyebrows.

But the Sabres don’t feel it’s a risky move. In the 6-foot-4, 227-pound Samuelsson, a top-pair defender, they believe they possess a ... Read the full article

Sabres excited to add JJ Peterka, Jack Quinn to roster: ‘They will acclimate’

BUFFALO – Sabres rookie JJ Peterka stood before the media in his sweat-soaked practice uniform, a smile etched on his face.

On Monday, general manager Kevyn Adams called Peterka, 20, and Jack Quinn, 21, and informed them they had earned a spot in the Sabres’ opening night lineup.

Two years ago, after drafting Quinn eighth overall, Adams moved up to take Peterka with the 34th pick after the German surprisingly fell out of ... Read the full article

Sabres captain Kyle Okposo cleared to play following injury

BUFFALO – Sabres captain Kyle Okposo has been cleared to play after suffering an upper-body last week, coach Don Granato said.

Okposo, 34, practiced fully Tuesday, skating at right wing beside center Rasmus Asplund and Zemgus Girgensons.

“He won’t be denied,” Don Granato said following the session at LECOM Harborcenter. “… Evident by the way he competes in practice, he’s ready to go.”... Read the full article

Sabres make moves, set 23-man roster; JJ Peterka, Jack Quinn stay in Buffalo

BUFFALO – The Sabres on Monday finalized their 23-man regular-season roster, sending goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and defenseman Lawrence Pilut to the minors and placing forward Riley Sheahan on injured reserve with a muscle injury.

That means wingers JJ Peterka and Jack Quinn, both of whom enjoyed dynamic rookie seasons with the Rochester Americans last year, have made the big club.

While Peterka did not stand out during training camp, the Sabres are confident he ... Read the full article

Sabres make roster moves, waive three defensemen

BUFFALO – The Sabres this afternoon placed defensemen Kale Clague, Jeremy Davies and Chase Priskie on waivers.

If they clear, coach Don Granato said they will be assigned to the Rochester Americans.

The Sabres have 26 players – 15 forwards, eight defensemen and three goalies – left in training camp. They must finalize their 23-man regular-season roster by 5 p.m. Monday.

Update: Clague, Davies and Priskie have cleared and been assigned to the Amerks.... Read the full article

Lawrence Pilut, Chase Priskie and other D help Sabres upgrade depth

BUFFALO – The Sabres have likely known for months which seven defensemen will comprise their opening night roster.

Jacob Bryson, Rasmus Dahlin, Henri Jokiharju, Casey Fitzgerald, Owen Power and Mattias Samuelsson entrenched themselves on the blue line last season. In signing Ilya Lyubushkin in free agency, the Sabres added a gritty veteran presence they lacked.

But what about the rest of the defense corps? Given the rugged nature of the position, defensemen are always at ... Read the full article

After monster season, Sabres prospect Jack Quinn about to crack NHL roster

BUFFALO – Early in Tuesday’s 4-2 victory, Sabres prospect Jack Quinn aggressively cut from the left wing into the slot, zipped by a defender and released a low, hard shot toward the far side from one knee.

While Quinn, 21, did not score – Carolina Hurricanes goalie Pyotr Kochetkov made a terrific pad save – the slick play illustrated the youngster’s burgeoning confidence.

“That’s just my game,” Quinn said following Wednesday’s session of training camp ... Read the full article