Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres prospect Isak Rosen showcases rapid development: ‘Ready to attack’

BUFFALO – Two months later, Isak Rosen has returned to the Sabres a more aggressive, assured and explosive prospect.

“He looks faster. He looks harder on the puck,” Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert said of Rosen’s rapid improvement since development camp ended in mid-July. “And his first step looks like it’s got either more pop or more assertiveness. So some of it’s physical.”

Rosen said prior to recording an assist in Thursday’s Prospects Challenge opener ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Prospects Challenge roster includes three first-round picks

Three first-round picks – centers Matthew Savoie and Jiri Kulich and winger Isak Rosen – are among the 27 youngsters listed on the Buffalo Sabres’ roster for the upcoming Prospects Challenge rookie tournament.

The roster, released Monday, also includes Russian winger Aleksandr Kisakov, a second-round pick in 2020, and winger Flip Cederqvist, a fifth-round selection in 2019 coming off a 14-goal season in the Swedish Hockey League.

The Sabres open the tournament Thursday against the ... Read the full article

Sabres re-sign goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to two-year contract

The Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday re-signed goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, their final restricted free agent, to a two-year, $1.675 million contract.

General manager Kevyn Adams has said Luukkonen, a prospect labeled as the Sabres’ goalie of the future, is likely ticketed for the Rochester Americans again this year. The Sabres plan to utilize veteran Craig Anderson and newcomer Eric Comrie as their netminding tandem.

Luukkonen, 23, has battled injuries over his three-year pro career, and ... Read the full article

Sabres add forward depth, sign Riley Sheahan to one-year contract

The Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday added forward depth, bringing back veteran Riley Sheahan on a one-year, two-way contract worth $950,000 in the NHL.

Sheahan, 30, played 53 games for the Sabres in 2020-21 after parlaying a training camp tryout into a one-year contract. He will likely compete for a spot on the Sabres’ fourth line during camp, perhaps at center.

The Notre Dame product often skated as a fourth-line winger during his first stint in ... Read the full article

Prospect Arttu Ruotsalainen leaves Sabres to play in Switzerland

When prospect Arttu Ruotsalainen examined the Sabres’ depth chart, he apparently saw limited opportunities in Buffalo.

Wingers JJ Peterka and Jack Quinn are expected to graduate to Buffalo this season, meaning there’s likely no room for the Finn in the forward corps.

So on Friday, Ruotsalainen, 24, signed a contract to play the upcoming season for EHC Kloten in the Swiss National League.

The Sabres retained Ruotsalainen’s rights last week by tendering him a qualifying ... Read the full article

Former Sabres have quickly landed new contracts this offseason

In past years, a slew of former Buffalo Sabres had difficulty finding work in free agency.

With few suitors on the open market, some settled for training camp tryouts while others went overseas or never played again.

So far this offseason, seven players who spent time in Buffalo last season have quickly landed new NHL contracts. Here’s an update:

... Read the full article

Sabres re-sign Brett Murray to one-year contract

The Buffalo Sabres on Monday re-signed winger Brett Murray, who played 19 NHL games last season, to a one-year, two-way contract.

The deal is worth $750,000 in the NHL and $225,000 in the AHL, according to capfriendly.com.

The Sabres now have two unsigned restricted free agents: goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and forward Arttu Ruotsalainen.

Murray, 23, compiled two goals and six points during his recalls to Buffalo last season. He made his first two NHL ... Read the full article

Talented Sabres prospects JJ Peterka, Jack Quinn ready for duty in Buffalo

BUFFALO – Michael Peca sees Sabres prospect JJ Peterka as such a rare and special talent he refers to the German winger a “unicorn.” Seriously.

Peca, an assistant coach with the Rochester Americans, can’t think of a former teammate or opponent or find anyone in today’s game who resembles the type of player Peterka, 20, can become someday.

“He has no idea how good he can be yet, which is scary,” said Peca, a popular ... Read the full article

After two years away, Lawrence Pilut back with Sabres organization

Defenseman Lawrence Pilut has returned to the Buffalo Sabres organization after a two-year stint in the Kontinental Hockey League.

The Sabres on Friday signed Pilut, 26, to a one-year, two-way contract worth $750,000 in the NHL and $300,000 in the AHL, according to capfriendly.com. The Swede played 46 NHL games during his first stint with Buffalo.

General manager Kevyn Adams acknowledged earlier this week the Sabres wanted to re-sign Pilut but needed proof his contract ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Ryan Johnson, Erik Portillo could have futures in Buffalo

BUFFALO – Right now, Ryan Johnson acknowledged he’s leaning toward returning to Minnesota for his senior season. Still, the defense prospect hasn’t ruled out turning pro. He plans to use this week’s development camp to evaluate the Sabres.

“I could kind of see where the organization is,” said Johnson, a first-round pick in 2019, 31st overall.

Johnson, who turns 21 on July 24, said if he goes back to college, he could eventually sign with ... Read the full article